Counselors Discover Their ‘Warrior Spirit’ at 2026 ACA Conference & Expo

By Caren Clark

April 2026

The 2026 ACA Conference & Expo got off to an electrifying start on April 9 in Columbus, Ohio, as attendees buzzed about a local power outage. As power was restored, D.J. Vanas took the stage to deliver the opening keynote. Vanas, president of Native Discovery Inc., former U.S. Air Force officer, member of the Ottawa Tribe and author of The Warrior Within, discussed the importance of resilience, self-care and sustainable service during turbulent times, drawing from Native American traditions about the warrior role to help counseling professionals stay strong while serving others.

Redefining the Warrior Role

Vanas shared insights from his Native American heritage, emphasizing that true warriors serve others through contribution and protection. Being a warrior does not look like a Hollywood stereotype; rather, it means developing your given talents over a lifetime to contribute to your family and community.

The Power of Service

Vanas highlighted three reasons for service: Service is our highest calling, it fulfills our deepest needs and it creates a legacy. “When we serve somebody else … we feel amazing,” he said.

To sustain their critical work over the long term, counselors can practice several techniques for maintaining warrior strength: Use available resources wisely, face fear with courage and build mental toughness.

Resources will always be limited, so it’s important to maximize what you have by being creative with your time, energy, networks and training. “What matters is how you use what you have to honor where you come from on a daily basis,” Vanas said.

He noted that courage isn’t about the absence of fear but rather facing it and moving forward anyway. The capacity for courage is built through small steps, such as embracing change and trying new things. He suggested building a “courage reservoir” by reflecting on past moments of bravery to draw upon in future challenges.

Three Ways to Build Mental Toughness

Vanas suggested three purposeful ways counselors can build mental toughness and resilience:

• Question negative thoughts: Don’t try to outrun your feelings. Instead, ask whether the emotions are real or just fear and whether the story you’re telling yourself is accurate. “We always have an impact in the way that story ultimately goes. That’s where our power is,” he said.
• Foster joy: Joy radiates outward and affects everyone around us, so don’t postpone fun. Try to find a balance between work and play every day.
• Prioritize self-care: Honoring your own needs is what enables sustainable service to others. “You cannot be a warrior if you’re falling apart,” Vanas said.

Finally, Vanas emphasized that warriors never fought alone. Likewise, counseling professionals need to build a supportive network by surrounding themselves with happy, healthy people. “We all need help … especially when we’re going through big changes and we’re going through stressful times,” he said. We don’t always get to choose the circumstances we’re in, but we do get to choose “who we are and how we are.”