Adam Schachter, from Nightmares of Being a Soldier in Israel to Dreams of Becoming a Life Coach in Nevada
Alejandra Rubio profiles Adam Schachter who recounts his difficult past as a soldier caught up in conflict, hoping to find new orientation at his new home in Carson City.
Imagine playing outside with your friends, and you hear sirens going off. You look up and see the chaos around you. People are rushing to seek cover, you have 15 seconds to run and find safety before incoming rockets strike.
Adam Schachter, like many other Israelis, lived through constant fear for most of his childhood while growing up in Israel.
“I was about ten years old when I started to experience all of this chaos,” he said during a recent interview. “After a while, I started to get used to it, and it became a part of my life.”
He recalls a story on a day when he and his family were out at a restaurant, and his mother had gotten a phone call saying one of their neighbor’s cars was struck by a rocket. “We were lucky that we were not home that day. As well for my neighbor who was lucky not [to be at] home,” he said.
Adam grew up in Yad Mordechai in a small kibbutz village close to the Gaza Strip, just northeast of the Sinai Peninsula. “It’s a nice place. We have about 700 people living in my kibbutz. We have mini markets, a medical center, education, and a place that provides clothing as well.”
Violence involving Israel and its neighbors has existed for decades despite repeated but failed international attempts to broker lasting peace.
Amid these tensions, Israeli’s Defense Service Law (1986) made it mandatory for men to serve a minimum of three years, and women must serve their country no less than two years.
“For me, it was an honor, not only to help protect my family, but my lands as well,” he remembers. Adam was placed in a combat unit and was appointed that commander’s right-hand man. Stationed with 15 other soldiers close to the Gaza Strip, Adam also recalls how stressful it was to join the military. “In high school, we were doing a lot of crazy things, so you could imagine how much it was a shock for someone fresh out of high school holding a gun and being told to be responsible,” he said.
Adam lost some of his friends while they tried to clear out an underground tunnel. “It was about three hours before ceasing fire, one of my friend’s units got ambushed. The commander and four other soldiers [had] been killed, and one was kidnapped. It’s not easy.”
In 2013, after successfully serving his required three years in the military, Adam suffered an injury to one of his legs. Due to his injury, he could no longer hold the same rank. Adam made the difficult decision to immigrate to the U.S. to follow his dreams, to help teach those he says who seek a self-disciplinary lifestyle.
“To be able to help others in their journey makes me feel good and brings joy to my life,” he said. “If I can make the world a little better, then I have succeeded in life.”
A fan of Ralph Waldo Emerson, the 19th century American essayist, lecturer, philosopher, abolitionist, and poet, Adam cited one of his poems he tries to live by: “To laugh often and much; to win the respect of the intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better.”
Alongside offering life coaching, he also has opened an online sports store, where he also offers online fitness training. “I did personal fitness training in Israel, and I wanted to bring this training here to the U.S. along with selling sports equipment,” he said.
Nine years ago, Adam started his journey to the U.S. in Colorado. He has taken on many jobs which have allowed him the opportunity to travel to all 50 states. “I know people who know people that always need people,” he said. “That’s how I ended up coming to the United States and taking on many odd jobs.”
He eventually settled in Carson City, where he now works for Coca-Cola. He continues to work on his dreams of owning his own company and to hopefully start a family soon. “I don’t plan on going back to Israel,” he said. “I mean I would go back for visits but I am here now and I would like to start my future here.”
