- When Jersey City native and former Marine Robert Consulmagno couldn't find his way, his commitment to Brazilian jiujitsu allowed him to battle through his demons and rebuild his life. Now he strives to not only be the best martial artist he can be, but to also spread his message of hope and renewal to other people in need, particularly veterans.

And thanks to a Fox News segment based around his story and mission, the 42-year-old, nationally ranked purple belt believes he is getting closer.

"I'm a veteran, I'm 100-percent disabled, I can't work," Consulmagno told The Jersey Journal. "Twenty-two vets are dying a day. It's my duty to help them and get the message across."

His story, which was the subject of a Jersey Journal article last year, has also been covered by a variety of news organizations, including ABC and the Bucks County Courier Times. He has also been in contact with ESPN and NBC about potential stories.

Consulmagno, the world's third-ranked fighter, has made tremendous strides in a sport he only picked up three years ago. He suffers from post traumatic stress disorder and is also bipolar. But the key to his turnaround, he believes, was when he stopped taking medication.

"I'm trying to help save lives without medicating," he said. "When I was on it, I was more depressed, suicidal and hospitalized. Once I got off it, my life began to change."

It's his hope that others in pain can find solace in alternative treatments, like he did, and he plans on becoming a motivational speaker to spread his message.

He often reaches out to veterans in need, like those at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center, and offers his advice. He's also focusing on reaching out to the White House for help in spreading his message.

"I will get to the White House. I will shake the president's hand. I will get to the public eye and not depend on people calling me back," he said. "My life has been changed because of this. I will get to the public eye."

He hopes that, with help from the White House, he can springboard his platform to a much wider audience.

"I'm trying to make an impact. I have a mission, and it's just me and my dog, that's it. I'm seizing the opportunity right in front of me, and I'm not going to stop."