On this episode of Mitch’s Vinyl Corner, I’m doing something a little different—no records, no pressings, no gear. I sat down with my good friend Monica “Mo” Mondelli (we served together in the Marine Corps) to talk about her transition out of the military and the new path she’s building through van life, the outdoors, and social media. The whole point here was to introduce her to my community and, honestly, to help bring different communities together—veterans, outdoor folks, and anyone trying to figure out what’s next. Mo talks about getting out (2021), moving to Colorado, and how being outside became a real tool for her mental health—especially during that “big sad” period a lot of people hit after transitioning. We get into why she bought a van (and why it’s taking a while), what she’s documenting on her channel, and her approach of sharing mistakes so other people can learn from them. We also talk mental health from my side—how it’s become more accepted, how it’s not a permanent fix, and why you’ve got to keep managing it and using the resources and community around you. Mo also shares travel plans (Southwest Colorado, then WA/OR/CA), build priorities like electrical first, and even a van-life channel recommendation: The Fine Print.