Other than serving and defending their nation, there are two issues that many army veterans are enthusiastic about—taking up new challenges and serving to fellow heroes. A gaggle of people that meet these {qualifications} will get an opportunity to do each by coming into a really intense bodily problem: the 2024 Monster Mash.
The 2024 Monster Mash shouldn’t be for the faint of coronary heart. his race may very well be thought-about an Iron Man for tactical athletes. The primary race occurred in Montana in 2023 and included a HALO leap from a helicopter, a 10-mile swim, and a 200-mile ruck. The occasion was so grueling, a lot of those that took half within the first race had been feeling the results for as much as months afterward. One entrant had even damaged his foot upon touchdown from the helicopter leap—but nonetheless managed to complete the grueling problem.
One among final yr’s race contributors was Jonathan Wilson, who’s each a Navy SEAL and founder and CEO of INVI MindHealth, a corporation targeted on serving to veterans and first responders enhance their psychological well being by means of expertise developments. Wilson had a private {and professional} dedication to Monster Mash, and was proud to have completed it. Nonetheless, he reported struggling a number of setbacks from the problem.
“Final yr, we had damaged bones, blood toes, and I couldn’t really feel my proper thigh for six months from the nerve injury,” Wilson says.
Regardless of the bodily setbacks, he was glad to have had the expertise as a result of it reminded him of what he has went by means of and is able to pushing by means of now. It’s one purpose why he’ll collaborating on this weekend occasion as soon as once more. “We put limits on ourselves, and the truth is that we are able to go far past these. I felt alive having gone by means of it.”
Sumner Ellis additionally works for INVI MindHealth—which payments itself as having a mission of “making the Invisible Seen”–in addition to the Invisible Wounds Basis, a corporation that gives psychological well being help for veterans and first responders. Ellis was related to this occasion by a pal who was working as a medic that had earlier expertise as a fight medic after the Sept. 11, 2001 assaults on the US. Ellis shared that this occasion and its trigger has impressed him on a number of ranges. He has seen firsthand what sort of distinction the efforts make as a result of that very same pal was on 16 completely different medicines earlier than changing into part of the motion.
“He has been off these medicines, and he has not solely been baseline however thriving,” he mentioned proudly. Ellis joined the fold formally when Winters reached out to him in June 2024.
He proudly refers to himself as a “serving to hand” in terms of rising consciousness and making a direct distinction.
“Ever since, we have now been rocking and rolling,” he shared. “INVI MindHealth has been and continues to supply expertise that we have now on the market to help veterans and first responders.”
2024 Monster Mash Particulars
This yr, EXOS, the science-driven efficiency firm. has additionally gotten concerned and Ellis refers to them as a “very huge ally within the psychological well being house.” The 2024 Monster Mash, will begin in Scottsdale, AZ, on Saturday, Nov. 9, and it’ll conclude 24 hours later over 50 miles away by means of Cowtown Vary and end on the EXOS facility. The courageous contestants will swim 5 miles, tackle a 50-mile ruck run with 45 kilos, and carry out a capturing analysis. The main points of the ultimate element have but to be introduced.
On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, there will probably be a Veterans Day dinner afterward to have fun and pay tribute to veterans. All of the proceeds raised from the 2024 Monster Mash and the dinner will go to the Invisible Wounds Basis. For the athletes collaborating on this celebration of patriotism, that is greater than a race. It is usually a technique to help fellow heroes whereas reminding themselves why they’re amongst America’s most interesting.
Based on Ellis, “All of the funds will go towards suicide prevention analysis and giving veterans and first responders sensible instruments to keep up their psychological well being.”
Wilson will probably be collaborating on this once more and is trying ahead to the problem that lies forward. Already having is making ready himself for the toll it’s going to take.
“I’ve bought chills simply occupied with it. I’m nervous, excited to see my brothers and undergo alongside them for trigger,” he mentioned. “It’s gonna harm like hell.”
You’ll be able to scan the QR codes beneath to study extra concerning the Invisible Wounds Basis and INVI MindHealth. You too can comply with @invimindhealth on Instagram or go to
