Member Stories

I look forward to it every week, and no matter how bad of a day or week I had, the MVP session energizes me in such a positive way to be surrounded by such incredible people.

I feel very comfortable sharing my ups and downs each session because we all have gone through some similar situations. What I also love about MVP is that we all have each other's back, not just only on Wednesday evenings but on a 24/7 basis."

I have definitely grown in confidence and have progressed in a positive way since becoming a member. Our trainers are excellent, and working out in groups motivates me to work out more. Weekly, I am inspired by the openness/transparency of our members.

“I definitely would recommend MVP to all other combat veterans and former professional athletes! I love breaking a sweat and breaking down those mental barriers with my MVP fam!”

It has also increased my energy levels to perform more physical activities outside of the program. My anxieties have become manageable as I interact with more relatable veterans and players.

“I’m allowing myself to find and experience the joy that came in the form of faith, reading, and connecting with others. I worked myself to death and didn’t allow myself to feel. I can see that I have come a long way, and I’m now finding pieces of myself that I didn’t know were misplaced. Love and understanding are the main ingredients to a healthy recovery or transition—this is what we have in MVP.”

“With the help of MVP my marriage has grown stronger.”

“We were a group of misfits who had been searching for a way to self-healing and self-recognition.”

“The chats afterward help you to know that you are not alone as you navigate through the transitions in your life. I’ve met people who are going through the same experiences.”

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support of family, friends, and groups like MVP. “

“I now know that transitioning vets and former professional athletes have lost their identity and sense of family. Now my confidence is much stronger, and if I’m having an emotional moment, there’s someone at MVP to help me get back on track.”

“By 2015 the VA had done everything possible for me. I needed more help than physical—I missed the camaraderie I had in the Marines. I asked myself: ‘What’s the next thing or goal to drive me?’”

“As a former professional athlete, people tend to see you in a certain way and don’t really respect your daily struggles, but MVP is different.”

“Because of everything I've been doing, I was able to get off all the medications and for the first time in years, I feel like myself. MVP gave me a family and I’m smiling again.”

“With the MVP peer support he has already received, I want to help any new members seeking additional advice and guidance at MVP.”

“Sitting in on the group talks after the workout really helped me put a lot of things of my own life into perspective.”

Being a part of "MVP" gives retired athletes and retired veterans the ability to interact and share experiences and stories of what it's like to be removed from such an influential part of  his or her life, and be expected to live like any other, "normal" person. Whatever "normal" is for us, we figure it out together. 

Being at the weekly sessions even in the face of barriers like the 90-minute drive or single-vehicle household problems, feels like a win to me. I always come away with a feeling that I have positively helped my mental well-being. This journey to physical, spiritual, and mental wellness that I have been on is significantly impacted by seeing the progress of others on the same journey at the MVP sessions. I feel joy through sharing what we get to do at MVP.

MVP has given me a group of peers that I feel connected to and feel safe to confide in when I am at my worst. I look forward to seeing the other veterans in MVP each week.

Looking back at it all, I would have never been able to get the help I needed if it had not been for MVP.

MVP has helped me by having a group of peers that understand the team mentality and post-deployment/post-service life struggles. It has helped my confidence and has helped me realize my individuality and identity as a person.

“I tell vets they have to deal with their PTSD; repressing it thinking it will go away can affect their life and heath."

“It feels like I’ve ‘lost my honor.’ At MVP, they get what that expression means and understand how it makes me feel.”

“A lot of people don’t like to talk about their military service for a variety of reasons—possibly because of survivor guilt, showing signs of weakness or feeling guilty for never firing their gun. Emotional trauma doesn’t go away until you process it and you can’t process it until you talk about it, and if you don’t talk about it, it’ll just fester.”

“I find the combination of a workout and fireside chat brings everyone together in an intimate team setting. It’s a great team-building experience. The workouts allow members to let their guard down and to be more open later during the chats.”

“Since leaving the game, I don’t watch football on TV and I’m not a football fan anymore.”

MVP has helped me get back with the camaraderie and brotherhood I appreciated in the military. Even though I wake up every morning with something hurting, I know on my worst day I won’t run away from it, and with my MVP brothers and sisters, we’ll push through. In Iraq, I couldn’t run away, and even though as a civilian, I’ve often felt alienated, at MVP, we are one

“I made new friends at MVP who helped me get through the rest of my week. I’m usually a loner in big crowds, but I was able to talk a little bit more in smaller groups.”

“I struggle with anxiety, stress, and depression from combat—driving and getting stuck in traffic gets me on edge, and loud high pitch noises weird me out. MVP has helped me come out of my shell, and it feels good to start talking with my fellow vets.”

“MVP has been monumental and instrumental to my transition. The morals, values, ethics, and optics that we have from our service and in MVP are of a different caliber than most people would not relate to or understand, but in a positive and powerful way.” 

“I suffer from PTSD. At MVP meetings we’re sharing and I know I’m not the only person dealing with these things. I’m lucky to have a safe place to talk, and I’m grateful for that.”

“MVP has helped me find my genuine self again, a new purpose and MVP will help guide me to the next stage in life—I am not alone. No more hesitating.”

“ Knowing that I had the same transition issues when leaving the service, I wanted to see if the program would help me too.” 

"It's okay to cry, to reach out for help and support from your battle buddies, the VA, and other family and friends.  Remember you're not alone and you're not broken."

“As a veteran who finally started working through his transition, he found MVP a place where he could let out his frustration on the bags and mats, have positive conversations in the fireside chats while simultaneously encouraging those who were just starting their transition.”

“MVP reminds me of who I was and who I can still be. I have a strong support system now that has taught me life goes on.”

The second I walked into the first session at MVP, I was greeted by a volunteer, and I immediately knew that these people would genuinely care about me.

I am forever grateful to MVP for its unwavering commitment to veterans and former athletes. They have truly changed my life, helping me go from a place of uncertainty to one filled with hope and a renewed sense of purpose. Thank you, MVP, for being the support system I needed during this critical phase of my life.

MVP has provided me with a space to share my journey with men and women who can relate to my challenges—giving me a team to maintain physical and mental fitness.

MVP helps not only the veteran and athlete but also helps their families, their communities, and our country.

MVP is a beautiful thing. I really appreciate the platform and look forward to building more friendships through MVP. It’s the huddle like the locker room where I’ve really connected with others.

The weekly sessions have given me an outlet to let some stuff out in a safe environment; typically, I am not comfortable telling close friends and family the issues I have from serving in the military.

This transformation has not been merely about professional gains. MVP has taught me to help, to empathize, to work tirelessly, and to understand my true purpose. It has helped me figure out who I am and why I am here. For this invaluable journey, I must express my heartfelt gratitude. Thank you, MVP.