Apart from serving and defending their nation, there are two issues that many navy veterans are captivated with—taking up new challenges and serving to fellow heroes. A bunch 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 is just not for the faint of coronary heart. his race might be thought of an Iron Man for tactical athletes. The primary race came about 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 have 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 in every of final 12 months’s race individuals was Jonathan Wilson, who’s each a Navy SEAL and founder and CEO of INVI MindHealth, a company targeted on serving to veterans and first responders improve their mental health by way of expertise developments. Wilson had a private {and professional} dedication to Monster Mash, and was proud to have completed it. Nevertheless, he reported struggling a number of setbacks from the problem.
“Final 12 months, we had damaged bones, blood ft, 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 way of and is able to pushing by way of now. It’s one motive why he’ll taking part on this weekend occasion as soon as once more. “We put limits on ourselves, and the fact is that we are able to go far past these. I felt alive having gone by way 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 company that gives psychological well being assist for veterans and first responders. Ellis was related to this occasion by a buddy 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 buddy was on 16 totally different medicines earlier than turning into part of the motion.
“He has been off these medicines, and he has not solely been baseline however thriving,” he stated 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” on the subject of rising consciousness and making a direct distinction.
“Ever since, we now have been rocking and rolling,” he shared. “INVI MindHealth has been and continues to supply expertise that we now have on the market to assist veterans and first responders.”
2024 Monster Mash Particulars
This 12 months, EXOS, the science-driven efficiency firm. has additionally gotten concerned and Ellis refers to them as a “very massive 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 way 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 taking pictures analysis. The main points of the ultimate part have but to be introduced.
On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, there might 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 participating on this celebration of patriotism, that is greater than a race. Additionally it is a approach to assist fellow heroes whereas reminding themselves why they’re amongst America’s most interesting.
In line with 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 might be participating on this once more and is wanting ahead to the problem that lies forward. Already having is making ready himself for the toll it can take.
“I’ve bought chills simply excited about it. I’m nervous, excited to see my brothers and endure alongside them for an excellent trigger,” he stated. “It’s gonna harm like hell.”
You may scan the QR codes beneath to study extra in regards to the Invisible Wounds Foundation and INVI MindHealth. You may also comply with @invimindhealth on Instagram or go to
