Except for serving and defending their nation, there are two issues that many navy veterans are enthusiastic about—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 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 happened in Montana in 2023 and included a HALO soar from a helicopter, a 10-mile swim, and a 200-mile ruck. The occasion was so grueling, lots of those that took half within the first race had been feeling the consequences for as much as months afterward. One entrant had even damaged his foot upon touchdown from the helicopter soar—but nonetheless managed to complete the grueling problem.
Considered one of final yr’s race individuals was Jonathan Wilson, who’s each a Navy SEAL and founder and CEO of INVI MindHealth, a company centered on serving to veterans and first responders enhance their psychological well being by means of know-how 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 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 means of and is able to pushing by means of now. It’s one purpose 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 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 company that gives psychological well being assist for veterans and first responders. Ellis was linked 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 drugs earlier than changing into part of the motion.
“He has been off these drugs, 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” with regards to growing consciousness and making a direct distinction.
“Ever since, we’ve been rocking and rolling,” he shared. “INVI MindHealth has been and continues to offer know-how that we’ve on the market to assist 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 massive ally within the psychological well being area.” 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 taking pictures analysis. The small print of the ultimate element 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 collaborating on this celebration of patriotism, that is greater than a race. It is usually a method to assist fellow heroes whereas reminding themselves why they’re amongst America’s best.
In keeping with Ellis, “All of the funds will go towards suicide prevention analysis and giving veterans and first responders sensible instruments to take care of their psychological well being.”
Wilson might be collaborating on this once more and is wanting ahead to the problem that lies forward. Already having is getting ready himself for the toll it’ll take.
“I’ve obtained chills simply interested by it. I’m nervous, excited to see my brothers and endure alongside them for a very good trigger,” he mentioned. “It’s gonna harm like hell.”
You may scan the QR codes beneath to study extra concerning the Invisible Wounds Basis and INVI MindHealth. It’s also possible to observe @invimindhealth on Instagram or go to
