Apart from serving and defending their nation, there are two issues that many navy veterans are keen 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 getting into a really intense bodily problem: the 2024 Monster Mash.
The 2024 Monster Mash isn’t for the faint of coronary heart. his race might be thought of an Iron Man for tactical athletes. The primary race passed off 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 have been feeling the results 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.
One in every 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 via know-how 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 yr, we had damaged bones, blood toes, and I couldn’t really feel my proper thigh for six months from the nerve harm,” 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 via and is able to pushing via now. It’s one cause 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 via 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 help for veterans and first responders. Ellis was linked to this occasion by a good friend 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 good friend 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 the case of rising 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 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 large 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 via 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 small print of the ultimate element have but to be introduced.
On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, there will likely be a Veterans Day dinner afterward to rejoice 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’s also a option to help fellow heroes whereas reminding themselves why they’re amongst America’s best.
Based on 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 will likely be collaborating on this once more and is trying ahead to the problem that lies forward. Already having is getting ready himself for the toll it’s going to take.
“I’ve bought chills simply desirous about it. I’m nervous, excited to see my brothers and endure alongside them for a very good trigger,” he mentioned. “It’s gonna damage like hell.”
You may scan the QR codes under to be taught extra concerning the Invisible Wounds Basis and INVI MindHealth. You may as well comply with @invimindhealth on Instagram or go to
