Why We Exist
We help veterans come home, not just from deployment, but back to themselves. Too many veterans come home carrying weight no one can see. The Veteran Wellness Retreats exist to lift some of that and to give veterans a place to learn valuable skills, relax, laugh, and reconnect with the kind of brotherhood and purpose that doesn't end when the uniform comes off. We're a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Stuart, Virginia, and everything we do serves one goal: Veteran's mental health and wellness!
Founder Story
My strength and aggression are a blessing and I utilize them justly.
I spent 10 years as a Navy SEAL with multiple combat deployments. I'm a first-degree black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and a Pro MMA fighter and like most Combat Veterans I have dealt with PTSD. One of the biggest things I deal with is being hyper vigilant, especially in crowded areas, it can be very hard to relax.
Being capable of not only defending myself, but everyone around me brings me a great deal of peace! Combat skills are just like any other skills, use 'em or lose 'em! In order to maintain that sense of peace, I not only train myself regularly, but I feel it's important to empower others with those same skills.
I have found being surrounded by animals and connecting with nature to be extremely healing. I have brought many of my fellow combat veterans to my property and watched their anxiety vanish. They relax, smile, laugh and begin to heal as well!
I built these retreats to help other veterans experience some peace through learning valuable skills in a beautiful and peaceful place surrounded by good, likeminded people who truly care about and support them!
— Mitch Aguiar, Founder