November is National Military Fitness and Wellness Month. The purpose of this month is to raise awareness of the importance of health and wellness for active members of the United States Armed Forces, serving veterans and their families. One group that is very active in helping service members and veterans is Matt Hess and his organization Foot Ops Foundation. According to the FIt Ops website, their mission is to “empower veterans to discover new purpose through the power of fitness and community.”
As the founder of FitOps and founder and CEO of the University of Health and Performance, Matt Hesse has seen firsthand the differences these organizations make.
A few family members from generations past Hess had served their country, but his own call to join the United States Army came for a different reason. He was looking for a way forward after a difficult upbringing.
“A lot of young men and women are called to the service as a way to feel safe,” Hess said. “I think a lot of kids can’t serve themselves, and when they have difficulties or trauma, they have compassion for others who don’t feel the way they feel.”
Despite his rough years as a child, Hess saw the positives that came from it, which helped him move forward as an adult.
“It made me want to help others in a way I didn’t realize. There’s a real gift in that because that’s what calls young people to help others. It can be hard for a kid, but it’s a person. creates a servant and a leader in the heart of
Matt Hayes served six years in the military before moving on to the next phase of his life. During this time, he encountered leaders who served as positive examples for him to follow.
“I think the military played an important role in helping me become the man I am and teaching me the value of values.”
After his career in military service ended, he found another way he could fulfill his purpose of serving – through fitness. A wrestler in middle school and high school, he used fitness to improve in school and escape childhood troubles. He still trains regularly today as it has become part of his foundation. Once Matt Hayes left the military, he went to school on his GI Bill, and he started working for a nutrition store. He also started writing programs and giving supplements to athletes at school. He became so passionate about nutrition that he eventually owned a store himself. He preferred to hire veterans to help them find new ways to make a difference.
“There’s a way to serve when you get out of uniform. I think once you do it and it’s in your heart, it never goes away. That purpose and meaning in life is your north.” There is a star, and finding it is the most important step in transition.
Matt Hayes points out that not taking the time to figure out who you are and what you’re passionate about can be the reason veterans feel lost as they move on to the next stage of life. do His passion for fitness and wellness combined with his desire to help fellow veterans was the beginning of the next chapter in Hess’ career and life, leading to the creation of FitOps, and ultimately, the University of Health and Wellness. performance, after which Hess began to develop. Selling his sports nutrition company in 2017. It started as a 30-day camp in Texas, but it grew into something much bigger.
“FItOps was the culmination of my desire to end suffering in our population, and I’m a big believer that we need to start empowering the veteran population by taking pity on it.”
The combination of FitOps and the university differs from other nonprofits that work to raise funds alone. They want to help these veterans build a foundation to set themselves up for long-term success. Fitness is a big part of what they do, but it’s more than just that. The ultimate goal is to put people in positions to thrive and make a positive difference. That purpose is what Hess sees as lacking in many veterans, and may be one reason many veterans struggle after their military careers end.
“The goal is to teach veterans what I learned and the awareness I gained professionally through the power of physical fitness on emotional and mental health.”
The university’s role is to help veterans and active duty service members become trainers and serve through the power of coaching. In 2020, Arkansas State University of Health and Performance was certified, and Hess invested in 500 acres of land to create the first campus for active duty military and veterans to learn about fitness and wellness as a profession. Work done. Graduates can begin coaching careers or possibly work in nutrition stores if they decide to focus on business goals. FitOps serves as a research and scholarship program for the university.
Matt Hayes isn’t the only person associated with this mission. He found an ally in legendary WWE superstar and actor John Cena. Cena is best known for helping children and the Make-A-Wish Foundation, but the former “The Marine” star is also passionate about supporting those who helped preserve freedom.
“He’s a serious guy, and everything he touches has to be authentic,” he shared. “He’s been a supporter with both resources and time. He’s trained doctors and continues to talk to doctors he visits on campus.
What started as a small way to help veterans grew into a movement that served many across the country. Matt Hesse is just as committed to this mission as he was to serving our nation when he was in the military himself. Aside from what he does now, he also has a book called “The Purpose Blueprint” that can help those moving from ministry to find that new purpose. Ultimately, he hopes his efforts will transcend measurable metrics of success like money or fame. Its mission is to transform the vision of veterans.
“I believe it’s critical that we rebuild the way civilians see veterans and the way veterans see themselves. That’s my mission.”
For more information about FItOps, visit www.fitops.org. To learn more about the University of Health and Performance, visit www.university-hp.com. You can also follow Matt Hesse @matt_hesse, @fitops, and @university_hp on Instagram.
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