Forty percent of us never use our GI Bill. If you’re reading this that might seem crazy to you but it’s true. Maybe that’s because too many institutions, universities and colleges expect us to fit into their system. But if a normal college experience was for us, we wouldn’t have joined the military to begin with. Hell, if a normal life was for us we wouldn’t have joined the military either.
Introducing UHP
A Veteran created institution for Veterans. I’m talking about 100% Veterans classes, they even let Marines in. A place that meets us where we are and more importantly – understands who we are.
I started my journey working with student Veterans after I got out. I failed out of community college, ended up in the Army and went to Harvard after. My first book was for student Veterans, that’s where my passion was. I spoke to congress as a legislative fellow for the VFW to improve programs for student Veterans. The legislation I put my heart and soul into, went nowhere and failed.
I probably don’t need to tell you this but some of our elected representatives care a lot more about themselves than Veterans. Throughout this experience, I never contemplated Veterans just making our own educational systems.
Matt Hesse did – what a glorious idea. It started with fitness and community around Matt’s passion for combating Veteran suicide. Now it’s grown to an 800 acre campus in Arkansas where Veterans are immersed in an environment designed around personal and collective growth. The programs are specifically for Veterans and more are coming. I earned a coaching certificate using my GI Bill, other students earned a personal training certification but the diplomas aren’t what I want to talk about.
The Experience
I want to talk about the personal growth, the community and the transformation I witnessed in myself and other Veterans. In a 19 day program, it was Veterans challenging and encouraging one another. Cut off from the world we talked about what really matters:
Purpose, getting out, entrepreneurship, benefits, values, relationships, PTSD, identity, service beyond service and potential. We talked about our successes, our failures and legacy.
I did the Integrative Health Coach Course and the other course is the Certified Personal Trainer. You can think of the IHC course as more feelings based and the CPT course as more physical. Their course was more training and gym time and ours was more mental and classroom time. Many students do both courses. They are also creating an upcoming Culinary Nutrition Coach course.
- It’s legitimately great Veteran networking.
- You’ll leave a better communicator.
- If you’re looking for purpose this is a great destination.
- Great program for those transitioning out of the military or those who miss it.
- The natural environment is refreshing. Hiking, streams and greenery.
- The staff is great: Motivational and authentically cares.
- Science based and technological approaches to health and wellness.
- Housing and meals aren’t part of tuition, but UHP provides them at no charge.
- You’ll leave better than you came. So whatcha waitin for?
Who’s It For?
My class had people that were still on active duty as well as Veterans that had been out twenty years. Things like rank didn’t matter, we were all in the same place at the same time doing the same thing – trying to be better. If you legitimately don’t want to improve yourself or if you aren’t willing to put in the work it isn’t for you.
- You do sleep in shared rooms, which means snorers and CPAP machines.
- You do have to wake up early and do PT.
- You do have to communicate, open up and be around other Vets.
- You are cut off from the world, it’s a closed campus.
- There’s no smoking or alcohol.
- The food is nutritional and super good.
We started with 100 Veterans, only lost a few. One weirdo got thrown out, which if you get a hundred Veterans together there’s bound to be a couple lunatics. A guy got in trouble for threatening people and a few others decided to bounce for personal reasons. Anyone who’s been in knows the military is a cast of characters.
All the Veterans there wanted to be there. What inspired me was being around Vets who wanted to be better parents, leaders and people. They wanted to learn how to be healthier, more resilient and to network with other Veterans. The environment really stands out because some Veteran spaces tend to be negative. UHP was uplifting.
It felt good to share resources, talk about our lives, play spades and hike in nature together. Team RWB provided scholarships for Veterans who had exhausted or didn’t have GI Bill benefits. I used my GI Bill and you can also use VOC Rehab. I also got 20 days of BAH by using my GI Bill which was just over $1,100. I paid for my own flight there. To talk to them about your options – Apply Now – and schedule a call to speak to a rep.
The Healing Aspect
One of the things that stood out to me here was the improvements Veterans talked about in their health. Physical health sure, you’re going to leave in better shape. But I’m mainly talking about mental, emotional and spiritual improvements. Coaching isn’t therapy. Therapy helps you heal, coaching helps you grow.
Therapists Question: “What happened to you and how can I help you heal?”
Coaches Question: “Where do you want to go, who do you want to become and what’s stopping you?”
There might be some controversy in saying this but we’ve become a community living beneath our potential. We should be running shit and a lot of us have been trapped in survival mode. UHP is a reminder, we’re capable of achieving more and the way we rise – is together.
UHP is also building a real community for after graduation for UHP students, helping with things from mental health, purpose and entrepreneurship all the way to job placement. After you graduate you get plugged into a network of Veterans supporting one another, something our community needs.
“Physical fitness gets you through service. Mental wealth gets you through everything after it. Stabilize, build. Optimize. That’s the whole protocal” – Joe Mousa
UHP Skilled Trades Institute
The other part of UHP that I’m excited about for our community is the Skilled Trades Institute. I was fortunate to graduate alongside electrical technicians who were completing their course on the same campus. They called themselves the OG 9. Nine Veterans doing hands on training to get NCCER electrical credentials. With these credentials, it opens them up for developmental electrician/tech rolls with OJT towards full electrician certifications.
The reason why the Skilled Trades Institutes is badass is because THIS….THIS is what America needs.
Actual hands on training built specifically for Veterans into into high demand fields. As of now it’s electricians and coming soon is HVAC, plumbing and welding. UHP is doing something much of the educational establishment fails to do, striving to provide reliable employment pathways. That’s because unlike many institutions, they care about Vets post graduation and seek out real employer connections.
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“I did the CPT course – I really can’t say enough about the community of UHP. The facilities made it easy to focus on becoming a better version of myself. Every night I was in there with the other Vets, doing cold plunges, working out, sitting in the sauna and growing together. Everything is designed to support growth – the hiking, the healthy food and the friendships. There was a moment where I was running up to the flagpole and a legit bald eagle flew over me and the American flag. It doesn’t get any better than that.
For the Vets interested in checking it out, watch my Youtube Video on my CPT experience.”
Tyler Long – Army Vet
What Are You Waiting For?
UHP isn’t about fixing broken Veterans, it’s about making Veterans stronger, more capable and skilled. Here you’ll improve your health, strengthen your relationships, learn and grow. Education isn’t just about preparing for a better career, it’s about preparing for a better life. It’s just 19 days of committing to yourself. We’re not afraid of hard work but too many of us hesitate when the mission is ourselves.
It’s not about sitting in a classroom collecting credits, it’s about you working on you. The truth is that money matters but your health matters more. Your relationships matter and you matter.
A Quick Note
This is based on my personal experience and opinions. I’m simply sharing it because I saw the real transformation of my fellow Veterans there and because I believe in what they’re doing. I heard about the course from a buddy and was skeptical at first. I went and I’m better for it.
Any questions should be directed to UHP, I have no affiliation and only attended the course as a student. If you want to see the facilities and hear another Vets perspective, watch my friend Tyler’s Video and follow him on Instagram.
Go For It – In Everything
My Instagram and TikTok, check out my books 365 Days of Veteran Affirmations and Veterans in Paradise: The Veterans Guide To Moving Abroad.
Thanks for reading, thanks for your service. Most importantly, don’t stop building the next version of yourself. If you’re on the fence about this, talk to me – talk to other Vets who have been there. UHP is forging a real world community of powerful Veterans. The plan is to get better, healthier and more successful together.