In addition to serving and protecting their country, there are two things that many military veterans are passionate about: taking on new challenges and helping their fellow heroes. A group of people who meet these qualifications will have the opportunity to do both by entering a very intense physical challenge: the 2024 Monster Mash.
THE 2024 Monster Mash it is not for the weak. His race could be considered Iron Man for tactical athletes. The first race was held in Montana in 2023 and included a HALO jump from a helicopter, a 10-mile swim and 200 miles of rock climbing. The event was so exhausting that many of those who took part in the first race felt the effects for up to months afterwards. One participant even broke his leg landing from the helicopter jump – yet managed to complete the grueling challenge.
One of last year’s participants in the race was Jonathan Wilson, who is both a Navy SEAL and its founder and CEO INVI MindHealth, an organization focused on helping veterans and first responders improve their mental health through technological advancement. Wilson had a personal and professional commitment to Monster Mash and was proud to see it through. However, he reported that he suffered several setbacks from the challenge.
“Last year we had broken bones, bloodied legs, and I couldn’t feel my right thigh for six months from the nerve damage,” says Wilson.
Despite the physical setbacks, he was glad he had this experience because it reminded him of what he has been through and is able to move forward now. It’s one reason why he’ll be participating again this weekend. “We put limits on ourselves and the reality is that we can go way beyond them. I felt alive going through it.”
Sumner Ellis also works for INVI MindHealth—which she sees as a mission to “make the Invisible Visible”—as well as the Invisible Wounds Foundation, an organization that provides mental health support to veterans and first responders. Ellis was connected to this event by a friend who worked as a doctor and had previous experience as a combat medic after the September 11, 2001 attacks in the United States. Ellis shared that this event and its cause have inspired him on many levels. He has seen firsthand what kind of difference the efforts make because that same friend was on 16 different medications before becoming part of the movement.
“He came off those drugs and not only was he initially but he was thriving,” she said proudly. Ellis officially joined the fold when Winters contacted him in June 2024.
He proudly refers to himself as a “helping hand” when it comes to raising awareness and making a real difference.
“Since then, we’ve been rockin’,” he shared. “INVI MindHealth has been and continues to provide the technology we have out there to support veterans and first responders.”
Monster Mash 2024 Details
This year, EXOS, the scientific performance company. has also been involved, and Ellis refers to them as “a very big ally in the mental health space.” The 2024 Monster Mash will begin in Scottsdale, AZ on Saturday, November 9th and finish 24 hours later, 50 miles from the Cowtown Range and finish at the EXOS facility. Brave competitors will swim 5 miles, run 50 miles with 45 pounds, and do a marksmanship evaluation. Final item details have yet to be announced.
On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, there will be a Veterans Day dinner afterward to celebrate and honor veterans. All proceeds raised from the 2024 Monster Mash and dinner will go to the Invisible Wounds Foundation. For the athletes participating in this celebration of patriotism, this is more than a race. It’s also a way to support fellow heroes, reminding themselves why they’re one of America’s best.
According to Ellis, “All funds will go toward suicide prevention research and providing veterans and first responders with practical tools to maintain their mental health.”
Wilson will be at it again and is looking forward to the challenge ahead. Already prepared for the tolls that will be required.
“I get chills just thinking about it. I’m nervous, excited to see my brothers and suffer alongside them for a good cause,” he said. “It’s going to hurt like hell.”
You can scan the QR codes below to learn more about it Invisible Wounds Foundation and INVI MindHealth. You can also follow @invimindhealth on Instagram or go to
