When Tom Tice thinks back to his childhood in New Jersey, he remembers more than just school, sports, and friends. Growing up in the shadow of 9/11, he saw people in his community volunteer for military service and sacrifice their futures for the freedoms he enjoyed as a kid. One classmate who enlisted in the Marine Corps never made it home from Iraq, a loss that left an impression on Tice at just 12 years old.
“I always had an understanding of the costs of our freedoms,” Tice said. “As I grew up, I felt there was a missing piece in how we supported veterans once they came home. Warrior Strong was my answer to that.”
Founded in 2017, Warrior Strong is a nonprofit dedicated to providing free health and wellness programs to veterans, first responders, and their families. The organization focuses on yoga, meditation, breathwork, and fitness; not as a replacement for clinical care, but as a supportive community where veterans can heal, grow, and thrive without the weight of labels.
From Idea to Impact
Tice, now President and CEO, launched Warrior Strong with a simple mission: to help veterans connect through wellness. “Yes, I’m the founder, but Warrior Strong is really built on its members, instructors, and volunteers,” he said. “They shaped what the organization is today.”
That community-driven spirit is reflected in the work of Christopher Smith, Warrior Strong’s Program Director. An Army veteran who served two tours in Iraq, Smith first encountered the nonprofit while working in higher education. Looking for low-cost programs for student veterans, he connected with Tice, became a certified yoga instructor, and never looked back.
“This has been the most fulfilling job I’ve ever had,” Smith said. “The best part is seeing veterans earn certifications, start teaching, and bring those skills back to their communities. It gives them a renewed sense of purpose and makes our community stronger.”
Adapting Through Challenges
Like many organizations, Warrior Strong had to adapt during the COVID-19 pandemic. What began as an in-person program quickly expanded into a nationwide virtual community.
“One veteran from California called me and said, ‘Hey, I want to work out, but the gyms are closed. Can you train me online?’” Tice recalled. “So I set up my phone on a tripod and started teaching over Zoom. We didn’t even have a paid account at first. Classes would cut off after 40 minutes. But that’s how our virtual program was born, because one veteran asked.”
Today, Warrior Strong reaches veterans in at least 22 states and has offered more than 1,800 classes. In 2024 alone, the organization hosted nearly 400 sessions and logged over 2,300 check-ins. Since its founding, Warrior Strong has saved veterans an estimated $300,000 in program costs.
Beyond Labels
For both Tice and Smith, the true measure of Warrior Strong’s success is not in the numbers but in the lives changed.
“Too often, veterans get labeled: PTSD, TBI, depression. We don’t focus on that,” Tice explained. “When you walk through our doors, you leave the labels behind. You’re here for community, camaraderie, and health. That’s what Warrior Strong is about.”
Smith echoed that philosophy. “We know physical fitness is good for the body and the mind,” he said. “We’re not here to diagnose or replace counseling. We’re here to be part of your mental health team, to give you an outlet, and to remind you that you’re not alone.”
Building for the Future
Operating as a 501(c)(3), Warrior Strong relies on donations, grants, and events to sustain its mission. Fundraising hasn’t always been easy. In the early days, Tice and Smith often had to reach into their own pockets to keep the lights on. But perseverance has paid off. Their annual gala recently netted $40,000, and a golf outing later this year is projected to raise even more. The City of Scranton also awarded the group a $25,000 grant to expand local programming.
Looking ahead, Tice envisions a larger fitness studio, expanded outreach, and a deeper nationwide footprint. But for him, success is already here.
“Success isn’t measured by the size of our budget or building,” Tice said. “It’s in the community we’ve built, the conversations we’ve had, and the lives we’ve helped change.”
For Smith, the impact is clearest in the faces of those who show up week after week. From older veterans in retirement homes to younger service members searching for balance. “It’s the community aspect,” he said. “We come together with a shared purpose. That’s what makes Warrior Strong work.”
