U.S Army Combat Veteran, Nicholas Dunagan knows firsthand the pain of invisible scars. He carried the burden of trauma and faced the hopelessness of ever moving beyond it….until he found a community that understood and supported him. He knows through lived experience that the greatest relief comes not from silence, but from shared healing. Nick was able to turn his
pain into purpose and built Health4Heroes to help others do the same.
The path to restoration for veterans, first responders, and their families often begins with prescription medications meant to ease the weight of the pain they carry. Nick had seen how that route could dull the pain without truly healing it, and he wanted something different for himself. Like many, he tried to manage in ways that offered temporary escape but no real relief. Though he didn’t come from a health and wellness background - as is true for many of his comrades - he was open to learning new ways to heal. Through a veteran organization, he discovered a rock climbing gym where fellow heroes met weekly. Surrounded by people who understood his struggles because they’d lived them too, healing felt possible for the first time. That moment sparked a new direction that led Nick to study health promotion at CSU, where he gained the tools to bring the kind of positive results he experienced to others. It became the foundation for the community he would later build - one grounded in health, movement, and
shared strength - a community that continues to change lives every day.
One of the many lives changed through Health4Heroes is that of Aaron Ellingson, a Navy veteran whose story reflects the heart of the organization’s mission. Aaron first connected with Health4Heroes in 2023, initially as a member searching for support and understanding. What started as curiosity soon became something more - a sense of belonging he hadn’t realized he
was missing. He began volunteering, showing up not just for himself but for others walking similar paths. Before long, he stepped into leadership as Operations lead and now serves as Programs Manager. Like Nick, Aaron brings his own experience to every conversation and every event. He speaks from understanding, from doing the hard work of his own healing. His story is a testament to how personal recovery can lead to purpose and open the door to restoration for others.
What began as Nick’s personal pursuit of healing has grown into a mission shared by others who’ve walked similar paths. The Health4Heroes team, made up of veterans, first responders, and family members, knows that true recovery doesn’t happen in isolation. Together, they’ve built a network of community partners that make health and wellness more accessible: gyms,
yoga studios, massage therapists, acupuncturists, and other providers who open their doors to heroes ready to take that first step. Each connection made is another way Health4Heroes turns understanding into action.
At the core of Health4Heroes’ mission is Take Command!, a 90-day lifestyle transformation program that asks heroes to put in the work and promises real change in return. A doctor-facilitated lab panel and body scan mark the starting line. Participants work with personal trainers, receive nutrition coaching, and take part in health and wellness education that helps
them rebuild strength and balance from the inside out. It’s not easy, and it’s not instant, but it works. By the end, participants find themselves sleeping better, making healthy eating choices, improving stress management, and experiencing the pride that comes with taking command of their own health.
The impact of programs like Take Command! shows up in countless ways, but it’s through personal stories that Health4Heroes’ purpose truly comes to life. Aaron met a fellow veteran struggling with vertigo - something he understands firsthand through his own battle with Meniere’s disease. He shared what had helped him manage his symptoms and connected her
with resources through Health4Heroes. That moment reminded him why this work matters: healing often begins with one person reaching out to another who understands.
While Health4Heroes continues to change lives across Northern Colorado, one of its biggest challenges remains reaching the veterans, first responders, and family members who haven’t yet heard about the organization. For every hero who’s found connection and healing through this community, there are many more still carrying their pain alone. Health4Heroes is
determined to reach them to show that hope and help are closer than they think.
To help facilitate this expanded reach, Health4Heroes is raising funds for a mobile unit that will bring their programs and events directly to veterans, first responders, and families across the region. Going mobile means meeting people who might never walk through a gym door, creating visibility, and expanding partnerships with other community organizations. It will also lower overhead costs so more resources can go toward programs, events, and activities. Every donation moves them closer to rolling out this next chapter - a visible symbol of connection and care, traveling wherever hope is needed most.
Hope, healing, and connection start here. Join the mission through volunteer opportunities, partnerships, or the monthly giving club Force4Good. Learn more at Health4Heroes.org because every hero deserves a success story.
"Empowering veterans and first responders to take command of their health."