After his military service, post-traumatic stress closed down Nate's world. He isolated. Ordinary social interactions felt daunting, often impossible. When he saw a GallantFew social media post about climbing, he was intrigued, but reaching out was more than he could manage. His wife made the call instead to Army Ranger Karl Monger, founder of GallantFew. That call changed Nate's life.
Karl knew a loud, unfamiliar climbing gym could overwhelm Nate. So Karl met him at the door, gave him structure like the kind he'd known in the military, set clear expectations, and kept him moving forward. Nate climbed. It was hard, and he didn't quit. The whole GallantFew team cheered him up the wall.
When his feet touched the ground, Nate sank to his knees and covered his face. He looked up with tears in his eyes and said, "That's the first time in five years my mind was clear."
"Great," Karl said. "My turn. Belay me."
"Me?" Nate asked.
"You went through the orientation. I trust you."
Belaying means holding the climber's rope from the ground and being responsible for their safety while they climb. Later, Nate told Karl that was the first time since leaving the military that anyone had trusted him with something that mattered.
Nate's story illustrates why GallantFew exists.
Founded in 2010, GallantFew began with a small group of Rangers who understood that veterans should not have to navigate life after service alone. Karl became the mentor and counselor he wished he had during his transition. Today, Karl leads a team carrying that philosophy forward: veterans helping veterans build lives full of hope and purpose. GallantFew serves veterans of all branches and eras and has served more than 10,000 members of the military community nationwide.
That mission comes to life through connection, coaching, and counseling. A veteran may first encounter GallantFew through climbing at Movement Gym in Grapevine, a monthly breakfast at Bara Church in Trophy Club, or a peer mentor who understands the road from service to civilian life. For many veterans, that first connection becomes the beginning of a community where they are known, supported, and reminded that they still have something meaningful to contribute. From there, that sense of belonging can open the door to transition coaching or professional mental health care.
GallantFew’s no-cost services remove one more barrier to seeking support. Its mentors are veterans themselves, and its clinical team includes veterans who are also licensed mental health professionals. That shared experience can make reaching out feel a little easier. Together, they provide individual and marriage counseling alongside peer mentorship and coaching, creating continuity of care that supports the whole veteran—emotionally, physically, spiritually, professionally, and socially.
Every veteran’s path may look different. The goal is the same: to help veterans reconnect with themselves, their community, and a life filled with hope and purpose.
GallantFew is grateful for the community that makes those moments possible. Every volunteer, donor, mentor, counselor, church, and business has a role in creating a stronger landing place for those who served.
Together, we can help ensure that after service, no veteran has to walk the road to purpose alone.
To learn more or get involved, visit www.GallantFew.org.