We're excited to share that Operation WarriorFit founder Jonathan Milkovich recently sat down with Joe De Sena, CEO and founder of Spartan, on the Hardway Podcast.
In this candid conversation, Jonathan opens up about his personal journey from struggling after high school to finding purpose through military service, and how that experience led to creating Operation WarriorFit.
Watch the Full Episode
"The Worst Decision I Ever Made That I Will Never Regret"
That's how Jonathan describes joining the Army at 22 as airborne infantry. Coming from a family steeped in service (his father a retired battalion chief, mother a retired nurse, father-in-law retired military, and uncle a retired police chief), the uniform was familiar. But the decision to enlist was deeply personal.
"I tried college. I should have never been allowed to go to college at 18 years old. I just did not have structure... I would go to class, come home, and I wanted to party. And then reality set in."
After years of false starts, Jonathan made what he calls his "last little Hail Mary" to get on the right path.
A Mother's Wake-Up Call
One of the most powerful moments Jonathan shares is a conversation with his mother after completing 16 weeks of basic training:
"My mom looks at me and says, 'You're different. It's a good thing you're different.' I asked what she meant, and she said, 'Jonathan, the years you spent in Florida and Tallahassee, every night I wouldn't sleep because I thought I would get a call that you were dead in a ditch somewhere.'"
That moment crystallized everything. The military gave Jonathan the structure he needed and set him on a path that would eventually lead to helping others facing similar crossroads.
Told He'd Never Run Again
After leaving active duty, Jonathan faced a harsh reality. Years of airborne operations had taken a toll. His knee was blown out, his back damaged. Doctors told him he would never run again.
He didn't accept that verdict.
"Last year alone, I crossed four half marathon finish lines and just finished the Phoenix Marathon. Every single time I'm an emotional mess, balling my eyes out, because I just did it. I had been told for so long I wasn't going to be able to do it. And I believed them. But I did it."
The Mission Takes Shape
Jonathan's own transformation through racing sparked a realization: this could be replicated for any veteran, service member, or first responder struggling with transition.
At the Phoenix Marathon, OWF brought six veterans to the start line. One participant had a similar experience to Jonathan's: told he wasn't what he used to be, that he couldn't do it anymore.
He finished.
"That right there was the thing for me. I just said, 'This is why we do it.' We can replicate this for anybody and everybody that's interested."
The Real Challenge of Transition
Jonathan and Joe discuss what many don't understand about military transition:
"The biggest thing is when you put on a uniform, it's exciting. You've got purpose. And when you take that uniform off, it's probably a let down."
The military trains you to be ready for anything. You've led teams, worked 24-hour days, been willing to die for a mission. But none of that automatically translates to civilian success.
"I didn't expect things to line up perfectly, but I expected them to be a little bit easier. I have this training from the military. I've led teams of 30, 40 guys. I can put in the time... and they're not there."
That gap between capability and opportunity is exactly what Operation WarriorFit aims to bridge through community, fitness, and purpose.
A 15-Year Overnight Success
When Joe asked about the biggest challenge in launching the nonprofit, Jonathan's answer was honest: patience.
"I want to see it blow up. I want to see it take off and we're helping people. But there's a lot of work that's got to go into that."
Joe's response? "It's a 15-year overnight success. You've got to put in an enormous amount of time, probably 15 times more than you anticipate."
Jonathan's commitment is unwavering. When the 501(c)(3) determination letter arrived from the IRS, he sat in his car and cried.
"I'm not a very emotional person. But I got that IRS letter and I was so happy. Part of it comes back to what we're fighting for at the end of the day."
It's Okay to Not Be Okay
Perhaps the most important message Jonathan shares is one he wishes someone had told him earlier:
"It's okay to not be okay at the end of the day. It's okay to be hurt. It's okay to have the issues that you have. The military trains you in such a certain way that when you get out of service, you're not prepared for the real world."
That vulnerability, combined with the structure of training and the goal of a finish line, is what makes Operation WarriorFit different.
Join the Mission
Inspired by Jonathan's story? Here's how you can get involved:
- Apply for a race entry if you're a veteran, service member, or first responder
- Donate to help more warriors cross finish lines
- Join a community group to train with fellow warriors
- Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube
Thank you to Joe De Sena and the Hardway Podcast for sharing our story. This is just the beginning.
"I miss it every single day... but when I see someone cross that finish line who was told they couldn't? That's why we do it."