Adaptive Training Academy (ATA) empowered over 200 Veterans at the 2025 National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic by delivering inclusive fitness education, hands-on coaching, and tools for long-term health, independence, and reintegration.
Every August, more than 200 Veterans from across the country gather in San Diego, California, for the National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic (NVSSC) — a transformative week of adaptive surfing, cycling, kayaking, sailing, and specialized fitness training designed to support rehabilitation and reintegration.
But some of the most impactful moments don’t happen on the water — they happen in the gym.
That’s where Adaptive Training Academy steps in to serve those who served.
Fitness as a Path Forward
The Department of Veterans Affairs organizes the NVSSC to promote physical and emotional healing through adaptive sports. ATA plays a critical role in delivering on that mission — using fitness not just as rehab, but as a tool for identity, community, and self-agency.
Each day of the clinic, ATA coaches lead education-focused functional fitness sessions at Invictus Fitness in downtown San Diego. Every session is adapted to meet Veterans where they are — regardless of age, injury, or ability.
Veterans learn how to:
- Adapt exercises to suit their ability level and goals
- Plan workouts that are effective and safe
- Create sustainable movement habits rooted in autonomy and consistency
- Understand foundational nutrition principles — including how to read food labels, balance macronutrients, reduce excess processed sugars, and plan healthy meals
For many, it’s the first time they’ve returned to a gym setting in years. ATA ensures it’s a welcoming, empowering experience — not just a workout, but a return to self-confidence.
“We’re not just training people — we’re restoring belief,” said Alec Zirkenbach, Executive Director of ATA and a U.S. Navy Veteran himself. “This week is about helping Veterans see themselves as capable, strong, and in control of their own lives again. That’s what fitness can do when you teach someone the proper technique and give them usable fitness education to be empowered to be their own self-advocate.”
A Veteran-Led Mission
ATA’s impact at NVSSC is deeply personal. Many of the organization’s coaches and staff are Veterans themselves, bringing lived experience, trust, and relatability into every interaction. That shared understanding creates a uniquely supportive and motivating environment.
“Being trained by another Veteran, someone who gets it, made all the difference,” said one participating Veteran. “They weren’t just talking at us. They knew what we were up against, and they walked us through it with respect.”
This peer-led approach reinforces ATA’s focus on education over dependency. The goal isn’t just to give Veterans a great experience during the week, it’s to leave them with skills and systems they can take home, use in their local gym, or apply in their garage.
Global Impact
Since 2012, ATA has:
- Trained 5,180+ fitness professionals across 51 countries
- Worked with 3,400+ gyms and organizations
- Provided over $1.75 million in funding to support adaptive and inclusive training across the globe
Through ongoing partnerships with the Veterans Health Administration, Wounded Warrior Project, Catch a Lift, and dozens of community-based gyms, ATA is helping Veterans reclaim their health, mobility, and identity…on their own terms!
The National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic may only last a week, but its ripple effects stretch across the country.
Thanks to ATA, Veterans return home inspired and equipped: armed with practical tools, adaptable training knowledge, and the belief that they can continue to train, move, and live with confidence.
Want to Support This Work?
- Donate: All donations support Veteran-focused education and outreach programs.
- Sponsor: Partner with ATA to fund training camps or athlete scholarships.
- Get Certified: Take the Adaptive & Inclusive Trainer (AIT) Course and become part of this global movement.
ATA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. All donations are tax-deductible.
