{"id":14568,"date":"2025-06-27T22:34:03","date_gmt":"2025-06-27T15:34:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=14568"},"modified":"2025-06-27T22:34:03","modified_gmt":"2025-06-27T15:34:03","slug":"catch-a-lift-helps-veterans-heal-and-stay-fit-to-serve","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=14568","title":{"rendered":"Catch A Lift Helps Veterans Heal and Stay Fit to Serve"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>American novelist Dara Horn once said, \u201cEvery person has a legacy. You may not know what your impact is, and it may not be something that you can write on your tombstone, but every person has an impact on this world.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The late United States Army Cpl. Chris Coffland may not have known what his legacy would have been when he lost his life defending freedom in <a href=\"https:\/\/dcas.dmdc.osd.mil\/dcas\/app\/conflictCasualties\/oef\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">November 2009 during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan<\/a>, but his impact has been felt by thousands of veterans and other people thanks to <a href=\"https:\/\/catchaliftfund.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Catch A Lift (CAL)<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Catch A Lift is an organization that has helped many post 9\/11 veterans regain control of their mental and physical health. Coffland has been remembered for his passion of working out and fitness and encouraged all those around him to do the same. His extreme commitment to making sure he trained, or \u201ccatch a lift\u201d as he said every day was the inspiration for the name of the fundraising group that was started by his sister, Lynn.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-caption \">\n<div style=\"padding-bottom:55.36519386835%;\" class=\"ratio-based-placeholder\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.muscleandfitness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Lynn-Coffland.jpg?quality=86&amp;strip=all\" srcset=\"\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" alt=\"Lynn Coffland\" width=\"1109\" height=\"614\" data-fallback-img=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.muscleandfitness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Lynn-Coffland.jpg?quality=86&amp;strip=all\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"credit\">Lynn Coffland<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Lynn recalled that Chris joined the military later in life than many of those that he was fighting alongside with. Even though most of the people he grew up with had families and careers, he felt a calling to serve and was ready to make the ultimate sacrifice if warranted.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cFor him, it was a simple decision for him where he said, \u2018I\u2019m going to go kick some ass.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Chris would be killed by a roadside bomb on that fateful day but is still remembered as a warrior that cared deeply for those around him as well as total strangers that he felt could use some positive interaction.<\/p>\n<p>Chris\u2019s memory and yearning to push himself in order to improve at whatever he was doing serves as the catalyst for CAL today. Lynn and Chris\u2019s niece Jessica Drew came up with the concept when they imagined what Chris\u2019s life would be like had he returned home.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe concept of him catching a lift and Lynn seeing that there was a gap in holistic healing for veterans is where the inspiration for the mission came from.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-caption \">\n<div style=\"padding-bottom:55.36519386835%;\" class=\"ratio-based-placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.muscleandfitness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Austin-Performing-a-Truck-pull.jpg?quality=86&amp;strip=all\" srcset=\"\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" alt=\"Austin Performing a Truck pull\" width=\"1109\" height=\"614\" data-fallback-img=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.muscleandfitness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Austin-Performing-a-Truck-pull.jpg?quality=86&amp;strip=all\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"credit\">Austin Owens<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>Support for Vets Shown In Multiple Ways<\/h2>\n<p>All the veterans in the CAL program served and suffered injuries in combat. The funds raised by CAL are used to provide home gym equipment, pay gym memberships, and their coaches provide individualized nutrition and fitness programs. One of those coaches is Austin Owens, who was an US Army infantryman that was injured in combat.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhile I was in Afghanistan, I caught an RPG (rocket propelled grenade). I had shrapnel throughout my entire body, including in my head,\u201d he recalled. That led to the end of his active military career, but he did not let his injuries stop him and settle for not living his best life possible, which was how he discovered CAL.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf I train, it helps my brain, helps my body, and helps the whole thing.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Owens found training an CAL to help him both physically and spiritually. When he started rehab, he could only squat the bar. Today, he is an amateur strongman athlete, and even as he is preparing for the 2025 United States Strongman National championships, he is vigilant about helping his clients meet their goals and making the most of the day in front of them. He knows firsthand what fitness has done for him and enjoys helping those he works with see and feel it for themselves.<\/p>\n<p>Owens stated, \u201cThe community aspect of it was the biggest part of it for me. I think of it every time I see a veteran come in. That community piece was so big for me, and training with veterans is like being around your best homies ever. These are my people.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Owens emphasized that CAL will support veterans of all levels of fitness experience, whether they want to simply finish a 5k or enter a championship strongman event like some will do alongside Owens in his next contest. Whatever they define as their goal or best version of themselves, Owens and the other CAL coaches want to help them make it a reality.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe have been told that we have saved lives so many times, and it is amazing to hear each time.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Jess Drew, who is inspired by her uncle Chris to this day, is now the Director of Development for CAL. She said the best part of her job is seeing heroes that have given so much for America get some benefit from the services that CAL offers, including those provided by Owens.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTo work for a mission that we see make an impact every day has made me fearless in an ask for support. Knowing the impact this has is what impacts me personally and professionally.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-caption \">\n<div style=\"padding-bottom:55.36519386835%;\" class=\"ratio-based-placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.muscleandfitness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Catch-a-Lift-Logo.jpg?quality=86&amp;strip=all\" srcset=\"\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" alt=\"Catch a Lift Logo\" width=\"1109\" height=\"614\" data-fallback-img=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.muscleandfitness.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Catch-a-Lift-Logo.jpg?quality=86&amp;strip=all\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"credit\">Catch a Lift<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>The Small Business That Could and Still Does<\/h2>\n<p>Lynn Coffland recalled that CAL started with just her in her basement, but it had gradually grown since starting in 2010. Now 15 years later, it is a full-fledged organization that retains<\/p>\n<p>25 employees working alongside her to continue the mission that spreads the impact that Chris\u2019s legacy started.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m very proud to say that 18 of those employees are veterans.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Lynn Coffland pledged that the work will continue, and she remains committed to making CAL grow even more and reach even more veterans so their lives can change for the better.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe lost one life, Chris\u2019s, but thousands more have been served by Catch A Lift. It\u2019s a humbling honor,\u201d she proudly said. Jess Drew extended an invitation for those that may know a veteran that can benefit from their services and efforts or help them maximize their reach and do even more of their important work.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPlease connect us to them and their network. Helping us get on a call with like-minded people and organizations that care about giving back to veterans, and number one, of course, is if they know a veteran that is in need, we will absolutely give any veteran that is in need of our resources the help and support they are looking for.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Drew, Coffland, Owens, and the rest of the CAL team have been proud to make the most of each day and support the veterans that they have crossed paths with, and they remain committed to that mission going forward, just as Cpl. Coffland was committed to his mission up to the end. Lynn Coffland\u2019s leadership and commitment to CAL is something that she feels is not only a duty to those that served us but a privilege to provide for them.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s our country\u2019s turn to serve those that served us.\u201d To learn more about Catch a Lift or show support for their efforts, go to their website.<\/p>\n<p><em>M&amp;F Senior Military Editor Rob Wilkins contributed to this article.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.muscleandfitness.com\/athletes-celebrities\/pro-tips\/catch-a-lift-helps-veterans-heal-and-stay-fit-to-serve\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>American novelist Dara Horn once said, \u201cEvery person has a legacy. You may not know what your impact is, and it may not be something that you can write on your tombstone, but every person has an impact on this world.\u201d The late United States Army Cpl. Chris Coffland may not have known what his &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14568","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fitness"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14568","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=14568"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14568\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=14568"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=14568"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=14568"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}