Meet Adaptive Athlete:  Junior Ortiz

Junior Ortiz grew up in New York City, a self-described sports junky who refused to let size limit him - football, baseball, basketball, track, all played with relentless heart. He joined the Marine Corps in 1974, rising to Lieutenant Colonel over 27 years, fighting in four wars: Vietnam, Lebanon, Desert Storm, and the Drug Wars in Latin America.

Three weeks before this class, decades of shoulder wear-and-tear gave out while moving equipment; the socket tore, requiring full reconstruction. Physical recovery has been strong, but the mental toll - anxiety, depression, pain - has lagged.

At ATF’s Hyper program, Junior is rebuilding more than muscle. He’s reclaiming confidence, energy, and faith in himself to silence fear and doubt. His mission remains unchanged: be a steady father, mentor, and pillar for his veteran community.