Supporting first responders and veterans recovering from PTSD through her nonprofit Motorcycle Missions, Krystal Hess has built a supportive and fiercely loyal community around building and riding motorcycles.

Krystal Hess understands the challenges of trauma recovery as well as anyone. In 2011, Krystal left a negative situation in her personal life and moved from Canada to the United States with a dream of learning to ride motorcycles. A breakup left her picking up the pieces of her life, along with countless components from an unfinished motorcycle build. Little did she know repairing that motorcycle would become a deeply personal journey of healing and self-discovery for herself that she would go on to share with others.

Through her own experience, Krystal realized that motorcycles could be a powerful tool for post-traumatic growth, and envisioned creating a program that would harness the therapeutic power of motorcycle building and riding to help veterans and first responders overcome PTSD, depression, and other invisible wounds. This vision crystallized into the nonprofit Motorcycle Missions, which now has eleven thoughtfully designed programs offered at no charge for first responders and veterans – or as they call them, rescuers! Each program contains an element of Krystal’s vision, and many revolve around “Throttle Therapy” ranging from orientation classes that teach the basics of riding, to track days where riders get to zip around a real racetrack. Motorcycle Missions also offers a build program that connects participants with mentors and professional shops where they work together for 4-6 months building a motorcycle, subsequently renewing their sense of passion and purpose for life.

Krystal built something allowing engagement in enjoyable and meaningful activities while safely fulfilling the adrenaline rush rescuers tend to crave. “She’s really built an inclusive, open-to-anyone environment whether you’re a military veteran or a first responder,” says volunteer board secretary Adrien Thom. “She talks about the presence of mind while riding – you can’t think about anything else. It’s about focus, it’s about being present. She’s very much at the helm, gives her time almost to a detriment because of how much she cares. She shows up even when exhausted!” Krystal wouldn’t have it any other way. Watching rescuers slowly heal their trauma through motorcycles makes her feel fulfilled. “It’s a reward to hear that they’re doing well, and that they’re loving life more and that they’re coping better,” says Krystal. “That’s what it’s all about for me.”