Story & Lesson Highlights with Nancy Becher of Huntsville

For many attendees, the toll of military life lingers as Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) and Military Sexual Trauma (MST). The Department of Veterans Affairs notes that MST affects nearly 1 in 3 women veterans, and that women are twice as likely as men to develop PTS. Numbers like these aren’t abstract; they’re people, strong, brave people who deserve community, care, and a real shot at healing.

What I found most powerful about this weekend wasn’t the activities (though they were meaningful): it was the quiet moments when someone spoke honestly about her darkest days, and the group responded with listening, affirmation, and practical steps forward. As an Invisible Warriors spokesperson put it, “Isolation makes trauma worse. These retreats remind women veterans that they are not alone, that healing happens in community.”

A few moments that stayed with me:

One veteran, who had been red-flagged for suicide attempts five times, shared that she no longer feels the urge to harm herself. “Now I know there are others who care, who will show up if I call. I’m not alone anymore,” she said—tears and hope in the same breath.

Another attendee found the courage to pursue stability by filing for disability benefits. With peer encouragement, she completed her intent-to-file paperwork before the weekend ended, taking a concrete step toward the support she earned through service.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Drawing from her own experiences and educational background—including a Master’s in Counseling and a Ph.D. (ABD) in Sociology from Western Michigan University—Nancy works with women veterans and others facing invisible disabilities like PTSD and MST. As an International #1 bestselling author, certified Peer Support Specialist, and Chaplain, she founded Invisible Warriors to provide resources, training, and support that help military women recognize their worth and potential. Nancy continues to expand her skills as a Mental Health Coach, staying committed to breaking cycles of loss and empowering others through her work. You can reach her at Nancy@InvisibleWarriors.org.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
Watching the vast number of women veterans who have given so much of themselves and their lives to support our country, yet seeing them dismissed, undervalued, and treated as less worthy than their male counterparts—that fundamentally changed how I see the world. These women served with the same dedication and sacrifice, but their struggles, especially with invisible wounds like PTS and MST, are often overlooked or minimized. Witnessing that disparity opened my eyes to how much work needs to be done to ensure women veterans receive the recognition, support, and care they’ve earned. It’s what drives everything I do with Invisible Warriors—making sure these women know they matter and that their service counts just as much as anyone else’s.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Almost daily, honestly. Fighting against the unjust actions around us, the lack of support from society, and even from those who should care most about these women—it wears on you. There are moments when it feels like you’re pushing against an impossible weight. But then something happens that reminds me God is watching. A breakthrough, a connection, someone’s life changing—these moments show me there’s still hope, still support, and that the world is still fundamentally a good place. Those reminders keep me going, even on the hardest days.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely. What you see is what you get. I don’t have the energy to pretend to be someone I’m not—this work is too important and too personal for that. My passion for supporting women veterans comes directly from my own experiences and what I’ve witnessed. The struggles, the frustrations, even the moments of doubt I share publicly—they’re all real. I believe authenticity is essential in this work because the women I serve need to know I truly understand, that I’ve been in the trenches too. So yes, the public Nancy is the real Nancy—flawed, determined, and completely committed to this mission.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I’m doing what I was born to do. This wasn’t the path anyone laid out for me or told me to follow—it found me through my own experiences and the injustices I couldn’t ignore. When you witness women who’ve sacrificed so much being dismissed and undervalued, you can’t just look away. This work chose me as much as I chose it. Everything in my life—my education, my struggles, my faith—has led me here. Supporting women veterans and those with invisible disabilities isn’t just a job or a calling someone handed me; it’s woven into who I am. I finally feel like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be, doing exactly what I’m meant to do.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://InvisibleWarriors.org
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/militarywomeniw/
• Twitter: https://x.com/DreamBigRetreat
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@WomenInvisibleWarriors