Elev8 has always had a special place for Veterans but nobody qualified enough to fulfill the duties of running a program.  Mid-2018 when Steve and Theresa met, it was destined that Elev8 Veterans be created. Steve had always heard how the Surfer was changing people’s lives but until he met Theresa, where he witnessed the transformation happen in front of him.  While Steve watched Theresa heal with the Surfer and other healthy lifestyle choices, he saw the immediate need for the program. With numerous testimonies and physical proof it is now imminent that we spread awareness and education to aid all Veterans in their healing journey. 

Elev8 Veterans officially started in 2019 to bring awareness, education, rehabilitation and re-acclimation of veterans and their families to society using alternative methods.

About Theresa

Growing up I always knew that I wanted to be a soldier, so as soon as I could, I joined the Army.  In 1993 I was only 17, so my parents had to sign for me which made it even more exciting. Having been the oldest child, grandchild and the first to do all the things, I felt it was my duty to lead by example.  I signed up to be a secretary and jump out of airplanes! Little did I know, that would lead to bigger and better things. Bigger than I could ever imagine.  

Once I finished my training I was stationed at Fort Bragg, NC in the 82nd Airborne Division, 82nd Signal Battalion.  Upon my arrival, the Division was locked down for a mission to Haiti which got diverted halfway through. I was issued an M-60 machine gun and a Top Secret security clearance. 18 planes on the way to jump into Haiti to declare war was not my idea of a good time. When that all cleared I was situated in the S-2 office and trained on some really bad-ass stuff which would afford me a position with a DOD agency.  That mission was such a thrill as well. My training and dedication to my job landed me in an International Weapons Inspection Agency and to this day there are still things I can not discuss.  

I finished my career in 2003 after the Initial Insertion into Iraq.  At that time I was diagnosed with 3 types of cancer and needed immediate surgery in order to live. After the treatments, I found myself on 4 pages of medications prescribed to me by doctors at the Veterans Administration. At that time I had no idea that I was killing myself by listening to my providers.  I decided to take matters into my own hands once I was placed on the liver transplant list for when I turned 45. Living a lifestyle of alternative medicines has aided in my healing faster than any other form. Fast forward to today, I am almost 44, cancer-free, off the liver transplant list, only on one medication and all my diseases are in remission!  

All of this has led to the creation of Elev8 Veterans.  I partnered with Steve mid-2018 and haven’t looked back.  I am living my best life and together we are forming a foundation for many to heal using the methods that are proven over time.  My goal is to help others recognize they can heal without harmful treatments and prescriptions. We fought to live during our time, so we need to continue to fight after our release! 

Alternative Therapies Saved My Life

About Steve

Steve was born in Colorado Springs, the home of the Air Force Academy, Fort Carson, NORAD, Schriever Air Force Base, and his mother was a server on Peterson Air Force base.  Growing up in COS the jets would fly over as he always thought to himself, “I want to fly one of those things”. Due to life choices, the military was not an option. Steve decided to join the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 113 as an electrician.  Though he did not join the military he soon found himself working on the local military bases installing security systems, fully supporting our nation and all that serve it.

In 2004 Steve got in trouble with the law and was laid off.  He soon started making vaporizers as he realized that vaping was perceived to be much healthier than smoking along with the flavors of his favorite herbs were realized. As he started selling the Surfers first out of the trunk of his car, then around the world. Over the next 15 years, he refined the vaporizer as well as refined the new skillset of a glassblower.  As he learned glassblowing he learned even more about himself. Working on a piece of glass allows the mind to only focus on the art without wandering off. Steve did not have the best childhood, and the mind that was built from that had some issues, to say the least. Over time he learned a lot on how to deal with life as he was able to focus his mind more. He feels the mind growth came 100% from the glassblowing he learned.  Steve says glassblowing is fun, but it’s one of the hardest things he has ever done. 10+ hours can be in a piece and one wrong move, the piece is toast.  

I work hard every day to produce high-quality products for the world.  Bringing a Veteran organization to Elev8 is exactly what is needed at this time.  There are many vets that are looking for alternative healing methods. In mid-2018 he finally met Theresa, sparking one of the best friendships he has ever had while opening up his mind to the life of a vet.  After 15 years of hard work it is time to form a movement to help others, help themselves. Together they started Elev8 Veterans to help people find a different way of healing.