Meet Patrick, A Disabled Veteran Who Lost 200+ Pounds With Help From Thrive Gives 

If you’re a family in financial need—including teachers, nurses, first responders, students, veterans, and EBT cardholders—you qualify for a free one-year membership through Thrive Gives. With it, you’ll get access to member-only benefits from Thrive Market.

The military is known for its strict schedules. Days are structured, everyone has a job to do, and service members feel like part of a larger team with a very clear purpose. 

Patrick, a single dad living in Davis, California, knows this lifestyle well; in his 20s he was an Army Ranger, a member of a prestigious special operations force within the Army that requires additional training and selection. 

After suffering a traumatic brain injury while deployed, Patrick was discharged and quickly thrust back into civilian life. It was very difficult for him to adjust, and he struggled with both the physical and mental effects of his injuries. “I was unable to work or function,” he says. “I could barely leave the house without breaking down.” 

Patrick made many sacrifices for his country, but losing the purpose of being a part of the Army was one of the most painful. Once discharged, he fell out of the routines that once kept him feeling grounded and gained what he describes as a “tremendous amount of weight.” At his heaviest, he was 365 pounds. “I had to re-learn to walk because I couldn’t stand up without getting dizzy,” he remembers. “My blood pressure was at ‘seek medical attention’ level pretty much 24/7.” 

Patrick realized that he needed to regain control of his weight and his mental health in order to truly recover and be the best father he could be. He started following fitness influencers on social media, which is when he first learned about Thrive Market—an essential part of his health journey, since he was living in a remote area without easy access to healthy groceries. 

He applied for the Thrive Gives program, which provides free memberships to veterans like Patrick, in addition to individuals or families in financial need. Almost overnight, he had access to the groceries and supplements that would become an essential part of his health journey. 

“Over time, I was able to come off all meds simply by using food as medicine,” he says. By combining a strict diet, which included intermittent fasting, with the right supplements and a daily workout plan, Patrick was able to lose an incredible 250 pounds. 

Today, Patrick offers support and mentorship to other disabled veterans who are in similar health situations. In many ways, sharing this type of camaraderie—the kind that very few could understand—enables him to maintain the sense of community he once thought he had lost. 

Patrick’s Favorite Thrive Market Products 

From fast-breaking snacks to post-workout supplements, these are the essentials that Patrick adds to his Thrive Market cart every time he places an order. 

Thorne Creatine
“Creatine is one of the most researched supplements out there. It’s not only great for the gym, but it has cognitive benefits as well.”

Kettle & Fire Classic Beef Bone Broth
“This has good levels of collagen. It’s great for breaking fast.”

Solely Mango Fruit Jerky
“I get most of my carbohydrates from fruit, and these are really good because they’re just fruit.”

Ultima Lemonade Replenisher Electrolyte Powder
“I like electrolytes while I’m fasting. This one gives me potassium, magnesium, and sodium so that I feel good during a fast.”

Thrive Market Macadamia Nuts
“These are great when I’m doing things like low carb or keto because there are very few carbs in them, and they’re very high in fat.”

Thrive Market Collagen Peptides
“I really like to use collagen peptides. I always add them into my whey protein because they’re really good for skin and tissue recovery.”

Native Pet Omega Oil
“This is really good for [my dog’s] coat, and he loves the taste.”

Thrive Market Avocado Oil Spray
“[Conventional cooking oil sprays] are nothing but industrial seed oils, and they’re not very good for you. I love that you can get avocado oil spray at Thrive Market.”

Unreal Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups
“When I have a cheat meal, I have these little chocolates. They’re not quite as bad as eating [a conventional candy] that’s filled with a bunch of binders and chemicals.”

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We’re so grateful to have played a part in Patrick’s story. If you’re an individual or family in financial need—including teachers, nurses, first responders, students, veterans, and SNAP EBT cardholders—you qualify for a free one-year membership through Thrive Gives. With it, you’ll get access to member-only benefits from Thrive Market. Learn more →