Kelly Hein

Name: Kelly Hein
City/State: Austin, TX
Branch of Service: Navy
Dates of Service: 08/21/2012-08/28/2017
Last Rank Held: E5
Military Occupation: Naval Aircrewman Operator
Current Occupation: Therapist; vibro-acoustic therapy; Retreat Facilitator; Social Media Content Creator
X: NA
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellyfitzpatrickofficial?igsh=MXhqbzRpbjZiZmIyYQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/14V1poY3QZu/?mibextid=wwXIfr
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellyhein22?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kellyfitzpatrickofficial?_r=1&_t=ZP-93qAIRcDCaU

Kelly outside of the military:

Outside of the military, I am a graduate student in Mindfulness-Based Transpersonal Clinical Counseling and the founder of integrative retreat experiences designed for veterans. I currently lead retreats for women veterans focused on nervous system regulation, trauma-informed care, embodied resilience, and deep community reconnection. These retreats integrate mindfulness practices, somatic regulation, structured reflection, and shared storytelling to support long-term growth and stability. I am expanding this work to include male veterans, creating spaces that strengthen emotional intelligence, accountability, and sustainable resilience.
Outside of my professional work, I prioritize physical strength and mental clarity. I enjoy working out, training with intensity, paddle boarding, and spending time outdoors. Movement and nature are essential parts of how I regulate, reset, and stay grounded. I value connection, adventure, and authenticity, and I bring those same values into my leadership and advocacy. My work truly bridges lived experience, research, and policy to strengthen veteran readiness and long-term well-being.

Kelly on joining the IAVA Cavalry:

I joined the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America Cavalry program to contribute to policy conversations that directly shape veteran care and opportunity. Cavalry brings together veterans dedicated to responsible leadership and evidence-informed advocacy. I value being part of a cohort translating lived experience into thoughtful policy solutions that advance health, economic stability, and long-term well-being.
The veteran community means responsibility, shared experience, and lifelong commitment to one another because we truly heal in community and with people who understand us. It means showing up for one another beyond service and strengthening systems that honor that bond. My participation reflects a deep respect for those who served alongside me and a commitment to ensuring our community has a strong, informed voice in shaping national policy.

How the military experience affected Kelly’s personal growth:

Serving as a Navy Aircrewman and intelligence professional strengthened my discipline, adaptability, and mission focus. Operating in high-pressure environments refined my leadership and decision-making skills. My service deepened my understanding of sustained operational stress and long-term nervous system health.
As Thich Nhat Hanh taught, when a soldier carries suffering, it is carried by the whole society. That understanding reinforces my belief that veteran care is a collective responsibility. Those experiences guide my commitment to ethical leadership, community responsibility, and advancing systems that support veteran resilience and purpose-driven outcomes.

IAVA’s policy priorities that are the most pressing:

Expanding timely access to high-quality mental health care remains essential. Full implementation of toxic exposure legislation ensures sustained health monitoring. Strengthening transition support enhances economic and social stability. I support continued federal research into medical cannabis, psychedelic-assisted therapies, and integrative care models grounded in rigorous clinical oversight.
Through my work developing preparatory healing frameworks with the Mensara Institute, I have seen how structured nervous system regulation and whole-person approaches strengthen long-term veteran readiness and measurable outcomes. Advancing policy that supports these research-informed models expands responsible, comprehensive care options for veterans nationwide.

IAVA’s policy priorities with the strongest personal connection for Kelly:

Mental health access and innovative, evidence-based treatment expansion are the policy priorities I feel most personally connected to. My military service shaped my understanding of operational stress and long-term nervous system impact. In my own transition and in working alongside other veterans, I have seen how access to timely, comprehensive care directly influences stability, purpose, and quality of life.
I am especially connected to expanding research and responsible clinical oversight around integrative approaches, including medical cannabis and psychedelic-assisted therapies. Thoughtful policy in this space expands safe, structured options for veterans navigating PTSD, depression, and trauma-related conditions.
As a future clinician and advocate, I am committed to strengthening systems that support regulation, resilience, and long-term healing for those who have served.