We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Annie Nelson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Annie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

For any nonprofit, the mission is the heartbeat. For me, leading a nonprofit isn’t just about driving a cause—it’s about living a mission, both organizationally and personally. Years ago, I read The Path by Laurie Beth Jones, where she challenges readers to craft their own personal mission statement—just two words that define your purpose. I did that over 25 years ago, and mine has never changed: Ignite Faith.

That personal mission has guided every step of my journey, ultimately leading to the creation of the American Soldier Network. Through that lens, our organizational mission was born. The American Soldier Network is a dedicated 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to raising awareness and providing critical resources to support the psychological and emotional well-being of our military and veteran communities. We take a hands-on, boots-on-the-ground approach—advocating, fundraising, and ensuring those who serve receive the care and recognition they deserve, both during and after their time in uniform.

At its core, our mission is simple yet profound: to serve those who have served us all. That’s the story behind our mission—and the fuel that keeps us moving forward every day.

Annie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My journey has been anything but ordinary—a testament to resilience, faith, and the unwavering power of the human spirit. From my early beginnings in Minnesota to founding and leading The American Soldier Network (ASN) in Nashville, my life has been dedicated to serving others, especially our nation’s veterans and their families.

I originally studied Theatre Arts on a scholarship at California State University, Long Beach, which led me into a career in sports broadcasting, acting and special events. I’ve always had a passion for storytelling, but it wasn’t until 2004—after striking up an unexpected pen pal friendship with a deployed Marine—that my life’s true purpose came into focus. That one connection lit a fire in my soul and shifted the trajectory of my life forever.

I’ve faced my share of personal challenges—surviving multiple concussions, brain tumors, and a life-threatening surgery in 2010. But through it all, I held onto my faith and refused to give up. Each trial made me stronger and deepened my commitment to serve others walking their own battles.

That calling became ASN in 2005—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness about the often-overlooked emotional and psychological struggles our veterans face when they return home. We take a hands-on, boots-on-the-ground approach, fighting for those who’ve fought for us.

Through ASN we also created RuckUp.org in 2019, a resource hub for veterans and their families, to ensure no one feels alone in their transition or healing journey. Over the years, I’ve had the honor of speaking at countless events across the country, and for more than a decade, I’ve written a column in U.S. Veterans Magazine called “American Heroes”, where I share stories of grit, resilience, and hope.

My book, RESILIENCE: Coming Back from Crisis with Faith, Passion & Purpose (with a foreword by actor Kevin Sorbo), was written to encourage others to rise from their lowest moments and find meaning in the pain. At the heart of everything I do is a personal oath: “I choose to live.” And I believe deeply in following the “God dots”—those divine connections that guide us toward our purpose.

My mission is simple: Ignite Faith—in our LORD, in others, in purpose, and in the power of never giving up. This journey has been filled with challenges, but more importantly, with people, moments, and missions that remind me why I continue to serve.

In 2025, I was humbled and honored to be named Nashville, Tennessee’s 2025 Remarkable Woman by WKRN News 2 (ABC) as part of Nexstar Media’s national Remarkable Woman search. To be recognized alongside so many incredible women making a difference in their communities is a true blessing I will always treasure.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

It didn’t happen overnight. As an “outsider” in the military community stepping into a world that’s tight-knit and built on trust, I knew I had to earn my place. That meant showing up consistently, proving I was who I said I was, never going back on my word, and most importantly—walking my talk. I made it a point to listen to understand, not just to respond. Over time, through relationships built on respect and integrity, I was welcomed in.

I knew early on that if I was truly going to serve this community, I needed to learn it—its culture, its language, its pain points, and its strength. That took time, humility, and a willingness to admit what I didn’t know. It hasn’t been an easy road, but it has been the most meaningful and rewarding journey of my life.

I believe wholeheartedly that God uses us for His work, and that the physical and emotional trials I’ve endured in my own life—multiple brain injuries, trauma, and a extensive surgery—were preparing me to walk beside our heroes with compassion and purpose. No, I’ve never deployed or experienced combat. But I do understand brain injury, post-traumatic stress, trauma, and the long road to emotional healing. And that’s given me a deep well of empathy and insight I can draw from to fight for those who have served.

This work is not just what I do—it’s who I am. And every step of this journey has been a gift.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

I believe the key to both personal and professional relationships comes down to one thing: messaging. In today’s world—where conflict and division often dominate the conversation—it’s easy to get lost in the noise. Negativity, drama, and ugliness seem to be what people gravitate toward, but the truth is, that kind of energy doesn’t move us forward. It only keeps us stuck.

My mom always told me, “You get more with honey than vinegar,” and she was right. Unfortunately, too many people are too short-sighted to see the value in kindness, patience, and respect. We’re living in a society addicted to digital communication—where people hide behind keyboards and text messages, and face-to-face, heart-to-heart conversations are becoming rare. In the process, we’ve lost the art of true communication—the ability to listen with empathy, to seek understanding rather than just respond.

To me, that’s the cornerstone of genuine leadership. If you want to be a positive influence, if you want to truly inspire others, you must always be intentional with your message. Because how you communicate—through your words, your actions, and your presence—matters more than ever in a world starving for authenticity and connection.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.theannienelson.com
• Instagram: @theannienelson
• Facebook: theAnnieNelson
• Linkedin: TheAnnieNelson
• Twitter: theannienelson
• Other: www.americansoldiernetwork.org RuckUp.org