Derek Weida

About Derek

• As a young adult, he loved films like Black Hawk Down and We Were Soldiers.
• Joined the Army when he was 17 and immediately loved it; he enjoyed the physical challenges and the camaraderie of being a soldier.
• After taking a bullet through the knee, getting his leg amputated, and being medically retired from the military, he felt that he’d lost his dream job.
• Went through a period of deep depression until one of his friends invited him to join his “Tough Mudder” team.
• He finally felt like he’d found his next purpose, at least for the short term; says that the tough mudder race meant nothing, but at the same time, “saved his life.”
• After completing the difficult, muddy course, people started to view him as an inspirational figure.
• He took advantage of the traction he was getting on social media and started an apparel company called The Next Objective.
• The Next Objective donates proceeds to fund gym memberships and personal training sessions for vets, seeking to motivate them through fitness-based activities.