By Lexi Mitchell

When people think about military service, they often picture discipline, strength, and resilience. What they don’t always see is the hidden cost—the physical and emotional pain that service members carry long after the mission ends.

Officer training is infantry-based, and as a smaller female in a physically demanding environment, I learned firsthand how unforgiving that world can be on the body. The Army trains everyone to push beyond limits—but there’s a fine line between endurance and injury.

During one combatives training session, I tore my rotator cuff. It was just one of many injuries that came from carrying heavy rucksacks, weapon systems, and gear that easily weighed over 60 pounds—sometimes for miles, over and over again. The physical strain doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t matter your size or gender—everyone hurts.

Feet blister and bleed after a 12-mile ruck march, and yet you wake up in the woods the next day and do it all over again. There’s rarely time for the body to recover before the next test of strength or endurance begins. The culture rewards pushing through pain, and for most of us, stopping wasn’t an option.

But pain isn’t just physical. The constant pressure—mental, emotional, and physical—takes a toll that many don’t talk about. Under that much stress, your body’s healing process slows down. Your immune system weakens. When all three—mind, body, and spirit—are under siege, the effects can be long-lasting.

Today, I live with the consequences of those years of service. What many people don’t realize is that pain isn’t always visible. I often hear comments like, “You’re young, you look healthy, you look fine.” But the truth is, my pain lies within me. It doesn’t show on my skin, but it affects every part of my life. It’s invisible—but it’s real.

I share this not to complain, but to inform. As a veteran and as someone who values facts, I know that stress directly impacts the body’s ability to heal. Chronic pain isn’t weakness—it’s biology. And yet, too many veterans continue to “suck it up,” ignoring pain until it becomes unmanageable.

Veterans often carry invisible wounds alongside the visible ones. Pain management isn’t just about medication—it’s about understanding the full human experience of those who served. It’s about listening, validating, and creating care systems that honor both strength and vulnerability.

To my fellow veterans: you are not alone. Pain does not define your worth. Seeking help isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a continuation of your service, because it allows you to reclaim your health and your life.

Resources for Veterans in Pain

• VA Pain Management: www.va.gov/painmanagement
• VA Whole Health: www.va.gov/wholehealth
• U.S. Pain Foundation veterans peer support group: https://painconnection.org/veterans-support-group/
• Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1, or text 838255

About the Author:

Lexi Mitchell, M.S., BCMAS, is a U.S. Army veteran and emerging leader in health policy, patient advocacy, and organizational development. She served as a Platoon Leader and Executive Officer in a medical support unit within the Kansas Army National Guard while earning her degree in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology from the University of Kansas. Named one of Influential Women’s Most Influential Women of 2025, Lexi is a passionate advocate for individuals living with chronic pain and is an active member of the U.S. Pain Foundation’s volunteer network. Now a doctoral candidate at Oklahoma State University, she brings a unique blend of scientific training, military discipline, and community insight to her work advancing more equitable, patient-centered care.