Meet the founder, USMC Major Teddy Colegate

Major Teddy Colgate is a decorated Marine Corps veteran, nonprofit founder, and mental health advocate whose life story is one of service, survival, and transformation.

With 22 years of active duty and seven overseas deployments, Teddy’s military career took him from the deserts of the Middle East to the skies above Washington as part of the elite Marine One presidential helicopter unit. Rising from enlisted ranks to officer status, he embodied leadership under pressure. But after retiring in 2012, he faced a battle he never expected—the invisible wounds of war.

In 2016, Teddy reached his lowest point. Struggling with PTSD, moral injury, and a profound sense of disconnection, he almost took his own life until his son came around the corner and asked for juice. That moment became a turning point. Through faith, therapy, and a renewed sense of purpose, he began the difficult work of healing.

Determined to help others find their way back from the brink, Teddy co-founded First Coast Heroes Outreach in 2013. Initially serving veterans, the nonprofit expanded its mission in 2021 to include first responders and active-duty personnel. To date, it has raised over $100,000 and continues to provide confidential, proactive mental health support designed to prevent crises before they start.

Today, Teddy speaks across the country, sharing his journey and advocating for a culture of connection and resilience. His keynotes and workshops deliver an unflinching look at the realities of PTSD and suicide, but they also offer hope, practical strategies, and a vision for stronger, more compassionate communities.

Organizations, companies, and communities looking to address mental health and leadership turn to Teddy for his unique ability to connect with audiences through authenticity and lived experience.

Teddy's passion now is helping people find their own juice.