Article by Jessica Renstrom

Photos by Keely Zimmermann 

On first glance, Adaptive Performance Center (APC) looks like a gym. And while there is plenty of gym equipment beyond its front doors, you'll also find a pool table, a puzzle table, a lounge, a coffee pot, and a place to just be. And for veterans who spend years trying to navigate the gap between military service and everyday life, this space can be life-changing. 

Changing the Statistics 

Veterans carry experiences they will never share with their families. They saw, did, and heard things in service that they keep entirely within themselves, staying silent to protect the people they love. But that trauma and silence, combined with the loss of military camaraderie and a clear sense of purpose, can create dangerous isolation when they return to civilian life. 

This grim reality is echoed in the VA's most recent data, which reports that veterans die by suicide at more than double the rate of non-veterans (VA National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, 2024).  

But APC’s Co-founders Karen Pearson, MS, LCPC, CPT, and Mitch Crouse, BS, CPT, are determined to change this statistic. When they joined together to open Adaptive Performance Center, they were determined to do more than create a gym: they set out to save lives. 

As a licensed therapist turned personal trainer, Karen already knew the power of exercise to transform both physical and mental health. A swim coach for 35 years, Mitch also understood firsthand what movement could do for the mind and body, having relied on the gym himself to navigate chronic pain. Working alongside veterans for years, they had seen the gaps in care for veterans and the resulting effects on veterans’ health. But it was a moment at a local gym that instantly turned their bits of a vision into a mission. 

While working out with a veteran Mitch had gotten to know well, someone nearby dropped a weight, and the veteran immediately hit the floor. In that instant, the need became undeniable. "What if we had a gym that was just theirs?" Mitch began to wonder. A space designed not just for veterans' bodies, but for their peace of mind. 

Giving Veterans Their Identity Back 

Together, Karen & Mitch opened their first location in Billings in March 2020 at 1420 Broadwater Avenue, after thoughtfully designing both the space and the experience. The floors are thicker, so they don't make noise, and the weights are rubber, so they don't clank, both features that are important for members with PTSD. And when members walk through the door, they are greeted by their first name. 

"When you're in the military, you're your last name," Karen explains. "When you get out, you're the last four of your social security number. By using their first name, we give veterans their identity back." 

All of these details combine to create a space where veterans can feel safe and seen. "That's the lifespan of APC," Karen says. "Somebody walks in, and there's kind of an absence, a blank look. Within about two weeks, you see a little sparkle. Within a month, they're standing at the counter talking. Then they're laughing as they come in. It's the most beautiful progression, watching somebody get life back in their heart and in their head." 

Growing to Meet the Need 

After receiving the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant, APC significantly expanded its services. They hired more personal trainers, an occupational therapist, and a veteran liaison. In February 2023, they opened a second location in Helena. 

The occupational therapist works with members on functional movement, helping veterans (including two World War II veterans in their 90s!) maintain independence and stay in their own homes as long as possible. APC’s veteran liaison helps members navigate phone trees, paperwork, and appointments so they can access the medical care, disability benefits, and housing support they've earned but often struggle to reach. 

Bringing Hope 

At its core, Karen believes, veteran suicide comes down to one thing: the loss of hope. The feeling that no one cares, and there’s nowhere to go. APC aims to change that. Today, the Billings location alone sees 80 to 110 people per day, and over 2,000 veterans have been served since opening. 

Membership is just $19.95 per month and covers all of APC’s offerings: personal training, occupational therapy, massage, acupuncture, and liaison services. However, no one is turned away due to financial hardship. About 25–30% of members across both locations are on scholarship, which is why community donations are so vital to keeping APC's doors open for everyone. 

Spreading the Word 

Karen and Mitch want the community to know that Adaptive Performance Center is for all veterans, and since one in ten American citizens is a veteran, chances are you know someone who could benefit. “If you know a veteran, tell them about APC,” encourages Karen. The more the community rallies around APC, the stronger the support network becomes for every veteran. 

Originally printed in the June 2026 issue of Simply Local Magazine

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