Our Mission

Ranger Road is a nonprofit charity providing veterans the necessary tools to be successful during the crucial transition from military to civilian life. It was founded by Army Ranger, MMA fighter and Police Officer, Mikhail Venikov. Ranger Road believes the bond and camaraderie created in the military is truly special and an experience only those who have served are able to grasp an understanding of. By pushing towards lasting solutions that bring veterans with and without disabilities together with civilians, we can be part of a community and support system that thrives on community involvement, physical and emotional wellness. The activities and programs developed have been proven to help veterans handle stress, lower rates of anxiety and depression, and improve the overall wellness of the veterans. In order to assist our veterans we need your help! By supporting Ranger Road you are supporting innovative, result-oriented programs, and increasing public education and participation.

Upcoming Events

Walk & Roll for Freedom

Three of our Ranger Road veterans looking to bring some awareness surrounding PTSD and Disabled Veterans the strength and support needed to conquer it. To do this, they are walking and rolling from Sacramento to the happiest place on Earth-- Disneyland 

June 1st 

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Join Ranger Road Skydiving

July 10th - 11th
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Rustic Healing

Hog Hunt 

 June/July 

 East Texas

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Cage Side Warriors

Next PFL Event

TBD

more info...

Ranger road scuba

Florida Dive 

 July 22nd  - 25th 2020

Gulf of Mexico

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Freedom Jump 2020

September 26th

Davis, CA

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Rustic Healing

Bonehill Deer Hunt 

November-December 

 East Texas

more info...

Warrior Swim

Schedule TBD

Rancho Cordova, CA

more info...

Our Programs

Ground Breaking Research

What do you think of when someone mentions PTSD? Do you see a soldier not able to remove himself from the horrors of war? Or could you picture that same person performing daring feats, competitive games, and taking risks of another sort? 

That transformation is being made possible by changes in the way the medical and psychological fields see PTSD. Let me explain.

After a study examining the brains of postmortem, blast-exposed military veterans and finding  'Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy in Blast-Exposed Military Veterans' (click to read the study); we have a greater understanding of how we can help Veterans heal. Any level of traumatic brain injury can cause pituitary gland damage that results in hormone deficiency. We also know that hormones are a key factor in the way we interpret our world. . 
From a physiological standpoint, Ranger Road programs increase the brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) which is proving to counteract the effects of brain injuries. Below are studies/articles from leaders in the fields of endocrinology and psychiatry that support our approach.

TBI AND HORMONAL DEFICIENCY

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is now recognized as a causative factor for hormonal deficiencies associated with personality changes based upon changes in the molecular chemistry of the brain. Psychological, physiological, and physical manifestations like; depression, anxiety, mood swings, bouts of anger, memory loss, inability to concentrate, learning disabilities, sleep deprivation, increased risk for heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, diabetes, loss of libido, menstrual irregularities, pre-mature menopause, obesity, loss of lean body mass, muscular weakness, and a number of other medical conditions can all arise subsequent to head trauma. READ MORE...
WATCH SEGMENT

MICRO PREDICTIONS AND PTSD

The brain's guesses are compromised. It's not guessing very well and it's not updating its guesses based on new learning, so it's trapped in an old model. And as a consequence, people who suffer from PTSD are reliving experiences that are not driven by what's around them in the moment. They are really transported to another time and place and reliving that experience. Part of the problem is that plasticity in a brain that is suffering from PTSD is compromised, meaning that day-to-day new learning, which is subtly changing the wiring of the brain, is not really happening. READ MORE..
Watch Segment

BDNF AND COGNITIVE IMPROVEMENT

Emerging findings suggest that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) serves widespread roles in regulating energy homeostasis by controlling patterns of feeding and physical activity, and by modulating glucose metabolism in peripheral tissues. BDNF mediates beneficial effects of energetic challenges such as vigorous exercise and fasting on cognition, mood, cardiovascular function and peripheral metabolism. By stimulating glucose transport and mitochondrial biogenesis BDNF bolsters cellular bioenergetics and protects neurons against injury and disease. By acting in the brain and periphery, BDNF increases insulin sensitivity and parasympathetic tone. Genetic factors, a ‘couch potato’ lifestyle and chronic stress impair BDNF signaling, which may contribute to the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome. Novel BDNF-focused interventions are being developed for obesity, diabetes and neurological disorders. READ MORE..
Watch Segment

The Final Act of Service

The mounting evidence for the theory that PTSD is directly linked to blast trauma and violent concussions. In this 60 minutes segment, Doctor Ann McKee from Boston University discusses her findings that support this theory.  

The cross that none of us knew that we would bare.But as veterans we fight through. At Ranger Road we find our strength. Together We Are Strong!

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Ranger Road Gear
New Arrivals

Your Support Matters

Donate 

Ranger Road is supported through your donations and grants. 100% of the proceeds goes to our veterans. Without our community's involvement and support, Ranger Road would not be able to carry out its mission of helping veterans through their transition from military to civilian life. 

​We thank you greatly for your generous donation. Every penny counts towards helping our veterans and making their transition extraordinary and empowering!

​Our veterans have set goals for obtaining donations to help us keep our veteran programs alive. To help meet their fundraising goals, please fill out the form to donate.
                                                                                        If you have any questions, please email us at info@rangerroad.org.
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100% of the proceeds goes directly to our veteran programs, we don't have salaried employees. We need your support to continue making a difference because no one person could take on our mission. #TogetherWeAreStrong