Military veterans bring a range of experiences and inspiring stories to their followers, whether it’s motivating others to overcome tough situations or showing what life can be like after serving. Here are 12 military veteran influencers using social media to inspire others.
12 military veterans to follow
Zachary Bell — veteranwithasign
Zachary is the creator behind the popular veteranwithasign Instagram account, which has 262K followers. He also hosts The After Action Podcast, a show dedicated to sharing the stories and lives of veterans. His page raises awareness on important issues facing veterans, such as mental health and transitioning to civilian life, while also bringing a lighthearted touch through memes and humor.
Andrew Smith — purpleheartvet
Andrew’s posts focus on his family trips and the nonprofit the Army veteran he started in 2020, Orphans in Asia. The former infantry soldier’s new mission in life is helping orphans overseas by establishing orphanages, feeding centers and schools. His philanthropy and lifestyle content has earned him a community of 4.3K Instagram followers.
Ryan Fugit — CombatStory
Ryan created a podcast to share combat veterans’ experiences after he served in the Army as a helicopter pilot. His 224K YouTube subscribers enjoy his videos about gear, tools to improve wellbeing and interviews with fellow former, or current, military personnel. The podcast explores selflessness, sacrifice, courage and perseverance.
Nick Bare — nickbarefitness
After college, Nick served as an Army platoon leader and has since transitioned into a fitness influencer and entrepreneur. He now owns Bare Performance Nutrition, a protein and fitness brand. His content features training routines and glimpses into his life as a husband and father, attracting a large following of 1.2M on Instagram.
Dakota Meyer — dakotameyer0317
Dakota has worn many titles throughout his life. A decorated Marine Corps veteran and Medal of Honor recipient, he’s also the founder of Dash Hydrate, an electrolyte-rich hydration formula, as well as a first responder and father. His platform shares insights from his military experiences and his mission to uplift fellow veterans, attracting a dedicated following of 363K on Instagram.
Jocko Willink— jockowillink
Jocko, a retired Navy SEAL with 3.1M Instagram followers, is also a bestselling author and podcaster. Known for his dedication to fitness and professional grappling, he frequently shares gym motivation and front-row clips from grappling events, inspiring his audience with his passion and discipline.
Robert Portales— rjportales
After a brief military career, Robert transitioned to acting and now shares his passion for fitness with his 847K Instagram followers. His page captures his global adventures and dedication to health and wellness, inspiring his audience along the way.
Noah Galloway — noahgallowayathlete
Noah, an Army veteran with 185K Instagram followers, turned to fitness after losing part of his left arm and leg during deployment. Since then, he’s competed in various fitness and sporting events, inspiring others with his motto, “no excuses.” He has also partnered with F45 as a guest coach and trainer, sharing his journey and empowering others to push their limits.
Marcus Luttrell— marcusluttrell
With 747K followers, Marcus is among the most-followed veterans on Instagram. He’s actively involved with Team Never Quit, a platform and podcast highlighting veterans’ journeys and leadership stories.
Rich Diviney — rich_diviney
Rich, a retired Navy SEAL and entrepreneur with 11.8K Instagram followers, shares content highlighting stories from his SEAL days and powerful posts centered on resilience and skill-building. His company, The Attributes, focuses on developing skills and leadership through workshops and assessments.
Michael Eckert — michaeleckert_fit
Michael, a U.S. Marine and world record holder for pull-ups, shares his training routines with 852K Instagram followers. His content includes shoulder exercises, ab workouts and tips for home gym training. His simple, yet effective, workouts resonate with his audience.
Deshauna Barber-Echols — deshaunabarber
Deshauna, a former Miss USA, veteran and professional speaker, engages her 259K Instagram followers with content centered on female empowerment. She also shares significant life updates, like her wedding, keeping her audience connected and inspired.
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