Every day in Fallbrook, California, Jhoonar Barerra follows a routine that keeps him moving forward. The 49-year-old Army veteran lifts weights, stretches on the floor, and prepares for his next wheelchair basketball practice. It is a far cry from where his story could have ended 18 years ago.
Barerra served from 1999 to 2007 as a section sergeant for an infantry mortar team with the 2nd Airborne Division in North Carolina. Six months after leaving the military, his life changed when a commercial appliance fell off a forklift and hit him, injuring his spinal cord and leaving him paralyzed.
No Limits in Sight
"The only limitations are the ones you believe," Barerra said, reflecting on his journey. "Stay mentally strong, because life could always be worse."
That philosophy has carried him through nearly two decades of rebuilding his life, one workout at a time. While a member of the San Diego Wolfpack wheelchair basketball team, he discovered the Paralyzed Veterans of America and joined its CalDiego chapter in 2010. Wheelchair basketball has since become more than a sport for Barerra.
"Wheelchair basketball is one of my passions in life since being injured in 2007," he said.
Maintaining the physical conditioning required to play competitively pushed him to develop a comprehensive fitness routine throughout the week, balancing team practices with individual strength training.
Now, Barerra and veterans like him have a new resource to support their fitness journeys. On January 12, PVA launched its first Online Fitness + Wellness Program, a free, virtual adaptive fitness initiative powered by Warrior Strong.
Founded by veterans, Warrior Strong is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the physical and mental well-being of veterans, servicemembers, and first responders through accessible fitness and wellness programs.
The initiative serves veterans with spinal cord injuries and conditions, including multiple sclerosis and ALS, as well as those who care for them. Members can participate in as many as nine classes each week that emphasize building strength, improving endurance and developing hand-eye coordination. The program extends beyond physical exercise to incorporate meditation and breathwork practices aimed at alleviating stress and promoting mental well-being.
"By removing accessibility barriers to fitness and wellness and meeting veterans where they are in their fitness and wellness journey, we are not only helping to improve mental and physical fitness, but we are also cultivating a community of mutual support and connection," said Fabio Villarroel, PVA Senior Director of Sports and Recreation.
Gaining Mental, Physical Strength
For Barerra, who recently joined the program, the benefits extend beyond the structured workouts. "The Online Fitness + Wellness Program has given me a sense of purpose to better myself and others," he said.
His favorite aspect is the quick, structured exercises led by highly motivated instructors who understand the unique challenges veterans face.
One of those adaptive fitness instructors is Kenneth Keitt, a Marine Corps veteran who served from 2007 to 2011 and now works as an adaptive fitness instructor with Warrior Strong.
Keitt joined the Marine Corps shortly after graduating high school and served as a combat engineer. After returning from a deployment to Iraq, he was involved in a serious car accident in 2011 that left him paralyzed.
“For me, fitness stopped being about performance and started being about independence,” he said. “It was about being able to live my life — transferring independently, pushing my wheelchair up a hill, and having the endurance to get through the day.”
Keitt initially joined Warrior Strong as a participant, looking for a way to stay active and manage the daily challenges that come with a life-changing injury. Over time, he earned certifications through the organization and began leading classes himself.
Barerra said that the physical benefits of working out regularly include having more energy to take on the world. That increased energy translates directly into his daily life, helping him tackle household tasks and maintain his independence.
“When I started exercising, I felt stronger physically and mentally," he said.
Keitt sees those same functional gains reflected in the veterans he works with each week.
“A lot of people think fitness is about aesthetics,” Keitt said. “For the people we serve, it is about quality of life. The stronger you are physically and mentally, the more independent you become.”
Building Strength Through Community
But perhaps most importantly, the program has reinforced what Barerra already knew: the power of community.
"Luckily, I've built a community of friends who motivate and push me to be a better version of myself," he said. "The veterans, therapists, and trainers play a huge role in the community. They are the foundation for recovery."
Keitt said that sense of community is intentional and central to Warrior Strong’s approach.
“Community is the glue,” he said. “People come for the workout, but they stay because they feel like they belong.”
Tom Tice, CEO and Founder of Warrior Strong, understands this connection deeply. "At Warrior Strong, we are dedicated to helping veterans reconnect with their physical, mental, and emotional strength," Vice said. "Working with PVA allows us to expand that mission even further, by ensuring that every veteran, no matter their mobility level, has access to the tools and community they need to thrive."
The partnership between these two organizations exemplifies this mission in action. Veterans can participate in online classes from anywhere in the country or drop in at the Warrior Strong facility in Scranton, Pennsylvania, for in-person sessions.
Barerra’s participation in the program has sparked a new ambition: becoming an instructor himself.
"The desire now is to better myself. The goal is to be an instructor and help advocate for fitness," he said.
He is already prepared to share advice with other veterans facing mobility limitations who might be hesitant to begin their fitness journey. Having lived through the challenges himself, his message is simple but powerful: believe in what is possible, stay mentally strong, and lean on your community.
Keitt hopes the partnership between PVA and Warrior Strong continues to grow, expanding access to adaptive fitness while maintaining the community-centered focus that makes the program effective.
“Everyone was active at some point in their life,” he said. “Our goal is to help veterans reconnect with that and feel like the best version of themselves again.”
Veterans and caregivers interested in the PVA Online Fitness + Wellness Program can view the full class schedule and register here. The program is free and designed to meet participants wherever they are in their wellness journeys, offering both the tools for physical transformation and the community support that makes lasting change possible.