After Maddie Smith quit drinking, she just didn’t know what to do with her hands ... until she discovered Cross Fit and built her epic physique!

Now she’s a top contender for “Ms. Health and Fitness 2026”, and she’s doing it all for a veteran nonprofit.

We talked about how she overcame alcoholism, an eating disorder, and endured recovery groups that didn’t understand her trauma. Now, in peak physical condition she shared advice on conquering addictions and helping veterans through a partnership with Shields and Stripes, a veteran support program founded by Steve Nisbet, fellow athlete and Air Force Pararescue Specialist veteran.

Nisbet described the life of an elite “PJ”, conducting casualty evac missions in combat zones, the tragic death of a fellow PJ, the Army's betrayal and the emotional toll of his service.

But he powered through the pain and used his physical training expertise to create the acclaimed Shields and Stripes veteran support program.

The program draws from the type of sports therapy used by pro athletes and Special Operations teams and combines it with customized nutrition plans and therapy from experienced psychologists.

Nisbet described the incredible results attendees experienced at recent programs in Arizona and Florida, and shared stories of vets who no longer need the medications doctors said they couldn’t live without.

Smith also expressed her shared love of fitness as medicine, and what she will do if crowned contest winner, “If I win, I’m donating the $20K prize to the Shields & Stripes Foundation. I’m competing to break the stigma around recovery & mental health, not to win money. Giving the prize to a nonprofit founded by someone who rebuilt his life after tragedy & now helps others find their strength, means more than anything $20K could buy me.”

Vote for Maddie Smith, fitness pro and Army spouse, here:
https://mshealthandfit.com/2026/madeline-smith
Check out the innovative, healing programs for veterans at Shields and Stripes, here:
https://shieldsandstripes.org/

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