Success Stories
These are some of the young men who came to Forte Strong stuck — and left building lives of their own. Every story is different. The outcome they share is independence.
Drew barely came out of his room and had little connection to the world around him. Today he's studying and working full time, supporting his own independence. He worked through years of self-doubt and old patterns at Forte Strong — and discovered that real growth asks something of you.
Ryan arrived carrying self-doubt, anxiety, and depression. Through the program he became a self-starter — coachable, accountable, and ready to build a future he'd stopped believing was possible. His progress is a picture of what these young men are capable of in the right environment.
Miles had reached rock bottom, caught in a gambling habit and out of options. At Forte Strong he found his footing — a new passion in skiing, and the drive to build the best version of himself. His story is one of a young man who decided, for himself, that he was done being stuck.
A follow-up with Miles, catching up on where his life has gone since Forte Strong — what he's learned, what he's excited about, and where he's headed next. This is what launched looks like, months down the road.
Bryson was living without goals or a sense of a future. He found Forte Strong's videos online, and the other young men's stories resonated with him. In the program, the environment and his coaches helped him set his own goals and start building toward them.
Mark spent most of his days in front of the TV playing video games, living only in the moment. He realized he needed to change so he could start building a future. He's since gone skydiving and continues to set real goals for himself.
Jack was held back by a fear of failure, so he rarely gave himself the chance to try. He was coasting — doing okay in college, but only for others, before he left. He came to Forte Strong to learn how to build a life for himself, and to become his own person.
Danny's life had been consumed by video games — playing them, watching them, talking about them for hours. He knew the games had taken over, and he'd grown afraid to be open with the people around him. At Forte Strong he built a new footing for himself, discovered a genuine passion for cooking, and found his way forward — learning, with his therapist's help, how to open back up along the way.
Mike cycled in and out of college, never landing on something he was passionate about, caught in a downward spiral of starting and stalling. At Forte Strong he found a passion for competitive dodgeball — and now travels the country playing. His story is a reminder that momentum often starts with a single spark.
Nick's confidence issues left him overthinking everything, exhausted by second-guessing himself. At Forte Strong he's grown more confident by the day. He hits the gym regularly and has become an avid hiker — not just for the views, but because every hike is an accomplishment he earns himself.
Collin had been in other programs before, but none fit — they were built for rehabilitating drug users, not young men like him. He connected with Forte Strong because it was built specifically for this. He left with a new mindset — things get done when he makes them happen — which he now puts to work in his job.
Jacob needed a fresh start and the extra push and drive that Forte Strong provides. Working with the coaching staff, he discovered how much he enjoys cooking and working in hospitality — the regulars, the new people, sharing his story. He's since stepped into a management role at a popular restaurant.
Spencer graduated into a cushioned life at home with no direction and no idea what he wanted. He knew he needed to change. At Forte Strong he found the structure to turn things around — and he's been growing and setting his own goals ever since.
Tallis came to Forte Strong struggling to communicate and stay positive. He left with brothers he chose, a scooter that gets him where he needs to go, and a real sense of hope for his future. Today he's building an independent life of his own — and staying connected with his family along the way.
Michael was the first young man Forte Strong welcomed from Europe — understandably nervous, until he found his footing here. A lifelong fascination with dinosaurs turned into a job at the Dinosaur Museum, and he's now thriving on his own in the States.
