We’re looking forward to introducing you to Annie Nelson. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Annie , thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ince breaker: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
On a brisk February morning, the doorbell rang—and nothing could have prepared me for what was waiting on the other side. Standing there was a camera crew, a local ABC news reporter, the station manager, and a group of smiling faces holding balloons and flowers. With heartfelt cheers, they announced, “Congratulations! You are Nashville, Tennessee’s 2025 Remarkable Woman—honored by WKRN ABC Channel 2 and Nexstar Media Group!”
To say I was shocked would be an understatement. The moment felt completely surreal. Once the tears of surprise and joy slowed and the news finally sank in, I welcomed everyone into my home. It was then that I began to learn what this incredible honor would mean—and just how unforgettable the journey ahead was going to be.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Annie Nelson—founder and president of the American Soldier Network. If you had told me years ago that my life would be centered around serving veterans and their families, I might have laughed. But as I’ve learned, life often unfolds in the most unexpected and powerful ways.
I grew up in Minnesota, Illinois and California, later studied Theatre Arts at Cal State Long Beach, and started my career in sports broadcasting and special events. I’ve always loved storytelling and connecting with people—but I never imagined that a simple pen pal letter to a wounded Marine in 2004 would completely shift my life’s direction. That moment, that connection, became a divine spark that ignited my mission to serve those who serve us.
Since then, my path has been filled with incredible highs and some heavy challenges—multiple concussions, brain tumors, and a life-threatening surgery in 2010 that tested every ounce of my strength. But God wasn’t done with me. In fact, I believe He was just getting started.
Through the American Soldier Network, I’ve worked to shine a light on the invisible wounds of war and the real-life battles our heroes face once they return home. I launched RuckUp.org in 2019 to help veterans and their families find hope, connection, and support. I’ve had the honor of speaking across the country, sharing these stories in my long-running column for US Veterans Magazine, and writing my book, RESILIENCE: Coming Back from Crisis with Faith, Passion & Purpose, with a foreword from my dear friend, actor Kevin Sorbo.
And now—representing Tennessee as the 2025 Remarkable Woman for WKRN Channel 2 and Nexstar Media Group—is one of the most humbling honors of my life. It’s not just a title—it’s a responsibility. A responsibility to continue lifting voices that often go unheard, to fight for those who feel forgotten, and to show with God what faith, grit, and purpose can really do.
I live by something I call the “God dots”—those moments and connections that show us we’re never walking alone.
If my journey stands for anything, it’s that resilience isn’t about having it all together—it’s about showing up, again and again, with faith, compassion, and purpose.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
Who taught me the most about work?
Without a doubt—that would be my parents. But if I’m being completely honest, the real “remarkable woman” in our family is my mom, Carol Nelson.
She grew up as a farmer’s daughter in Illinois, and from a young age, she knew the meaning of hard work. She’s worked her entire life—only stepping away briefly to raise me alongside my dad. But once I was in junior high, she jumped right back into the workforce, diving into real estate and banking—and quickly became a force to be reckoned with.
She broke barriers and glass ceilings in her industry, all while never missing a beat at home. She led with both fire and grace—balancing career success, family, and philanthropy with a level of passion and purpose that still inspires me today.
My work ethic, drive, and heart for service? That all traces back to her. She’s the kind of woman who shows up, gets things done, and lifts others along the way—and I’m proud to walk in the footsteps of someone so fiercely committed to both her work and her family.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
Goodness—there have been many physical wounds in my life that forced me to dig deep and truly commit to the healing process, so choosing just one is a challenge. But if I had to pinpoint a defining moment, it would be my first brain tumor in 2010.
That experience changed everything.
The tumor was over 6 centimeters—massive by medical standards—and the path ahead was filled with uncertainty and fear. Brain surgery alone is daunting, but what was expected to be a four-hour procedure turned into a grueling 10 hours and 45 minutes. When I woke up, I was completely deaf in my right ear, severely overweight from the medications, and struggling with balance due to the hearing loss—among a long list of other physical hurdles.
But the physical recovery was only part of it. The emotional and mental healing—that was a whole other mountain to climb. I had to find my footing again, both literally and figuratively, and redefine what “normal” meant for me.
That experience became a turning point. It broke me open, but it also allowed something new to grow—resilience, faith, and a deeper understanding of my purpose. It taught me how to keep moving forward when everything feels uncertain, and how to show up even when you don’t feel whole. That wound shaped me, but more importantly, it refined me.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
For me, the answer is simple: the Bible. It is Truth—timeless, unshakable, and eternally relevant. Though written over 2,000 years ago, its wisdom speaks as powerfully today as it did then, and it will continue to do so tomorrow. As many have said, “Knowledge is power,” and “The truth will set you free.” For me, that truth is found in Jesus. He is my foundation, my guide, and the key to everything I do.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
What do I understand that most people don’t?
In today’s world—where so many are glued to devices, listening only to respond instead of to truly understand, quick to attack rather than seek common ground—I’ve come to realize something through my own journey that many may not fully grasp: the true power of communication and the importance of how we deliver our message.
I’ve been blessed to walk among unsung heroes—men and women who’ve sacrificed everything for our freedoms. I’ve shared moments with the rich and famous, and I’ve served those with nothing. I’ve stood in devastated regions where people are clinging to hope, trying to make sense of tragedy. And through it all, I’ve witnessed the unmistakable hand of God.
What I’ve learned is this: even when you’re right, it’s not just what you say that matters—it’s how you say it. Respect, humility, and kindness should never be optional. Sadly, those qualities are increasingly absent. Technology has given bullies a platform they never should’ve had. We tear others down without ever looking them in the eye.
Entitlement and personal agendas have no place in a society meant to thrive on unity. We are a nation built on freedoms and laws—and without those, we become chaos. And when we allow chaos to rule, we fall.
The truth is, we all breathe the same air. And one day, we will all leave this earth the same way we came into it—with nothing material in our hands.
So while we’re here, it’s up to each of us to choose love over hate, unity over division. We don’t have to agree with someone’s choices—but we can still show compassion. We don’t have to embrace the sin—but we can pray for the sinner.
In the end, kindness costs us nothing. But the lack of it? That’s costing us everything.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://TheAnnieNelson.com
- Instagram: @theannienelson
- Linkedin: TheAnnieNelson
- Twitter: @theAnnieNelson
- Facebook: TheAnnieNelson
- Other: https://www.AmericanSoldierNetwork.com
Image Credits
self no photo credits needed I own all photos
