Today we’d like to introduce you to Kevin Edgerton.
Hi Kevin, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My story starts long before 18A Fitness. Thirty years ago, I was just a young soldier chasing a dream—to earn my Green Beret. I went to Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS) confident, but unprepared. Coming from a heavy mechanized unit in the 1st Cavalry Division, I trained the wrong way—ran on concrete, used the wrong ruck, and paid the price. By the end, every metatarsal in both of my feet had grade 4 stress fractures. I was medically recycled.
That moment, though painful, changed everything. It forced me to learn what true preparation means—not just physically, but mentally and systematically. A year later, I returned to SFAS, got Selected, and immediately went to Airborne School, where I broke my left ankle and endured two surgeries. It took three and a half years before I finally made it to the Q-Course and earned the Green Beret. That experience defined my mindset: resilience, adaptation, and the refusal to quit.
Over the next 26 years in the U.S. Army, I served as both a Special Forces Communications Sergeant (18E) and later a Special Forces Detachment Commander (18A), leading missions across multiple theaters. Those years taught me that leadership isn’t about rank—it’s about trust, consistency, and the ability to bring out the best in others, even under the most demanding conditions.
When I retired, I took everything I’d learned about performance, recovery, and human potential into my next mission—helping others build resilience before they ever reach the breaking point. That led me to the U.S. Air Force Special Warfare Human Performance Squadron, where I served for seven and a half years as the Head Strength & Conditioning Coach. There, I built and led a multi-disciplinary Human Performance Team—physical therapists, athletic trainers, dietitians, sports psychologists, and data analysts—all working together to prepare Airmen for the demands of Pararescue (PJ), Combat Control (CCT), Tactical Air Control Party (TACP), and Special Reconnaissance (SR). Our programs reduced injuries by 35% and significantly improved selection rates across every AFAC.
Those results became the foundation for 18A Fitness, the company I run today. Named after my Special Forces designation as a Detachment Commander, 18A Fitness represents everything I believe in—elite preparation, uncompromising standards, and the relentless pursuit of human excellence.
At 18A Fitness, I work directly with aspiring operators, athletes, and veterans who want to perform at their peak—whether that’s earning a beret, returning from injury, or building the longevity to stay in the fight for life.
My journey from failure at SFAS to founding 18A Fitness has come full circle. What started as a setback became my mission—to ensure no one else walks into their biggest challenge unprepared.
That’s why I do what I do today: to help others move, think, and live like professionals—because success isn’t about never failing. It’s about who you become after you do.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Like most great things, 18A Fitness started small—just me, a laptop, and a vision. I launched it through a fitness app, training athletes and future operators completely online. At first, growth was slow. The market was crowded, and building trust in the Special Operations preparation community takes time and credibility.
About a year in, I caught my first big break. I reached out to a fellow Green Beret, Sean “Buck” Rogers, author of Rising Above and creator of the FNG Academy YouTube channel—a platform that gives advice and motivation to aspiring Green Berets. I sent him a cold message asking if he’d mention 18A Fitness in one of his videos. He did—and that moment changed everything. The business exploded overnight.
With that exposure came new challenges—scaling operations, maintaining one-on-one client quality, and managing the wave of attention that followed. Since then, I’ve continued to grow 18A Fitness through partnerships and support from other amazing veteran-owned platforms like OnesReady, Lesser Known Operator, and Security Halt. I’ve known the founders of OnesReady for over a decade, and they’ve been instrumental in helping me share my mission with the Special Operations community.
But the truth is, even success comes with headwinds. The current political climate and the drawdown of overseas conflicts have led to a sharp decline in individuals pursuing careers in Special Operations. It’s changed the landscape—fewer young men and women are seeking that path.
Still, I see this as an opportunity, not a setback. My mission has expanded beyond selection prep—it’s about building stronger, more resilient people in every walk of life. Whether someone’s goal is earning a beret or reclaiming their health after years of service, 18A Fitness continues to evolve to meet that need.
Every obstacle I’ve faced has only reinforced what I’ve believed since my time in Special Forces: Adapt. Overcome. Keep moving forward.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
About 18A Fitness – Building the Next Generation of Tactical Athletes
18A Fitness was founded with one purpose—to prepare, educate, and build stronger, more capable humans through evidence-based training rooted in Special Operations experience and human performance science.
Our business model is simple but powerful: bring elite-level tactical human performance training directly to the individual—anywhere in the world. Through our online coaching platform, 18A Fitness provides structured programs for aspiring Special Operations candidates, tactical athletes, veterans, and everyday individuals looking to improve mobility, strength, endurance, and resilience.
We specialize in Special Operations preparation—programs designed for those pursuing careers as Green Berets, Navy SEALs, Rangers, and Air Force Special Warfare Operators (PJ, CCT, SR, and TACP). Each program is built using the same principles and systems I developed as the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for the U.S. Air Force Special Warfare Human Performance Squadron (SWHPS)—protocols proven to enhance performance and reduce injuries.
Beyond tactical preparation, we also offer mobility training, injury-recovery protocols, and functional conditioning for athletes and veterans seeking longevity in movement and life.
What Sets 18A Fitness Apart
What makes 18A Fitness different is that it’s built by experience—not theory. I’m a retired U.S. Army Special Forces Captain and former Special Forces Communications Sergeant (18A & 18E) who spent 26 years leading elite soldiers and 7+ years coaching future operators at the highest level of Air Force Special Warfare. I know firsthand what the body and mind must endure to earn and maintain a beret, and that real-world understanding is built into every single program we offer.
Unlike generic fitness companies that sell “cookie-cutter” training plans, 18A Fitness provides direct access to me as your coach—no middlemen, no automation. Every question, form check, and adjustment comes from someone who’s lived it. That mentorship component is what I’m most proud of. I’ve helped thousands of athletes and candidates not only train smarter, but think, move, and recover like professionals.
Our programs combine Strength & Conditioning, Mobility, and Recovery Systems—supported by Kinstretch, Functional Range Conditioning (FRC), Fascial Stretch Therapy (FST), and Breathwork—to build strong, mobile, injury-resistant operators.
Brand Pride & Purpose
What I’m most proud of, brand-wise, is that 18A Fitness has become a trusted name within the Special Operations community. It’s not just a company—it’s a continuation of the mission. From SOF candidates to veterans recovering from years of service, to civilians wanting to train like professionals, our reach keeps growing because the message is real:
“Train smarter. Move better. Stay in the fight longer.”
We’ve been promoted by respected veteran voices like OnesReady, FNG Academy, Lesser Known Operator, and Security Halt, which has helped us grow our community while staying true to our roots—service, education, and integrity.
What I Want Readers to Know
18A Fitness isn’t about hype—it’s about results, mentorship, and longevity. Whether you’re chasing a beret, preparing for selection, recovering from injury, or simply wanting to perform better and move pain-free, we meet you where you are and build you into who you want to become.
Our mission is the same as it was in uniform: to prepare others to succeed under pressure—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
At the end of the day, 18A Fitness is more than a brand. It’s a blueprint for readiness, resilience, and relentless growth.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
The best advice I can give anyone starting out—whether it’s in business, fitness, or life—is to treat your plan like a mission.
Start with your Mission Statement, define your Desired End State, and clearly articulate your Intent. These three things form your compass. They keep you on course when the excitement fades and challenges hit—which they always will. Know exactly why you’re doing what you’re doing, who you’re trying to help, and what success looks like when you get there.
Next, do a detailed cost analysis—not just financial, but personal. Understand the time, effort, and sacrifices required to build something that lasts. When I launched 18A Fitness, I underestimated the hours, the marketing, and the level of discipline it takes to scale an online business while maintaining quality and authenticity.
If I could go back, I’d tell myself to build systems sooner—processes for communication, client management, and scalability—because growth happens fast when you’re doing something right, and you need the structure to sustain it.
Most importantly, stay authentic. Don’t chase trends—build something that reflects your values and experience. That’s what makes people trust you.
In the end, running a business isn’t that different from leading a team or training for Selection:
Have a mission. Know your intent. Anticipate the obstacles.
And when things get hard—adapt, overcome, and keep moving forward.
Pricing:
- 18A Fitness Custom Plan- Monthly Subscription- $200
- 18A Fitness SFAS 16 Week Prep Plan $179 one time payment
- 18A Fitness SW Prep 16 Week Prep Plan $179 one time payment
- 18A Fitness Ranger Prep 16 Week Prep Plan $179 one time payment
- 18A Fitness Navy SEAL Prep 16 Week Prep Plan $179 one time payment
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.18afitness.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/18a_fitness/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/18Afitness/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-edgerton-9771a730/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@18AFitness
- Other: https://www.trainerize.me/profile/18afitness
