Despite her diminutive size, Denisse Montoya has a big heart when it comes to fellow veterans.
And she’s challenging the warrior ethos she learned in the military to use physical fitness and camaraderie to help veterans.
Teaming with Illinois Joining Forces, the Jesse Brown VA in Chicago, and the Merging Vets and Players organization, Montoya leads a boot camp workout that leaves participants sweating, huffing and ready for more. Through it all, she’s giving veterans a form of therapy through movement and connection.
“It’s like, OK, let’s do this together,” Montoya told WGN 9 in Chicago. “Let’s lift you up, let’s lift each other up.”
In her classes, Montoya, standing barely above five feet, can’t be easily dismissed as she barks out words of encouragement, directing her class through grueling lunges, sit ups, and relays. Sure, some would probably like to quit, but they’re pushed on by Montoya and other veterans. They know they have their backs.
No soldier left behind.
“We all need assistance and support sometimes,” she told her class recently.
Montoya, who served in the Air Force as a security forces specialist, became the development and program coordinator for Illinois Joining Forces in October 2025 after spending nearly 10 years at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Connection After Exercise
After the hard work is finished, Montoya has participants sit in a circle and talk about issues affecting their daily lives. It’s her way to help veterans find direction and purpose after military life ends.
“I’ve seen peers going to combat and come back and they’re like a completely different person in their personality, character, physically, emotionally, mentally,” Montoya said.
Sometimes, however, the intense workouts pale in comparison to the traumatic stories veterans share.
“There was a lot of things happening to me that I didn’t really understand… anxiety, depression,” said Lourdes Fernando of Merging Vets and Players. “That’s why I love the veteran space here. It really helped me.”
In Montoya’s classes, veterans can lean on each other to triumph over physical and mental challenges.
On Feb. 11, Merging Vets and Players hosted a curling session at the Windy City Sports Clinic for Veterans. It was an opportunity for veterans to learn a new sport while also grabbing resource pamphlets on programs offered throughout Chicago.
“Whether you need connection with housing, employment, family support, we’re here for you,” Montoya said.
Helping Others Makes Her Happy
Montoya’s work isn’t done after she leaves the gym.
While at home, the veteran will spend hours producing a monthly newsletter featuring local events and listings for veterans’ services.
She’s also making waves on the legislative side. In 2024, Montoya worked with the Chicago City Council to adopt Women Veteran’s Day as an official city holiday, honored every June 12.
Amos Albert, who served in the Navy, and is a boot camp workout regular, said Montoya’s impact is felt throughout Illinois.
“She is a game changer in the state of Illinois for women in veteran’s spaces,” Albert said. “When name’s start getting dropped, Denisse Montoya’s will usually come up.”
For Montoya, all the volunteer hours are worth it.
“It makes me happy, so why not do something that makes you happy?” Montoya said. “The things you think you’re giving – you’re getting 10 times that much more back.”
She encourages veterans to connect with Illinois Joining Forces to learn about resources and programs in their state.
