STigma-free, self-guided pain support for military and frontline workers - accessible anytime, anywhere
To help you overcome low back pain and get back to living your life.
We support military service members, first responders, and other frontline workers who want a clear, stigma-free way to address pain early—without long waits, guesswork, or being told to “just push through it.”
Our flagship solution, the Clarify & Conquer™ Low Back Pain program, fills the gap between pain onset and getting help. It helps you understand what’s likely driving your pain, take safe action early, and protect your quality of life—on duty and off.
This self-guided, stigma-free system includes:
Clear guidance to help you make sense of your pain
A structured, personalized path forward
Built-in community support to help you stay consistent
So you’re not guessing.
You’re not waiting.
And you’re not navigating pain alone.
No stigma. No silence. No unnecessary suffering.
Founded by Dr. Karen Thomas, Air Force Veteran and Doctor of Physical Therapy, Venture Out Wellness™ was built for those who serve—by someone who has served alongside them.
Because pain shouldn’t decide how you live your life.
Meet the Founder
My story working with military service members began in 2007 as I was finishing physical therapy school during a clinical rotation at a neuro-rehabilitation center in California. That’s where I met and worked with my first service member in physical therapy - a Wounded Warrior recovering from a severe traumatic brain injury after his vehicle struck an IED in Iraq. I didn't know it at the time, but he would change the direction of my life and my career.
What stayed with me wasn’t just his courage. It was the discipline and determination he brought to every single therapy session, and the unwavering love and support of his wife, who was there by his side through every treatment. They were a team — both carrying the weight of an injury sustained in service to all of us.
That experience shaped everything that came next.
I knew I wanted to serve those who serve. I went on to join the U.S. Air Force as an active-duty physical therapist, where I spent years caring for service members in physically demanding, high-stakes roles. Later, I continued that work as a physical therapist in the Air Force Reserve and volunteered for a deployment. During that deployment - and throughout my years serving in uniform and as a government contracted PT - my respect for service members deepened. Not only for the physical demands placed on them, but for the immense responsibility they carry every day, often while putting their own health last.
As I transitioned into human performance and embedded PT roles with Special Operations units, I began to see something more clearly.
Despite my best efforts to increase access—extended hours, outreach projects, workshops, flexible scheduling—I still wasn’t reaching everyone. And some who needed help weren’t coming in at all.
What stayed with me wasn’t just his courage. It was the discipline and determination he brought to every single therapy session, and the unwavering love and support of his wife, who was there by his side through every treatment. They were a team — both carrying the weight of an injury sustained in service to all of us.
That experience shaped everything that came next.
I knew I wanted to serve those who serve. I went on to join the U.S. Air Force as an active-duty physical therapist, where I spent years caring for service members in physically demanding, high-stakes roles. Later, I continued that work as a physical therapist in the Air Force Reserve and volunteered for a deployment. During that deployment - and throughout my years serving in uniform and as a government contracted PT - my respect for service members deepened. Not only for the physical demands placed on them, but for the immense responsibility they carry every day, often while putting their own health last.
As I transitioned into human performance and embedded PT roles with Special Operations units, I began to see something more clearly.
Despite my best efforts to increase access—extended hours, outreach projects, workshops, flexible scheduling—I still wasn’t reaching everyone. And some who needed help weren’t coming in at all.
Dr. Karen Thomas, PT, DPT
Air Force Veteran | Physical Therapist | Founder of Venture Out Wellness™
On deployment in the Middle-East in 2019 - serving under my maiden name Hedenschoug.
Most of my patients called me "Dr. H" - a name that still holds a special place in my heart.
JUST THE BEGINNING JUST THE BEGINNING JUST THE BEGINNING JUST THE BEGINNING JUST THE BEGINNING JUST THE BEGINNING JUST THE BEGINNING JUST THE BEGINNING
The barriers were everywhere: unpredictable schedules, high operational tempos, constant travel, and competing responsibilities. But even when access seemed available, something was still standing in the way.
Then one day, while brainstorming yet another way to adapt care around a flying unit’s schedule, a service member looked at me and said:
“Doc, from day one, we’re told not to go to medical.”
That moment changed everything.
I realized the biggest barrier wasn’t appointments, providers, or logistics.
Then one day, while brainstorming yet another way to adapt care around a flying unit’s schedule, a service member looked at me and said:
“Doc, from day one, we’re told not to go to medical.”
That moment changed everything.
I realized the biggest barrier wasn’t appointments, providers, or logistics.
To your health and happiness on and off duty,
In 2022, I decided to begin transitioning away from seeing patients and build something different—because the traditional model wasn’t meeting the realities of frontline life. Venture Out Wellness™ was born.
Venture Out Wellness™ exists to provide early, practical, stigma-free pain support for frontline workers serving in physically demanding, high-stress roles—whether they’re on duty or off duty, anywhere in the world.
This isn’t about pushing through pain anymore.
And allowing fear of blowback or potential career repercussions to delay care - especially in roles meant to protect our communities and our country - is no longer acceptable.
It's time to show stigma the door and take action the moment pain shows up -with clarity and confidence.
In the words of my first senior enlisted mentor - back during my active-duty days:
"We have to take care of the people, because it's the people who take care of the mission."
Your quality of life matters.
And it's time we take better care - of you.
Welcome to Venture Out Wellness™.
Welcome to a better way forward.
Venture Out Wellness™ exists to provide early, practical, stigma-free pain support for frontline workers serving in physically demanding, high-stress roles—whether they’re on duty or off duty, anywhere in the world.
This isn’t about pushing through pain anymore.
And allowing fear of blowback or potential career repercussions to delay care - especially in roles meant to protect our communities and our country - is no longer acceptable.
It's time to show stigma the door and take action the moment pain shows up -with clarity and confidence.
In the words of my first senior enlisted mentor - back during my active-duty days:
"We have to take care of the people, because it's the people who take care of the mission."
Your quality of life matters.
And it's time we take better care - of you.
Welcome to Venture Out Wellness™.
Welcome to a better way forward.
Dr. Karen Thomas, PT, DPT, OCS Emeritus
Founder & CEO of Venture Out Wellness, PLLC
Woman Veteran Owned & Operated
Grab your FREE Quick Wins Guide!
7 tactical, evidence-based strategies to reduce pain and restore movement — fast.
✔ Built for military service members & frontline workers
✔ Stigma-free, practical relief you can use anywhere
✔ Created by an Air Force Veteran & Doctor of Physical Therapy
Download the Quick Wins Guide and take your first step toward understanding your pain, taking confident action, and reclaiming your quality of life — on and off duty.
7 tactical, evidence-based strategies to reduce pain and restore movement — fast.
✔ Built for military service members & frontline workers
✔ Stigma-free, practical relief you can use anywhere
✔ Created by an Air Force Veteran & Doctor of Physical Therapy
Download the Quick Wins Guide and take your first step toward understanding your pain, taking confident action, and reclaiming your quality of life — on and off duty.
Low Back Hurting? You Need a Win.
