Michael Kendall is a retired Master Sergeant who proudly served 21 years in the United States Army. Born in Glastonbury, Connecticut, he enlisted at age 19 and volunteered for the elite 75th Ranger Regiment. After completing rigorous training, he was assigned to 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, where he served as a rifleman and team leader, earning the coveted Ranger tab. Following his service as a Ranger, Michael continued his career in Special Forces, completing the Special Forces selection assessment and serving as an 18 Bravo Weapons Sergeant with 10th Special Forces Group. Over the course of his career, he also served as a Weapons Instructor with the Special Warfare Training Group and later as an 18 Fox Intelligence Sergeant and 18 Zulu Senior Sergeant with 3rd Special Forces Group. His deployments included Kuwait, Bosnia, Kosovo, Europe, and Afghanistan. Along this journey, Michael also met and married his wife, Summer, with whom he has shared 28 years of marriage, three children, and two grandchildren. After retiring from the Army, Michael faced his own struggles with post-traumatic stress. When presented with the opportunity to compete in the World’s Toughest Row Pacific Campaign to raise awareness for veteran mental health and suicide prevention, he embraced the challenge. The preparation introduced him to somatic healing, which revealed the unprocessed trauma he had carried for years. Combining holistic healing, intensive training, and the life-changing endurance of rowing across the Pacific not only brought deep personal healing but also forged lifelong friendships. The race culminated in a world record: Michael and his team became the first group of veterans to row across the Pacific Ocean. More importantly, it sparked a calling—he realized he wanted to give others the same sense of empowerment and healing through endurance. Out of this vision, No One Fights Alone was born: a foundation dedicated to helping veterans, first responders, and their families discover resilience, connection, and hope.

Summer Kendall brings a lifetime of diverse experiences and heartfelt dedication to her role as Vice President and Executive Director of No One Fights Alone. Above all, she treasures her roles as wife to Michael, mother of three (and four dogs), and grandmother of two, which ground her passion for service and community. Her career and life have been shaped by an eclectic journey—earning a Master’s in Public Administration, successfully owning and operating a business abroad in Dubai, and traveling internationally, gaining a deep appreciation for resilience across cultures. Closer to home, she inherited a love for the outdoors and perseverance from her father, who hiked the Appalachian Trail four times, instilling in her a spirit of endurance that has become central to her personal and professional mission. Summer’s calling to serve veterans and first responders is deeply personal. Walking beside Michael through multiple deployments and supporting him in the face of post-traumatic stress opened her eyes to the silent battles many carry. When two of her children chose careers as first responders, she saw firsthand the toll such service can take, reinforcing her commitment to advocate for healing, resilience, and hope. With empathy, vision, and unwavering drive, Summer is passionate about empowering others through endurance—ensuring that no one walks alone in their struggles.