Michael Best

Hospital Corpsman Third Class Michael Best (ret.) will always miss the Marines he served alongside. His life changed with his autoimmune diagnosis, but he has refused to let it define him.

“Never claim, ‘Well, I’m sick, that’s why they beat me.” I want you to think, ‘This guy is dealing with something that attacks his body most of the time and he’s out-working me?’”

For him, it’s not the struggle that defines you, but the fight day after day, the sheer unwillingness to succumb to it that does.

Being part of Navy Wounded Warrior’s adaptive sports program has reconnected him with a sense of purpose. In his retirement, Best is eager to be in a position to help other veterans in his home state of Florida.

During the 2024 Warrior Games, Best will compete in archery, field, indoor rowing, powerlifting, and wheelchair rugby.