// Who We Are
Healthier for the Long Haul
98 Octane is a nonprofit built on a simple premise: the people who spend their careers taking care of everyone else deserve the same care in return.
Mission and Origin
Military, Veterans, and First Responders face a health crisis that doesn’t make headlines. It builds quietly over careers spent in high stress, irregular schedules, poor food environments, and a culture that measures toughness by how much you can ignore.
98 Octane was founded by John R. New Jr., a third generation U.S. Army Infantryman and a recovering sugar addict who built it out of what he lived through after service. He created the Operator Manual to turn nutrition, health, and performance into something an operator can actually execute. The mission: one million MFRs taking back control of their health.
98 Octane is a veteran led 501(c)(3) headquartered in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.
// Why “98 Octane”?
Because your truck gets regular maintenance. Your body deserves some, too.
The automotive maintenance metaphor isn’t accidental. High-performance machines require high-quality fuel, regular checkups, and attention to warning lights. Your body is no different.
Education. Advocacy. Community.
Every program we run, every resource we produce, and every partnership we build falls under one of three pillars.
Education
The Operator Manual. The courses. The Next Gen curriculum. Information is the first intervention.
Advocacy
Systemic change takes more than good information. The Documentary. Public campaigns. Institutional partnerships.
Community
Farm to Frontline. Go Bag. Ambassadors. Events. Building the infrastructure to use the strength this community already has.
The Team
Built by and for the community we serve. Our team runs lean by design.
Joe Fisher
Director of Operations9 year U.S. Army Veteran and former junk food (pizza roll) addict. Joe runs the operational engine at 98 Octane, from program logistics and events to the systems and technical build that keep everything moving. He excels in technical design and problem solving, and he's the reason the mission stays on schedule.
LinkedIn ↗
Alex Lefever
Strength & Conditioning LeadFounder of Adaptable Strength and a former 911 operator. Alex has been under a barbell since he was a kid. At 98 Octane, he helps by translating strength principles into something MFRs can actually run — whether they're active duty, mid shift, or twenty years past their last PT test.
Instagram ↗
Philip Henri, MBA, MS, PMP
Director of Strategic PartnershipsFormer U.S. Navy nuclear surface warfare officer turned program leader at Booz Allen Hamilton and GrayMatter, with more than 50 competitive proposals behind him. He drives 98 Octane's partnerships, board operations, and compliance, and anchors our outreach across western Pennsylvania.
LinkedIn ↗Advisors
Board of Directors
Transparency
Entity
Heroes Health Impact Initiative Corporation
Operating as 98 Octane. 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
EIN
33-2260307
IRS 501(c)(3) determination received December 2024.
Partner Disclosure
Some partners, including Vitality Stacks and Junkless, may provide mission support, referral revenue, or product proceeds to 98 Octane. Those funds support our programs.
Financials
Annual reports and Form 990s will be posted here as they are filed.
Get in Touch
Whether you have a question about our programs, want to talk about a partnership, or just want to know more, reach out. We’re a small team and we read every message.
Valley Forge, PA 19481
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We’ll get back to you within 3 business days.