How Motorcycle Missions Came to Be: A Journey of Resilience, Redemption, and Community

Krystal Hess always knew she wanted to do missionary work, but she never imagined her calling would revolve around motorcycles. Growing up in a faith-filled household, Krystal felt a strong sense of purpose, even as she struggled to belong. Her church involvement meant participating in mission trips to Mexico as a teen and later even leading her own trip to Honduras, where she volunteered for six weeks in a clinic as a nurse. But life’s path is rarely straightforward. In 2011, Krystal moved to Austin, Texas, from Canada, seeking a fresh start after leaving an abusive marriage. What followed was a series of challenges that would eventually lead to her life’s work.

When a new relationship with a motorcycle enthusiast ended with his suicide attempt, Krystal found herself saddled with a partly-built motorcycle in pieces, a significant financial loss, and a new layer of trauma added to her already complex history of cumulative PTSD. At the time, she was a pediatric nurse, dedicating her life to saving others, but she found herself in desperate need of healing. She was adrift, searching for a way to rebuild not just the motorcycle, but her life.

 

The Summer That Changed Everything

By chance, Krystal connected with a motorcycle mechanic who offered to help her reassemble the bike. Over the course of a summer, they worked side by side, transforming the scattered pieces into a completed custom motorcycle. But the project grew into something much more than restoring a machine—it became a deeply personal journey of healing and self-discovery. With every bolt tightened and every part restored, Krystal felt a part of herself coming back to life. The mechanical process gave her a renewed sense of purpose and confidence.

As she slowly worked on rebuilding the bike, she started to learn about motorcycles, including how to ride. When the motorcycle build was complete, Krystal was able to recoup her financial losses. But something far more impactful happened as well: she discovered a passion for the craft. She didn’t want to stop working in the shop. What began as a necessity turned gradually into a passion, and soon she was taking on other bike building projects. She even launched her own powder-coating business, which fully immersed her in the vibrant Texas motorcycle community. 

A Vision Takes Shape

While balancing her work as a nurse and her growing business, Krystal began to realize the profound impact motorcycles had on her mental and emotional well-being. In 2016, she embarked on a cross-country documentary project to explore how Veterans were finding healing and purpose through motorcycle riding. What started as a film project quickly evolved into something much bigger: the realization that motorcycles could be a powerful tool for post-traumatic growth, especially for those who, like her, had faced significant trauma.

In an instant, Krystal’s mission became clear. She envisioned creating a program that would harness the therapeutic power of motorcycle building and riding to help Veterans and First Responders overcome PTSD, depression, and other invisible wounds. By 2017, this vision had crystallized into Motorcycle Missions, an organization dedicated to fostering healing and community through motorcycles.

 

Building Bikes, Building Lives

Motorcycle Missions officially launched with a collaborative bike build in partnership with the Republic of Texas Bike Rally. The concept was simple yet profound—bringing together a group of Veterans to design and build a custom motorcycle from the ground up. The workshop became a sanctuary where participants could channel their energy into creating something tangible and beautiful.

From there, the mission grew. Each bike build is more than just a mechanical project; it’s a journey of self-discovery and teamwork. Participants often describe the experience as transformative. The building process requires collaboration, communication, and trust—qualities that can be shaken by trauma. First Responders and Veterans often experience traumas that are difficult for most civilians to relate to. Being in a group of peers helps create a sense of safety and mutual understanding that is healing on its own. As they piece together the motorcycle, many participants feel they are also piecing together their own lives, finding strength and purpose in the act of creation. Once the bikes are built, the open road beckons. Participants are invited to travel and showcase their creations until they are auctioned off.

Throttle Therapy: The Healing Power of the Ride

After a short time, Motorcycle Missions expanded its programs to include “throttle therapy,” offering participants the chance to ride motorcycles in various modalities, from track racing to off-road adventure. Led by experienced instructors, these rides provide more than just an adrenaline rush—they offer a sense of liberation, calculated risk, and the joy of camaraderie.

For many Veterans and First Responders, riding becomes a form of meditation. The rhythm of the road, the wind on their faces, and the hum of the engine create a space where they can process emotions, escape the weight of their past, and rediscover joy. Each mile is a step forward, a reminder that healing is possible.

 

A Growing Community of Hope

Today, Motorcycle Missions operates out of a 5,000-square-foot shop in Georgetown, Texas. The organization has led 15 bike builds and continues to expand its offerings, including welding classes and other vocational training. But at its core, Motorcycle Missions is about community. Participants often describe it as a family—a place where they feel understood, supported, and valued.

This sense of belonging is one of the most powerful aspects of the program. For many, it’s the first time they’ve felt truly seen. The bonds formed in the workshop and on the road extend far beyond the programs themselves. Many participants return as mentors and volunteers, eager to give back and help others find the same sense of purpose and healing.

A Legacy of Resilience

Krystal’s journey from a survivor of trauma trying to find her way to the founder of Motorcycle Missions is a testament to the power of resilience and the human spirit. What began as one woman’s healing journey has grown into a movement that changes lives. Motorcycle Missions is proof that from the darkest moments, hopeful things can grow.

As the organization looks to the future, its mission remains clear: to reach more Veterans and First responders with life-saving programs, to build more bikes, and to create more community and opportunities for healing and growth. Every motorcycle built, every mile ridden, and every life touched is a testament to the transformative power of motorcycles and community.

Motorcycle Missions isn’t just about bikes; it’s about rebuilding lives, one wrench, one ride, and one connection at a time.