09/04/2026
From Navy Pilot to Surf Therapy: Helping Veterans Heal | Marvin De La Vega
What happens when military service ends—but your commitment to serving others doesn't?
In this episode of Friends of Mortgage Heroes, Andy Cruz sits down with retired Naval Officer and helicopter pilot Marvin De La Vega to talk about his incredible journey from flying Navy helicopters around the world to building a 20+ year career in San Diego real estate—and finding a new mission helping fellow veterans through surfing.
Marvin spent 20 years in the Navy, flying helicopters on missions that took him around the world. He shares stories from Thailand, Guam, the Arabian Gulf and even a rescue at Yosemite where his helicopter hovered just feet from the face of El Capitan.
But some of Marvin's most meaningful work began after his military career.
For more than a decade, Marvin has volunteered with veteran surf programs in San Diego, helping active-duty service members, veterans and their families experience the community, camaraderie and healing that can happen in the water.
🏄 In this episode, we talk about:
• Marvin's unexpected path to becoming a Naval Officer and helicopter pilot
• Flying H-46 helicopters and military search-and-rescue missions
• Hovering feet from El Capitan during a rescue
• The friendships and experiences he still carries from 20 years of military service
• Transitioning from active duty into the Navy Reserve
• How Marvin built a second career in San Diego real estate
• What the early-2000s mortgage and real estate industry taught him about serving clients
• How military leadership shaped his approach to business
• Discovering veteran surf therapy and adaptive surfing
• Helping veterans dealing with PTSD, traumatic brain injuries and physical injuries
• Why surfing can provide connection, purpose and community after military service
• Veteran surf clinics available throughout San Diego
• One More Wave and the Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation
• How civilians and family members can get involved and volunteer
• The importance of finding community after leaving the military
One of the biggest themes throughout Marvin's story is service.
Whether he was serving his country, helping someone through a real estate transaction, or paddling into the ocean alongside another veteran, Marvin has continued finding ways to use his experience to help the people around him.
If you're a veteran, active-duty service member, military spouse or family member looking for community and a new outlet, the veteran surf organizations discussed in this episode may be an incredible place to start.
And you don't have to be an experienced surfer. These programs welcome people at different ability levels, and there are opportunities for civilians and family members to volunteer and participate as well.
🇺🇸 Know a veteran who could benefit from this community?
SHARE this episode with them. Sometimes the introduction to the right people, activity or community can open the door to an entirely new chapter.
đź‘Ť LIKE this episode to support the Friends of Mortgage Heroes series.
đź’¬ COMMENT below if surfing, fitness or another outdoor activity has helped you through a difficult transition.
đź”” SUBSCRIBE for more conversations with veterans, military professionals and the people who continue serving their communities after leaving the military.
Organizations mentioned in this episode:
One More Wave: https://onemorewave.com/
The Jimmy Miller Foundation: https://jimmymillerfoundation.org/ocean-therapy/military-ocean-therapy/
NMCSD Health & Wellness: https://sandiego.tricare.mil/About-Us/Contact-Us/TEST/mod/61360/player/0/video/1001253
VFW Post 5431: https://www.vfwpost5431.org/
📧 Email Marvin Directly: [email protected]
