By enabling these injured soldiers to box and even fight, Dovev is helping them to feel like warriors again, not just patients.

By Hezy Laing

Since October 7, 2023, Sagiv Dovev a retired major and former head of close combat training for the elite Sayeret Matkal, has traded the battlefield for the rehabilitation wards of Sheba Medical Center.

Volunteering full-time, he helps severely injured soldiers regain their confidence through a rigorous, tailored blend of Krav Maga, boxing, and mental fortitude.

Dovev’s approach is simple: rebuild the “warrior” identity from the inside out.

For men and women who have lost limbs or suffered traumatic brain injuries, his training offers more than physical fitness—it offers a return to their former selves.

Through his organization, House of Heroes, he works 12-hour days to ensure these veterans don’t just survive, but thrive.

Many of the videos he has posted of injured soldiers in recovery have gone viral, inspiring millions worldwide.

Stories of Transformation

Dor Almog: The sole survivor of a tragic RPG attack that killed 21 of his comrades, Dor arrived at the hospital with broken bones and severe burns. Having previously trained as an amateur MMA fighter under Dovev, he credited the “mental pressure” techniques learned in their pre-war training for his survival in the rubble. Today, he and Dovev train together several times a week as he makes what doctors call a miraculous recovery.

Michelle Rokbotzin : Known as the most severely wounded female soldier from the initial attacks, Michelle was shot seven times, including once in the head. Initially paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair, she spent months training with Dovev. In a landmark moment of recovery, she was eventually able to stand again using support bars—a feat Dovev describes as one of his most proud accomplishments.

Boris: A former elite bodyguard for Prime Minister Netanyahu,  Boris lost his leg in a booby-trapped tunnel in Gaza. Waking from a coma, he struggled with the loss of his physical identity. Training with Dovev helped him reclaim his sense of masculinity and purpose; he now utilizes Krav Maga with his prosthetic leg, determined to return to an active, adventurous life.

For Dovev, this is not just volunteering; it is a duty.

By turning pain into power, he ensures that for Israel’s wounded, the end of the war is actually a new beginning.