What the Army Taught Me About Staying Strong for Life
Sandy and I were recently guests on The Horse's Mouth: Movers and Shakers from Daily News Network, with hosts Morgan Allen and David Ramos. You can watch the full episode below, and the team at Veterans United Craft Brewery in Jacksonville also wrote up our conversation. They asked great questions about the Army, running a clinic, and staying strong as you get older. I wanted to share some of those answers here too.
From the Army to PT school
My move out of the Army happened fast. I started physical therapy school just a few months after I got out. After combat in Iraq, PT school felt manageable. I still had to work hard, but the habits I built in the Army carried me through.
The big ones were perseverance, teamwork, communication, being assertive, and leadership. If I had to pick just one, it's being able to talk with literally anyone. That skill has helped me more than any other, both as a physical therapist and as a business owner.
You can't fail if you never give up
I'm a runner and a climber, and both teach the same lesson. Progress takes patience. You have to keep showing up, and you have to be willing to try again when something isn't working. That was true in the Army, in school, in business and in the gym. My take is simple: you can't fail if you never give up.
What I do to stay strong
Exercise is how I stay sharp for everything else. My week is a mix of running, climbing, lifting and yoga, with at least six sessions a week. That's my plan, not yours. Your plan should fit your body, your goals and your schedule. But the bigger point holds for everyone: moving consistently makes you better at everything else you do.
The other half is mental. I work on keeping a healthy inner dialogue, practicing gratitude and staying positive. How you talk to yourself shapes how you handle setbacks, whether that's an injury, a rough week or a goal that's taking longer than you hoped.
Why we built Renew the way we did
Too many people in their 40s and 50s get told to slow down the moment something hurts. I don't buy that. At Renew, we help men and women get past the injuries, aches and stiff joints that are holding them back. Then we guide them into safe, practical medically supervised strength training that fits their life and their schedule.
A lot of good intentions stall because there's no plan. So we build one with you, set goals together, and check in regularly, so you stay accountable and keep moving forward.
What success looks like to me
For me, success means using what I'm good at and what I love to make a difference for my clients and our community, while giving my family a stable life. It also means having the time to enjoy what I love outside of work.
One of those things is scuba diving for giant fossilized megalodon shark teeth with my dad and our dive buddies. It takes planning, equipment checks, safety, scouting new spots and a lot of communication. Honestly, it's the closest thing to a military operation I've done since leaving the Army.
Ready to keep moving forward?
If aches, stiffness or an old injury are telling you to slow down, let's build a plan that fits your life. Learn more about our physical therapy in St. Augustine, or book a free consultation. It's a quick, no-pressure way to get clear answers. You can also call us at (904) 295-6772. We're at 3670 US-1 South, Unit 100, in St. Augustine, and you don't need a referral to see us in Florida.
Thanks again to Daily News Network for having us on The Horse's Mouth, and to Veterans United Craft Brewery for writing it up. You can see the episode page on Daily News Network or read the full article on the Veterans United Craft Brewery site.
