Dr. Theresa Larson

I had the awesome opportunity to be a guest on Stephs “Harder to Kill” radio which was not only a rewarding experience, but gave me the chance to connect with I had heard and read so much about, but also decide instantaneously I had to be friends with her.
-Dr. T

Steph Gaudreau combines a formal education in biology / human physiology (BS Biology—Human Physiology), 12 years of science teaching experience (MA—Education and National Board Certification), holistic nutrition training (Certified Holistic Nutrition Practitioner), and an unabashed love of tasty food (human with taste buds) on her blogs, StupidEasyPaleo.com and StephGaudreau.com.

Steph’s mission is to spread the word about how to make simple, tasty recipes to help people in their quests to just eat real food. She wrote the best-seller The Paleo Athlete: A Beginner’s Guide to Real Food for Performance in 2014, and her award-winning book, The Performance Paleo Cookbook: Recipes for Eating Better, Getting Stronger & Gaining the Competitive Edge (Page Street Publishing, 2015).

Steph’s recently taken to the airwaves with her chart-topping podcast, Harder to Kill Radio, where she interviews experts in fitness, nutrition and mindset about how to build unbreakable humans.

She lives in San Diego with the loves of her life, her Scottish husband Z and her cat Ellie. When she’s not lifting heavy stuff, you can find her tending to her beehive, standing on the dining room table to get the perfect food photo shot, and reading nerdy science books.

Name and a little about WHO you are!
I’m Steph Gaudreau, and I spend my days coaching others how eat healthy and get stronger. That’s the one sentence summary of what I do, but in reality my interests span everything from beekeeping to food photography, podcasting to writing, and everything in between.

I grew up in Massachusetts and ended up living in San Diego eleven years ago. A twelve year career as a high school science teacher left me feeling like there was a bigger world to teach outside the four walls of the classroom, so in 2013 I left to blaze my own trail and start my own business. I turned my hobby blog, Stupid Easy Paleo, into a platform where I educate people about healthy eating and inspire them to make the process as simple—and painless—as possible.
Sports and competing have always been a big part of my life, and I’ve dabbled in everything from tae kwon do to soccer to mountain biking. Five years ago, I found the barbell, and it’s changed my life. Now I train and compete (and coach) in the sport of Olympic weightlifting. There’s nothing like strong feels.

Warrior Story about how you used your inner Warrior to survive, adapt and overcome, and how it gave you perspective on life.
Back in 2011, I was doing a race called Vision Quest for the second time. It’s a grueling event…56+ miles long with over 12,000 feet of climbing over rough terrain. I’d trained my butt off and was so excited to crush it, having improved my fitness and strength since my first Vision Quest three years prior.

Five miles into the race, as the sun began to light the canyon, I started to experience overwhelming back pain. I kept riding on, but every pedal stroke was killing me. Every ten feet, I thought about turning around and pulling the plug on the whole thing considering I expected to have another 8+ hours on the bike.

Somehow, I willed myself forward. While I was never in harm’s way and it wasn’t a life or death situation, I battled with my own mind for hours and hours. I knew that if I believed I could go on, my legs would follow suit.
It was a long day on the bike, a hair over 8 hours when it was all said and done, but I crossed the finish line. I’ve done dozens of races, but that one stands out as a defining event in my life. From then on, I knew that I could rely on the strength of my mind to get me through just about anything.

What is one trait you most admire about you (Your inner warrior)?
Gosh, I think I’d have to say that I’m hard-working. If you give me a job to do, I will get it done, and I’ve earned the nickname “workhorse” because of it. I know that could be seen in a negative way, like I get sucked into the hustle, but in reality I’m highly protective of my health and wellness as a business owner. That hard-working side of me translates into consistency and patience. I’ve never been really naturally gifted at anything, but I’m able to keep working at things until I develop some pretty decent skills. It’s not magic. It’s not genetic. It’s something all of us are capable of if we put our minds to it.

What kind of special power would you like to have?
This is so tough, but if we’re talking superhero type stuff, I’d have to say the power to fly. If we’re speaking a little more pragmatically, I’d say the power to convince every woman I meet to give strength training a try. Sure, the physical benefits are wonderful, but it’s so mentally and emotionally powerful. The confidence it builds spills over into all aspects of one’s life.

I am Kevin P. Justice. Born 4 Nov 1969 in Roanoke, VA. I had a good childhood, take the Appalachian Mountains with me wherever I go and when I smell fresh air, it reminds me of home.

I joined the Navy in 1994, and remember vividly the feeling of excitement of a new chapter in my life. I spent most of this past summer in and out of hospitals and was diagnosed with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) due to an injury I received while deployed.

Associated with the TBI, I have also been diagnosed with Trauma Related, Cognitive and Anxiety Disorders, all not to overshadow sometimes funny but very frustrating balance issues, a pesky speech impediment and headaches… Having spent most of my career at sea and doing what Sailors do, I have had my share of injuries, but nothing like this. Questioning your thoughts is not unusual, but constantly about most everything that goes through your mind is not my ideal cognitive process…

I have endured/enjoyed many deployments over the years. Thankful for the wonderful and life-long friends that I have made and can think of few better callings in life. Sacrifice is part of the deal and I have had my share. None to worry though as I have air in my lungs, moving forward as best I am able, and thankful for the precious things in my life…

What the future holds: Medical separation from the Navy I love and don’t want to leave, questions about how to sustain myself on the “outside” and a new chapter in the journey…All the things that won’t matter much in 20 years and I try and keep that outlook.
Regarding a trait that I admire about myself: My desire. My desire to be the best Papa I can be to my boys, my desire of self-healing (clarification: focus on myself by the use of my own and other’s knowledge, caring and experience to heal), and my desire to spread good things to those around me whether it is with a smile, kind words or effort that drains me.

Now for a superpower I would like to have. Superman was always my favorite, but I like shorts too much. Don’t remember him ever wearing shorts… Maybe being like Spiderman cause of his agility, but at 46, doubt there is a spider alive that can bridge that gap. How about being able to have a sphere of influence that allows others around me to be happy or in some kind manner? Geessshhh, I think I am on to something here. Imagine people void of pessimism, negativity, greed and envy. What a life that would be. Yep, I pick that!

About “Getting quiet”: I met Dr. Theresa Larson through the adaptive sports program run by Balboa hospital. They have an amazing program that help people get back into shape, physically as well as mentally. I went to a Crossfit workout at Fathom Crossfit where she (and the owner Alec Zirkenbach) showed true caring for my well-being and have enhanced my inner-focus. She mentioned this thing about being quiet. I was interested. After some instruction, I followed her prescribed path. What a wonderful journey it took me on. Simply sitting in my chair and taking care of me for a bit of time during each day. This kind of focus, commitment and understanding is not in our everyday culture. However, I recommend that you take it, make it yours and it will provide benefits that you can not measure by a slide rule, lab results or percentage. Only you know you the best. Thanks doc for reminding me that our journey needs to be simpler, better focused and have valued clarity 🙂

My closing thoughts (and this might get towards the deep end of the shallow part of the pool so get on your favorite animal decorated arm-floaties)…

We all have physical and/or mental challenges that face us often. You may not be able to stop them and they may be small or large in comparison to the ones of the person next to you. However, I try not to think of them in those terms, but rather of my perception of what it will take me to overcome and/or adapt to them. That to me, is the measurement of effort required for a given challenge. My simple terms: Do I need a shovel, backhoe or explosives to get to the desired depth of my perception needed to overcome the challenge…

Some of the ways I work around or through challenges:
-Breathe deep and try to sustain forward momentum
-The direction travelled may not be straight, that’s ok (angles give better perspective)
-Small goals create more success than trying to squint at the finish line
-Your patience will be tested. This is not pass/fail, it is an opportunity to to improve it
-The past is just that, so leave it be
-Asking/accepting help shows strength, courage and almost always is a must
-Professionals, friends, and family can provide guidance and support, but it is the belief within you that WILL allow you to get better

Every single day, work on you.

V/R,

LT Kevin P. Justice
USN

Kevin is picture with his sons DJ and Logan

Blayne Smith is the Executive Director of Team Red, White, and Blue. As Team RWB’s first employee, he has played a key role the development, growth, and operation of the organization. Blayne works closely with board members, staff, and volunteer leaders to ensure the delivery of excellent veteran programs. He provides strategic guidance in addition to building and managing critical partnerships.

Blayne served as an officer in the United States Army from 2001-2010. Upon graduating from West Point, he initially joined the First Cavalry Division as a tank platoon leader and later as a reconnaissance platoon leader. He spent most of 2004 in Iraq and led more than 200 combat patrols. He then attended the Special Forces Qualification Course and commanded a detachment of Green Berets in the 3rd Special Forces Group. Blayne led joint and inter-agency operations both domestically and during a combat tour in southern Afghanistan.

Smith earned a BS in Economics from the US Military Academy as well as an MBA from the University of Florida. He has completed numerous military leadership courses and was the Distinguished Honor Graduate of the Army Ranger School.

Blayne is a fitness enthusiast and avid athlete, and regular competes in running, triathlon, and CrossFit. He lives in Tampa, Florida with his family.

The Spiritual Warrior
By Ryan Krupa

The warrior accepts the call and walks the long, arduous path of becoming Truth, Justice, and Wisdom.

The warrior questions all authority and all conventional wisdom that is spoken in the course of his life.

The warrior seeks to understand and explore all worldviews, all religions, all cultures, all histories and all legacies of truth to understand fully what he is, his nature and his essence.

The warrior knows what he must contribute; he leaves generations to come with strong, universal, and life-affirming foundations.

The warrior explores the interior and the exterior worlds, integrating and harmonizing both.

The warrior takes an eternal perspective.

The warrior loves as fully as possible; this loves comes from his soul; this love is light and truth united.

The warrior creates lasting communities of truth-seekers; the aim is Freedom.

The warrior knows suffering; his virtue is compassion.

The warrior knows love as both intimacy and rapture.

The warrior enters darkness with the soul’s light.

The warrior loves chaos; chaos initiates the transformation.

The warrior is a scholar of living; his being becomes an instrument of Spirit.

The warrior walks with loneliness; though he is never alone.

The warrior heals and expands the gentleness of his heart.

The warrior lives in the mystery; the warrior goes into the abyss of truth; the warrior lives in faith; the warrior is a testament of Spirit.

The warrior knows he is a creature; the Creator made his spirit and being.

The warrior seeks union of the soul with Spirit; the warrior knows only by crossing the purgative, illuminate, and unitive gates can he achieve this union; the warrior devotes his life to this aim.

Lastly, the warrior looks you in the eyes, sees your soul, and reminds you, all souls are called to become the living Light and Truth Itself; expressed here and now as Love, Goodness, and Beauty.

About Ryan:

RYAN MATTHEW KRUPA attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, on a Navy Reserve Officer Training (NROTC) Scholarship and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs, with a minor in Naval Science. Upon graduation, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. He served as a Global Logistics Officer for three years, completing a two-year assignment in Japan. He received two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medals for exemplary leadership. He was promoted to Captain before leaving active duty.

After the Marine Corps, he worked for KPMG Consulting and Deloitte Consulting. At KPMG Consulting he specialized in Program Management and Risk Management. At Deloitte Consulting he specialized in Human Capital Consulting.

He also spent two years at the Center for Creative Leadership, where he studied the leadership development industry, participated in numerous leadership development programs, and built strategic relationships with Google, Starbucks, and Microsoft.

After a decade of military and professional experience, he co-founded MOSAIC, a center for leadership and human development.

His calling, and what he’s most passionate about, is working with warriors by providing leadership trainings to U.S. Special Operations Units. His aim is to produce leaders with the ability to uplift consciousness, unleash potentials, and awaken souls. His mission is to serve as a guardian while leaders explore the stages of human development.

To prepare for this work, he earned a Master Degree in Global Leadership from the University of San Diego. He has completed wide range of trainings in leadership development, human development, and spiritual development, resulting in over 3,000 hours of training. He has become a Leadership, Yoga, Meditation, and Reiki Practitioner with extensive experience creating and delivering cutting edge development intensives. He’s lived abroad for over two years and has traveled to over 25 countries. His endurance events include summiting Mt. Rainier, a Marathon, and 6 mile swim.

A little about WHO you are!

• Chappie Hunter
– Husband and Father to 8y/o son
– Live in Alpine, CA
• 22 year veteran of the San Diego Police Department
– 14 years patrol w/ collateral duties as a Field Training Officer, SWAT Officer, SWAT Sniper
– 8 years detective working Human Trafficking, Sex Crimes and Narcotics
• Owner / Coach at Alpine Ranch CrossFit
– CFL1, CF Weightlifting, & CF Law Enforcement Certs
• Came back Full Duty to SDPD 1 year and 29 days post accident.

What is one trait you most admire about you (Your inner warrior)
• I am NOT afraid to fail! In fact, I strive for failure. If I strive to be the best husband, the best father , the best coach, and the best athlete I have to push myself to the limit. Occasionally I will fail at each. Instead of giving up and regressing I face that failure and find a way to be better.

What kind of special power would you like to have
• The power to heal. This may sound unmanly, but like the hair of Rapunzel I’d love to have the ability to heal people’s wounds with a single touch. I don’t want anyone to have to go through the physical and especially mental/emotional aspect of what I have endured. Do I think I am a better man now than I was before my accident? Yes! However, this doesn’t mean that I don’t wish to go back to that day I lost my leg and pick a different road home to save myself and my family the pain we endured.

Chappie Hunter

Alpine Ranch CrossFit
www.alpineranchcrossfit.com

Challenged Athlete’s Foundation Operation Rebound
http://www.challengedathletes.org/site/c.4nJHJQPqEiKUE/b.6449449/k.B480/Operation_Rebound.htm

Peter Harsch Prosthetics
http://phprosthetics.com

Clinch Gear
www.clinchgear.com

#adaptandovercome

Read Chappie’s story here:

My name is Darryl “Chuck” Charles II. I was born June 13, 1990 in Springfield, Massachusetts.  My father, Darryl Charles Sr., served in the Marine Corps for 24 years and my mother, Minda Bowers, worked in a Casino in Las Vegas. Due to my father being in the military, I was raised by my grandmother in Massachusetts until the age of eight. From there, I lived with my mother in Las Vegas, Nevada until I was 14. Then I lived with my father in San Diego, California until I was 18, when I joined the military.

I joined the Marine Corps in December 2008. I served 5 years in the military. After the completion of boot camp and the School of Infantry, I was assigned to 3^rd Battalion 7^th Marines Kilo Company Weapons Platoon in Twenty-nine Palms, California. During the length of my enlistment I served two tours in Sangin, Afghanistan.

In October, 2011, during my second deployment, I was involved in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast in Sangin, Afghanistan resulting in the loss of my right leg above the knee. My experiences in combat and becoming a casualty of war have brought about many obstacles in my life. Even though my physical injuries are the most noticeable, those obstacles were easier to overcome compared to the mental and non-visible injuries I have sustained. Even with these obstacles dealt with on a daily basis, I don’t let them interfere with my quality of life. If anything, I feel that scars are the marks that push us to greatness and I work to not only better myself, but help those around me to grow and succeed in any goals that they pursue. I spent two years recovering at the Naval Medical Center San Diego Balboa. Upon completing a majority of my recovery at the Naval Medical Center, I was Honorably Discharged from the Marine Corps in 2013. Currently, I am a student at Southwestern Community College working to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Sciences.

If I had to choose any trait that I admire about myself, I would have to say my sense of humor. Laughter and making others laugh has helped me get through some of the most difficult times in my life and continues to help me get through day to day life.

If I could choose any superpower I would want to be able to run at supersonic speed. With this superpower I would be able to go anywhere and back in no time at all.

First time I met AJ Roberts, I new he was a no bullshit business man who is successful because of his work ethic and his never quit mindset. Our first conversation at the barbell mastermind breakfast club was about meditation and letting go of relationships that sap your energy. He is a man of depth and his story of resilience and perseverance is inspiring.

Enjoy his story and share with others! Pay it forward…

Trevor is my nephew and a man I have seen grow in so many ways in the past 5 years. I am inspired by his dedication to his health and his family. I am proud of Trevor and excited to see where his training, and career dedicated to helping those with addictions using fitness as a healthy outlet. Read, share, and be inspired! Pay it forward…

I am a certified personal trainer and a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer. I currently work for an addiction treatment center in Irvine, CA running fitness classes and lectures. My life is dedicated to help people who are newly sober channel the energy from their addictive tendencies towards physical activity and find freedom from their old habits. In my free time I train at Orange Coast CrossFit and enjoy spending time outside, whether it be paddle boarding in the ocean or shooting guns in the desert.

Growing up I always walked on the side of rebellion. I always wanted to live “independently” and had a very distorted perspective of what would make me happy. I began experimenting with drugs in middle school and quickly fell into the dark world of addiction. I eventually dropped out of school, started selling drugs to fuel my own use, and ran away from those who loved me. I dabbled in all sorts of substances that would help me escape reality but it was heroin that eventually took everything away. Through the years of using I was in and out of handcuffs, hospitals, and rehab centers. It seemed like I had dug myself so deep that there was no way out. On August 4^th 2012 I woke up in a hospital in Laguna Beach after one of my common blackouts. I remember looking out of the bedroom window with a gorgeous ocean view and all I could think about was running out of that building to go get high. That was the turning point when I realized that I wanted something that was killing me more than anything else. I wanted to stick a needle in my arm more than I wanted to breathe. I had to make a decision… it was do or die. This moment of clarity gave me that initial push that I needed to begin my road to recovery. I gave up trying to hide from my fears of life and jumped into positive action. In the past three years life has had its ups and downs but every new experience, good or bad, is something far greater than what I had before. I have a life filled with family, friends, laughter, career goals etc. All of which are things that I could never dream of having before. Today I am able to give back to those who struggle with what I once did and that is utterly priceless.

I admire my own resiliency. My ability to endure the painful moments in life and without them defining who I am.

I would want to have the ability travel around outer space without any equipment. I have always been fascinated by the galaxies and would love to explore them.

Max Fabrizio Conserva

I am an engineer, athlete, and adaptive athletics advocate. At the age of eight I was unintentionally engaged in a shoving match with a semi-truck. At first contact it became immediately clear that I had lost. However, not content with a simple knockdown victory, the big rig then proceeded to continue down the road dragging me along underneath. Fortunately the truck eventually stopped, allowing my life to continue. Defeat resulted in a long and intimate relationship with hospital beds an operating tables. My tractor trailer vs. pedestrian carrier ending with a cumulative 0-1 record. My retirement gift, a new unrecognizable version of my right leg, a mangled one.

I was left with an incredibly complex and unique injury and level of functionality. I soon resigned myself to the box that my disability seemed to sketched out. Twentyish years passed and I still found my condition standing in direct opposition to the life I wanted. With decades of ill fitting advice and solutions behind me, the realization slowly dawned on me: No one is going to solve these problems for me. My next thought was as eloquent as it was novel, “F*ck this, I’ll fix them myself.” No excuses, no more “what-ifs”.

I now spend my time creating solutions to push the boundaries of orthotics, orthopedics, and adaptive athletics. Utilizing the summation of my life to administer demolition to conceived barriers. You’ll find me on the workbench, training, coaching or on some stupid adventure that will probably get me hurt. I work with the amazing folks at the University of San Francisco Orthotics & Prosthetics Department, San Francisco CrossFit, Stanford Engineering, Crossroads Adaptive Athletic Alliance andIAmAdaptive. I am the creator of GoodLeg.org and MakeAdaptive.org (work in progress). #crossfit #snowboarding #tennis #cycling #running #justabouteverythingelse

Corporal Jorge Eligio Salazar was born in Bakersfield California and was raised in Delano, CA. He joined the Marine Corps on December 8, 2008 and completed basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego. He graduated infantry training and was assigned to 1st battalion 1st marines Camp Pendleton, California. From there he deployed once on the 13 meu and once to Afghanistan in support of operation enduring freedom. On August 10, 2012 during an operation in Kajaki, Afghanistan he was wounded by an improvised explosive devise while trying to medevac one of his squad members. He was taken to naval medical center san diego where he is now part of wounded warrior battalion.

Warrior of the Month: Jorge Salazar

From the first time I met Juliet up at San Francisco CrossFit, I knew this was a woman I had to get to know. As busy as she was being the wife to Kelly Starrett, being the mom of two beautiful girls, and running the famous MobilityWOD and San Francisco CrossFit as well as starting StandUpKids.org she was so incredibly down to earth and took the time with me. Having the privilege of working for her and her husband on the MobilityWOD staff is not only an honor because I among physical therapists and strength coaches who think outside the box, and who are making a difference. Juliet is a woman who knows herself and IS making a difference every day of her life.

My name is Juliet Starrett. I’m the wife of Kelly Starrett, Mom of Georgia & Caroline, CEO of MobilityWOD and San Francisco Crossfit, founder of StandUpKids.org, attorney, entrepreneur, author, a cancer survivor, and five-time national champion and two-time world champion in extreme whitewater paddling. I love spending time outdoors on rivers, in the ocean, and in the mountains. I paddle, mountain bike, ski, skateboard, Crossfit, and generally love to train.   I grew up in Boulder, Colorado, spent most of my 20s running rivers all over the world as a guide and professional athlete.   I was attacked by a hippo on the Zambezi river in Zimbabwe and wrote about it for my law school entrance essay.   I practiced law for 7.5 years at an international law firm as a complex commercial litigator before leaving the law practice to run our businesses full time.   I’m the most proud of my marriage and children.

Warrior Story –

At 20 years old, when I was a sophomore at UC Berkeley and a member of the Cal Women’s Rowing team, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer.   My ob/gyn felt a strange lump in my throat during a routine appointment, ordered a biopsy, and a week later I got a phone call that I had cancer.   I know a cancer diagnosis is surreal for anyone but it was particularly surreal since I was so young. I was a serious athlete training in a really difficult sport twice a day. I did not feel sick and yet, 2 days after diagnosis, I was wheeled into the OR for a 9 hour surgery.   I woke up with a huge scar at the base of my neck held together with 50 staples but the recovery was not terrible. I was back in class at Cal a week after surgery.

Four months after surgery, I spent 8 days in an isolation unit for radiation therapy.   I was given a 10-pound metal container and then the doctor and nursing staff virtually ran out of the room and, through a microphone, told me to open the container and take the 6 horse pills of radiation. I had to stay in complete isolation while the radiation did its trick on my body because I was giving off so much radiation that I was a hazard to regular people, including the medical staff. My food was handed to me through a slot in the door, and my only outside contact was the phone, as this all happened pre-internet.   This turned out to be much harder for me physically and emotionally than the surgery itself, since I felt terrible and sick from the radiation, and I was completely alone. It took me many years to get my synthetic levels back up to normal so that I felt good and energetic and not cold all the time, which is a symptom of not enough thyroid.   Two years ago – twenty years after my diagnosis – I basically graduated from having cancer when my endocrinologist fired me. He said enough years had past that I was in the full clear and didn’t require monitoring anymore by a specialist.   It was a good day.

I decided two things after having cancer: (1) I was not going to let having cancer define me as a human – it was a thing that happened to me – a really awful thing – but only a part of my story, not who I am; and (2) I was going to make darn sure I would not die of any disease I could prevent myself. I had always been super athletic but my experience with cancer made me extra dedicated to taking care of my body and mind.   Having cancer made me acutely aware that life is precious, that I should be grateful every day, and that relationships are really all that matters when the shit hits the fan.

My favorite trait – I know who I am.

Special power – I really wish I could sing well.   I would love to stand on a stage in front of tons of people and have an amazing, flawless voice come out of my mouth.

Bio:

Juliet Starrett is an attorney and entrepreneur. She is co-founder and CEO of San Francisco Crossfit, one of the first 50 Crossfit affiliates, and MobilityWOD.com, which has revolutionized how athletes think about human movement and athletic performance. Before turning her attention to MobilityWOD and San Francisco CrossFit full-time, Juliet had a successful career as an attorney, practicing complex commercial litigation at Reed Smith for nearly eight years.

A lifelong athlete, Juliet rowed in high-school, was on the U.C. Berkeley crew team, and went on to paddle for the US Women’s Extreme Whitewater Team from 1997-2000, winning two World Championships and five national titles.

In 2007, Juliet won the prestigious Jefferson Award for public service in connection with her work with GirlVentures, a girls empowerment organization, and as a co-founder of Liquid, a kayaking camp for kids with HIV.

When she is not busy running two businesses and StandUpKids.org, Juliet enjoys hanging out with her husband Kelly and their two daughters, Georgia and Caroline, reading, listening to music, Crossfitting, mountain biking, paddling, skiing, camping, and playing outdoors.

Tag Juliet mrsmobilitywod and @mobilitywod. Use #standupkids, #mobilitywod, #suppleleopard! 

Kate Hendricks Thomas, PhD

I spend a lot of time these days teaching and coaching to help people become more resilient. I think I am passionate about it because in the past I have flopped SO spectacularly. It almost leveled me.

When I left the Marine Corps, I had a hard time carving a new identity for myself. I was terribly invested in what others thought of me. My public story was of crisp uniforms, physical fitness metrics, and successes. I always looked good on paper. My private story involved destructive choices, broken doors and holes in the walls, hiding weapons in the house, and getting dragged across the living room floor by my hair. I was as far from God as a person could be, but had no idea at the time.

I had no words to explain the disaster that had become my personal life and felt crippling shame about being one of “those people” with disordered drinking behavior going through a violent divorce. I would have fit right in on the Jerry Springer show.

Right now we are losing more veterans to suicide than to combat. I’m a pretty decisive person with limited ability to ask for help and zero trouble taking risks; there was a time I could have become one of those statistics.

I stumbled quite by accident into three things that helped me regain my footing and become more resilient. I’m grateful for that stumble and always will be.

First, I started treating myself in a healthy way again. I ate a little cleaner and made time for physical movement.

Not my typical physical movement, the kind where I used throwing up or a stress fracture as evidence that I was working hard enough – REAL, wellness-building movement that strengthened my body rather than punished it. I found myself on a yoga mat and never wanted to leave. In truth, I came to yoga as an athlete looking for something challenging, a fitness fad to master, and something to help me bend my unyielding muscles a bit more easily. What I found on the mat changed my life entirely. I found a practice that was about more than my body.

Be still and know that I am God –Psalm 46:10

For me, a huge part of self-care involved slowing down enough to listen. I spent a little less time talking and a lot more observing. That made space for faith and for a focus on other people. All of a sudden, my energy was redirected. I could be generous with myself and with the people I cared about. I found a new tribe of healthy people who shared those service ethic values.

And that was my beginning.

We can weather storms much better than I did – we don’t have to wind up tearful and alone with only a six-pack of beer to help us mourn. Resilience can be taught. Self-care modalities, social support cultivation, and spiritual practices are the components upon which we must rely to build our foundation in advance of the storm.

I am Kate Hendrick Thomas and I am and always will be a warrior.

Dr. Kate Hendricks Thomas is an assistant professor of Health Promotion at Charleston Southern University.  She is the author of Brave, Strong, & True: The Modern Warrior’s Battle for Balance. Kate is a former Marine, a yoga teacher, and mom to both a fearless baby and the Great Dane who dotes on him. Kate can be reached via her website, www.katehendricksthomas.com or via @precisionwell.

Amie Valpone, CELEBRITY CHEF & FOUNDER OF THEHEALTHYAPPLE.COM

What is your Warrior Story? How did you use your inner Warrior to survive, adapt and overcome?
Being healthy means being happy and not relying on drugs to get you through your day without pain. My best advice is to find the root cause of your pain and research it. You have to be your OWN doctor. I’ve had doctors help me and almost kill me, sadly. Some have destroyed my thyroid and my gut because they didn’t know what they were doing…but I didn’t know that at the time and I just listened to them without doing any research on my own. You’ve got to take control of your health because each of our bodies is different and reacts different and heals differently! Through my website, TheHealthyApple.com I write about the struggles I’ve faced the last few years, how I truly healed and how I work with clients on healthy eating and building back their immune systems and detoxing their life.

My cookbook will come out in early 2016; it’s filled with over 200 recipes that are free of refined sugar, gluten, dairy, soy, eggs and processed food. It’s also a handbook on how to remove toxins from your cleaning supplies, beauty products and food- since they’re lurking everywhere and can have a huge impact on your health. I think you’ll love it and I hope you do!

What is one trait you most admire about you (Your inner warrior)?
Being brave and fearless.

What kind of special power would you like to have?
TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE SUFFERING FROM CHRONIC ILLNESS.

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Michael Hernandez

Bio:
Cpl. USMC 2 tours Iraq 1 tour Afghanistan injured twice in combat. Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury loss of long term memory ACL/ MCL replaced in both knees
Retired medically
Veteran Outreach Director Team RWB Tampa
CFL1 trainer/ USA Olympic lifting L1
Power Lifter/ amateur Strong Man
WWP Peer Mentor
Married, proud father of a 9 year old boy.
ER Paramedic full-time

You can contact Michael here: [email protected]

SGT Cogen Nelson is a recently retired United States Marine Corps Sergeant, due to combat injury. After deploying multiple times to Iraq, SGT Nelson suffered wounds, both physically and mentally thus leading to his medical discharge. Although he came back with his limbs, he suffered severe PTSD and depression as a result of his deployments.

After undergoing treatment and support for his wounds, SGT Nelson tried CrossFit in his spare time to boost his mood and work on his fitness. It turned out that while doctors never expected SGT Nelson to lift heavy weights or high repetitions, he was able to adapt and maintain a lifestyle that supported his fitness goals. He went on to take his Level 1 CrossFit Trainer Course and now owns and operates House of CrossFit alongside his wife in Carlsbad, CA. He enjoys offering the opportunity of fitness to Veterans and members of the Southern CA community while challenging them to reach their goals. He has two children, a son Jarrod, 10 and daughter Ellie, 2 that he lives with in Carlsbad.

Send your message to SGT Nelson using these hashtags: #houseofcrossfit #neversurrender #neveralone

View SGT Nelson and his video on PTSD here.

About Eva Selhub, M.D.

Dr. Eva Selhub is an internationally recognized expert, physician, author, speaker and consultant in the fields of stress, resilience, mind-body medicine and working with the natural environment to achieve maximum health and wellbeing. Dr. Selhub engages her clients and her audiences with her powerful energy, words of wisdom and scientific knowledge to be empowered to transform themselves, their health and their life for the better.

Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Dr. Selhub is on staff at Harvard Medical School and is a Clinical Associate of the world renowned Benson Henry Institute for Mind-Body Medicine at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Selhub also works with clients privately, combining her knowledge and expertise from Western and allopathic medicine and from the Eastern healing traditions.

As an author and speaker, Dr. Selhub uses her gift to bridge science with spirit and provides individuals with a framework to achieve transformational health and wellbeing. Her newest book, Your Health Destiny, represents the culmination of her 20 years of practice in medicine with her experience in working with more esoteric healing traditions. Dr. Selhub is also the author of The Love Response, the co-author of Your Brain on Nature, and several guided meditation CD’s.

Dr. Eva has been published in medical journals and featured in national publications including The New York Times, USA Today, Self, Shape, Fitness, and Journal of Woman’s Health, and has appeared on radio and television in connection with her work, including the Dr. Oz show.

For more information on her speaking and consulting services as well as products, visit www.drselhub.com.

Stage IV terminal incurable adrenal cancer warrior!

My inner warrior trait is FEARLESSNESS!

I was 35 years old when I was diagnosed with Adrenal Cortex Carcinoma–stage IV, metastasized to the lungs. I was a single mom with two little boys. Adrenocortical carcinoma is a rare tumor afflicting only one in a one million; there is no cure. The first doctor told me there was nothing more they could do, I was terminal. The next told me he could treat me but he wouldn’t because the prognosis for this cancer is so poor. And another told me even if he did treat me it wouldn’t matter- the cancer would just come right back and kill me. That didn’t stop me! I found a team of doctors to treat me and against all odds winning! I’ve been fighting for my life for a year and half now. This battle includes 3 major surgeries over the span of 7 months and 7 different chemotherapies over the span of 8 months. I will win. I will beat cancer because I am a warrior.

Actively fighting cancer doesn’t stop me from living a full life! I still go running, hiking, lifting and spend every second I can with my children. I make the most of today because tomorrow is never promised.

My secret special power would be to be like Captain America where I could take my weakened body and strengthen it. I would also patriotically serve my country.

Please share YOUR warrior story, you never know who it may inspire!

Lisa with her children Kyle and Jacob

I consider myself to be a late bloomer and a bit of an odd ball. I developed later than most of my friends and never journeyed down the predictable path. Traits I used to loathe, but now happen to love about myself. Ah, the joys of matured perspective.

Most of my 20’s were spent in battle. Sounds dramatic, but that’s exactly how it felt. I was in a battle with myself. I was struggling to find relevance, meaning, and direction in my life and spent a substantial chunk of those years lost in the fray of missed connections and foiled opportunities. I lived in a state of constant anxiety, comparison and compromise. I simply felt that I wasn’t _________enough. (Fill in the blank).

Growing up, I was never provided the messages from my parents that I was smart, capable or competent. Don’t get me wrong, my parents are wonderful people who did the best they knew how with a selfish, spoiled, self-centered teenager. Any sort of praise I did receive was usually centered around my appearance, and very little encouragement of my intellectual capacity or maturity was noticed.

Fast forward several years later when I experienced a life changing sexual assault- an event so violent and hateful that I thought I might never be the same. I was right- I wasn’t.

I rarely revisit the memories of that night. This was not always the case. In the immediate days and weeks that followed my assault, I was practically incapable of leaving my bed- flashbacks of that night, how I should have fought back, and things I wish I could have said to him were playing in a constant loop in my mind. I spent seven hours in the fetal position on my cold bathroom floor one day. Seven hours. I was emotionally broken and physically battered, and I had the bruises to prove it.

In the months and years that followed, I became highly promiscuous- a common coping mechanism amongst sexual trauma survivors. I would go to bars alone and start a conversation with someone who seemed like they would do for the night. My promiscuity and dominance was my way of regaining power and control in my life; of rewriting the script of that night and what had happened to me. Looking back, I was also cultivating an environment of profound disconnection and self-loathing.

Here’s something not easy to admit- I do not know how many people I slept with during this period in my life. One person would just bleed into the next until they were all just faceless bodies that I used to anesthetize my pain, terrified that if I were to address my brokenness, I would simply crumble underneath the weight of it all, rendering me inoperable.

A few years later I was sitting in a business meeting, likely just having kicked some faceless soul out of my bed just hours prior. The CEO posed the question “If you could have one super power, what would it be?” Immediately I knew my answer- I would want to heal people. I said this because I knew I was profoundly in need of healing in my own life.

How was I supposed to know that that question would be a pivotal moment for me? I wasn’t expecting it. I had yet to see my assault for what it was- one of the great lessons in my life, that looking back was anything but fortuitous. Later that day, I made my first appointment with a therapist. A therapist who would prove to be the hand that pulled me out of the darkness.

Prior to my assault, I was what some might consider a lost soul and a free spirit. Growing up in an environment that offered little encouragement for anything outside of my physical appearance, I didn’t realize that I had a well of untapped resources lingering beneath the surface. When I allowed myself to be broken open, that well inside was bursting. In it, I found my life’s calling and am now in my third year of a doctorate degree where I will be fortunate enough to be someone else’s hand that pulls them out of the darkness. For this lesson alone, I am eternally grateful.

As I begin to wrap this up, allow me to leave you with this:

When you are ready to begin the process of healing, healing finds you. Until then, you are deadlocked in a battle of trying every other route imaginable in an effort to avoid taking the long and arduous road to recovery. Whatever you do on the path to recovery, wherever it is that it takes you and however long it takes you to get there, is okay. You will get there, and I promise the 2.0 version of you will be so much better than the original.

-Julie Kelly

Welcome to the first installment of the Warrior of the Month series!  In the video below, an amazing woman named Ashley Linder tells her story of overcoming physical and sexual abuse at the hands of her father, testifying against him at age 9, and wading through the challenges of group and foster homes.  She recognizes that she has exhibited tremendous strength and fortitude then and now to be the person she is today.  Take a look and be sure to share with others!  You can also learn more about the great work Ashley now does with foster kids through her website, www.linderkids.org