Taking the Leap

In 2015, I randomly moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico, where I did not know anyone, and started Post-Baccalaureate work to bridge my Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre for an eventual Master of Science degree in Kinesiology. I devoted my life to a career of performing until my personal journey with health had me reaching for fitness books over play scripts.

In 2011, I flipped my plan and turned my passion for health into a burgeoning career as a personal trainer with my first certification from the National Academy of Sports Medicine. I am now certified as a group fitness instructor, a health coach, a kettlebell and TRX instructor, corrective exercise specialist, running coach, and a tactical strength and conditioning specialist. I had no idea my hazy career aspirations would lead me to my amazing husband and to the possibilities I have now.

My life changed the moment I agreed to go on a date with a man I “met” online; our first date was 10 hours long, and it was effortless to be around him—we talked about everything and nothing all at once. After he left that first night, I knew he would change me regardless if we stayed together; I am thankful he has been an integral part of my life every day since.

When I first met Jarrett, he was attending the Sergeants Major Academy at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, and even though he had intentions to leave Fort Bliss after finishing the academy, he stuck around to get to know me, and what adventures we’ve had!

He introduced me to camping, hiking, and trail running all around the west and southwest. Living in the concrete jungle of Houston most of my life, these experiences changed my worldview. I realized how important it was to enjoy the journey as opposed to just the destination. I learned to slow down, take in my surroundings, and appreciate every moment; Jarrett taught me quality over quantity, a philosophy that translates to fitness so well.

I also learned to value and understand every aspect of the military–there are so many points of view and details not seen with an untrained eye!

In the beginning, I did not know what kind of a soldier a Reservist was. CSM Bearden has a 28-year career of service with the US Army: three years active, 25 years as a drilling reservist, more than 100 jumps as a paratrooper, four deployments, two Battalions, and now a Brigade. The Sergeants Major Academy was a long-term order he happened to take and complete, while I happened to decide to change my life and move to a small city 45 minutes away from him. It happened at just the right time, I’d say!

As our relationship evolved into serious, I decided to change my post-bac studies to an online program so I could be free to move, and he accepted a Mil-Tech position at Joint Base Lewis-McCord in Washington, where we moved in 2017.

We got married in 2019 in a small town called Port Gamble, Washington. I am thankful to know my husband for many reasons, but the hidden bonus of knowing him is getting to know his friends and colleagues who serve in many different capacities in the Army.

Jarrett’s civilian and military positions have him working with AGR, drilling reservists, and active soldiers. His career facilitated rich relationships with people of many different backgrounds, and I have met most of them. Their stories, along with Jarrett’s, have inspired me to focus on soldiers as a fitness professional. Their bodies go through so much on and off deployments and need TLC to keep them mobile, confident, and agile as soldiers, regardless of their position. My master’s degree in Sports Science and Rehabilitation will culminate in a thesis aimed at discussing the different strategies to consider when designing strength and conditioning programs for reservists; I believe quality education is the best way to serve our spouses!

The life of an Army Reservist spouse is totally different than that of an active spouse. We do not have to adapt to a life of multiple deployments and moves, but a command team reservist soldier can be gone one to two weeks a month and is constantly on a conference call. I do not recognize my husband without an iPhone earbud hanging from one ear nowadays. He must fit in his part-time service around a full-time job and maintain his physical readiness standards without the resources or time allocated for an active soldier. It can be tough to find moments to connect and decompress, but we make do in our own way…usually through exercise!

I am so honored to be a part of this network of spouses, where we can all come together to share our ideas and experiences. I have learned so much about this new way of living from the spouses I met from my husband’s brethren, and now I have this network of women and men from all over the world. I am happy to be a part of this Band of Bloggers.

Until next time, find me on the gram, and stay healthy!