Veterans Day: Serving Others Never Stops
Today is Veterans Day, so I want to say something a little different.
First, thank you. To every veteran reading this, whether you served four years or thirty, whether you were on a ship, in the field, or behind a desk making it all run: thank you. And to the families who served right alongside them. You carried it too.
I'm Coach Terry. I served in the Navy as a rescue swimmer, and I've owned this gym since 2020. The uniform is off now, but the job never really changed. I still show up to help somebody else.
What serving others taught me
1. Show up. It's dark, it's cold, and you don't feel like it. You go anyway, because somebody is counting on you. That lesson has never left me. It's still how I run this gym.
2. The team comes first. Nobody gets it done alone. When one person has a bad day, the rest of the group carries them. That's how a good unit works, and it's how a good gym works.
3. Train so you're ready when someone needs you. A rescue swimmer trains hard for one reason: the day somebody else needs help. Getting strong isn't about the mirror. It's about being useful. Strong enough to carry the groceries, help a neighbor move, pick up your kid, or lend a hand when it counts.
4. Leave it better than you found it. Whether it's a job, a team, or a gym floor, you leave it better. That's the standard.
Coaching is still service
People ask me why I coach. This is why. Every class is a chance to help one person get a little stronger, a little more confident, and a little more sure of themselves than they were yesterday. That's the job. I get to do it every day, and I don't take it for granted.
Small ways to serve this week
You don't need a uniform to serve. Try one of these:
- Thank a veteran. Say it out loud, and mean it.
- Check on someone. A neighbor, a coworker, a friend who's gone quiet. A short text can mean a lot.
- Show up for your training partner. Be the reason somebody else makes it to class.
- Give your time. Volunteer somewhere that needs hands.
- Hold the door, carry the bag, welcome the new person. The small things add up.
If you're a veteran
You may miss the team, the structure, and the sense of purpose. You can find a lot of that in a gym. Training gives you a plan, a group around you, and something to work on every day. You're always welcome here.
If things feel heavy right now, you don't have to carry it alone. The Veterans Crisis Line is open any time. Dial 988, then press 1, or text 838255.
Please check with your doctor before starting a new training program, especially if you have an injury or a medical condition. This post is general fitness information and not medical advice.
Come train with us
If you want a coach in your corner and a team around you, book a free intro at Erie Shore Athletics and let's talk about where you are and where you want to go.
Thank you to everyone who served.
Coach Terry