Always a Soldier: Viviana’s Path to Purpose

Born and raised in Miami, FL, Viviana grew up in a city rich with cultural diversity. As the daughter of a Cuban mother and a Puerto Rican father, she learned early on the value of resilience. "We never had much in terms of material wealth, but we pride ourselves on our resilience," she reflects. Growing up wasn’t easy. Her father battled alcoholism, and she often found herself protecting her autistic, non-verbal sister from bullies. One terrifying incident in high school involved a student attempting to push her sister down a stairwell. These challenges, though difficult, shaped Viviana’s deep sense of compassion and her unyielding desire to fight for something bigger than herself.

That desire led her to the military.

At just 17 years old, Viviana made the decision to enlist in the Army. "I didn’t tell my family I was enlisting until my recruiter needed their signatures," she recalls. While her mother worried about her not taking the traditional college route despite earning an academic scholarship, her father was excited. "Despite his own struggles, he found pride in seeing one of his children take on something meaningful."

In 2004, she shipped off to Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson, SC, and later trained at Fort Sam Houston, TX, as a 68S Preventive Medicine Specialist. "Our role was crucial. We served as the Army’s Public Health Educators, Inspectors, and Enforcers, handling everything from medical threat briefs to environmental sampling, OSHA enforcement, and foodborne illness investigations." Over the course of her career, she was stationed at multiple bases, including Fort Rucker, AL, Fort Bragg, NC, and Camp Arifjan, Kuwait. Eventually, she returned to Fort Jackson. This time as a Drill Sergeant. "It was a full-circle moment in my military journey," she says proudly.

Being a female leader in a male-dominated field came with its challenges. "Women in the military often walk a fine line. Either scrutinized too harshly or expected to outperform their male counterparts without receiving due credit." But she proved herself every day, especially as a Drill Sergeant. "The early morning PT sessions, late-night counseling, and relentless drive to build warriors all reinforced my own strength and resilience."

When her military chapter ended, a new battle began. Transitioning to civilian life.

"My identity had been so deeply rooted in being a Soldier that I struggled to find fulfillment in anything else," she admits. The overwhelming sense of disconnection led to what she calls "Post-Service Depression." Despite earning degrees in Public Health and Education, she still felt lost. Then, during the COVID shutdown, she stumbled upon an ad for FitOps (now the University of Health & Performance), an organization helping veterans transition into health and wellness careers. "It changed my life," she says. Through FitOps, she found a renewed sense of purpose and earned her personal training certification, reconnecting her with the veteran community she had missed so dearly.

Viviana’s journey in the fitness industry began at the Armed Services YMCA in Killeen, TX, where she worked as a personal trainer. "I LOVED that job," she exclaims. She later worked with Catch a Lift, a nonprofit dedicated to training veterans remotely. Today, she serves as an Office Services Specialist at the Wounded Warrior Project in San Antonio, continuing to support veterans while still training them remotely. To deepen her expertise, she pursued another degree. This time in Exercise Science. "I wanted to be an even better resource for those who trust me with their wellness journeys."

Fitness has played multiple roles in Viviana’s life. "In the military, it was a way to prove myself. Post-service, it became my passion. Both as an outlet for healing and as a way to empower others." She recognizes that many veterans struggle with an "all or nothing" mentality when it comes to fitness, but her message is clear. "Our approach to fitness must evolve with us. If you hate running but love hiking, then hike. Fitness isn’t about punishment. It’s about sustainability and joy."

Through it all, community has been her anchor. She first encountered Team RWB in 2013 while deployed in Kuwait. "I was handed a shirt and invited to a race on base. As the organization grew, I began seeing those shirts everywhere. It became a symbol of home." Years later, finding those shirts again in the civilian world felt like finding her way back. "Team RWB is my church of fitness & wellness. It has given me a sense of belonging, motivation, and purpose."

Viviana’s ultimate goal? "To be the best version of myself in all areas. Motherhood, fitness, personal growth, and community service. I believe in lifelong learning. If you’re the smartest person in every room, then you’re in the wrong room."

If she could go back and talk to her younger self, she’d say. "You are more capable than you think. Your worth isn’t defined by others. You are beautifully made, whether you believe it or not." And to her fellow veterans, she offers a powerful message. "You are not broken. No matter what injuries, visible or invisible, you carry. You are whole. You are worthy of love and a community that uplifts you. Keep moving forward."