Moving Forward: Big Fitness Goal
If you’ve ever spent time around the military, you’ve probably heard about the Army’s EIB — Expert Infantry Badge. The EIB is awarded to Soldiers who complete a robust series of military skills’ tests and physical fitness assessments, including a 12-mile foot march in 3 hours or less.
In 2003, I served as the intel officer for 2-7 Cav, a mechanized infantry battalion and my big fitness goal for the year was to be able to complete that foot march in 2 hours and 30 minutes. I put in the training and accomplished my goal, becoming a better person and leader in the process.
I’ve taken that lesson with me throughout my life since then and continued to push myself to accomplish ambitious goals as a member of Team RWB. In 2010, I was part of a group that carried the American flag for the entire Twin Cities Marathon. In 2012, my goal was to break 9 hours in the JFK 50 miler. In 2013, I completed my first ever triathlon (Swimming is not my strength and the swim always held me back). Those events were opportunities to remind myself that I didn’t have to leave behind that “12-mile foot march feeling” when I left active duty.
Today, I’m sharing my goal for 2023 and as members of America’s leading health and wellness community for veterans, I’m challenging you to do the same.
Big Fitness Goal (BFG): A publicly declared fitness goal requiring significant training and commitment to achieve it within the calendar year.
I’m fired up about encouraging Eagle Nation to take on a BFG for several reasons:
1. You’ll be better for it. Being physically active has many benefits to both your physical and mental health. You’re bound to learn lessons along the way, and even if you don’t accomplish your goal, the training will make you a better version of yourself.
2. There’s power in accountability. Research from the American Society of Training and Development found that people are 65% more likely to meet a goal after committing to another person. I like to call this “positive peer pressure.” By sharing your goal in the Team RWB Member App, with your chapter members, or with friends and family, you’re taking a big step toward accomplishing it.
3. You’ll inspire others. Like most Americans, so many military veterans face significant health and wellness challenges today. By tackling your BFG, you will set an example and become a source of inspiration for others. As a member of Team RWB tackling your BFG, you’re modeling our mission and helping us to deliver on our mission of enriching veterans’ lives!
So this year, let’s promise ourselves to take those lessons so many of us learned in service and push ourselves to be better every day. I’ll go first: Throughout the year, I will train to row a 5K immediately followed by a 5K run in 42 total minutes. I stand no chance of accomplishing this BFG today, but with training, I am confident I will get there by December.
Eagle Up!
Mike Erwin
