One Step at a Time: How Jeff Is Reclaiming His Health After Service
By Jordyn Nguyen
When Jeff joined Team Red, White & Blue, he didn’t quietly enter the community. He showed up moving.
In just a short time, Jeff has logged more than 140 miles during the GWOT 100 challenge and has already lost 25 pounds toward his goal of losing 50 pounds this year. But behind those numbers is a much deeper story…one about mental health, transition after military service, and choosing to start again.
Jeff spent 22 years on active duty in the Army before retiring and moving into a civilian career. On paper, the transition seemed smooth.
“Transitioning out of the Army was not as difficult for me, initially, as it most definitely has been for others,” Jeff explained. “After 22 years on Active Duty, I was ready to go. I utilized the programs that were available and found a new career right away. I took one uniform off on Friday and put another on the following Monday.”
But like many veterans, the challenges didn’t necessarily show up right away. Jeff stayed active for a while, but knee pain began to interfere with his routine. Work travel made it easier to skip workouts, and over time the habits slipped.
“I tried to stay physical, but I let my knee pain interfere and used my work travel as an excuse not to exercise,” he said.
Eventually, Jeff underwent a total knee replacement, hoping it would serve as a turning point. When recovery didn’t go as expected, the frustration began to build. That frustration eventually turned into something deeper.
“That was around the time that my depression set in,” Jeff shared. “There were definitely other factors at play during that time, but the knee was my biggest hurdle or excuse.”
He described the mental battle that followed as one many veterans may recognize. “The toughest part has been the realization that, while my mind still thinks I have the ability to do things, my body just can’t do what it used to.” That realization forced Jeff to confront something he had always encouraged others to prioritize… mental health.
“My biggest motivation was me,” Jeff said when asked what sparked his decision to set a goal of losing 50 pounds this year. “I was not happy when I looked at myself in the mirror. I was heavier than I had ever been and I was flat out not healthy.”
He realized that the physical changes he wanted couldn’t happen without addressing the mental side first.
“I had been dealing with depression for most of last year,” he said. “I have always advocated for behavioral health, and doing a check-in was something that I had done in the past. I just decided that it was time to do it again. So, I did.”
Since then, Jeff has been steadily rebuilding momentum, one mile, one workout, and one goal at a time. Reaching 140 miles during GWOT 100 was a milestone, but what mattered most was the sense of belonging. “Hitting the miles goal was cool because it made me feel like I was a part of something,” Jeff said. “Competing with others toward a common goal.”
The 25-pound weight loss milestone was equally meaningful.
“I’ve set targets throughout this process, and the halfway mark was a big deal,” he said. “It meant I could have a doughnut.”
Like many people on a long-term health journey, Jeff has also experienced the inevitable plateaus. Instead of reacting with drastic changes, he’s learning to take a longer view. “This is a marathon, not a sprint,” he said. “I’m playing the mental game with myself that it’s okay to plateau and I don’t need to do drastic calorie cuts to get back on track.”
Rather than slowing down, Jeff is already setting his sights on the next challenges. He has signed up for Team RWB’s Push, Squat, Crunch challenge, the Vietnam Battle Drill, and Memorial Minutes.
He also took an important step by posting his Big Fitness Goal (BFG) publicly in the Team RWB app. “I didn’t think writing it down would do much,” he said. “But writing it down makes it real, so I’m glad that I did it.”
Jeff is also looking ahead to a powerful personal milestone later this year, the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Lambeau Field, which he will complete with his son. “I’m looking most forward to the 9/11 stair climb,” Jeff said. “My son mentioned to me last year that he wanted to do it, so we are both going to do it this year.”
With the 25th anniversary of 9/11 approaching, the moment will carry even more meaning. “With it being the 25th anniversary and doing it with my son, it will mean a lot. Especially because he brought it up.”
For Jeff, the physical milestones matter but the message he hopes other veterans hear is even more important.
“DO NOT FORGET ABOUT YOUR MENTAL HEALTH,” he said.
He encourages other veterans who may be struggling to start by reaching out, whether to a professional or simply someone they trust. “Mental health should be the prime focus because it will allow you to focus on physical health as well. Do not be afraid to ask for help.”
Jeff also speaks openly about the stakes. “We lose 22 a day to suicide,” he said. “Encouraging others to talk and seek help, whether it is through a professional or a battle buddy, can help lower those numbers.”
For anyone beginning their own journey, Jeff keeps the advice simple.
“One step at a time, one day at a time, one win at a time,” he said. “The hard days will come; setbacks happen. You’ve got this.”
And for Jeff, that journey is just getting started.