“A Stronger Soldier Is Harder to Kill”: Military Fitness Leaders Reveal Peak Human Performance Secrets
The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) headquarters in Arlington, Virginia served as the host location for the fifth installment of M&F Senior Military Editor Rob Wilkin’s Military Health and Wellness Symposium series. Military leaders and experts from a variety of human performance fields gathered to share information and research that could be taken back to help service members, veterans, and their families improve their own health and fitness levels.
Wilkins emphasized that due to how fast information can change and how often new knowledge is discovered, hosting events like this are vital because the physical well-being of those who wear the uniform is a matter of national security. Bringing in a mix of experts who have served in the military, the government, and a variety of leaders in other roles is what make these events so successful.
Wilkins said, “No one organization can generate all of the answers. We want people to be able to know all this information so they can stay healthy, serve longer, and live healthier lives.”
Action Taken in the Present and Future Support
The Army’s Holistic Health & Fitness (H2F) program continues to grow and serve the soldiers who are serving the nation. COL Jonathan D. Lesher and physical therapist Amy Cates discussed the five pillars of the program (physical, mental, nutritional, spiritual, and sleep) as well as how the teams are set up for success within the brigades. One of the main focuses is helping soldiers recover from injuries faster so they can return to the battlefield sooner.
Lesher emphasized, “A stronger soldier is harder to kill, period.”
Segments were also reserved for matters life after service such as financial wellness and how to maximize the benefits that service members earned. Financial expert David Vardeman spoke about his efforts towards the former while Veterans Affairs (VA) Chief Veterans Experience Officer Dr. Lynda Davis covered the latter by sharing information on programs offered to veterans and reinforcing their commitment to listen to them when they are in need.
“If a veteran is in trouble, we are going to be there.”
Generational Impact
Brambleton Middle School principal Bob Marple was in attendance to share his efforts as someone directly impacting the next generation of Americans and possible future service members. Marple spoke extensively about the importance of physical activity for children as well as the importance of parents doing their part.
Cooper Aerobics Wellness Program Director Ashlee Henson briefed the room about her time working with the Armed Forces Wellness Center as well as how she and everyone she works with now serve people of all ages and fitness levels, including seniors who can improve both quality and quantity of life by following Dr. Kenneth Cooper’s guidance.
Supplement and Sleep Guidance
Operation Supplement Safety (OPSS) Senior Nutrition Scientist & Director Andrea Lindsey returned to join Wilkins and review the latest news in regulations and efforts they are making to educate service members on what to watch for when considering energy drinks and supplements. As fast as new ingredients hit the market and with new companies launching products so often, staying updated is vital for those who need to make their well-being a top priority.
Lindsey shared personal suggestions such as choosing energy drinks with up to 200 milligrams caffeine and choosing supplements that have been third-party tested for safety and accurate labels. She also promoted caution when it comes to peptides, which has seen a boom in popularity in recent years.
“It’s essential to understand what’s happening today. We’re in a whole different paradigm when with regard to peptides. This is really important.”
Later in the day, Dr. Sara Algar and Dr. Tina Burke of the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research covered the importance of sleep and why a minimum of seven hours a night is needed for proper health and wellness. When service members struggle to sleep consistently, it can impact performance and cognitive function. It can also lead to other issues such as lower testosterone production, compromised recovery from training, and emotional regulation. Algar concluded that the best way to either prevent or stop all of this from happening is to fix the sleep situation.
“Until you break that cycle, it will keep perpetuating.”
Emotional and Mental Health Matters
Mental health was a consistent theme throughout the symposium thanks to experts like Dr. Gabriel Paoletti of Uniformed Services University, who discussed it from the perspectives of leaders, service members, and even in personal lives as parents and relationship partners.
Another highlight came when former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Readiness Dr. Elizabeth “Elise” Van Winkle spoke of her unexpected and meteoric rise to that position and how her own mental and physical health was compromised while dealing with the sudden pressure that came from her role.
Van Winkle also shared her opinions on the difference between readiness and resilience and why self-care was so vital for people who are tasked to care for and lead others. While military members tend to keep struggles internal because they don’t want to become a bother and feel the pressure that may come from the mission, Van Winkle acknowledged that speaking to someone about those issues is a part of self-care and can lead to improvement so that person can stay in the fight.
“It may be harder to talk about, but that is when it is most important. Saying it out loud makes you vulnerable, but that can help pull you back together into one person.”
Wilkins shared that the next symposium is tentatively scheduled for January 2027, but final details about that event are still in development.
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