The Wellness Spotlight Series highlights military spouses and their real world health and wellness journeys in a Facebook Live series. Below is an excerpt of Jaime’s feature.

Jaime is an Army spouse, veteran, and the Founder & CEO of Begin Within. She is a keynote speaker, an author, and loves teaching career workshops. Jaime enjoys bird watching and just sitting out on the porch watching whatever is going on outside.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY AS A MILITARY SPOUSE.

My military journey started a long time ago as I served in the Army for six years and I have self-proclaimed that I was the “worst petroleum supply specialist in the Army.” I separated from service and then married my husband a little while later. He deployed, we had our first child, and then moved overseas. We’re now looking at an impending relocation and I can’t wait to see where it takes us.

HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED ANY EXTREME HIGHS/LOWS SINCE BECOMING A MILITARY SPOUSE?

My lowest moments as a military spouse have been in my career. I was a top-performer, doing great work at my previous job but the contract had issues and I got laid off twice despite getting promoted three times in only a two-and-a-half year period. The final time I was laid off, I was the regional manager for the largest concentration of service members outside of the U.S. and it was tough to be jobless after having so much responsibility. That’s when I started my business, and to overcome the “worthless” feelings I was experiencing, I’ve poured my heart and soul into serving our clients and giving them the confidence they need to conquer their careers and obtain the career they’ve always deserved.

I thrive when I’m being a productive member of my community and household. I need to contribute, give back, and aim to positively impact someone’s life every day. Oddly enough, the times I feel the most productive are when my spouse is deployed or TDY because I have to batten down the hatches, call the shots, and do ALL the things. Of course, I prefer to have him at home!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FORM OF SELF-CARE?

My favorite form of self-care is silence in nature. In the summer months I love to sit outside, garden, watch the birds, and zone out without a care in the world.

WHAT IS ONE PERSONAL HABIT THAT CONTRIBUTES TO YOUR SUCCESS?

I live by an adage, “Leave the world a better place than you found it.” This saying reminds me of the legacy I want to leave behind and helps me align my actions with that legacy. Everything I do is to make positive impacts on the world and people around me and at the end of the day if I’ve helped make this world better, I’ll be satisfied.

IF YOU COULD SHARE A HEALTH AND WELLNESS RESOURCE WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

The free non-medical mental health counseling through Military One Source. It’s pressure free, they don’t take notes, and when times get tough they are flexible and can work to help get you back on track. I’m also a huge fan of talking out loud to myself, “the batty old lady” method helps me clear out the cobwebs in my brain when I’m analyzing something dense.

IF YOU COULD RECOMMEND ONE BOOK AND/OR PODCAST TO MILITARY SPOUSES, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?

Only one? A book that has totally changed my life is Mindset by Dr. Carol Dweck. I also love Grit by Angela Duckworth and Three Points of Contact by Greg Cheek. These books talk about getting through the tough stuff, the power of your mindset, and the fact that you have to work really, really hard to get over yourself in order to be successful.

ABOUT JAIME

Jaime is an Army spouse, veteran, and the Founder & CEO of Begin Within, the “Best Military Spouse Owned Business.” Every day she helps people get promoted, get a raise, and find career fulfillment. Helping high achievers break their glass ceilings is her lifeblood, passion, and calling in life. Jaime is a keynote speaker, loves teaching career workshops, and authored the book Find a Federal Job in 2018.

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