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 Heather’s feature.
Wellness Wednesday Spotlight | Heather Campbell
>
“Wellness is a mental, physical, spiritual, and financial stability that comes through balancing your needs with your wants in order to minimize stress and maximize enjoyment. ”
Heather is a registered dietitian, Air Force spouse, and busy mother of three. Her private practice, Glory Nutrition, focuses on helping overwhelmed women provide healthy family meals without spending hours in the kitchen. Heather is full of great tips for families on eating healthy and stress-free.
TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY AS A MILITARY SPOUSE.
My journey as a military spouse began in graduate school when a friend introduced me to my now husband. As a pre-doctoral student, it was a hard decision to choose my marriage and family over my career. Since marrying, my career has taken even more twists and turns with each move and each new child to our family. I’m now building my own company and hope to return to complete my doctorate some day.
If you are a health or wellness expert, tell us about it and how it has impacted your wellness journey.
I was an athlete growing up, even making it to the collegiate level as a D1 athlete at the University of Nebraska. I grew up in an Air Force family, and like many of us, I had two working parents. My parents were often too busy or too tired to devote much attention to healthy habits, but fatphobia was prevalent in our home. As I learned more about nutrition, and ultimately chose a career as a registered dietitian, I knew my life’s work would be to free other women from fatphobia and empower fellow busy parents to find a balance in their lives that works for them. The more I’ve learned about teaching others to lead a healthy lifestyle, the more I’ve given myself grace to be imperfect and embrace the fun side of living.
Have you experienced any extreme highs or lows since becoming a military spouse? How did you overcome it?
I think every military spouse has experienced highs and lows. My lowest low was as a new mom, with an infant and a one-year-old, entering into a season of being a stay-at-home mom. My husband deployed for six months, and I suddenly was learning to be home for the first time, outnumbered, with no family nearby, and no relief walking in the door at dinner time. And we were mid house flip. It was chaos. The way I worked through that season was twofold. First, I found a community of fellow moms and mentors to guide me through that season and let me call them in tears of desperation. Second, I sought out mental health support through my primary health provider and a therapist. Having the support from my health team and my newly built community made all of the difference. I feel my healthiest now, as a mom of three, working out regularly, and focusing on rebuilding my career. I am rediscovering parts of me that have been on the back burner for too long, and it’s been life giving. I am continuously improving my health, and my goal is to maintain this newfound confidence and workout regimen after we relocate next year.
What is one personal habit that contributes to your success?
I practice what I preach: some foods fuel your body, and some fuel your soul. We need both to stay healthy and balanced.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE FORM OF SELF-CARE?
My favorite form of self care is a good weight lifting session. Nothing relieves the stress of mom life and military spousehood like throwing around some heavy weights.
IF YOU COULD RECOMMEND ONE BOOK AND/OR PODCAST TO MILITARY SPOUSES, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
Letting Go of Supermom by Daisy Sutherland. It has revolutionized the way I view my time as a commodity that is valuable and should not be freely given away.
Heather Campbell | Stress-Free Healthy Eating
ABOUT HEATHER
Heather is a registered dietitian, Air Force spouse, and mother of three. Her private practice, Glory Nutrition, focuses on helping overwhelmed women provide healthy family meals without spending hours in the kitchen. As an expert in educational speaking and a budding entrepreneur, she taught as adjunct faculty at Florida State University, presented for the USO, AFRC, and various private organizations. She has been quoted in Eat This, Not That, and is currently working with the Military Special Operations Collaboration and the Harvard Dinner Project to produce a cookbook for special operations families.
CONNECT WITH HEATHER
Featured
