The latest episode of the Fit to Service podcast features United States Marine Tim Wilkins and Bushido Brotherhood veteran founder Jeric Fry. Frye and Wilkins took a trip down memory lane to talk about Frye’s years of service, the lessons he learned along the way, and how he was able to overcome the struggles of transitioning to civilian life to create opportunities and community for veterans.
A brief review of the interview wouldn’t do the episode justice, so watch the full interview highly recommended. However, there were five key guidelines to consider as they can help future members and veterans alike.
BECOMING A NAVY IS A LONG PROCESS THAT INCLUDES CARDIO
Fry entered the recruiter’s office, planning to fly over it and immediately jump into the fray. Turns out it doesn’t work that way. There is a lot of education, testing, and preparation that goes into becoming a Marine. Frye’s journey was filled with more preparation for war than actual participation in the conflict. Fortunately, growing up in a blue-collar family in western Pennsylvania prepared him for that.
Although he was willing to take the necessary steps, he advised future Marines that you don’t get sworn in today and jump on a plane overseas tomorrow. That extra time served him well, but it helped him adjust to the environment and get in better shape once he was in training camp.
“I went there a little heavy,” he admitted. “It’s been running every day and constant movement, constant cardio, but I’m used to it.”
THE PRESSURE TO BE GREAT IS VERY REAL
Many people think that they have the illusion of traveling around the world to participate in actions that can be life-threatening in order to protect their country. Fry took his insight and applied it to everything he did as it related to his future role as a shooter.
“The only thing I could do was that people’s lives were in my hands.”
Even as prepared and thoughtful as he was in his training, the realization and seriousness of the situation hit Fry as he and the other Marines on the ship prepared to depart.
Save the Americans who were in danger. As Fry says during the interview, there were times when he questioned his decisions up to this point.
“It was a legitimate war zone. We were sitting there on a beautiful sea and buildings were disappearing.”
FITNESS CAN BE TONE DURING AND AFTER YOUR SERVICES
Fry enjoyed the deployment as they worked, made changes and spent time with fellow Marines. He described it as a simple life.
“We’d work out, lift weights and hang out. Man stuff.”
Fry told Wilkins stories about his grandfather, including one where at age 75 he was doing flyes with 75-pound dumbbells. An implicit lesson he learned from his grandfather that holds true in his own life is that fitness is more than a hobby, it can be an anchor.
“No matter what else fails in my life, (fitness) keeps me centered.”
SOMETIMES YOU NEED TO TAKE YOUR OWN OPPORTUNITIES
When Fry left the service and became a veteran, he tried to find work, but struggled to do so because he did not have a college degree. Like many servicemen who had to return to civilian life, Fry struggled. The structured routine that comes with becoming a Marine becomes a mindset and a way of life. Unfortunately, this does not transfer easily to the business world.
With no current identity, community, or purpose, Frye admitted that he struggles with depression, survivor’s guilt, post-traumatic stress disorder, and at one point turned to glass. He eventually got a job digging holes for a plumbing company, but lost a sense of who he was.
“I was the best I was at 25,” he says solemnly. Not content with where he was at this point, Fry recalled that he used to be a barber at Quantico, Fry went to a barber shop one day with his tools, and after his plumbing job, he went to a barber shop until he finally got a chance to cut someone’s hair. When he got his chance, he never looked back.
“Within six months, I quit my plumbing job and was barbering.”
Being PART OF THE COMMUNITY can change and save lives
It was while barbering that he also discovered jiu-jitsu. Going to training in this discipline made him join the ranks of other veterans who were just trying to get better. Fry found himself
community, and it was this that led him to eventually found the Bushido Brotherhood of Veterans. Creating a non-profit organization that helps other veterans find their communities and herself through fitness has served her well as those who need her services. She confirmed that after a long period of confusion and struggling with various issues, VBB and training on the mat gave her a purpose.
“I’m here to spread this message, not because I want to or because I have to, but because I have to,” he said. “Because it saves lives.”
There was more to this podcast than could be recorded here. You can watch the full episode of Fry’s interview here Muscles and fitness YouTube channel. Be sure to subscribe so you can see more episodes of Fit to Serve, as well as other podcasts and shows as they air.
You can learn more about Fry here.
