Match to Serve is proudly sponsored by The Transcend Basis.
US Military Sergeant Main Greg Keller described himself as a naturally match child who performed a number of totally different sports activities. He was additionally fairly certain he knew what he was going to do along with his life from a really early age. Whereas many youngsters of his era had been into video video games, he was within the army. Each of Greg’s grandfathers served within the Military following World Warfare II, however he learn many historical past books, however studying concerning the Military Rangers in Vietnam actually stood out to him.
He recalled, “I’d go to the bookstore and browse all of them. I learn so a lot of these books as a child that I grew to become obsessive about it.”
Later in his childhood, he noticed documentaries concerning the depth and dedication of people who undergo the brutally tough Navy SEALs “Hell Week” coaching in addition to protection of the Finest Ranger Competitors, which fueled his ardour concerning the army much more. By the point “Black Hawk Down” got here out in 2001, Keller knew what he was going to do along with his life.
“It was over. The one factor I used to be doing was going into Particular Operations, and I used to be hell bent.”
He wasted no time making an influence, both. Keller was an18B Senior Weapons Sergeant on Particular Forces Detachment-Alphas (SFOD-As) in fifth, nineteenth, and tenth Particular Forces Teams (Airborne). He held different roles all through his profession as properly, together with being the Battalion Assist Firm First Sergeant, and Technical Info Assist Firm Sergeant Main.
Apart from changing into a Inexperienced Beret, he has earned many honors and awards alongside the best way, together with two Silver Stars, three Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts, Military Commendation Medal for Valor, Particular Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, two Military Commendation Medals, Navy Commendation Medal, and three Military Achievement Medals, amongst different recognitions.
Keller’s spouse, Virginia was his highschool sweetheart, and she or he was alongside him for each step of his army profession up to now. They’d a number of ups and downs alongside the best way, together with in 2021, when her husband suffered a mind stem stroke.
“I went from being fairly match to being in a hospital mattress for a number of months,” he shared. “The entire proper aspect of my physique was fully paralyzed.”
As tough as that’s to beat, Keller’s docs mentioned that his health was an enormous asset for his rehab. The uncertainty that comes from an incident like that may have an effect on the entire household, particularly her, who needed to offer the very best assist doable for him in addition to elevating their two youngsters.
“My connection to health got here from needing an outlet after his stroke simply to handle my stress ranges.”
Virginia’s dedication led her to the bodybuilding stage as a result of she felt she wanted “one thing excessive” to work in direction of. In 2022, she competed within the NPC Bikini division at that 12 months’s Mile Excessive Championships. She positioned second in that present’s True Novice Class A. She hadn’t been again onstage since, however that can change within the spring of 2025.
“I haven’t picked a particular present out but, however I’ll step onstage once more.”
Greg was clearly her greatest supporter, and her efficiency then and dedication now evokes him as properly.
“Fairly actually, it motivates me. Her stepping into the gymnasium to today helps me keep motivated,” he mentioned. “It may be exhausting to remain motivated once I can’t do what I used to do, however I’ve to do what I can or else I’ll lose what I’ve gotten again.”
Keller’s nonetheless lively within the army as properly. In the present day, he works because the Senior Enlisted Chief of the USSOCOM Preservation of the Power & Household. Their mission is to construct and implement a holistic method to handle the strain of the power by addressing bodily, psychological, social and household, religious, and cognitive wants. It’s an workplace job, however he places in the identical dedication as he did in any of his different roles. Virginia acknowledged that his dedication is one other instance of how a lot he loves his nation.
“It’s unwaverable.”
Keller has 50 % utilization of his proper aspect. So, he’s restricted in what he can do within the gymnasium in comparison with the time earlier than his stroke. Nevertheless, he nonetheless commits to being match by coaching commonly. He rides an train bike and makes use of extra machines than free weights these days as a result of it’s a safer choice, however he pushes himself to the very best of his means, which remains to be reasonably spectacular.
“I can preserve an honest high quality of life that I may not have been in a position to get again had I not been within the form I used to be when it occurred.”
Being Match to Serve is a Household Matter
Each Greg and Virginia Keller emphasize the significance of being wholesome to their two sons, however they admit it isn’t that tough to affect them on health as a result of they’re lively already. Additionally they converse concerning the significance of diet.
“We do eat fairly clear and wholesome with protein and veggies,” Virginia mentioned. “There aren’t lots of processed carbs.”
Happily, they don’t must be inflexible in terms of exercise. Considered one of their sons works a full-time job in the summertime and trains in MMA. The opposite performs soccer and is coaching for that sport as properly. Each mother and father really feel assured they are going to be profitable as adults, whether or not in addition they be a part of the army or not. That mentioned, Keller feels younger People in the present day ought to do not forget that service is an choice that’s value contemplating. Those who do be a part of ought to put together by specializing in health now.
“The vast majority of the army requires you to be wholesome and fairly match, and you’ll do exactly positive.”
Keller Household Health Suggestions
Everybody can discover methods to enhance, however the Kellers’ story verifies that it may be much more useful and pleasing when these you like are centered on being their greatest selves as properly. They hope others see their message as an incentive to start their very own health journeys. Virginia shared that merely taking the primary steps (actually and figuratively) could make a distinction.
“Simply get began. Motivation follows motion!”
Greg’s story is proof that not day-after-day would be the similar, however you possibly can and will take advantage of out of it since you may have it. He presents encouragement to people who can use a reminder that merely sticking to the dedication will probably be well worth the reward.
“Health is a lifetime pursuit,” he mentioned. “Consistency is vital; don’t let a foul day, a foul week, or a foul 12 months completely derail your health journey.”
M&F Senior Army Editor Rob Wilkins contributed to this text.
