The latest episode of the Fit to Serve Podcast with Tim Wilkins featured retired United States Marine and founder of the Veteran Bushido Brotherhood, Jerrick Fry. Fry and Wilkins took a trip down memory lane to reflect on Fry’s years of service, the lessons he learned during that trip, and how he was able to break through the struggle to transition to civilian life to create opportunities and a community for veterans like himself.
So a brief recap of the interview will not do justice to the episode. watching the full interview Highly recommended. However, there were five key things that are important to consider as they can help future service members and veterans alike.
Becoming a Marine is a Long Process That Involves Cardio
Fry went to a recruiter’s office and made a plan to fly there and jump into battle immediately. Turns out, it doesn’t work that way. Becoming a Marine requires a lot of education, testing, and preparation. Fry’s journey was filled more with preparation for war than actual participation in the conflict. Fortunately, growing up in a blue-collar family in western Pennsylvania prepared him for this.
Even though he was willing to take the necessary steps, he advised future Marines not to take the oath today and not board a plane overseas tomorrow. However, that extra time turned out to be good for him, as the time spent in boot camp helped him acclimate to the environment and get in better shape.
“I went in there a little heavy,” he admitted. “It took running every day and being constantly moving, constantly doing cardio, but I got used to it.”
The pressure to be great is very real
Many people think they have an idea of what it would be like to travel around the world to defend their country to participate in operations that can put lives at risk. Fry took his understanding and applied it to everything he did because his future role as a gunner involved some risk.
“I could only say that people’s lives are in my hands.”
Even with all the preparation and thought he had put into his training, the gravity and realization of the situation hit Fry as he and other Marines prepared to board a ship.
Rescue the Americans who were in danger. As Fry said throughout the interview, at times he questioned his decisions up to that point.
“It was a legitimate war zone. We were sitting there in a beautiful ocean, and buildings were disappearing.”
Fitness during and after service may be a basis
Fry enjoyed his time on deployment as he was working, making a difference and spending time with fellow Marines. He called it a simple life.
“We’ll work out, lift weights and hang out. Dude stuff.”
Fry also shared stories with Wilkins about his grandfather, including performing flies with 75-pound dumbbells at age 75. The indirect lesson he learned from his grandfather proved true in his life that fitness is more than a hobby, it can be a support.
“No matter what else fails in my life, (fitness) keeps me focused.”
Sometimes you need to make your own opportunities
Once Fry left the service and became a veteran, he tried to find a job but struggled to do so because he did not have a college degree. Like many service members who need to return to civilian life, Fry struggled. The structured organization that comes with becoming a Marine becomes a mindset and a lifestyle. Unfortunately, this doesn’t transfer so easily to the business world.
Without any existing identity, community or purpose, Fry admitted he struggled with depression, survivor guilt, post-traumatic stress disorder and at one point turned to the bottle. He eventually got a job digging holes for a plumbing company, but he had no idea who he was.
“At 25, I was the coolest person ever,” he said candidly. Dissatisfied with where he was at this point and remembering that he used to be a barber at Quantico, Fry went to a barber shop one day with his tools and kept going back after the plumbing job was finished until he finally got a chance to cut someone’s hair. Once he got the opportunity he never looked back.
“Within six months, I quit my plumbing job and started working as a barber.”
Becoming part of a community can be life-changing and saving
He also discovered jiu-jitsu while he was barbering. By training in this discipline, he joined other veterans who were trying to get even better. fry got his
community, and this was what ultimately inspired him to create the Veteran Bushido Brotherhood. Creating a nonprofit that helps other veterans find their communities and themselves through fitness has helped him as much as it has helped those who needed his services. He confirmed that after struggling with confusion and various issues for a long time, training on VBB and MAT has given him a purpose.
“I am here to spread this message, not because I want to or because I have an ego, but because I have to,” he said. “Because it saves lives.”
There’s more to this podcast than can be captured here. You can watch the full episode of Fry’s interview here muscle and health Youtube channel. Make sure you’re subscribed so you can watch more episodes of Fit to Serve as well as other podcasts and shows when they premiere.
You can learn more about Fry here.
