Be Fit to Serve

Fit to Serve is proudly sponsored by The Transcend Foundation.

Service and Fitness: A Lifelong Commitment

Retired United States Air Force Senior Master Sergeant Aaron Love’s life and success have two pillars of consistency – service and fitness. The latter has been a part of him since he was young, and he credits part of that to Muscle & Fitness. Love recalls distinctly reading an issue of the magazine with Jay Cutler on the cover in 1998 or 1999. The four-time Mr. Olympia’s physique and pursuit of greatness inspired the young northeast Ohio native.

Learning from a Legend

Cutler’s dedication to his craft resonated with Love. He would often wake up in the middle of the night in Las Vegas to fit in a third workout, a habit that left a lasting impression on Love. He admired Cutler’s work ethic and learned valuable lessons about what real dedication looked like and the importance of putting others before oneself.

Servicing the Country

Love took those lessons to heart and applied them both personally and professionally. After the 9/11 attacks, he felt compelled to serve his country and joined the Air Force. His grandfather’s words, "Every generation owes America, but you don’t know how yet," motivated him to take action.

22 Years of Service

Love’s service spanned 22 years, with 18 of those as a pararescueman, or PJ. He was part of the Global War on Terror, performing tasks such as the Air Force Special Operations Command. Although he initially failed to get selected, he persisted and made it through the selection process on his second attempt. The experience taught him valuable lessons about shame, embarrassment, and perseverance.

Making a Difference

Love’s service involved multiple deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and other parts of the world where stability was needed. As a PJ, he was trained to be ready to respond to a call to rescue a service member or retrieve equipment at risk of being lost to an enemy. His role was not only physically demanding but also emotionally challenging, requiring him to stay focused under pressure.

Fitness in the Military

Love’s personal commitment to fitness was crucial, as the call to serve could come at any moment. He had to be prepared, which is why his fitness routine was essential. He shared, "The call may not come on that day, but you still have to work super hard on your fitness. One time I was doing a squat session when the pager went off."

Post-Military Pursuits

After his military career, Love remained committed to being the best version of himself. He trained in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, earning a purple belt. He hopes to inspire other veterans to maintain their fitness and continue serving in various ways.

Podcasting

Love is now a driving force behind the Ones Ready podcast, working as a host, producer, social media manager, and Chief Information Officer (CIO). The podcast focuses on preparing individuals for Air Force Special Operations, such as Navy SEALs and Army Rangers. He is also involved with The War Room podcast, covering all branches of the military. Love is set to launch his own podcast, aimed at paying it forward to the next generation.

Fitness Tips for Future Service Members

Love shares three pieces of advice for those considering a military career:

Clean Up Your Diet and Drink Water

"You will be shocked at your progress within a month if you just cut out processed foods, drink water with bodyweight in ounces. You will be nearly unrecognizable just by making those changes."

Increase Time on Feet and Be More Active

"It is a crazy thing that you wouldn’t think is important, but we have good and objective data that shows lower body musculoskeletal injuries is the most damaging thing to new recruits in the military because many of them are not running around playing like my generation did as kids."

Follow a Consistent Workout Program

"You would be shocked how many people that come into the military have honestly never done some sort of physical training program. A lot of people don’t focus enough on that."

Conclusion

Aaron Love’s dedication to service and fitness is an inspiration to all. His experiences in the military, as well as his post-military pursuits, demonstrate his commitment to paying it forward to the next generation. By sharing his stories and advice, Love hopes to inspire others to pursue their own path of service and fitness.

FAQs

Q: What motivated Aaron Love to join the Air Force?
A: The 9/11 attacks motivated Love to take action and serve his country.

Q: What is Aaron Love’s take on the importance of fitness in the military?
A: Fitness is crucial in the military, as the call to serve can come at any moment. Love believes that staying fit requires dedication and hard work.

Q: How does Aaron Love stay fit outside of the military?
A: Love stays fit through training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and working out regularly. He also believes in the importance of a clean diet and drinking plenty of water.

Q: What inspired Aaron Love to start the Ones Ready podcast?
A: Love’s inspiration to start the podcast came from his passion to help prepare individuals for Air Force Special Operations, such as Navy SEALs and Army Rangers.