We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Dr. Windy Blades a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Dr. Windy, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
From the day I left the military, I carried a vision close to my heart: creating a Health & Wellness Center specifically designed to serve Military, Veterans, First Responders, and their families. For over 30 years, this dream simmered in the background, but in early 2024, I decided it was time to act. The world was uncertain, and the market was challenging, but something within me felt called to leap.
I started small, launching as a “space within a space,” sharing resources with another business to test the waters. To my surprise, within months, the demand grew, and I made the bold decision to expand into a larger, dedicated space to accommodate group classes and better serve my community. This felt like a significant milestone—both thrilling and terrifying—because it required a deeper financial and emotional investment.
However, this expansion came with unforeseen challenges. Despite our efforts, the new location struggled to draw in clients, largely due to its less-than-ideal accessibility. The dream that had driven me for decades suddenly felt precarious, and I was faced with difficult decisions.
Looking back, while this chapter didn’t unfold as I had envisioned, it taught me invaluable lessons about resilience, adaptability, and the importance of location in serving a community. Taking that risk reaffirmed my commitment to my mission, and while this iteration of the center didn’t succeed as planned, it became a stepping stone toward refining my approach and strengthening my resolve.
Windy, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m a U.S. Army veteran with a lifelong commitment to health, wellness, and healing. My journey into the health and wellness industry stems from deeply personal experiences, including my own challenges with injuries, trauma, and recovery. After leaving the military, I faced significant physical and emotional struggles, including chronic pain, trauma from military service and life, and the uphill battle of rebuilding my health. For years, traditional approaches fell short for me, so I turned to a holistic path, incorporating nutrition, movement, hydration, and energy healing. This approach not only transformed my health but also reshaped how I view healing as a whole.
In 2024, I brought my vision to life by opening the brick-and-mortar of the Tactical Health & Wellness Center. Our center is a haven for Military, Veterans, First Responders, and their families, offering holistic services tailored to their unique needs. We specialize in personal training with a focus on core strengthening and functional movement, and we integrate energy healing services like Reiki to address mind, body, and spirit wellness. We aim to help clients regain strength, improve flexibility, and recover from injuries while fostering resilience and balance in their lives.
What sets us apart is our focus on serving those who serve. We understand the sacrifices and challenges faced by Military and First Responder communities, and we provide a judgment-free, supportive environment to meet their needs. Our methods are not about quick fixes but about lasting transformation. We combine evidence-based approaches with a deep understanding of the unique experiences of our clients, helping them reclaim their health and wellness in sustainable ways.
I’m most proud of the impact our work has on people’s lives. Whether it’s a veteran recovering their mobility, a first responder finding relief from chronic pain, or a family member rediscovering balance, each story of success fuels my passion. It’s humbling to be part of someone’s healing journey and to witness their resilience firsthand.
What I want potential clients to know about me and the Tactical Health & Wellness Center is that we’re more than a business—we’re a community. We’re here to support you with practical tools, personalized care, and a deep respect for your journey. No matter where you’re starting, we’re here to guide you toward greater strength, healing, and resilience.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
One of the most significant pivots I’ve made in my business was transitioning from a group fitness model to a personal training model. Initially, I envisioned my Health & Wellness Center as a place for group classes, where camaraderie and shared energy would drive healing and growth. However, as we expanded, I noticed that the needs of my target audience—Military, Veterans, and First Responders—required a more personalized approach. Many of them are managing injuries, trauma, or unique challenges that aren’t easily addressed in a group setting.
Making this shift was both a practical and emotional decision. It required rethinking my approach to service delivery, building stronger one-on-one relationships with clients, and tailoring programs to fit their individual needs. While the pivot was challenging, it allowed me to create a deeper impact. I could see firsthand how personalized attention helped clients progress faster, feel more supported, and achieve better results.
At the same time, this pivot inspired me to dive deeper into my areas of expertise, which is why I’m currently working on two books. The first focuses on core strengthening, not only from a physical perspective but also addressing the mental aspect—how a strong core can provide a foundation for resilience, balance, and confidence in daily life. The second book delves into functional movement training, highlighting its ability to prevent injuries, enhance mobility, and improve overall quality of life. Both books incorporate my personal journey, drawing from the challenges I’ve faced in rebuilding my own strength and wellness. By weaving in these experiences, I aim to make the books relatable and inspiring for others who may be struggling with similar obstacles.
This pivot has reaffirmed my belief in the importance of adaptability. Sometimes, you have to let go of your original plan to better serve your purpose. For me, that meant focusing on individualized training and diving into written works that will hopefully reach and help even more people.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
One story that truly illustrates my resilience comes from my personal journey of overcoming chronic pain and reclaiming my health. In my mid-30s, I was carrying 80 extra pounds, living with daily pain that I rated a 7 out of 10, and struggling to find answers. Despite seeking help from the Veterans Administration Hospital, I was met with prescriptions rather than solutions. The root cause of my pain remained a mystery, and I felt trapped in a cycle of discomfort and frustration.
Eventually, I realized that if I wanted to heal, I had to take control of my health in a way that traditional medicine wasn’t offering. I started educating myself on nutrition, movement, hydration, and alternative approaches like energy healing. It wasn’t easy—letting go of old habits and adopting a new mindset required discipline, patience, and a willingness to fail and try again. Slowly but surely, I began to see results. The chronic pain lessened, the extra weight came off, and I found a renewed sense of purpose.
This journey of resilience extended into my business life. When my physical location for the Tactical Health & Wellness Center closed, it would have been easy to view it as the end of the road. But I refused to give up on my mission. Instead, I pivoted to a personal training model, focusing on individualized care and building deeper connections with my clients. This shift allowed me to serve my community in a more tailored and impactful way, even without a brick-and-mortar space.
These experiences taught me that resilience isn’t just about enduring hardship—it’s about finding the strength to change, adapt, and continue pursuing your purpose. Whether it was rebuilding my health or reimagining my business, I’ve learned that progress is always possible when you stay committed and refuse to give up.
Now, when I work with clients, I bring that same resilience to the table. I understand what it’s like to face challenges that seem insurmountable, and I know firsthand the transformative power of persistence and adaptability. My journey is a reminder that even in the face of setbacks, there’s always a way forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tacticalhealthwellnesscenter.com
- Instagram: @tacticalhealthandwellness
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TacticalHealthWellnessCenter
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/windy-blades-dhsc-mph-hcc-dnv-chop-b-32b5b169/
- Yelp: https://biz.yelp.com/biz_info/g4K30kQACM6W9N0rFyGOwQ
Image Credits
Images taken by SB Cutts.