Our Chat with Heather Campbell

GIVE US A BEHIND-THE-SCENES PEEK AT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY – HOW DID YOU BECOME A MILITARY SPOUSE (MILSPOUSE)? WHAT DO YOU DO IN ADDITION TO BEING A MILSPOUSE? AND A FUN FACT ABOUT YOUR MILITARY FAMILY?

I'm a lifelong military groupie who now leads my own band of groupies. I met my husband while I was on a full scholarship studying for my PhD. We had no intentions of anything serious developing between us, but mutual friends insisted that we'd hit it off- despite living hundreds of miles apart. They were right. A year after meeting we were married and I was joining my active duty husband at his first duty station after leaving graduate school early. By year 4 of marriage, we'd moved overseas, bought and sold our first house, had our first deployment and reintegration cycle, switched to a one-income household, and were expecting baby 3! I guess you could say that the Campbells do everything full throttle.

During this season, we experienced financial hardship and food insecurity that led to a desire to serve my peers who were also struggling. As I researched to understand the pain points of my community and find solutions, I also used my professional background in finance and nutrition to help military families along the way. Over the past five years, my advocacy has led to being a nationally recognized subject matter expert in family readiness and food insecurity, which has offered more opportunities to generate impactful changes for these families. Now I continue to serve in a variety of capacities informing decision-makers, impacting policy, and serving the families who serve in our military.

A fun fact about my family is we moved three times in just three years, making me more of a wannabe minimalist than ever before!

WHICH MILITARY BRANCH DOES YOUR SPOUSE SERVE IN AND FOR HOW MANY YEARS HAS HE SERVED?

Active duty Air Force for 13 years.

WHERE HAS THE MILITARY MOVED YOUR FAMILY OVER THE YEARS? WHICH WAS YOUR FAVORITE DUTY STATION AND WHY?

We seem to ping pong between the Southeast and Interior Alaska. We've crossed the continent North to South and West to East 4 times in 8 years.

Every place we've been has given us special memories that we've cherished, but our most unexpected enjoyment was at Eielson AFB, Alaska. It's a remote base with a high ops tempo and had the most beautiful Northern Lights in the winter and amazing midnight sun in the summer. It's not like any other place we've ever lived, and it has completely changed the way we engage with our community and lead our family.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT BEING A MILITARY SPOUSE? TELL US SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVE LEARNED OR HAS MADE YOU STRONGER BECAUSE YOU ARE A MILSPOUSE?

My favorite part of being a military spouse is being highly vested in the success of my fellow military families. When our families and homes are well provided for and secure, our military members can excel in the mission they're assigned to. When our families succeed, our mission succeeds, and our national security succeeds. I take a lot of pride in doing my part to serve this community.

WHO INSPIRES YOU AND WHY?

I am most inspired by the military families who serve beside us and those who served before us. I had a misconception about military spouses that has been proven wrong time and time again. Spouses are educated, experienced, dedicated to the mission, and involved in the success of the mission and the community. I'm constantly meeting men and women who inspire me to do more.

Trailblazer Mini Bracelet with Meaning Card - You’re an innovator, fearlessly leading the way with a sense of adventure, and passionate about implementing the endless ideas that keep you up at night. Wear this bracelet as your everyday reminder to remain curious, cultivate a mindset of persistence, and believe that your journey inspires others who are looking to you as an example of what’s possible.

WHICH CHARLIEMADISON EVERYDAY REMINDER DO YOU WEAR ON YOUR WRIST AND WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THAT PARTICULAR BRACELET?

I love the Trailblazer bracelet from 2023 Military Influencer Conference. This conference was one of the first times that I felt like I belonged in the room with changemakers, instead of like an imposter. This bracelet helps me remember that I do belong and that I'm helping change lives.

Shop Her Bracelet

WHAT DO YOU DO TO STAY CONNECTED TO WHAT MATTERS MOST, DESPITE THE UNCERTAINTY, FREQUENT MOVES, AND DEPLOYMENTS THAT GO ALONG WITH BEING A MILITARY FAMILY?

We are intentional about putting our family first, no matter what the current job is for either of us as parents. Our family will outlast every job, and with a high relocation tempo, we want to ensure that our children never doubt who they are and where they come from.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A FELLOW MILITARY SPOUSE WHO IS STRUGGLING WITH MILITARY LIFE OR DEPLOYMENT?

If you're struggling with some of the more difficult aspects of military life, there are three things I would recommend.

1. Find a mentor in this community. It could be a peer or someone who has been here longer than you, but have someone in your life that you want to learn from. Let them know you'd like to be mentored by them, then rise to the occassion.

2. Do what the locals do. In whatever place you live, find what the locals do for fun and do. those. things! Whether it's chasing Northern Lights and curling in Fairbanks, Alaska or attending SEC football games in the South or visiting historic cites in Virginia. Find what makes your current location different and what it has to offer that other places might not.

3. Do not romanticize what you do not have. Changing locations, employment status, or family structure might solve one problem but will come with new ones. Always water the grass in your own yard and do the hard work to build a life you love.

WE HAPPEN TO BE QUOTE LOVERS AROUND HERE – CAN YOU SHARE A FAVORITE QUOTE THAT KEEPS YOU INSPIRED?

Our faith is important to our family and it lays the foundation for most of the decisions we make. I try to remember to use whatever circumstances or blessings I have to show love, mercy, and kindness to the people I encounter.

"Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." 1 Cor 10:31

Where can our readers find you online?

linkedin.com/in/heatherscampbell

EMAIL

hello@glory-nutrition.com

Instagram

@glorynutrition

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Meet a MilSpouse Series

SHINING A LIGHT ON THE MILITARY SPOUSE COMMUNITY

Get inspired by the amazing things these military spouses are doing to support military families around the world