What Was Your Aircraft Carrier?

I don’t talk about it much, but I work at USAA as a Sourcing and Procurement Manager. I love the mission, and I’ve been a member for over 20 years.

On our campus, the walls are filled with military pictures. As I was walking down the hallway today, I noticed a picture of an aircraft carrier. I’ve seen it plenty of times before, but today, it hit me differently.

It brought back a flood of memories, and I couldn’t help but laugh to myself.

“You were on three of these things. You’ve been through some real challenges. Nothing here compares to that.”

In that moment, I was reminded of what I’ve been through, and that I can take on anything that comes my way.

My final deployment in the Navy was both the most challenging and the most rewarding.

I was the Principal Assistant for Logistics (PAL), responsible for all logistics in support of the ship and aircraft, right in the middle of COVID.

It was an 11-month deployment. A logistical nightmare.

• Making sure we always had enough supplies (even toilet paper).

• Shifting from Fifth Fleet to Africa to support operations where logistics were almost non-existent.

• Dealing with constant uncertainty, schedule changes, and surprises.

And yet, my team fought through every obstacle. We adapted, overcame, and had a successful deployment.

I’ve never been prouder of a team.

When I saw that picture today, in the span of ten seconds, all those challenges and victories rushed through my mind. I remembered it all. And I felt unstoppable.

Here’s the thing: nothing I face in my day-to-day life now can compare to what I went through on that deployment.

And the same goes for you.

You’ve been through battles of your own. You’ve overcome things that once felt impossible. But have you stopped to remind yourself of that lately?

When’s the last time you said to yourself: “I did that.”

When’s the last time you stopped and thought about the wins in your life?

One tool I recommend to my clients is keeping a “Wins Journal.”

• Write down every win, big or small.

• Use your notes app or a notebook, whatever works for you.

• Don’t discount anything. Some days, the smallest wins are the biggest victories.

Then, when self-doubt creeps in, when life feels heavy, when fear shows up, you can look back and remind yourself of who you are and what you’ve already overcome.

If you’ve been through trauma, you’re stronger than you think.

If you’re still here today, you’re strong. Period.

Don’t discount that. You’re a survivor. And now, it’s time to become a thriver.

✨ Believe in yourself enough to take that first step.
✨ Step out in the face of fear and discomfort.
✨ Use your previous wins to fuel you forward.

I believe in you, but the real power comes when you believe in yourself.

So, let me ask you again: What’s your aircraft carrier?

Find it. Remember it. Use it. And let it push you forward in your healing journey.

Stay positive and take action!

Thank you for your support!

For resources, my programs, or to schedule a 30-minute discovery call, visit my website by clicking here.