San Antonio Express-News (Sunday)
Veteran fights hisway back to military shape
Looking good in uniform was not simply an aspiration for Richard Chance. It was part of his job.
Chance was a member of the Air Force Honor Guard, whose creed states: “While on ceremonies, I stand sharp and crisp, motionless by choice, for I have voluntarily chosen to represent every member past and present of the United States Air Force.”
The Honor Guard represents the Air Force at all official ceremonies. Members greet foreign dignitaries, stand guard at military funerals and attend important White House occasions.
For Chance, representing the military was deeply personal.
“It’s a family thing,” he said. “I have grandparents and uncles in the military. After I went into service, my brother ended up joining.”
His grandfather was a Vietnam veteran, who flew helicopters in the Marine Corps.
“Seeing what he did, looking at his old military pictures and hearing his stories, it inspired me,” Chance said.
He enrolled right after high school in 2009. Originally from Gilmer, in East Texas, he started basic training in San Antonio.
When Chance joined the Honor Guard, he moved to the headquarters in Washington, D.C.
His appearance had to be picture perfect in this post. “You have certain physical requirements and have to pass certain tests,” he said. “You also have to carry yourself in a certain way.”
After all, Chance was tasked with a ceremonial and symbolic role.
“We are the recruitment pitch,” he said with a laugh. “We’re the ones on the commercials. We’re the ones marching in parades. It’s definitely the face of the military.”
But when Chance transitioned out of the military in 2013, his uniform grew snug.
He was busy. At the time, he and his wife, Dolores, were caring for their 6-month-old daughter Michelle at their new home in Richmond.
In addition, Chance was starting a new career at a cable network
company, where he worked his way up from a technician to a supervisor.
Fitness was no longer a top priority, and Chance struggled to work out alone.
“I moved to a new city, and I didn’t know anyone here,” he said. “I got out of shape. I tried to go to a random gym, but it didn’t stick with me. I got out of the military and kind of let it go.”
The issue, Chance realized, was working out alone.
In high school, he played sports with a team. While he was in service, he continued to exercise with others.
“You wake up in the morning and go for a run with a crew,” Chance said. “When you get out of the military, you’re like, ‘What do I do by myself?’ If you ask me to work out by myself, I’m terrible at it.”
He gained almost 70 pounds. “It’s something you notice, when you used to go for a 5K in the morning and now you’re going upstairs and breathing
heavy,” he said. “Your clothes fit differently. You look different.”
One day at work, the vicepresident of the company mentioned Orangetheory, a gym that provides hourlong classes mixing trainer-led cardio and strength-training. It sounded appealing to Chance, but first he wanted to learn more.
“I’m not one to jump headfirst into something,” Chance said. “I always do my research.”
He had been thinking about working out for a while — and this group environment sounded appealing. Chance signed up for an introductory class in June. The first day, he told his trainer Miguel Rodriguez that he was out of shape.
“Don’t worry, we’ll go slow,” Rodriguez replied.
“It was good to hear someone was going to help,” Chance recalled.
He signed up for eight more sessions. “It felt good,” Chance said. “I had a coach giving me motivation, and everyone there
was cheering me on. By the time I finished my classes, I didn’t want it to stop.”
Now he goes every day of the week.
“It takes me back to how I was used to working out,” Chance said. “You have a coach telling you what to do and pushing you.”
He feels stronger and has more energy and endurance. At the beginning, he struggled to run a half a mile.
“I had to do a lot of walking,” Chance recalled. “Last week, I ran a mile, and I ran the whole thing in 10 minutes. Afterwards, I thought, ‘I can still go more.’ ”
He added that his confidence has increased, as well. And he has lost 40 pounds.
“My goal is to get to where I was in the military,” Chance said. “Then, I can just stay consistent. I have a little one now. I don’t want to let my health go. I want to stay active and stay fit.”
Finding a way to exercise that suited his personality was a game changer for Chance. Now, it’s something he recommends to others. Perseverance is also key, he said.
“When you get started, you may want to quit,” he said. “You get tired. But once you start, it only gets easier.”
Working out with others pushes him forward. “When I have other people cheering me on, I get a little faster, do a little more,” Chance said.
That’s something his trainer notices.
“With everything Richard does, he gives 100 percent,” Rodriguez said. “He doesn’t shy away from talking to other members. He’s always checking on people, and it’s really awesome to see. It’s pretty unique.”
Rodriguez said that Chance has been an inspiration to his classmates.
“Richard was very determined from the get-go,” Rodriguez said. “It makes your experience as a trainer even better, and it’s made his experience more fun.”