It’s possible you’ll know the Honorable Rob Wilkins as a member of the President’s Council on Sports activities, Health, and Diet or because the Senior Navy Editor for Muscle & Health. Other than these positions, Wilkins can be a proud father, husband, and 26-year veteran of the USA Air Pressure. Whereas others might separate service to nation and private health, Wilkins has discovered the 2 to intertwine all through his life.

Wilkins’ household has been concerned in service to America for the reason that very starting. His sixth-great grandfather was concerned within the American Revolution within the 1770’s. That connection, together with a private want to serve his nation led the New Jersey native to affix himself. It’s a household custom in his eyes.

“I’ve a number of cousins which might be presently serving, so going all the best way again to the Revolutionary Warfare to present instances, somebody on my mother’s or dad’s facet of the household have served within the navy. We contemplate it an honor to be part of those who shield our freedoms.”

Wilkins’ private journey within the navy began when he joined the USA Air Pressure. Other than following within the footsteps of his ancestors, he discovered it to be a good way to hunt journey, journey the world, and meet lots of people.

“I bought to see what the world appeared like outdoors of New Jersey. I selected the Air Pressure as a result of I had an uncle who served, and we spoke about it,” he recalled. “So, I joined in 1982, and I went to Lackland Boot Camp in January of 1983.”

Throughout his navy profession, Wilkins go to see and work in 43 completely different international locations, together with Germany, England, and Italy, amongst others. He additionally hung out in Florida, and served the ultimate eight years of his profession working within the Pentagon.

Whereas he was in West Germany (through the Chilly Warfare), Wilkins took up weight coaching and wished to be taught as a lot as he might about easy methods to get in higher form. He discovered that it not solely helped him put together for future deployments, it helped improve his self-confidence. His analysis led him to discovering the boys who might be known as the fathers of the bodybuilding trade, Joe and Ben Weider. Wilkins opted to ship them Christmas playing cards one yr to precise his thanks for his or her ardour and efforts.

“I had thought nothing of it. I simply loved the magazines.”

Each Joe and Ben wrote him again. Ben Weider had served within the navy himself for his house nation of Canada. So, he felt a connection to the younger American. Weider expressed his personal gratitude together with hopes that they may work collectively sooner or later as soon as he returned to American soil. As soon as Wilkins was stationed at Patrick Air Pressure Base, he adopted up by writing Ben one other letter.

“I held him to that,” he mentioned with amusing. “At first, I believed it was simply variety phrases to say, however he meant it.”

In 1990, Ben Weider would appoint Wilkins because the IFBB Liaison to the navy, a place he was very proud to carry, and allowed him to stay related to Weider for the following a number of years. Each Weiders would supply donations to the navy resembling dietary supplements or clothes, tickets to reveals, and even cash in some instances. Wilkins was the coordinator of these contributions.

“I might discover out what the necessity was, go that info on to Ben, and we might make it occur. I might then assist organize a gathering if it was doable so they may thank him for his goodness. At his coronary heart, Ben was a navy man.”

Ben Weider handed away in 2008, as did Joe in 2013, however Wilkins stays steadfast to fulfilling their joint mission to advertise health each out and in of the navy neighborhood. One other alternative to serve got here when he was nominated to serve on the President’s Council on Sports activities, Health, and Diet. Wilkins was confirmed to serve beneath President Donald Trump for a two-year time period, and he was requested to serve for one more time period by President Joe Biden. There aren’t many People which have served beneath two Presidential administrations, and even fewer have served beneath these of various political events. This can be a tribute to Wilkins’ dedication to nation.

“There are some things that carry immense pleasure. One for me is household, second is my navy service, after which there’s the chance to serve my nation once more in such an vital position as a member of the President’s Council on Sports activities, Health, and Diet,” he mentioned proudly. “There are individuals who may not agree on many issues, however they will agree on going to the fitness center or figuring out.”

Wilkins has taken his dedication to his passions to a brand new stage, particularly for the month of November. He has based Nationwide Navy Health and Wellness Month, a month to extend consciousness on the significance of bodily exercise, stress administration, and correct diet inside the navy neighborhood. Muscle & Health President Dan Solomon and Director of Media Growth Frank Sepe are becoming a member of Wilkins on this trigger. Like Solomon and Sepe, Wilkins’ best attribute could also be his skill to carry folks collectively for a standard trigger resembling health. His campaign has seen him be joined by everybody at M&F, which he expressed gratitude for.

“I need to take the time to everybody at Muscle & Health for all they do to assist promote health within the navy neighborhood, together with assist with the Match to Serve column, which is the world’s largest navy, legislation enforcement, and civil service column that promotes the significance of health.”

Beneath Wilkins’ steerage, he hopes to assist promote a wholesome and lively way of life to these heroes who’ve protected our freedom, as a result of they’re wanted and wished greater than ever each of their communities and by their households.

“With an growing variety of navy personnel and relations dealing with medical challenges attributable to bodily inactivity and poor diets. Nationwide Navy Health and Wellness Month is the best time to make health a precedence,” commented Wilkins.

Other than that goal, Wilkins feels this might be one other solution to present his appreciation for all those who have served within the Armed Forces as he had for over a quarter-century.

“Freedom shouldn’t be free. The women and men that shield our nation are wonderful folks that do so much with out a whole lot of fanfare. They do it as a result of they need to, not for pats on the again. That might really be the true spotlight of my profession, assembly such wonderful People from all completely different backgrounds, that make up the material of America.”

Comply with Rob on Instagram @rob.wilkins.359 and on LinkedIn by trying to find “rob wilkins.” To be taught extra about Nationwide Navy Health and Wellness Month, go to the Muscle & Health YouTube channel.