The Photo that changed my life - From the Archive
Added 2025-02-01 11:48:33 +0000 UTCI love this photo that Alex took. It's my favorite photo of myself. It very truly changed the course of my life. In 2020 I got called into my colonel's office and was shown this photo and asked if it was me. Of course it was, it was on my Instagram. I was a nationally ranked body builder, co-founder of a well known fitness brand, and model walking in runway shows. I didn't think there was anything wrong with it. It wasn't sexual, I was showing my gains and being a little silly. My husband took the photo. I had nothing to hide.
The Army didn't see it that way. I only received a small talking to and a little punishment. My stellar record of being the best company commander in my special forces support unit, making major early, winning secretary of the Army awards, would remain unblemished and I would surely command a battalion in a year or two, but I would have to give up everything else. No more viral social media posts about "doing both, being strong and feminine while leading men" No more photoshoots with Alex, or no more sharing them anyway.
I really did consider leaving all of that behind for some shiny medal earned in some far away country. But I think you all know where my heart really lies and what I picked. I'm grateful for this photo and the new life it represents thanks to Alex and to support from all of you.
Comments
thanks John, yeah thats definitely true.
Memoirs of Steph
2025-02-02 11:42:11 +0000 UTCthank you Tommy :)
Memoirs of Steph
2025-02-02 11:41:32 +0000 UTCthank you Marti :) me too
Memoirs of Steph
2025-02-02 11:41:18 +0000 UTCthank you. Yeah thats really kind of you to say
Memoirs of Steph
2025-02-02 11:41:04 +0000 UTCthanks so much. I appreciate your support over the years :)
Memoirs of Steph
2025-02-02 11:40:32 +0000 UTCHaha thanks, yeah. It would have been a really different life. And ha, I've posted this one a few times. I just wanted to use the original IG post.
Memoirs of Steph
2025-02-02 11:40:08 +0000 UTCI think we would have lost so much if you had stayed in! Love your life as you live it, and show it to us! Always raises my spirits! ❤️😇 Can you lose the black bars since it isn't on IG? I'll never tell! 🤐
David
2025-02-01 16:03:26 +0000 UTCProud of you and your courage Steph!
LDLOUIS66
2025-02-01 15:44:54 +0000 UTCSometimes we have to work with the averages, always great you are around
Retiredtrucker2021
2025-02-01 13:53:19 +0000 UTCThe Army's loss was our gain, I'm so glad you chose this.
Marti
2025-02-01 13:44:00 +0000 UTCThank you 🫡 …thank Alex 🙌 … and Thank God 🙏 😘😘😘
Tommy Huston
2025-02-01 13:37:44 +0000 UTCwhen my S-3 wanted me to go to the Point, I bought a book from the PX on what was expected of an O&G and his partner/spouse...I didn't have said Spouse back then but knew that when I did get one, it was too much BS to put up with...almost willing to bet that if you had been a Corporal like I was, they wouldn't have said a thing...unless the CO was hitting on you of course...OERs and NCOERs are the worst thing they ever did to Soldiers...
John
2025-02-01 13:28:38 +0000 UTCMy mom is an artist and she even modeled she never wanted me in the military to begin with. She’s always been very supportive though.
Memoirs of Steph
2025-02-01 12:57:52 +0000 UTCIf you don’t mind me asking, how did the rest of your family react?
Joel Dailey
2025-02-01 12:38:29 +0000 UTCThanks :) I think so too
Memoirs of Steph
2025-02-01 12:34:40 +0000 UTCThanks Joel, it was a really tough time for me but Alex helped me come out the otherside.
Memoirs of Steph
2025-02-01 12:34:33 +0000 UTCYou made a bold career decision. Others would’ve chosen the comfortable option but after thinking it thru and discussing with those around you, you chose the path that was a different trajectory than you had intended. Making big decisions are never easy, if it was it wouldn’t be as awesome or satisfying in the end.
Joel Dailey
2025-02-01 12:25:01 +0000 UTCYou made the right choice👍🌹🥰
natureman
2025-02-01 11:52:40 +0000 UTC
