Naviere Walkewicz: Ms Veteran America 2019 - Full Bio
While it’s often recovery from tragedy that leads people to truly examine and appreciate what they have, for Naviere Walkewicz, it’s simply a way of life.
Finding herself in the fortunate position of having work she loves, a family who supports and encourages her, and a life she can truly say she chose for herself, Naviere is always looking for ways to help share what she has with others.
Recognizing that it's not enough to constantly treat internal pain, and worse to hide it from those counting on us to be strong, she has made it her life's mission to help other women identify their own traumas, and find tools to heal. Born into a military legacy, Naviere always knew that service would be an integral part of her journey. She was thankful of her parents’ engagement in her life and from them, learned the importance of education, hard work, integrity and compassion.
Her parents supported her by offering positivity when she’d take risks, encouragement when she doubted herself and perspective when things didn’t go as planned. They raised a curious woman who thrived on life “outside the box", and she worked hard to balance her childlike sense of adventure with her work ethic and sense of responsibility.
Even with that support, like many others, Naviere experienced the roller-coaster teen years. An overweight adolescent, Naviere found comfort from food and felt uncomfortable in her skin until her Mom introduced her to group fitness.
In one class, Naviere felt physically and emotionally empowered and knew group fitness would be an integral part of the rest of her life; that she was going to offer someone else that amazing self-power, even if only for one hour.
Before graduating high school Naviere knew the only life she would be happy with would include seeking and overcoming challenges that lived outside of her comfort zone, meaning that applying to “safety schools” was never part of her plan.
Instead, she applied solely to The Air Force Academy. With an incredibly low applicant acceptance rate (<15%), Naviere sought to represent not only herself, but other women.
In the summer of 1995 Naviere walked in as an Air Force Academy cadet and graduated four years later amongst just 12% of women in her class of 963. The next month, true to her self-promise, Naviere became certified in group fitness and her fitness legacy of changing the lives of women (predominantly) began.
Throughout her early active duty military career Naviere was recognized with numerous awards and medals--#1 Company Grade Officer of the year for her squadron and group, leader of the #1 Operations Flight across the nation in Air Force Recruiting Service and Air Force Commendation Medal for her pivotal work as executive officer for multiple senior leaders. Though proud of those awards, her greatest honors stem from events that aren’t worn on her uniform.
Naviere’s most rewarding moments, outside of leadership and mentoring, were being asked to commission and promote several females who felt inspired by her. In those moments, Naviere saw her legacy being lived through other women striving to the be the best in their skin. In 2006 Naviere decided to separate from active duty to best support her family’s needs. Again, not one to shy from a challenge, Naviere dove into a career far from her undergraduate degree in Social Sciences—the financial industry.
At TD Ameritrade she quickly progressed up the corporate ladder. In a male-dominant industry Naviere was determined to pave a way. Not only did she promote to manager and senior manager in under 3 years, she helped develop an internal manager development program to identify and cultivate talent.
Naviere helped recruit and promote female talent during her tenure as senior manager. In 2010, Naviere began planning her passion project – Fitssentials Fitness Studio. It didn’t yet have a name but would be a safe-haven for people at any fitness level to come for one hour and strive to be their best. She began to save money for a facility down-payment and built a business plan.
Two years later, Naviere was requested to return to the active Air Force serving as an executive officer at the United States Strategic Command. She proudly served four different Generals during that time, earned a promotion to Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force Reserve and transitioned to civil service in the Department of Defense. Concurrently, Naviere was ready launch her fitness studio and the summer of 2012, Fitssentials’ doors opened to the public.
A zero-judgement zone, her “FITS Family” members found that they could be held accountable and still have fun. It has been her honor to share in their journeys and be trusted to help them onto the path of healthy living both in and outside their skin.
Through her professional and personal journey, Naviere has had the opportunity to connect with hundreds of women with hundreds of varying stories. As different as they were, they all shared a common thread: a craving that couldn’t be filled by food, wine, or even weights.
Understanding that craving, Naviere has made it her life mission to offer a recipe of understanding, compassion and support to eliminate that craving and instead nurture the ensuing capable and confident woman.
Mother of three beautiful boys, and wife to a Law Enforcement officer, her time is precious. Every minute she spends away from her family has to add value to the world they’re living in. She spends it in the most impactful ways she can find.
Naviere is an advocate for her community. She leads events that raise funds for numerous causes, supports the local food bank, and connects with The Women’s Center for Advancement, an area organization offering resources from classes to counseling for women escaping abusive environments.
With an ultimate goal of offering outreach to a larger audience of women, Naviere offers her love of life, whole mind and body fitness, and service of her community.
Teaching people that tough love can be nurturing and a gentle touch can be the most powerful mover, Naviere seeks to change more lives for the better!
