From Apathy to Action: How One Veteran Found Motivation Again at the Y

For more than 12 years, New Jersey veteran Richard Pinck lived by a standard. As a soldier in the U.S. Army, Army Reserves, and the National Guard, physical fitness wasn’t optional. It was a requirement. A way of life.

But when his service ended, so did the structure that kept him active. Without the military’s built-in accountability, and as the pandemic disrupted everyday routines, Richard became increasingly apathetic about fitness. He was losing interest and motivation, and he started drifting away from the disciplined lifestyle he’d known for over a decade.

Then, through his local American Legion, he heard about the free YMCA Veterans Wellness Program.

He found his way back at the Y.

Through fitness classes, virtual meetings, and the camaraderie of fellow veterans from different eras and branches of service, Richard rediscovered what had been missing: structure, purpose, and fun. The program improved both his physical fitness and his mental well-being. Today, he remains an active Y member.

“Once I got started, I found myself being involved with other veterans from different eras and different branches of service, and that made it easier to become active in the program,” he said.

“It became fun, it became interesting, it became new,” Richard added. “It was entirely self-motivational. It wasn’t something you were forced to do — it became something you wanted to do.”

How the Veterans Wellness Program Supports Physical and Mental Health

Open to active military, military veterans, and/or a spouse or partner, the free 12-week program provides participants access to health and wellness opportunities, as well as meaningful social connections with those who share the bond of military service. The program is offered at both the Sussex County YMCA in Hardyston and West Essex YMCA in Livingston.

This free program includes:

• Participation in 12-week Veterans Wellness Program which includes activities such as yoga, personal training, classes, and more.
• Family membership during the 12-week duration of the Veterans Wellness Program
• 6-month Adult memberships for participants after successful completion of the 12-week program

Who qualifies:

• Honorably discharged veterans
• Active military
• Active or honorably discharged, reservist, or national guard
• Spouse or partner of a Veteran

The Veterans Wellness Initiative began in 2015 at the Doylestown branch of the YMCA of Bucks and Hunterdon Counties as a way to create community and wellness opportunities for Bucks County veterans. Since then, the free, donor-supported Pathway program has expanded to other NJ branches, serving over 650 veterans and their families.

The program is supported by generous donors including Somerset Regal Bank Foundation, ACME Foundation, Wawa Foundation, and River Crossing YMCA.

Learn more about the program at https://metroymcas.org/veterans. 

📽️ Watch Richard’s story: