Many of us headed into 2020 with some form of personal growth on our minds. Maybe you want to eat better and work out more. Maybe you want to find constructive ways to de-stress and learn how to say “no” more often. Maybe you want to strengthen your relationship with your spouse and kids.

And maybe, you didn’t make any resolutions at all, but find yourself floundering in this military life. This isn’t an easy journey, and we often find ourselves pouring a lot of energy into our service members and children.

But remember that there is you a here too, one which needs some “you” time to refocus and recenter yourself. You know the story of the oxygen mask, right? You have to put it on yourself before you can help anyone else. You may be thinking, “I get all this, but how can I build my strengths? Where do I start?”

InDependent is here to help, and you don’t need to find child care, get in the car, find parking, visit an event hall, or even leave the house to participate. All you need to do is slip on some comfy clothes, grab a warm beverage, and boot up your computer, but even those are totally optional.

About the summit

March 2-7, InDependent will host its fifth annual, weeklong virtual Independent Wellness Summit, with the theme “Dimensions of Strength,” bringing you 10 downloadable interviews, a printable listening
guide, a recent Legacy Magazine issue, a Thrive Market membership, and a Prep’d prize pack entry, all absolutely free. 

Go here to sign up for the free IWS package. No code is needed for the free pass and registration is open until March 7.

You can develop your strengths when it comes to intimacy, adventure, transition, creativity, rest, connection, health, and more, and access the interviews until March 15.

This event is open to all first responder spouses and military spouses from all branches—including active, National Guard, and Reserve components.

Who is speaking? 

Here is the list of speakers as shared by InDependent:

• Chef Andre Rush, veteran and advocate for military service, suicide prevention, and a healthy lifestyle.

• Angela Duckworth, the author of Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, professor of psychology, and co-founder and CEO of Character Lab, a nonprofit that uses psychological science to help children thrive.

• Amy Bushatz, Army spouse, executive editor of Military.com, host of “Humans Outside” podcast, and owner of Humans Outside, a blog dedicated to travel, adventure, and outdoor living.

• Chris Bailey, productivity master and founder of A Life of Productivity.

• Chris and Lacy Wolff, first responder family, adventurists, and founders of FORGE Resilience, which provides training to first responders and their families to improve health, performance, and teamwork.

• Dr. Stephanie Brooks Holliday, sleep expert and behavioral scientist at the RAND Corporation, with experience in veteran mental and physical health.

• Lindsay Swoboda, Marine spouse, writer, and founder of Uplifting Anchor.

• Shaunti Feldhahn, social researcher, author of The Kindness Challenge, and marriage and relationship expert.

• Alison Evans, Air Force spouse, personal trainer, and life and recovery coach.

• Sarah Foster, SWAT and law enforcement spouse and homesteader.

• Kristin Espinosa, a civilian spouse.

Want a little more from the IWS? 

If you’re looking for a little bit more information and access during the summit, you can purchase an all-access pass until March 17. While these passes usually run at $74.99, AWN readers receive 60% off with the code AWN20 until the end of January and 50% off until March March 15. Your purchase includes:

• Fellowship and intention-setting in the exclusive Wellness Lounge (Facebook group), which explores summit interviews, provides monthly workbooks, and offers giveaways all year long

• Bonus mini-sessions, live workouts, workshops and cooking demos, meal plans, and printable workbook pages

• Virtual swag bag filled with exclusive discounts and freebies from top brands

• A recent digital Legacy Magazine issue, a Thrive Market membership, and a Prep’d Prize Pack entry

• Exclusive entries into daily wellness-related giveaways and the grand prize: an all-expense paid trip to the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation Empowered Spouses Retreat

Proceeds for the all-access pass go back into InDependent to fund the development of health and wellness programs for spouses around the world.

The IWS is sponsored by the USO and the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation. 

Don’t let 2020 slip away. Head on over to in-dependent.org to sign up for the InDependent Wellness Summit to develop the strengths that will prepare you for your health and wellness journey.

All images courtesy of InDependent.