Dedicated to the Community

Nicole Warren was inspired to get involved in programs supporting service members at Luke AFB. Nicole Warren says the local fi tness community is already asking when the next opportunity to volunteer at Luke AFB is.

The Root to Rise Challenge asked The Foundry Avondale members to complete 30 yoga, Pilates, HIIT, barre, meditation or cycling classes in

45 days. (All photos courtesy of Fighter Country Foundation)

BY SUSAN GLADSTEIN

Sound of Freedom Contributing Writer

Military life and deployments create experiences that bring about diff erent challenges unique to those serving.

Nicole Warren saw those challenges fi rsthand through her brothers’ military service, and it inspired her to get involved in programs supporting service members stationed at Luke Air Force Base.

Warren’s interactions with Luke AFB began while working for Marriott Hotels, where she handled housing needs for incoming Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps reservists for their drill weekends.

Aft er serving two years as an honorary commander with the 56th Maintenance Group, Warren got involved with Fighter Country Foundation.

“Once I completed my two years, I knew I didn’t want to stop, so I joined the Blue Blazers,” Warren says. “It’s been an amazing eight-year relationship with Fighter Country Foundation and being involved in connecting what goes on in the public sector and what’s going on base.”

When Warren found out that the Luke AFB Chiefs Group was hosting a Dorm Dwellers Summer Bash, she jumped at the chance to help make the event a success.

“Everything starts at the root,” Warren says. “We wanted to dig in and show how we can give back to the community.”

Th at’s where the Root to Rise Challenge was born. As owner of Th e Foundry Avondale, Warren challenged her members to complete 30 yoga, Pilates, HIIT, barre, meditation or cycling classes in 45 days, and the proceeds were donated to Fighter Country Foundation to support the Luke AFB Chiefs Group’s Dorm Dwellers event.

It gave dorm residents the chance to socialize, play games and win prizes. Attendees competed in multiple events, including video game tournaments, a wing-eating contest and a dance competition.

“We had 70 people participate in the Root to Rise Challenge, and the winners were put into a drawing for fi ve of them to come out and participate in the Dorm Dweller event,” Warren says. “It was a great opportunity for them to interact with the airmen and ask them their story. If you don’t have a military background, you don’t have any idea what they go through and what their families go through. It aff ects layers of people in their lives. I wanted our community to have a diff erent appreciation for the base.”

Warren says the local fi tness community is already asking when the next opportunity to volunteer at Luke AFB is.

“Th ere are not enough words to describe the feeling of knowing that you can make a positive diff erence in their life,” Warren says.

“You don’t know what an airman is going through. I may say the right sentence or word in that moment that’s a game changer for them.

Contents SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022

‘A Totally Awesome Experience’

CHANGE OF COMMAND

Sound of Freedom is published bimonthly by Times Media Group, a private publishing company. Times Media Group is in no way affi liated with Luke Air Force Base or the United States Air Force.

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Jason Rueschhoff, 56th Fighter Wing commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Mason Hargrove)

Nicole Warren is changing lives one breath at a time

56th Fighter Wing welcomes Brig. Gen. Rueschhoff

14 ‘A Totally Awesome Experience’ Veteran feels appreciated aft er Honor Flight

Soldier’s skills conceive of work at Arizona Opera

Valley company off ers housing, employment for vets in need

Th underbird Field II Veterans Memorial shares airport’s history

Vet, active-duty service member could receive free AC

Winning the WWII manufacturing victory

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Th at makes them think they’re not alone. I love to weave positive affi rmations throughout my class and a powerful savasana at the end of any class, whether yoga or HIIT. It leaves them with something that resonates with them and can have a powerful impact on their mindset.”

When the world shut down in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Warren reached out to the base to see about bringing yoga to the Luke community.

“Th at’s where the seed got planted,” she says. “(Luke leadership) loved the idea and weren’t sure how the airmen would respond. Th ey loved it. I started doing yoga and meditation three times a week on the lawn and they opened up a room for us, but we could only have six to 10 people max.”

When restrictions prohibited in-person gatherings, Warren got resourceful and off ered online classes.

“Initially it was just open to airmen, but we opened it up to spouses and veterans,” she says.

“It was a time where many were isolated, and I know it’s so important to have meditation and movement. Th ey’re excited to be there, and it’s my favorite. It’s one more tool that will help them connect the mind and body.”

In her recent class on base, Warren left them with these words: the diff erence between ordinary and extraordinary that little — extra. “Let your unique and positivity inspire confi dence in others. … No matter where you go, no matter what the weather — always bring your own sunshine. If you want light to come into your life, you have to stand where the sun is shining.” Warren says she likes knowing she helped the Luke community move their body in a diff erent way or even just helped them slow their mind down.

“It’s a gift ,” she says. “Th e gift of movement. A gift of a positive affi rmation or mantra that they will take with them when they’re in a different country or share with their child. It’s a ripple eff ect that’s profound.”

A wing-eating contest is one of the events attendees competed in. The Luke AFB Chief’s Group Dorm Dwellers event gave attendees a chance to participate in a dance competition.

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