Betting on yourself in Military and Civilian Life
Who knows what tomorrow will bring? All any of us can do is take our best step forward, and then be ready to take the next one, and the next.
In a recent episode of the Compounding Change podcast, host Shannon Davis sits down with Lee and Ashlea Sikon, a dynamic duo balancing their military careers with entrepreneurial efforts. Lee, a U.S. Army recruiting commander, and Ashlea, an ROTC recruiting officer at John Carroll University, also own and operate North 41 CrossFit in Broadview Heights, Ohio.
This episode explores their personal journeys, their passion for fitness, and how they’ve balanced military life with growing their gym.
Betting on Yourself
Lee and Ashley’s shared story is a testament to the power of taking big leaps without a backup plan. Lee’s path to the Army was inspired by movies like Top Gun, setting him on a trajectory to serve long-term. As he explains:
“If you have a backup plan, then that just gives you an excuse not to make plan A work.”– Lee Sikon
Similarly, Ashlea’s decision to join the military was driven by the events of 9/11, a moment of clarity that pushed her to serve. Together, they’ve faced numerous transitions, from military service to becoming gym owners, all while embodying the values of persistence and teamwork.
Unpacking Financial and Personal Growth in the Military
Lee and Ashlea share practical financial advice for military members, reflecting on their own experiences and missed opportunities. One of their key “lessons learned” was the importance of investing early, particularly in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP):
“We really didn’t take advantage of [TSP] early enough in our careers to really let that grow and compound for us.”– Lee Sikon
This candid advice resonates with military personnel and civilians alike, reminding listeners to utilize the resources available and plan for long-term financial stability. Feel free to reach out to Shannon Davis to learn more about this plan, and any financial information you may need.
Building a Community with North 41 CrossFit
The Sikons also delve into their journey as owners of North 41 CrossFit, which started as a way to save on gym memberships but grew into a full-time business. Despite initial challenges, the gym has become a retirement plan for Lee:
“We’re going to pull everything out and bet on ourselves… The gym is my retirement plan.”– Lee Sikon
Their gym has become a hub for community engagement, particularly through their Sunday Hero WODs (Workout of the Day), which honor fallen military members, firefighters, and first responders. As Ashlea explained:
“Hero WODs honor a fallen hero… It doesn’t even have to be American. There are Hero WODs for soldiers and first responders worldwide.”– Ashlea Sikon
Supporting Veterans with Canine for Warriors
In addition to running their gym, Lee and Ashley are committed to supporting veterans through fundraising efforts. One of their current initiatives is raising money for Canine for Warriors, an organization that provides service dogs to veterans with PTSD:
“Our goal was to support the training of one shelter dog for a veteran. At $30,000, we get to sponsor a specific dog and follow its journey.”– Lee Sikon
Their passion for helping veterans is woven into everything they do, from their gym’s community spirit to their ongoing fundraising efforts.
This episode of the Compounding Change podcast shows how military discipline, financial wisdom, and passion for fitness can come together to create a lasting impact. Whether you’re interested in military life, entrepreneurship, or community-building through fitness, this episode is packed with valuable lessons.
Be sure to subscribe to Compounding Change to continue hearing stories of transformation and the power of small actions amidst constant and compounding change in creating big results.
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