Soldier changes lives through fitness, spirituality

Sometimes you find your calling in life. Sometimes your calling finds you.

The question remains as to whether Lt. Col. Thomas Hundley's calling found him or if he found it, but he knows what he's meant to do -- help wounded warriors.

For the last six years, Hundley has been working with wounded warriors, volunteering his off-duty time as a life coach and helping guide them through some of the struggles they face.

"Physical fitness is my passion and I'm extremely fortunate to be able to understand some of what our wounded warriors go through," said Hundley, a certified group fitness instructor, personal trainer and sports nutritionist. "These are individuals who have to function each day in constant pain and face challenges most people can't imagine, mentally and emotionally."

His approach is seemingly simple, focusing on nutrition, physical fitness and spirituality.

"Just changing what you eat can help," he said. "Doing whatever you're capable of physically, whether it's walking or taking a class, can help. The spiritual piece has to be a constant, daily devotional. Every day you need to put something good inside you."

Walter Winn, who was honored as the 2014 Wounded Warrior of the Year by the Industry for the Blind, said that Hundley's 40-day program has changed his life.

"There aren't even words for what he's done for me," said Winn. "His program helps your mind, body and soul. It doesn't make things disappear, but it gives you the strength to get through whatever it is that you need to get through."

Winn said that before he began working with Hundley he was tired and in constant pain. When he got home from his job as the regional manager for Minton Jones at Womack Army Medical Center, he just wanted to go sleep. Hundley was able to help him break that endless cycle.

"He helped me challenge myself to overcome what I was facing," said Winn. "A lot of people wouldn't give the extra effort that he has in helping so many people."

Winn said he still refers to Hundley's book, "Fit for the King," every day for inspiration.

Hundley, the former chief of logistics at WAMC, is preparing to move to his next duty station at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. He said helping people is part of who he is and something that he will continue to do not only throughout the rest of his Army career, but for the rest of his life.

"I think I was created for it," said Hundley. "It's all I want to do."