Adam Whisler, a former Army infantry officer, combat veteran, and 2023 Tillman Scholar, is helping to shape military fitness. He’s earning his Ph.D. in human performance while studying individualized fitness strategies for warfighters. With a deep understanding of the critical role of fitness in combat, he’s committed to enhancing the holistic health of all service members. Adam is also an experienced ultramarathon runner, world-class powerlifter, and avid cyclist. Through these experiences, Adam is positioned to significantly contribute to the physical fitness, mental resilience, and overall wellness of the entire military.

To read more about Adam, see his features on the Pat Tillman Foundation page here or on Rocky Mountain University’s page here.

Kathleen Oswald is a Cognitive Performance Specialist & a Strength and Conditioning Coach working with the United States Space Force.

Kathleen provides briefs and supports service members in training sessions at the worksite, in the gym, or within classroom settings. She has worked with members of the US Army, US Army Special Forces, US Air Force Special Warfare, US Air Force, and US Space Force. Kathleen trains individuals and groups in developing cognitive skills and strategies to improve service members’ performance and mental readiness. Her practice takes a holistic approach, focusing on a foundation of health and wellness (e.g., how you move, eat, think, sleep, and recover) to support service members in their job roles and beyond.

As a former professional athlete and world champion in two different sports, Kathleen understand the cognitive and physical demands placed on individuals in high-pressure situations. From competing on the world stage to running a 100-mile ultra-marathon through the Arizona desert, she has experienced first-hand the physical, emotional, and psychological stress that her clients need to be prepared to handle, whether on the field of play or in the field of battle. Most recently, she qualified for the 2024 Drug-Tested USPA Powerlifting National Championship in Las Vegas, NV.

Kathleen is earning her PhD in Cognition & Instruction through Grand Canyon University to expand her knowledge on developing evidence-based mental training to optimize cognitive skill acquisition and produce lasting changes in cognitive performance. She has earned a Master’s degree in Exercise & Sport Sciences with a concentration in Sport Psychology from Ithaca College and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Holistic Health from Stockton University.