New Interview Highlights His Journey From Combat to Coaching-and Why Routine, Not Motivation, Is the Key to Personal Growth
MIAMI, FL, NY / ACCESS Newswire / October 2, 2025 / U.S. Army veteran, fitness coach, and nutrition specialist Andres Ruocco is using his story to raise awareness about the mental and physical challenges veterans face after service-and how small, consistent actions can be the most powerful way forward.
Ruocco, recently featured in a spotlight career interview titled "Andres Ruocco: From Army Grit to Coaching Growth," shares candid reflections on his path from uncertainty in post-military life to finding purpose through coaching, education, and helping others regain structure.
"Motivation comes and goes. But discipline sticks," Ruocco says in the interview. "You don't need a perfect plan. You just need to start-one walk, one goal, one connection at a time."
Veterans Face a Crisis of Routine, Confidence, and Purpose
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs:
Nearly 44% of post-9/11 veterans say they've had difficulty adjusting to civilian life.
Roughly 30% report experiencing anxiety, depression, or PTSD symptoms.
Only 13% of veterans meet basic physical activity guidelines, despite strong evidence that regular exercise helps improve mental health and reduce suicide risk.
Ruocco understands that challenge firsthand. After serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom, he returned home unsure of his direction. He worked in call centers, then helped veterans with VA disability claims. But it wasn't until he rediscovered fitness during the COVID-19 pandemic that he began to rebuild from the inside out.
"Walking every day during lockdown helped me reconnect with myself," he explains. "It gave me structure when the world felt chaotic. That one habit grew into training again, studying again, and finding my path as a coach."
The Power of Simple Routines-and Listening
Now a certified NASM Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach, Ruocco specializes in working with veterans and individuals rebuilding after burnout, injury, or major life changes. His method? Make things simple. Focus on what you can control. And listen before giving advice.
"People want to be seen and heard before they're told what to do," he says. "Whether it was a vet applying for benefits or a client trying to lose 30 pounds-what helped most was listening, not lecturing."
In his coaching sessions, he encourages clients to set three simple goals each day:
One physical (e.g., a short workout or walk)
One mental (e.g., reading or journaling)
One relational (e.g., reaching out to someone they trust)
These small acts, repeated consistently, build strength-not just in the body, but in mindset and relationships.
A Broader Vision for Veteran Support
In addition to coaching, Ruocco is completing his Bachelor of Science in Sports and Health Sciences, with a goal of helping build more integrated wellness systems for veterans-ones that combine physical training with emotional and administrative support.
He believes tools like wearable fitness tech could play a big role in the future of veteran care, helping track stress, sleep, and activity in real time, and offering data-driven insights to coaches and providers.
"There's real potential to make support more personalized and less overwhelming," he says. "But we need to focus on trust first. Tech won't help if the person feels alone."
Call to Action: Start Small, Start Today
Ruocco isn't launching a campaign-he's asking people, especially veterans, to take back control in the most practical way: by showing up for themselves.
"Don't wait for the motivation to hit," he says. "It probably won't. But action creates clarity. Just start walking. Make one better choice today. And do it again tomorrow."
3 Things You Can Do Today:
Take a 15-minute walk without distractions
Set 3 daily goals: body, mind, and connection
Reach out to someone who might need support-even if it's just to listen
To read the full interview, visit the website here.
About Andres Ruocco
Andres Ruocco is a U.S. Army veteran, NASM-certified Personal Trainer, and Nutrition Coach based in Miami, FL. Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, he blends military discipline with holistic coaching to help people regain strength, structure, and confidence-physically and mentally. He is currently completing his Bachelor of Science in Sports and Health Sciences at American Military University.
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SOURCE: Andres Ruocco
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