Sisters-in-Service

Cat Corchado

Welcome to the Sisters-in-Service Podcast, the space where stories from active-duty , veterans, military spouses, and even military brats finally get the spotlight they deserve. I’m your host, Cat Corchado — Air Force veteran, movement specialist, and the heart behind this podcast. I started Sisters-in-Service because too many stories from our community were going untold — stories of resilience, transition, identity, and the strength it takes to serve and to thrive beyond the uniform. Here, we also shine a light on the incredible Veteran Service Organizations that continue to support our journeys long after we’ve taken off the boots. This podcast is about connection, empowerment, and reminding each of us that our service didn’t end when our military chapter closed — it simply evolved. Sisters-in-Service is proudly sponsored by Fit for Life Alliance — a space where people are committed to feeling better in their bodies every single day — and by My Sexy Business, where you can own a business that doesn’t own you. So grab your coffee, your journal, or your walking shoes — because every episode is an invitation to listen, learn, and lean into the powerful stories that remind us: service is a sisterhood that never fades.

  1. 6D AGO

    If Your Body Gives Out Where Are you Going to Live?

    Today’s episode is a little more personal. I want to talk about something I’m walking through in real time:
what it feels like when life is pushing you into a change you did not choose, and how that connects to our health and wellness after 45. Right now, I’m facing a situation that may force us to move.
I’m not talking about a fun, “let’s try a new city” kind of move.
I’m talking about the kind of move that shows up uninvited.
The kind of move where you’re not ready, you’re not willing, and honestly, you’re still grieving the idea of leaving what you’ve built and what you love. And that feeling has made me think a lot about wellness. Because starting a wellness or fitness journey when you choose it is hard enough.
But trying to change when you feel forced, when your back is against the wall, when your circumstances are saying,
“You don’t have a say in this anymore”…
that is a different kind of hard. It’s like the difference between saying,
“I want to clean out my house this weekend,”
and getting a phone call that says,
“You have 30 days to pack up your life.” One is intentional.
The other feels like survival. For so many of us in midlife that’s exactly how our health journey has played out. We coast along. We’re “fine.” We’re busy. We tell ourselves we’ll get serious later.
Then suddenly, there’s a diagnosis. A warning. A number on a chart.
And just like being told you might have to move, your sense of control shrinks. Now, instead of choosing wellness, it feels like wellness is being demanded of you.
Not as an invitation, but as a condition:
“Do this, or else.” So in this episode, I want to unpack: * What it feels like to be pushed into change before your heart has caught up * How my own situation with a possible move is mirroring that feeling of being forced into a new chapter * And why having a choice in your wellness, while you still can, is so much kinder than waiting until life or your body gives you an ultimatum I’m not coming to you today as someone who has it all figured out.
I’m coming as a woman over 45 who is sitting with uncertainty, with resistance, with that quiet little voice that says,
“I don’t want this. I’m not ready for this. Why now?” And I want to gently turn that into a different question:
If being forced into change feels this heavy,
what would it look like to start choosing more of our changes while we still have the option? Let’s talk about it.

    16 min
  2. Life After Service: How the Warrior-Scholar Project Shapes Identity and Purpose

    FEB 24

    Life After Service: How the Warrior-Scholar Project Shapes Identity and Purpose

    What happens when you stop trying to “arrive” and instead allow yourself to become? In this intimate and playful conversation, Cat sits down with Kaedy Molley to talk about identity, reinvention, and the quiet courage it takes to follow curiosity instead of a checklist. Kaedy shares her journey from serving ten years in the U.S. Navy as an Arabic cryptologic linguist and Aircrewman—with deployments to Afghanistan and the Mediterranean—to discovering a deep love for the humanities through the Warrior-Scholar Project. A proud WSP “fangirl,” Kaedy reflects on how community, education, and meaningful connection helped her navigate life after military service. Together, Cat and Kaedy explore what it means to live a non-linear life, how our definitions of success evolve over time, and why the in-between seasons are often where the most growth happens. From career pivots and unlearning old beliefs to finding joy in music, travel, nature, and everyday moments, this episode is a reminder that you’re allowed to be more than one thing. If you’ve ever felt caught between who you were and who you’re becoming, this conversation is for you. In this episode, we talk about: Navigating identity during and after military service The impact of the Warrior-Scholar Project and lifelong learning Trusting a non-linear career path Redefining success beyond titles and productivity The power of community, curiosity, and authentic connection Finding grounding through joy, nature, and presence This episode is an invitation to slow down, stay curious, and give yourself permission to evolve.

    49 min
  3. Intentional Leadership & Visibility: How Melissa A. Washington Is Building Powerful Communities for Women Veterans

    FEB 10

    Intentional Leadership & Visibility: How Melissa A. Washington Is Building Powerful Communities for Women Veterans

    In this episode, we talk with Melissa A. Washington, award-winning advocate, speaker, author, entrepreneur, and U.S. Navy veteran, about intentional leadership, visibility without compromise, and building community that actually works. Melissa is the founder of Women Veterans Alliance, co-founder of Women Veterans Magazine, and the creator of Veteran Events, a national platform supporting veteran and military-connected communities. From enlisting in the Navy at 18 to reinventing her career during the Great Recession, Melissa shares powerful insights on resilience, reinvention, and creating infrastructure that leads to sustainable impact. This conversation is essential for women veterans, entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, and anyone building mission-driven organizations with purpose and clarity. What You’ll Learn What intentional leadership really looks like Why visibility matters—without burnout or compromise How community and infrastructure drive lasting impact Lessons from career reinvention and entrepreneurship What it means to be fierce, fearless, and unfuckable in life and business About the Guest Melissa A. Washington is an award-winning advocate, speaker, author, entrepreneur, publisher, and U.S. Navy veteran. She is the founder of Women Veterans Alliance, co-founder of Women Veterans Magazine, and creator of Veteran Events. Melissa supports women veterans, founders, and mission-driven organizations through leadership, strategy, and visibility.   Website: https://www.melissawashington.com Women Veterans Alliance: https://www.womenveteransalliance.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissawashington

    46 min
  4. 5 Ways to Find The Right Trainer for YOUR Body!!

    FEB 3

    5 Ways to Find The Right Trainer for YOUR Body!!

    Want to be a guest or know someone would be a great fit? I am looking for military vets, active duty, military brats, veteran service orgs or anyone in the fitness industry Ever felt lost scrolling endless “Who’s a good trainer?” posts and ending up more confused than motivated? We get it. Today we unpack a straight-talking roadmap for choosing a personal trainer who respects midlife bodies and builds a routine you can actually live with. No punishment workouts, no hustle theater—just practical steps for strength, mobility, and recovery that support your real life.We start by naming why age-savvy coaching matters: tendons recover differently, stress and sleep change the training math, and soreness isn’t a reliable scorecard. You’ll hear the exact questions to ask in a consult—how they modify for clients over 40, how they balance strength and mobility, and what progress should look like for your body in the next 30 to 90 days. We call out red flags like burpee-driven boot camps and the “age is just a number” myth, and we spotlight green flags like alignment cues, breath work, and coaches who scale back without ego.From there, we focus on listening-led coaching. A great trainer checks your energy, tracks your recovery, and adapts sessions to your schedule and stress load. We share how to build a plan that fits your calendar—one or two consistent days per week can be a powerful foundation—and why consistency beats intensity every single time. Most of all, we champion empowerment: you deserve a coach who teaches you the why behind each move, builds your confidence, and makes you less dependent over time, not more.If you’re over 40 and ready to train smarter, not harder, this guide will help you choose a partner who honors your history and elevates your next chapter of strength. If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend who’s on the fence, and leave a review to help more women find sustainable wellness. Support the show

    17 min
  5. That’s Normal” Isn’t an Answer: Women’s Hormones and Health with Air Force Veteran Tierra Duncan

    JAN 27

    That’s Normal” Isn’t an Answer: Women’s Hormones and Health with Air Force Veteran Tierra Duncan

    Want to be a guest or know someone would be a great fit? I am looking for military vets, active duty, military brats, veteran service orgs or anyone in the fitness industry Your body isn’t a mystery box—and “that’s normal” is not a medical plan. In this episode, we sit down with Tierra Duncan, Air Force veteran, women’s health educator, and author of The Birth Control Illusion, for a straight-talk conversation about what so many women were never taught: how our cycles actually work, what birth control really does, why endometriosis is often misunderstood, and what’s happening during the hormonal shift of perimenopause. With clear language and zero fear-mongering, Tierra breaks down estrogen, progesterone, and ovulation—and shows how understanding them can turn confusing symptoms into actionable information. We trace her journey from the flight line to health advocacy, and explore how military culture’s “mission first” mindset often trains women to ignore pain, fatigue, and mood changes as background noise. Tierra explains why the pill’s “withdrawal bleed” isn’t a true period, how synthetic hormones differ from bioidentical options, and what informed consent in women’s healthcare should actually look like. We also dig into endometriosis as a full-body condition, the role of prostaglandins in pain, and why symptom severity doesn’t always show up on scans. Rather than prescribing a one-size-fits-all solution, this conversation focuses on building a strong foundation—sleep quality, strength training, adequate protein and fiber, and stress boundaries—so you can decide if labs, hormone therapy, or other interventions belong in your plan. If hot flashes, brain fog, low libido, or cycle chaos have you wondering where to start, this episode gives you a practical checklist for smarter care: track your symptoms, clarify your goals, and walk into appointments with better questions and better language. You’ll leave reminded that clarity is power—and that feeling vibrant at every stage of life is not too much to ask. Find Tierra’s resources and book details in the show notes. And if this episode helped you feel seen, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs that nudge toward understanding. Your story might be the signal another woman has been waiting for. If this helped you feel seen, subscribe, leave a review, and tell a friend. Your story might be the signal another woman finally hears. https://www.tierraduncan.com IG: @tierraduncanauthor Support the show

    38 min
  6. You Don’t Have to Love Working Out: Fitness After 40 Starts with 11 Minutes

    JAN 20

    You Don’t Have to Love Working Out: Fitness After 40 Starts with 11 Minutes

    Want to be a guest or know someone would be a great fit? I am looking for military vets, active duty, military brats, veteran service orgs or anyone in the fitness industry What if the secret to aging well isn’t harder workouts but smarter ones you can actually keep? Kat Corchado opens up about the myths we cling to—endless motivation, perfect routines, and the idea that soreness equals success—and replaces them with a simple, powerful framework built on consistency and care. The heart of it is an 11-minute practice that lowers resistance, respects your nervous system, and reliably sparks momentum, even on days when you don’t feel like moving at all.We walk through the mindset shift from chasing aesthetics to building capability: standing up without your hands, stepping off a curb with confidence, and traveling without fear of pain. Kat breaks down how to match movement to what your body needs today—strength to protect muscle and bone, simple cardio like walking or step work to lift your heart rate, and mobility to rotate, reach, and hinge the way real life requires. You’ll hear how to spot your body’s quiet signals at the desk or on a busy day, then respond with small, intentional actions that compound over time.You’ll also learn Kat’s “10-minute rule” for overcoming mental fatigue, why a no-perfection policy keeps you consistent, and how showing up for yourself builds trust that lasts decades, not seasons. The goal isn’t to be who you were; it’s to stay capable, confident, and independent as life evolves. Eleven minutes isn’t a compromise—it’s a commitment to longevity, mental clarity, and feeling good in your body.If you’re ready to swap guilt for momentum and perfection for progress, press play and build your own 11-minute plan today. Subscribe, share this with a friend who needs a gentle reset, and leave a review with your favorite quick movement ritual. Support the show

    14 min
5
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Sisters-in-Service Podcast, the space where stories from active-duty , veterans, military spouses, and even military brats finally get the spotlight they deserve. I’m your host, Cat Corchado — Air Force veteran, movement specialist, and the heart behind this podcast. I started Sisters-in-Service because too many stories from our community were going untold — stories of resilience, transition, identity, and the strength it takes to serve and to thrive beyond the uniform. Here, we also shine a light on the incredible Veteran Service Organizations that continue to support our journeys long after we’ve taken off the boots. This podcast is about connection, empowerment, and reminding each of us that our service didn’t end when our military chapter closed — it simply evolved. Sisters-in-Service is proudly sponsored by Fit for Life Alliance — a space where people are committed to feeling better in their bodies every single day — and by My Sexy Business, where you can own a business that doesn’t own you. So grab your coffee, your journal, or your walking shoes — because every episode is an invitation to listen, learn, and lean into the powerful stories that remind us: service is a sisterhood that never fades.