Featuring Susan Gladstein

Photo by Susan Gladstein

Name? Susan Gladstein

How old are you? 39 - I can’t WAIT to turn 40!!!

Where are you from? I am a native Texan but got stationed in Arizona about 18 years ago when I was active duty Air Force and never left.

What is your background? 
I lost my father to suicide when I was 14. It taught me at a young age that life is short and to always tell others you love them. Today I work to raise awareness and help those in need - whether it’s mental, physical or spiritual growth that’s needed to help live their healthiest and happiest lives.

Somewhere between losing my father and going through a divorce in early 2008, I lost myself. After starting this incredible journey as a health and fitness coach in December 2005, I have learned how important it is to love myself and be as kind to myself as I would be to a friend or loved one. My hope and prayer in sharing my journey - which has been full of ups and downs - is that others will be inspired to slide out of the passenger seat and grab hold of the steering wheel as they fully experience the adventures that is this life.

We see our business, Glad Warrior Fitness, as a calling and privilege to help others discover, embrace and cultivate their warrior within. 

In addition to my health and fitness coaching business, I’m also a Public Relations specialist with the Air Force, serve in the Arizona Air National Guard and strive to be a cool mom to our kiddos - all five of them in our blended family! Yes - I wear a lot of hats. I somehow have learned how to juggle it all without completely losing my mind and I love sharing the tips and tricks I’ve learned with others.

What are you currently doing for hair health and care?
I believe everything is related to good health - and that includes getting enough sleep (I actually have an alarm on my phone that reminds me to go to bed!), drinking lots of water, eating mostly plant-based foods, and making time to move our body every day. I have always been a daily hair washer - I know (face palm) - but this year, while I was deployed, I experimented more with going every other day. I always let my hair air dry and don’t use a lot of products. I do a protein mask once a week and use a boar hair brush to avoid pulling on my sensitive blonde hair. I do get highlights once every three or so months and I use a natural purple additive to my shampoo (found it on Etsy!) to keep my hair from turning brassy (thanks Arizona hard water!) 

I was introduced to Olaplex when I was deployed (I admit, I was nervous to have my blonde hair colored in the Middle East at first) and have really loved the results. It has really reduced my breakage, dryness and split ends. It’s free of Sulfates (SLS & SLES), Parabens, Phthalates, Phosphates and other toxins (that are hard to pronounce!) 

What do you like about your hair and what has take some time for you to accept about your hair?
Growing up, I always had SUPER blonde platinum hair and I hated it. I was kind of a freak of nature in my school (not many other blondes) and my hair was mostly to my waist all the way up until high school. It wasn’t until after high school that I actually appreciated my hair - which I only learned how to curl and style in the last 5 years - because I always wanted curly brown/black hair. Of course, now I pay good money to keep to my blonde roots (see what I did there?) 

What are some helpful tips you can share with other readers?
I think self care is sooooo important. I think sometimes we can feel guilty over self care sometimes - but I want to tell you DON’T! Get the hair cut, try a new color, take time out for that weekly mask. Feeling good and confident goes a long way in CRUSHING GOALS so do what makes you feel GOOD!

Please share something different, interesting, or funny about yourself.
After I graduated from high school, I was working full time and paying for college. One day my friend told me (via Instant Messenger in a chat room) that she was thinking to quit her job to join the Coast Guard. I told her to consider the Air Force (because I had heard it was cooler) and began researching it right away (anyone who knows me knows that I’m a big researcher!) So we went to a recruiter to get the details on how to sign up. He tried “selling” us on all the benefits (again, I already knew because I’d researched it) and we began our medical processing and other paperwork. We left for basic training two weeks later. It was one of the best “whim” decisions I’ve ever made and have proudly served on active duty, in the Air Force Reserve and currently with the Arizona Air National Guard for the last 18 1/2 years. I wouldn’t trade any of the adventures for anything - and obviously since I met the love of my life thanks to the Air Force - I owe a big thanks to Uncle Sam.

Let’s stay in touch:
www.gladwarriorfitness.com