R.A.W. United. Helping Our Troops Continue the Fight.

By Sean Burton

Contributing Writer

In the photo: Dr. Spero Tshontikidis, the director of educational services for Wounded Warrior Project, as he served with the 20^th Special Forces Group.

Dr. Spero Tshontikidis is the Director of Educational Services for Wounded Warrior Project™, a veteran of the armed forces, an avid power lifter and the founder of R.A.W. United. He recently held a power lifting meet at Olympic Gym in San Antonio, Texas that yielded a great turnout and amazing support for our warriors. Although it may seem unorthodox for our servicemen to benefit from power lifting, Dr. Spero made the purpose of the meets clear by this following statement, ”We not only have power lifting events. We have the Soldier Ride, a surfing day and other physical programs. Physical be injured, it can’t stop them or slow them down. The troops come back home after their experiences overseas and they start re-evaluating their purpose in life. The physical events help them by giving them goals to start reaching for. These vets see that they can still do things no matter what happened overseas and they become stronger and better because of it.”

One cannot argue with that statement. In my opinion, it doesn’t matter how you feel about war or your political stands or views. What matters is the troops are fighting for us, regardless of your politics. They are the one’s doing while we are the one’s talking. They fight for us on a daily basis. I believe it is only right that we do the same for them.  Dr. Spero started on his path to give something back to his brothers and sisters in arms after he came home from Afghanistan. What started as a hobby and love for competition turned into a way to strengthen our troops and benefit them in numerous ways. Along with the educational programs that he looks over, his power lifting events have shown an amazing increase and it is only destined to get bigger and better.

Dr. Spero Tshontikidis showing what we can do on the lifting platform.

Wounded Warrior Project continues its promise to help and serve our veterans to the highest caliber possible. Dr. Spero and the entire staff, be them vets or not, do their job for our injured veterans and do it very well. “It is important for our troops to see us practicing what we preach. Whether it is; the power lifting, cycling or during our Soldier Ride. Our staff works hard and goes above and beyond the call of duty for our wounded warriors.” Dr. Spero had recently met with the owner of Olympic Gym and two time Worlds Strongest Woman Jill Mills and immediately knew that Olympic Gym would be his new home away from home for his power lifting meets. JD and Jill Mills have always been supporters of Wounded Warrior Project and with R.A.W. United, it was only fate.

Remember, our service members are overseas fighting to keep our safety in check and our freedom alive. They experience and live in situations that some of us couldn’t understand or comprehend if we tried. They fight for us. We need to fight for them. Wounded Warrior Project is here to help the injured veterans and their families overcome all obstacles during their rehabilitation and come out of the situation on top.

Sean Burton

Health and Fitness has been a huge part of my life. My burdens as an overweight 10 year old drove me to be the fitness professional I am today. Now I have the experience, knowledge and talent to deliver results to all of my clientele and help everyone else in between. If nothing could stop me, nothing should be able to stop you.