Grand Forks AFB Airmen attend resiliency conference

Pierre Evans, a motivational speaker, coach and author, speaks to an audience of civilians, military spouses, Canadian Armed Forces and Airmen from Minot Air Force Base, N.D., and Grand Forks Air Force Base, N.D., Aug. 17, 2017, at a resiliency conference hosted at Canadian Forces Base, Winnipeg, Canada. The conference included four national and international guest speakers who shared their experience and tips for being mentally, spiritually, physically and emotionally resilient. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Elora J. Martinez)

Grand Forks AFB Airmen attend resiliency conference

Tech. Sgt. Mindy Tyson, NCO in charge with the 319th Force Support Squadron, center, becomes emotional when Shana Robinson, international speaker, coach and business owner, right, talks to Tyson about problems that affect her in the work place. Robinson focused on emotional resilience during the conference, and stressed the importance of self-worth and self-motivation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Elora J. Martinez)

Grand Forks AFB Airmen attend resiliency conference

Airman Shemar Ricketts, personnel apprentice with the 319th Force Support Squadron, center, bench-presses 125 pounds as T.J. Tyus, a physical trainer, motivational educator and author, right, spots him during a demonstration at a resiliency conference Aug. 17, 2017, hosted at Canadian Forces Base, Winnipeg, Canada. Tyus was one of four guest speakers, and spoke on the importance of physical resiliency. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Elora J. Martinez)

Grand Forks AFB Airmen attend resiliency conference

Published Aug. 24, 2017
By Airman 1st Class Elora J. Martinez
319th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- More than 50 civilians, military spouses, Canadian Armed Forces and Airmen from here, Minot Air Force Air Force Base, N.D., and Cavalier Air Station, N.D., attended a resiliency conference Aug. 17, 2017, hosted at the Canadian Forces Base, Winnipeg, Canada.

The conference included four international guest speakers who shared their experience and tips for being mentally, spiritually, physically and emotionally resilient.

First Lt. Danny Shields, career development officer with the 319th Force Support Squadron, was one of about 15 Airmen from Grand Forks AFB to go to the conference. He said he found enlightenment and motivation from the four-part discussion.

“People are going to overcome obstacles,” Shields said, mentioning how important resiliency is in any Airman’s career or personal life. “The way they overcome those obstacles has direct impact on their lives.”

Master Sgt. Byron Ball, first sergeant with the 319th Security Forces Squadron, and organizer of the day trip, stressed how important resiliency is to all individuals, no matter what walk of life. He said he appreciated the individual messages shared by the speakers, and enjoyed being able to travel to Canada and make personal connections with the Canadian Armed Forces.

T.J. Tyus, one of the four speakers at the conference, and a motivational educator, physical trainer and author, shared a personal story of how he almost drowned a year ago. He explained had he blown more air into the inflatable life jacket he was wearing at the time, he would have been fine.

His story was linked to how serious it is to put effort into becoming and staying successful.

“We’re drowning today because we didn’t put in enough effort yesterday,” he said. “If you elevate yourself every single day, if you want to live differently, you need to act differently. Make yourself better every single day.”