Meet Ruby Murray

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ruby Murray. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ruby , we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

Being a Retired Military Army Veteran and reflecting on my life as a young soldier while serving, I did not think that bringing a child into the world would be one of my biggest challenges that I would have to face not knowing that having resilience would help me bounce back but the bounce was not going to be easy. So I remember when the doctor gave me the news that I was pregnant and I shared the news with my husband as I was smiling as my heart was full of joy. But through each trimester, my body began to change from one trimester to another. Prior to my pregnancy I was wearing a size 8-10 but by my third trimester I had gained so much weight that I went to wearing a size 16 which made me feel so disgusted as I looked at myself in the mirror as the clothes that I once could fit no longer had a place in my life but as the tears dropped from my eyes and depression started kicking in from out of nowhere because once again the lady in the mirror called Ruby could possibly be put in jeopardy of losing her job if I could not meet the United States Army requirements. But I knew there was a light that appeared to be a shadow and the brightness of that light reminded me that I had a baby that was grown on the inside of me and I had to embrace the moment and captivate the weight gain until she was delivered.

I had 6 months to get back within United States Army Weight Standards and pass a Physical Fitness test and if I did not pass that test, I would have had to pack my bag and be forced out of the military. That is when my resilience kicked in like a cup of dark roast coffee and I had to add all the additional items called Perseverance and Courage in order to save my career. Saving my career did not come easy because I had to dedicate countless hours of workout and hiring training to jumpstart me back to the body I once was and even better. Prior to getting pregnant with my daughter, I was able to pass a physical training test and maintain my weight with no problem. But only God knew that my resiliency was going to bounce back in order for me to meet the military standards to stay in. As I look back over my life God saw the vision through a different set of lens in order for me to get a clear 20/20 vision to see the light and that light was that my military career was saved and I was able to stay in the military, save hundreds of other female soldier by spearheaded a Postpartum Physical Fitness Program that went Army wide and ended up giving the United States Army 26 years and 11 months of honorable service after delivering my beautiful daughter Jasmine. My beautiful daughter Jasmine became my WHY and the driving force that would not allow me to ever give up and allow me to see my resilience through her eyes.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

My story has truly been a marathon as I am still running but each step continues to show me my PURPOSE and how I am doing now is bigger than a job. It is truly my ministry as I continue to give myself away so others can use me as a positive vessel. I have been walking in my purpose for years but never knew or understood how to set up a business or nonprofit which I have been doing for over 12 years but Volunteering hoping that someone one day would hear my cry and be a sponsor for me to have a nonprofit foundation or help me marketing my fitness business and get it off the ground.

My decision to enter the field of education is a direct result of 26-years of service in the United States Army where I coached, educated and positively impacted thousands of Soldiers and Department of the Army (DA) Civilians. I used my life experiences, both good and bad, as an example to show that success is within everyone’s grasp. I am grateful for the turn of events that led me to become a teacher, convincing me that I had indeed found my calling. I was lucky enough to have a supportive father who kept me on the straight and narrow. A father who believed in me, even during the times where I had trouble believing in myself. With a desire to follow my father’s influence, I continue to dedicate my life to not only changing the lives of others but providing support, strength, and encouragement that my students may not otherwise receive.

The best way to transform somebody’s life is through education, and that begins with effective teaching and solid leadership. It is one thing to simply teach a child, but to know that you’ve helped to mold their lives, makes the difference. As a teacher, I strive to prepare my students to be the most successful, in whatever field they may choose. To have even one student tell me that I have changed and inspired their lives for the better, makes me feel as though I have completed yet another mission. As I master the job as a High School Army JROTC Instructor going into my 8th year of teaching as I continue to shape, mold and develop future leaders who can have whatever they want out of life when it comes to their education and a gateway out in order for them to reach their dreams and goals.

My multiple touch points with people over the years have convinced me that educating our children is essential to our future and improving our way of life. Children are our future and teaching them matters. In addition to making those around me better, it is essential that a legacy of excellence is left through education. “All good men and women must take responsibility to create legacies that will take the next generation to a level we could only imagine.” —Jim Rohn

In addition to the necessary academic skills, teachers teach life lessons in a huge way and I am not only that teacher but also a Life Coach to my students. Thanks to my father being my biggest supporter and instilling in me that I could be anything I put my mind to, I am now a teacher living out my predestined calling! He inspired me in so many ways. I want to be able to teach children the necessary academic skills and life lessons just as my father taught me.

I always look to Heaven and smile at my dad, knowing that I made the choice to be an educator after retiring out of the military , and that I appreciate him for instilling in me the courage and mindset that I could be any and every single thing that I wanted to in this life. This message from my Father, is the same one that I convey to the kids that I teach, reminding them that they are all destined for greatness. Because of my dad’s constant positive reinforcement, I get to use what he taught me, teaching basic academic and life lessons the same way he taught them to me, living out my destiny.

My commitments and contributions to my community is merely a return of blessings to others that I have given to myself.

12 years ago, I started a Cancer Awareness Event because I had a good friend who contacted me and told me that she was diagnosed with Cancer and wanted me to sponsor one of her tee shirts but I decided to go a step further knowing at the time I was a certified Fitness Instructor and host a Cancer Awareness Event in her Honor, not knowing that 12 years later I would still be doing an event but I thank God that for the last four years I was able to raise at least $3,000 dollars to give back to a survivor each year.

COVID-19 was a big pandemic that had the entire world at a standstill but as I was buckling my seatbelt as the world went to a complete halt, my brain went into cruise control as I became the pilot and started driving my own plane when it came to visualizing my own logo. After months of just sitting at home, I decided to open up my laptop, go to the search engine called GOOGLE and I started looking for an attorney to help me trademark my logo for my fitness gear so that one day I can be the owner. After about a year of waiting, I can truly say that I have my own trademark logo and name called Woo Ultimate Elite and as a Fitness Instructor this is truly a major breakthrough for me something that I had been dreaming of having for years and look at God, showing up and showing our for me.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

As I look back over my life it has truly been a marathon and I am still running today so I would love to share with you my three powerful C’s that can impact your journey and also impact you to have a purpose in your WHY?

Collaboration: was very crucial on my journey because in the world that we live in today the WE in my opinion is more powerful than the I when it comes to working on any projects or plans. You must realize that each member of a team comes from all walks of life and will bring to the table a wealth of talent and expertise. Not to mention when you collaborate everyone works together in order to have an amazing outcome.

Creativity : having creativity allows you to think outside the box as a leader because you can look and have a vision that goes beyond the present in order for you to see the future of what you are trying to do! Creativity is also a superpower to me because it helped me build up my confidence and courage in order to be where I am today on my vision board. When a person has confidence regardless of their age, they are less easily influenced and I am a living testimony of having creativity that keeps my audience asking questions. Having creativity keeps you engaged and also helps you find different learning skills that can only help you along the way.

Communication Skills: Everyone’s voice matters and having communication skills is an important part of your everyday life. You must have a strong connection with your target audience but also with yourself as you take baby steps to master your communications skills. When you are communicating, make it a part of your personal journey, one where you can take several directions to impact so many people in order to get your point across with your communication skills. But a rule of thumb is that good communication can lead to a more productive and motivated team with outstanding results, while bad communication can lead to trust issues and misunderstanding that can ultimately lead to a major breakdown.
Remember everyday find a way to improve these Three Powerful C’s and remember their will always be room for improvement. Because in the world that we live in today, things are always changing and you must always stay in the READY!

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

As a retired Army Veteran now a High School JROTC Instructor, I would love to collaborate with anyone who can feel my passion in fitness and as an educator. Over the last two years, I have received several lifetime achievement awards but I am still “RUBY” . I have been selected to be a Guest Speaker several times but I am still “RUBY” . God is still allowing me to receive flowers as I continue to dream out loud of being on a female talk show one day so I can tell the world about the country girl who grew up in Virginia, join the military, honorably retired from the military, a leader who volunteering serves remains priceless and still serving now as a teacher in the classroom with many credentials but I am still “RUBY” the Humble and Faith woman that believe in impacting one person each and every day!

So if their was anyone I would love to collaborate with it would be someone who could be my Guardian Angel and see my dreams come true of one day! By helping me own my own gym one day, help me launching my fitness brand, becoming a Fashion Brand Ambassador for the fitness world, or helping me utilize my certification as a Certified Motivational Speaker where I can speak to women and also men around the world as I captivate the audience with inspirational and informative speeches but still remain “RUBY” at the end.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: woowoo_stay4cus
• Facebook: Ruby Murray
• Linkedin: Ruby Murray
• Twitter: Ruby Ann Murray
• Youtube: @HumbleIsHerName-RAM
• Other: My email is: [email protected]

Image Credits

I already send the photos and thank you.