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Moving with Purpose: Women Veterans Train with Rhode Island FC for Heart Health

Six people in a gym. One person is doing lunges.
Women Veterans participate in a guided strength training session inside Centreville Bank Stadium during VA Providence’s Go Red event with Rhode Island FC.

By Justyn Charon, Public Affairs Specialist

As part of the Go Red for Women’s Heart Health Initiative, the VA Providence Healthcare System partnered with Rhode Island FC to host a fitness-focused training session that emphasized physical activity as a key component of heart health for Women Veterans.

Physical activity plays a critical role in preventing heart disease, the leading health risk facing women, including Women Veterans. To bring that message to life, VA Providence partnered with Rhode Island FC to offer Women Veterans an interactive, movement-centered experience rooted in motivation and connection.

As part of the Go Red initiative, Women Veterans attended a training session alongside Rhode Island FC players, stepping onto the field to experience how regular movement supports cardiovascular health. The session emphasized that heart health does not require extreme fitness levels, but rather consistent, achievable activity tailored to each individual.

“Movement is one of the most powerful tools we have for heart health,” said Justyn Charon, Public Affairs Specialist at VA Providence. “This partnership showed Women Veterans that exercise can be approachable, supportive and even fun.”

By training alongside professional athletes, participants experienced encouragement in an energizing environment that reinforced confidence and capability. The session highlighted exercise as both preventive care and empowerment, helping Women Veterans see physical activity as something that fits into everyday life.

The partnership with Rhode Island FC created a unique setting that helped break down barriers often associated with fitness. Women Veterans were able to ask questions, move at their own pace and engage without pressure, reinforcing that heart health is a journey rather than a benchmark.

VA Providence extends sincere thanks to Alex Inman, community relations representative at Rhode Island FC, whose efforts and coordination made the event possible. His support helped connect Women Veterans with an experience that blended professional sports, community engagement and health promotion.