I was once told that if I kept bringing healthy food to work, my life would be made intentionally

I was once told that if I kept bringing healthy food to work, my life would be made intentionally difficult. That moment taught me something I’ll never forget. In the fire service, there’s pressure to fit in, even if it means compromising the standard you set for yourself. When I was new, I gave in to that pressure. I stopped bringing my own meals. I stopped prioritizing my health. And I gained 20 pounds in my first year. All because I wanted to belong. But here’s what I learned the hard way: If you don’t define your own standard, the culture will define it for you. And in this job, that can cost you your health, your longevity, and your confidence. You don’t have to sacrifice belonging to take care of yourself. You just have to be willing to lead by example. Because your fitness is just as important as your turnout gear. So I’ll ask you, is being in shape part of your uniform or not?