From major to model Faren Aimeé is on a mission

Major Faren Campbell (aka Faren Aimeé) knew as a child what she would become - a member of the US Armed Forces. Aimeé's father served in the army and retired as a lieutenant colonel. She eventually joined the Army while her sister chose the United States Navy. Both are still serving and are currently classified as majors.

“We are a military family,” she said proudly. Faren Aimeé has been serving for 13 years now. She works as Medical Service Corps Logistics Officer and she has traveled to many different places around the world including Germany, Texas and Hawaii.

“I have provided logistical support to military clinics, hospitals, operational support units, battalions and brigades,” she explained. Whether the people she worked with needed medical care, maintenance, or facility management, she was required to work up to 24-hour shifts when necessary.

“The sun never sets in logistics,” she says. Her experience taught her several lessons. Among them was “mitigating justice through mercy.” Being patient with people and learning more about the people you work with can help you be a better leader.

"You can absorb everyone's story, everyone's past experiences, and in this way build a stronger bond with people rather than just leading. You lead with compassion, understanding and understanding of the world and the unity around you."

When serving in the military, there is a good chance that you will face adversity and may even end up in danger. Aimeé discovered this herself when she was stationed at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii. However, the danger came not from an enemy attacking their unit, but from their own home.

“I was in a relationship that went from verbal to physical violence,” Aimeé revealed. “Our last argument was when I realized that my life could have been taken away at that moment.”

She said her life was never as threatened while working in the military as it was with her then-partner. Like many abusive relationships, Aimeé's struggles began with personal hygiene.

"It started with 'Oh, my partner doesn't like these shoes, I'm going to wear these' and 'My partner doesn't like my hair like that. Let me wear it like that,'" she recalled. Over time, the abuse shifted to verbal and eventually physical.

"It was a slow process. I was yelled at for everything I said. Then we had two physical altercations and I decided there wouldn't be a third."

Thanks to growing up in a military family and her own training, Aimeé began formulating a plan to remove her partner from her home and her life. Not only did she want to end the relationship, she never wanted to communicate with her former partner again. Her commander played a positive role in helping her do what was necessary to stay safe.

"My commander picked me up from my house and the cops came. I had a support unit," she said. "That really played a big role in cutting this person out of my life. Luckily, I didn't have my partner on my lease. So removing him was easier."

While the relationship may be over, damage has been done. Aside from the physical abuse, there were scars that cannot be seen. Like many survivors of domestic violence, Aimeé had worked so long to meet her partner's needs that she neglected herself.

"While I was in that relationship, I realized that I had lost who I was to please this person," she said. “I lost who I was as a person just to take care of that person’s needs while forgetting my own.”

Growing up, Aimeé was very active. She ran track and field in high school and was a member of Florida A&M University's Ranger Challenge team. Faren Aimeé discovered that fitness could be the way to reacquaint her with herself.

"I really took my fitness background and dug a deep anchor into it. This was for me," she said. “I’m not allowed to do that be motivated every day but I will be disciplined to do this for myself and return to myself.

Faren Aimeé acknowledged that not every day is the same. Some days were good, others not as she imagined. What she found was that recognizing what she had accomplished helped her move forward.

"Yes, I'm upset. Yes, I'm delirious or whatever you want to call it, but at 5 a.m. I go to the gym. Even though I only do two exercises that day, it was a success," she confirmed. She believes other survivors of abuse can benefit from giving themselves the same grace.

"Change your narrative, change your mindset. I've heard people say, 'I only did a mile.' Yes, but you've done a mile! Or if you gained five pounds instead of the normal 10 - at least you did something. We need to start giving ourselves credit when it’s due.”

It wasn't an overnight process, but Major Faren Aimeé found herself improving. She now considers herself a survivor and says the situation has no control over her. She moonlighted as a model and pageant queen and started out as an NPC bikini competitor in 2013, but recently moved up to Figure with the help of trainer Luis Valdez Jr.

“This transition was just me showcasing our hard work,” she said. She debuted her figure body at the 2021 NPC Nationals and won her Masters class. While she's proud of her win, her reasons for training extend well beyond the next show, which awaits her sometime in 2023.

“Now it’s just a part of my life,” Aimeé said. “I like the way my body looks with the muscles, with the definition, and the muscular endurance has also helped me in triathlon.”

Faren Aimeé served her country, survived an abusive relationship, and thrived on the stage. She knows there are many people who have had to face such circumstances and she hopes to be a positive light for them. So she gave the following advice.

"Stay ready so you don't have to get ready! This quote may sound a bit cliche, but is it something I live by?"

Follow Faren Aimeé on Instagram: @farenaimee.