Erica Liermann, a U.S. Army veteran and owner of Dub Fitness gym in King of Prussia, is helping others manage PTSD through fitness, a tool that has helped her rebuild her own life, reports Stephanie Stahl for CBS News Philadelphia.
Erica Liermann served as a military police officer in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Korea, Baghdad, Iraq, and Al-Asad, Iraq. The experiences she faced during those deployments left her with unseen mental health injuries and an ongoing battle with anxiety.
“A lot of us just suppress it, which then makes it worse,” she said.
She finally regained stability through fitness and the combined support of the Military Warriors Foundation and Wells Fargo, both of which played a role in helping her to start her own business.
“I feel really fortunate to be here,” said Liermann.
Beyond building her physical strength, fitness helps Liermann keep her mind clear and her energy focused on giving back while sharing the power of fitness with the women she trains.
“People come from all different walks of life,” she said. “But in here, we are all like one team.”
Watch the entire segment on King of Prussia’s Dub Fitness at CBS News Philadelphia.
