(not so) Average Jane
NSAJ 09: Chantilly Tootle

Get ready to be inspired, moved, and utterly captivated by the latest episode of The Not So Average Jane Podcast! This week, we’re bringing you the incredible story of Chantilly Toodle, a woman whose journey from a small town in Georgia to the front lines of combat will leave you breathless.

Join us as we delve into Chantilly’s harrowing experiences in the Army, where she faced unimaginable challenges and emerged with a strength forged in the crucible of adversity. From narrowly escaping a terrifying assault at her first duty station in Korea to witnessing the horrors of war in Afghanistan and Iraq, Chantilly’s resilience and courage are nothing short of extraordinary.

Don’t miss this compelling episode that showcases the unbreakable spirit of a true warrior. Chantilly’s story is a testament to the power of resilience and the incredible potential that lies within each of us, no matter the scars we bear.

Hit play and prepare to be inspired!

NSAJ 08: Alani Bankhead

Growing up with an Army father at West Point, Alani seemed to always want to be a part of the military. After joining the Air Force, she took the road less traveled to ultimately reach her goal of becoming an intelligence officer and quickly found herself of high profile missions throughout the world. Deployed to Iraq, she leveraged her minority attributes as an advantage that lead to highly successful operations. These wins did not come without challenges and as Alani looked her imposter syndrome in the face, she documented her perseverance in the form of a book to be shared with the world: The Least of Us.

We’re just scratching the surface with all the incredible accomplishments and wisdom this woman offers – tune in to here the entire story!

Check out The Least of Us !

NSAJ 07: Alessia Garcia

NSAJ 07: Alessia Garcia

Inspired by the Storm Troopers as a child, Alessia Garcia pursued her dream of joining the Air Force right out of high school in 2009 as a Security Forces airman. During a long and chaotic deployment in Afghanistan, Alessia found peace interacting with the local children on base that eventually manifested into a holistic medicine she would tap into years later while finding herself in a dark space.

NSAJ 04: Chelsea Majeski

Chelsea Majeske, a Marine and two time combat veteran, led some of the most dangerous, yet, instrumental missions in Iraq. She discusses the mental challenges she faced as a woman in the midst of operational decisions and the impact it’s had on her nearly 20 years later. Yet, she fights every day to thrive in memory and in honor of those she lost along the way.

NSAJ 03: Kimberly Herm

Kimberly Herm joined the Navy through the ROTC program with intentions of being a pilot. After discovering she had extreme motion sickness, she pivoted – leveraging her degree to become a part of the civil engineer core. She soon found herself on a solo deployment to help rebuild Afghanistan, often being placed in extremely vulnerable situations for the sake of the mission. Kimberly’s unique position afforded success that may have otherwise failed without her; however, that did not come without a price. Kimberly is now rediscovering who she is as she starts her transition out of the military as well as her healing journey. 

BTS: Reliving 20 years ago

It’s not easy. This is raw emotion and mental challenges on the surface as I try to attain my goal of sharing all of this with you. It is difficult but worthy.