Make sure to subscribe to this podcast to hear more inspiring stories and helpful advice related to fitness and faith. This week's guest is retired Army LTC Chuck Hunsaker, who wrote a new book called "Angels in Combat Boots" about his experiences as the coach of the very first women's cross country team at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

(4:29) He talks about being part of history, with the integration of women in the military and across America, as he coached female soldier runners in the late 1970's. Some did not think women belonged at West Point or couldn't compete on the physical side, but they opened a lot of eyes. (11:39) Hunsaker explains how he came up with the title of his book, released in December, how it's connected to the TV show "Charlie's Angels." He tells me about how runners on his team opened doors for many other women for the future.

Playing other sports growing up, (15:52) Hunsaker describes his journey to the track and what ended up being 60 years of running. (20:24) He also talks about the impact coaches can have, and how he ended up the head track coach at the University of Cincinnati at age 25, working long hours and having success/awards on a national level.

(27:24) This former coach has a message and advice for those who don't run or didn't like it when they tried running. The key is starting slow. (30:34) We also talk about the connection between fitness and the military, along with (31:45) the mental and spiritual side of both. It was tough mentally for the first female runners he coached. (36:38) They succeeded though in beating Navy, in what helped launch a now famous athletic rivalry with Army.

(41:23) Hunsaker still keeps up with the "angels" that ran for him. His book is available at Amazon and book stores. (44:22) In our final segments, "Food for Thought" is about fitness fairness for female troops and "Parting Gift" is some wisdom from the Bible about breaking barriers, then my closing prayer.

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