Meet Adaptive Athlete:  Tia Long

Tia Long grew up in Brooklyn, New York, where she poured herself into painting, drawing, and other creative outlets, finding rhythm and refuge in the act of making something from nothing. She enlisted in the Army in 2002, serving as a Signal Support Systems Specialist until 2006.

Her first deployment to Kuwait came within months of arriving at her unit, followed quickly by Iraq—then, after a brief return stateside, another rotation to Kuwait and back to Iraq. Her team kept the lines open, providing critical signal communications under constant pressure. The missions left marks that didn’t show on the surface: multiple traumatic experiences that followed her home and lingered long after separation.

For years, Tia withdrew - isolating, avoiding crowds, pulling away from the noise of the world. The vibrant energy she once channeled into art and connection faded into silence.

Now, through the Hyper program at ATF, Tia is rebuilding. She’s seeking strength, confidence, and motivation—not just for the gym, but for a daily routine she can trust. Her goal is to weave the discipline, movement, and mindset from the program into a sustainable lifestyle, one brushstroke, one rep, one breath at a time.