Wellness Day
While diving is at the heart of Dagger Dive, “wellness” is one of the foundations and building blocks to healing in all ways; mind, body, and spirit. Wellness is woven throughout the week through physical therapy sessions, mentoring, and counseling that is available to anyone interested.
Due to diving regulations, participants must take a break midweek to allow their bodies time to safely regulate the gases from compressed air. Wellness Day, held on Day 4, was designed to fill that pause.
This day gives parents an opportunity to engage with health-focused initiatives led by the Task Force Dagger (TFD) team. It also offers time for couples to reconnect through sessions guided by our team chaplain and volunteer psychologist. While the kids head off to tackle the Spartan Kids Race (more on that in a future blog!), parents dive into something just as meaningful. (No pun intended. 😊)
Wellness Day is a full day—focused on mind, body, and spirit. The morning includes three one hour-long sessions hosted by our health initiative team, the chaplain, and psychologist. Each brings their own area of expertise, offering insight and tools tailored to the unique challenges faced by the SOF families. But their impact doesn’t end there—they remain available throughout the entire week for more personal and private conversations.
Years ago, my husband Scott said something that later stuck and helped vocalize the mission of 'family'. He said “It wasn’t just me that was injured. My entire family was injured.” Though family has always been a the root of TFD’s mission, it was that simple truth that helped shape the direction of TFD’s approach. We realized healing couldn’t stop with just the soldier. It had to include the whole family.
Of the three sessions, the Health Initiatives portion has taken on a life of its own. Geoff Dardia has been with Dagger Dive since its beginning in Key West in 2011. Having experienced his own health struggles and frustration with the status quo of veteran healthcare, Geoff dove deep into finding alternative and effective approaches. He saw how years of deployments, toxic exposures, and relentless stress were taking a long-term toll—issues not resolved by another bottle of pills.
Scott’s injuries are visible. But the invisible wounds—those that weigh on the mind and soul—are often harder to understand. The SOF and broader military community continues to face alarming rates of cancer and suicide, and much of it ties back to the unresolved mental and physical burdens they carry. The government can only do so much. Benevolent organizations like TFD help bridge that gap.
Geoff’s lived experience drives his work today. His research and passion are changing lives. If you or someone you know in the SOF community could benefit, take five minutes to watch this video.
https://www.taskforcedagger.org/sof-health/
A beautiful new addition to Wellness Day is a couples yoga session hosted at the Yoga Sanctuary on Fleming Street. The owner graciously donates her serene space, and Shalia—one of our dive masters—leads the class.
I didn’t participate in class but rather observed from the sidelines—and what I saw moved me to tears. Maybe it was the stories I knew about some of the couples. Maybe it was my own story playing out in theirs. So many of these women have held everything together while their husbands served. They've been the rock at home, juggling roles and responsibilities that often go unseen.
In some cases, the wives had their own medical challenges. Witnessing the yoga poses that literally had him physically supporting her hit deep for me. It was more than yoga—it was healing, trust, and love in motion. Life is a mystery for sure and moments like this are what keeps drawing me back.
We all want to believe we’re making a difference—but when people come together with a common cause, the impact is even greater. And that’s what Dagger Dive is all about.
If you’ve been following along, you know Dagger Dive is about more than just diving—it’s about connection, community, and shared experience. Stay tuned for more behind-the-scenes moments and stories from the week. You can follow me on Instagram/Facebook and subscribe to the blog to keep up with all the highlights.
There’s still so much more to share.
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3 Comments
Jun 30, 2025, 5:59:59 AM
Carole Dorris - Extremely well expressed, Laura!
Jun 29, 2025, 11:39:32 AM
Linda - Inspirational and life giving work and growth!! Thank you!!
Jun 29, 2025, 9:35:27 AM
Bonnie Ferguson - This was a beautiful post, Laura. And so very true.