Retired Army sergeant major inspires women through fitness classes in Hope Mills
HOPE MILLS, N.C. (WTVD) -- Inside the Hope Mills Recreation Center, Ruby Murray is helping women do more than just break a sweat. Through fitness and encouragement, she's building strength -- both physically and mentally.
The retired Army sergeant major now works as a life coach and trainer, leading classes that focus on more than reps and routines.
"I feel my job is to help (people) find their happy place," Murray said.
Her path to fitness leadership began at Fort Bragg in 1998, shortly after the birth of her daughter. Facing military weight requirements, Murray said she needed to make a change.
"I went from wearing a size eight to a size 16. And at that time, the military gave you a certain amount of time to lose weight," she said.
Determined to stay in the Army, Murray committed to getting back in shape. That effort led her to a pilot program focused on postpartum physical training.
"They informed me there was...a pilot program that was coming to Fort Bragg," she said. "And they wanted me to be part of the pilot program."
The program became a defining part of her career. Murray helped hundreds of soldiers regain their fitness after childbirth, preparing them to return to duty.
"My job was to make sure that when they went back to their units, they were lean, mean, fighting machines," she said.
The program later expanded across the Army and is still used today. Murray said the experience changed her life - and the lives of countless other women in uniform.
"My life was changed. But not just my life, the life of so many females that are still in the military today," she said.
Now retired, Murray continues to inspire through her weekly class, "Woo Ultimate Elite," where she encourages women to challenge themselves physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
"I believe that having that spiritual side, that emotional side, that physical side, in order to create the inside of you, it helps detox you, not just detox you, but help to reset the person that you're trying to be," she said.
For many in her classes, the impact goes beyond fitness.
Felicia Faison joined after being diagnosed with hypertension and dealing with personal loss.
"You're not going to leave this workout without being uplifted," Faison said. "Sometimes I come here just for that."
She said the class has helped her lose weight and manage her health, while also providing an outlet during a difficult time.
Dr. Donna Gray, a pediatrician, said she's been working out with Murray since 2017 and values the sense of community.
"The camaraderie with all of the ladies here is just a relief. I forget about the stresses of life," Gray said. "It's that mental break you need after a hard day's work."
Murray's work has earned national and statewide recognition, including a lifetime achievement award from President Joe Biden and recognition this year from Gov. Josh Stein for logging more than 10,000 hours of volunteer service.
"These accolades allow me to show women that we can," Murray said.
In addition to her classes, Murray now serves as a JROTC Army instructor at Southview High School in Hope Mills -- continuing her mission to lead, motivate, and empower the next generation.
