APPLETON, Wis. (WFRV) – Retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Raquel Durden didn’t always plan on a military career.
“I had it in my head that I was going to go to college since I was in the first grade, but I didn’t really figure out how I was going to pay for that, so I enlisted really for money for college and to travel the world,” Durden said.
That decision led her across the globe — nearly 40 countries later — with deployments ranging from combat to humanitarian missions.
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“My last deployment I had on active duty was a humanitarian mission — and it kinda sits in my heart well,” she said.
But serving her country wasn’t without challenges. As a woman in the military, Durden faced barriers from day one.
“Many, many times I felt like the token woman in the room… I had to learn how to find my voice and speak up when it matters,” she said.
Later, she faced a new battle.
“I actually had a cancer diagnosis that is actually considered presumptive, presumptive means based on my service, and it was tracked back, according to the VA from my time in Somalia,” she explained. “So I was like, whoa, pump the brake. I’ve got to take care of myself now instead of serving.”
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That experience set her on a new path — helping others heal through wellness.
“I’m a lifelong learner, so I got certified in yoga, holistic nutrition… then I started sharing what I knew,” she said.
In 2018, Durden founded Humble Warrior Wellness, a nonprofit supporting women veterans, first responders, and nurses.
“Our two pillars are connection and wellness — and holistic wellness is a big umbrella,” she said.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Durden said, “People were really clicking on mental health, connection, and feeling it.”
That led her to write a book, Dial Down: Holistic Strategies to Move from Chaos to Calm.
“What I want the average reader to feel is — if these strategies work for these high-speed individuals who have served, this could work for me,” she said.
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Her husband, retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Dave Durden, has been by her side through it all. The couple met while serving overseas in Korea and married within two months.
“We didn’t know each other long — only two months before we got married… but when you meet overseas in a high tempo operation — you see them for what they are,” Dave said.
Dave also supported Raquel through her cancer treatment.
“My husband gave me another reason to love him even more because nobody wants their spouse to be a caregiver but my spouse was a tremendous caregiver,” Raquel said.
Now, Dave even takes part in her wellness work.
“I go to her stretch classes. Diet change. More time in nature. It offers opportunities… to be able to dial down,” Dave said.
And while Raquel no longer wears the Army uniform, her sense of purpose hasn’t gone anywhere.
“Waking up every day wearing the uniform, U.S. Army on one side, my name on the other — I didn’t seek purpose. I had it every day,” she said.
Her family’s tradition of service continues — her son is now serving in the military as well. Raquel will host a book launch for Dial Down on September 10 at Woodland Dunes in Two Rivers. The event is open to the public.
