KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Monday through Friday, and sometimes on the weekends, Master Sgt. Danielle Goosby can be found in the nucleus of all 403rd Maintenance Group operations, the maintenance operations control center at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi.
As a senior MOC controller, Goosby is part of a team that coordinates every maintenance function for the 20 C-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to the Air Force Reserve’s 403rd Wing.
But when she’s not in the closed off room surrounded by the screens and radios of MOC making sure aircraft and personnel are accounted for, Goosby can be found pushing members of Team Keesler and the local community by leading group fitness classes.
“I used to just attend classes, but then COVID hit and when the gyms reopened they were hurting for instructors,” she said. “A friend of mine who works as an instructor here knew I had always wanted to do it but that I was a little nervous so she twisted my arm and encouraged me to try leading classes here.”
Goosby said becoming an instructor began as a way to hold herself accountable as the necessity to be there for her students drove her to show up and work hard.
“As time went on, I started to really enjoy it,” she said. “I started getting more feedback. People would say things like ‘Thank you so much I needed this’ or ‘That was a great ride,’ so just hearing those positive comments kept me motivated and pushing to do better for them and myself.”
As she’s grown more comfortable leading classes, Goosby said her motivation has reached beyond accountability for herself. Through music, words of encouragement, and challenging but enjoyable workouts, she strives to provide classes that motivate those in attendance and make them want to come back.
One of those repeat participants is Lt. Col. Marnee A. C. Losurdo, 403rd Wing Public Affairs Chief.
“I enjoy the spin classes,” Losurdo said. “Instructors, such as Master Sgt. Goosby, motivate me to push myself harder. It’s a great workout and it increases my energy levels and makes me feel better physically and mentally. I like to mix up my cardio workouts between spin and High Impact Interval Training, both which are offered on base and are outstanding workouts led by excellent instructors.”
Prior to taking the plunge to become an instructor, Goosby said she started her own fitness journey by participating in group classes. In addition to them being what she called a fun environment, the group atmosphere allowed her the opportunity to comfortably learn proper form and technique and build confidence in her workouts without the intimidation of being told directly she was doing something wrong or figuring it out alone.
“I think when you’re just starting your fitness journey, group fitness is the best place for you,” she said. “You have different people around you at different levels so you don’t feel too intimidated and you can learn as you go. Part of that learning is being corrected without being confronted. You’ll hear cues of ‘Make sure you’re doing it right’ and ‘Make sure you’re doing it like this’ and you can look and readjust yourself.”
While Goosby is leading and motivating others in their own fitness journeys, she said the experience has provided tools for her toolbox on the professional side as a new senior noncommissioned officer.
“In a fitness class sometimes you have to push people to their breaking point to break through to the other side and that, in a way, translates to the professional side of guiding someone to realizing their full potential in their career or some other aspect of their job,” she said. “Leading the classes has definitely helped me become more vocal and more confident.”
On base, Goosby leads spin classes at the Blake Fitness Center Tuesdays and Thursdays at 4:15 p.m. These courses are available for free to Common Access Card carrying personnel. She also leads spin, core, and upper body classes off base.
For more information about group fitness class schedules and about the fitness centers at Keesler, visit https://www.discoverkeesler.com/fitness.
“At the end of the day people need that extra push and motivation,” said Goosby. “You can only do so much on your own, you have to have someone carry you to the end, and I’m trying to be that person.”