Air Force to Rec Sports: Jabber Andersons inspiring take on student life and the UGA community

For many, the Ramsey Student Center is a pillar of the UGA community, a comfortable place to play games, connect with peers and engage in physical activity. No one understands this community better than the students and staff who work within the “Ram Fam.” Among them is Jagger Anderson, a third-year double major in history and religious studies, and a personal trainer and nutrition coach at Recreational Sports. Anderson helps customize optimal fitness plans for each of his clients. 

Anderson said that Ramsey has allowed him to hold a job doing something he enjoys: serving others. 

“I greatly enjoy physical fitness, and it has improved my life drastically,” he said. “I want to share that with others to the best of my ability.”  

Anderson brings a unique perspective to his work as a physical trainer because of his time serving in the Air Force. In the Air Force, Anderson was deployed for nine months before ultimately deciding to pursue his degree at the University of Georgia.  

“Being a veteran sometimes feels a little weird because it is so vastly different from my time in Active Duty,” he said. “However, it taught me resilience and has helped me feel less stressed with the overall college experience, including working as a student.” 

Andersen said that working as a physical trainer has given him a refreshing change of pace from the “militaristic hierarchical structure” in the Air Force. While in the military, he served as an Air Force Personal Training Leader (PTL), a position he credits with giving him the ability to instruct clients on exercises during his sessions at Ramsey. 

By connecting with clients who share his passion for fitness and building relationships with his fellow trainers, Anderson has found a sense of community and belonging that made his transition from military service to college life far less daunting.  

In addition to his position in Ramsey, Anderson is also an active member of the Christus Victor Lutheran Church where he serves as a student leader. That sense of service and balance is something he hopes other veterans will embrace as they transition into college life.  

“I love being a student because it allows me to make a ton more friends since there are so many different communities here at UGA,” he said. “I have successfully been able to prioritize working a job I enjoy, serving my church and community, and my learning experience by embracing the college student experience.”