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Personal trainer leaves lasting impact on Team Minot
By AIRMAN 1ST CLASS ANTHONY RAMEYJuly 16, 2026
4 min read
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Jill Cangealose, personal trainer, performs a squat at the McAdoo Fitness Center on Minot Air Force Base, June 10. Cangealose led fitness classes that reached hundreds of airmen, spouses and community members.
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MINOT AIR FORCE BASE – For the past four years, Jill Cangealose has helped airmen, spouses and community members build confidence, create healthier habits and discover that fitness does not have to be intimidating to become part of everyday life
As she prepares to depart Minot with her family for their next assignment, Jill reflects on a career built around a simple passion: helping people
“I’ve always been an active person,” she said. “I grew up playing soccer, swimming and doing ballet. I’ve always liked learning about body movement and nutrition.”
That interest eventually evolved into personal training after others began seeking her advice and encouragement. What started as casual conversations at the gym became a career focused on coaching and helping people find what works for them
“I love people!” exclaimed Jill. “I thrive off interactions with people and getting to know their stories, their goals, their limitations and what motivates them.”
Throughout her time in Minot, she worked with approximately 40 to 45 personal training clients and reached hundreds more through group fitness classes. While the workouts themselves were important, she said every client brought a unique set of circumstances that required an individualized approach
“There is no one-size-fits-all solution,” she said. “Everyone has different schedules, different injuries, different goals and different life experiences. My job is helping them figure out how all of those pieces fit together.”
For military members, those challenges are often amplified by demanding schedules, deployments, exercises and the unique pressures of military life. Add North Dakota’s long winters and maintaining a healthy routine can become even more difficult
Still, Jill believes physical fitness remains a critical component of readiness
“When you move your body, get enough sleep, stay hydrated and eat well, you just feel better physically and mentally,” she said. “It’s not just about meeting standards. It’s about being able to do your job and live your life without everything feeling harder than it needs to.”
Her impact extends beyond physical training plans and workout sessions. Over the years, clients shared family challenges and life experiences while training together
“People come to move their bodies, but they also come to connect,” Jill said. “You get to know their families, their children, the challenges they face at work, and what’s happening in their lives. Over time, you build meaningful relationships with them.”
Those connections became one of the most meaningful parts of her work
One client came to her after following an extreme low-calorie diet and was worried about regaining weight. Through proper nutrition and strength training, the client developed healthy habits and newfound confidence. Another client sought guidance after already losing significant weight but wanting to learn how to maintain her progress in a healthy, sustainable way. Years later, she still stays in contact with Jill and continues her fitness journey
Stories like those reinforced Jill’s belief that success is not measured solely by numbers on a scale
Her message to clients has remained consistent throughout her career
“Comparison is the thief of joy,” she said. “If you’re constantly comparing yourself to someone else, you’re not seeing your own progress.”
Instead, she encourages people to focus on their own journey and find activities they genuinely enjoy
“Fitness doesn’t have to be complicated,” she said. “Find something you like doing. Find people to do it with. Make connections. Move your body more.”
As she prepares to leave Minot, Jill says the hardest part will not be leaving the facility or the classes. It will be leaving the people
“You don’t realize just how close you become to your clients until it’s time to say goodbye,” Jill said, her voice filled with emotion. “They’re more than the people you train. You celebrate their victories, support them through their struggles, and watch their families grow. Somewhere along the way, they become part of your life, and you become part of theirs.”
Though she is moving on, the lessons she leaves behind remain. Health and fitness was never just about workouts. It was about helping people build confidence, create meaningful connections and live healthier lives long after the session ended
