Defying Limits

Finishing a triathlon in Texas.

What do cage-diving with great white sharks in South Africa, running with the bulls in Spain, and climbing to the Advanced Base Camp of Mt. Everest all have in common?

Susan Raglin.

She has already compiled quite an archive of adventures.  From a 70.3 Ironman, to Century bicycle rides, to bungee-jumping and sky-diving, Susan has yet to encounter a challenge she deems “too risky”.  Perhaps that’s why she has also para-glided in the mountains of Italy and hang-glided up to 13,000 feet.  And as if Everest wasn’t enough, she conquered Kilimanjaro as well.

Bike racing in Iraq.

Susan asserts, “I simply love living, and experiencing new things that defy what human beings would normally do.”  She is continually seeking thrills in pursuit of her breaking point.

Suiting up to sky-dive.

She admits that the 17-day trek to the Everest Advanced Base Camp was, hands down, the most challenging and fulfilling venture yet.  “Everest showed me (that) with dedication and determination, all dreams are attainable.”

Cruising the coast of South Africa.

Susan shares that she doesn’t allow fear to influence her decisions.  She prefers to face them head on.  Never turn your back on an opportunity and then wonder “What if?”  “The only thing holding you back is you, and you are capable of so much more than you give yourself credit for.”  These are powerful words from a woman who’s been there and back.

Susan was born in Germany but grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  She received her Bachelor’s in Accounting from Old Dominion University, and this is where she was commissioned into the Army via the ROTC in 2004.  She went on to attain a Master’s in Emergency and Disaster Management.

She has one brother with special needs, and this has had an impact on her personally as well as professionally.  Having experience with him and others in this community growing up has shaped Susan’s career, and it may spur her to further study audiology, in order to work with special-needs children.  


Presently, she is the manager of the Logistics Division for the Vicenza Health Center in Italy.  She finds motivation in giving back to the community every day through her job in the medical field.  Susan affirms, “I’ve accomplished many things in my life, but I get no greater satisfaction than knowing I’ve helped a human being better the quality of their life.”

Susan has proven that physical tests are no sweat.  On the other hand, finding a way to balance life, love, and career remains an overarching challenge.  Moving five times for the military and weathering two deployments to Iraq--in addition to obtaining advanced degrees and living an exceptionally adventurous life--have made it a challenge to find a partner who can keep pace.  She continues to be open to love, but vows that she won’t settle.  Given her long list of achievements, her standards are high-- and rightfully so.

She encourages women to follow their dreams.  “Don’t feel guilty for putting yourself first or wanting more out of life,” she urges.  “Men, and finding love, should not hold you back.”

It’s undeniable that Susan Raglin has let nothing hold her back.  She continues to raise the bar and defy limits, to prove to herself and other fearless females that anything is possible.