Beyond the Uniform: A Military Wife’s Caregiving Journey Artwork

Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

The Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver podcast offers a candid, unfiltered space to confess the good, the bad, and the ugly of being a caregiver through storytelling, guest interviews, and information sharing. JJ & Natalie are a dynamic duo of sisters supporting their mom living with Parkinson's and a husband who survived cancer. Along with their guests, they discuss their shared experiences in caregiving. Viewers and listeners alike will relate to our reluctance, be affirmed in their ability to be caregivers and gain the courage to confidently step out of the shadows to express their own needs. You are sure to laugh, cry, and everything in between but in the end, all will leave feeling better for the journey and part of the sisterhood of care. So grab your favorite guilty pleasure, and let's get to confessing!

All Episodes

Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver

Beyond the Uniform: A Military Wife’s Caregiving Journey

March 04, 2025 • Natalie Elliott Handy and JJ Elliott Hill • Episode 120

"I forgot how to care for myself." - Tara Ross

In this powerful episode of Confessions of a Reluctant Caregiver, hosts Natalie and JJ welcome guest, Tara Ross to dive deep into the raw realities of caregiving—especially within military families. Tara opens up about her journey from falling in love with John, a dedicated Navy submariner, to facing the life-altering challenges of his traumatic brain injury.

This emotional conversation unpacks the hidden struggles of caregivers, from burnout and emotional exhaustion to the fight for proper health advocacy. Tara shares how relocating to Ohio, navigating caregiving through COVID-19, and coping with personal loss shaped her resilience. She also reveals hard-earned lessons on self-care, setting boundaries, and maintaining personal identity while supporting a loved one.

💡 In this episode, you’ll discover:
✅ The emotional toll of caregiving and how to avoid burnout 🧠💔
✅ The importance of health advocacy and speaking up for your loved one 🏥📢
✅ How COVID-19 reshaped caregiving responsibilities 🌍⚖️
✅ Strategies for balancing self-care while supporting others 💆‍♀️✨
✅ Why setting boundaries is essential for long-term resilience 🚧🛡️
✅ The power of a strong support system and community 🤝❤️

Learn more about Tara Ross:

Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Tara Ross split time between Marin County and the Haight-Ashbury district following their parents’ divorce. Growing up in a creative household, they were drawn to the arts, ultimately choosing graphic design as a career path.

In 2006, while attending community college, Tara met John. After a year of dating, he made the life-changing decision to join the Navy, enlisting in the Submarine Service—a choice that initially seemed to offer a sense of security from the dangers of military life. With a grandfather and uncle who had served, Tara was no stranger to the physical and emotional toll the military could take on both service members and their families.

The couple married in 2008, embarking on a journey that took them from Groton, Connecticut, to San Diego, California, where they built their life together amid the challenges and sacrifices of military service.

Social Media: