Colonel (Ret.) Gregory D. Gadson served over 26 years in the United States Army, commanding Fort Belvoir and deploying to major conflicts globally. In May 2007, an improvised explosive device (IED) attack in Iraq led to the loss of both legs, yet he courageously remained on active duty, embodying perseverance and teamwork.
A vocal advocate for wounded warriors, veterans, and individuals with disabilities, Colonel Gadson’s inspiring message of courage has also resonated with the New York Giants, contributing to their Super Bowl XLII victory.
Beyond his military career, Gadson has appeared in the film Battleship and continues to lead a dynamic life as an entrepreneur, artist, and athlete. Along the way, Oura Ring has become his “battle buddy” and coach, always by his side.
Q: What brought you to Oura?
A: I became pre-diabetic pretty early on after I lost my legs. Eventually, in late 2019, I became a diabetic. Like everything in my life, I thought I could just power through it, but through ignorance, I failed, and my diabetes was going in the wrong direction. It was a low point for me mentally and emotionally. Around that time, in 2020, I also found out I was going to be a grandfather, so I realized I really had to take control of my health.
During COVID, when everything shut down, I was trying to get myself back in shape. In early 2020, I was on a board call for Hope for the Warriors, and a PhD from the University of Miami talked about Oura Ring and how the NBA was using it.
I was looking for something that wasn’t intrusive to help me manage my health, and Oura Ring became my coach. I now wear it as my wedding band.
Q: How has Oura supported your health journey?
A: With my Dexcom continuous glucose monitor and my Oura Ring, I began to really learn my body. It gave me feedback. I became more aware of the things that will cause my glucose to spike. I read somewhere that five minutes of movement after a meal can keep your blood sugar from spiking as much, so I try to do that and get my heart rate up. After I get some exercise, I look at my Oura App to see how many calories I burned.
Also, I found out I had severe sleep apnea, and I actually watched my blood oxygen levels improve as I got in better shape. It’s been my battle buddy.
Q: What’s your favorite Oura feature?
A: A real selling point is the Readiness Score. I’m a career Army officer, and “Readiness” is the term we use to evaluate if our unit is prepared to perform its mission. We talk about “readiness status”—having enough people at work, the status of your equipment, etc. So, I totally vibe with that word „readiness.“
I also appreciate the Symptom Radar feature. I was recently in Tucson for a speech, knocking around town. I felt like I overdid it, because I was getting really sore from moving around in my wheelchair—my shoulders and neck were aching. I looked at my Oura App to see how much exercise it was giving me credit for, and that’s when it told me I might be getting sick. And it was right on. I took some supplements and got some rest, and I felt alright the next day.
„As an Army officer, ‚Readiness‘ is the term we use to evaluate if our unit is prepared to perform its mission… so I totally vibe with that word ‚readiness.'“
Q: You’ve had some unexpected opportunities come your way, including with the New York Giants.
A: As I was recovering, a friend asked me to speak to his team [the New York Giants]. I’m not a public speaker or a motivational speaker, but he knew what I’d been through. That ultimately led to the Giants winning a Super Bowl when they beat the Patriots that year. I kind of became a permanent fixture with the Giants, and we won another Super Bowl four years later against the Patriots. So if they call Tom Brady the GOAT, and I’m 2 and 0 against the GOAT, what does that make me?
Q: What’s one tip you would give to other Oura members based on your experience?
A: I’ve personally convinced four or five people in my close circle to give it a shot. To me, I would describe it as getting in sync with your body. You have biometric feedback that allows you to make sense of your mental, physiological, and physical metrics all at the same time.
„I would describe [using Oura] as getting in sync with your body.“
What’s Your Oura Story?
Everyone’s story is unique, and we’d love to hear yours. Share your story here.