2026 PSD Kinesiology: Timothy Cabalo
From soldier to engineer and back again, Tim Cabalo took up his most recent career pursuit in an effort to serve the general population and veterans in particular.
He pursued the Kinesiology Public Health, A.S. Integrated Health & Wellness (Yoga Therapy) degree at Cypress College after a long career in the military — in the Air Force, as an Army Reserve Officer, and on active duty after 9/11 — and as a satellite test engineer with Hughes Aircraft. He remains in the Army Reserve and now works as an engineer with Space Force and soon, will have another degree and skill under his belt.
The practice of yoga and Eastern philosophy spoke to him after he encountered in his martial arts training. He sees the health and wellness aspect of yoga as a way to heal himself and others, to build community with middle-aged and senior populations, as well as former fellow solders, whom he knows so well.
“My long-term goals are to work in a clinical setting as a Yoga Therapist/Group Fitness Instructor focusing on working with aging populations, former athletes, and military veterans.”
He looks forward to embarking on this new career with his wife and two sons by his side, and his fellow veterans along with him on a healing journey.
Please tell us about yourself. Where did you grow up? What are your interests? What is your story?
I was born in Dinuba, CA (Central Valley of California), but grew up all over the Fresno, the Salinas Valley, the Santa Cruz/Monterey Bay area, and Hollister & San Juan Bautista areas of California. My father was an agriculture laborer and my parents divorced when I was three years old. I lived with my mother, and we moved around a lot. I attended three different High Schools – Soquel, Hollister, and finally graduated from Orosi High. I moved to L.A. after high school to attend college and play music. I was a part of the SGV Punk scene. I ran out of money for school, my band started moving in a different creative direction and met the woman that would eventually become my wife and life partner through “one crazy adventure” after another.
I ended up enlisting in the United Stated Air Force and my wife and I began our journey. The first stop was Colorado. Our next stop was Dayton, OH. I flew on board an aircraft that deployed around the world gathering satellite and missile telemetry. My six-year enlistment ended with our last duty station at Edwards, Air Force Base, CA. During this time my two sons were born. Immediately after leaving active duty, we moved back to La Puente, CA and I transferred to Cal-Poly Pomona to complete my undergraduate studies and also enlisted in the California Army National Guard. As a full-time student, my wife started working at Disneyland and now has 30 years with the Mouse (wow!).
I took the opportunity in the National Guard to volunteer for the Officer Candidate School (OCS) to become a commissioned officer in my last year at Cal-Poly. It was very hard. I was balancing a full load of credits at Cal-Poly, working part-time as a student intern for the California Air Resource Board and at Disneyland, an Candidate in OCS, and spending time with my family. We survived this phase of our journey with me earning my commission and heading off to Fort Benning for Infantry Officers Basic Course, finishing my undergraduate degree, and getting hired for my first engineering job at Hughes Space & Communications.
I was working at Hughes Space & Communications as a Satellite Test Engineer when the morning shift came in and told us that something was going on with the World Trade Center and some planes. I started my commute home and turned on the radio. That day in September changed the next twenty years of my families lives. After 34 years and 8 months of total military service with 14 years and 6 months of time spent on active duty (last deployment Iraq, Operation Inherent Resolve 2016-2017) while balancing finishing my Graduate degree, my engineering career and family. I finally retired last April.
We truly do journey together…I have to include my family when I think about my journey. The next segment of my adventure will be here soon. This next phase is my wife and my moving towards our partial retirement. I reflect on the things that are important to me and what I would like to share with the world.
What are you most passionate about? Why?
I am passionate about health and wellness, especially in terms of longevity. I am also passionate about helping others. I was introduced to aspects of Yoga and other eastern philosophy through my martial arts practice which has led me on the path to an open ended and curious journey to research, experience, and share with others. Part of this passion is sharing with others in the middle aged and senior populations and my fellow military veterans. I think that part of building community is seeking others from shared experiences to validate and verify sources of ancient knowledge.
Why did you choose Cypress College?
When I began thinking about what I wanted to do after the military and when I eventually wind down my engineering careers, I started exploring my interests in hyper-real religions (Jediism) and started studying Religious Studies at Fullerton College. I desire was to expand my research into Eastern Religions and Philosophies. I had previously finished a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training online during COVID but felt even more disconnected and came away with many unanswered questions. I came across the 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training course through the relationship between Fullerton College and Cypress. I enrolled and was hooked!
What have you been involved in at Cypress College? How has your path unfolded?
As an asynchronous on-line student, my path at Cypress College has unfolded itself by presenting both challenges as well as opportunities. My travel schedules between the Army Reserve and my engineering job with the Space Force presented some timing and schedule challenges that if I were in-person would have prevented me from making any significant progress in my studies. The opportunities came because I could take Cypress College with me on the road to Austin, Huntsville, Colorado Springs, El Paso, New Mexico, Dayton, Florida, Boston, Seattle, South Korea, and Tokyo.
Share a memorable event or experience while you’ve been a Cypress College student.
Part of the Integrated Health and Wellness, Yoga Teacher, and Yoga Therapy course of study involves creating video content for discussions, demonstrations of asana (postures) and pranayama (breathing), Ayurveda and philosophy presentations. This experience has had a great impact on me. I have worked steadily on improving my video scripting, audio production, lighting, presentation layouts and other related production that is leading towards a possible online avenue for sharing my knowledge with others.
Who are the faculty and staff (in your major, an academic or other support program, etc.) who have helped you get where you are today?
Prof.’s Sam Gould and Silvie Grote without a doubt have convinced me that Yoga (beyond the physical body) is as much or more important to an aspiring Yoga student/practioner. Both have provided inspirational guidance, intellectual and physical challenges embodying the mind-body-spirit essence of the eight-limb path.
How has Cypress College supported you throughout your time at the college?
Cypress College has been responsive to all of my requests for information, applications for evaluation of my past education achievements, and updates
What are your immediate plans after completing your studies at Cypress College (at your transfer institution, in the workforce, etc.)?
The next steps towards achieving the Yoga Therapist certification are applying and be accepted to a recognized certification program by the International Association of Yoga Therapists (C-IAYT) this is typically an 800 plus hour program of study. I am also looking for Mediation and Pranayama recognized certification programs. Additionally, I am working on completing my American Council on Exercise (ACE) Group Fitness Instructor certification to focus on aging population, kettlebell, Yoga, functional fitness, martial arts, and HIIT.
What are your long-term goals? What do you aspire to?
I am in the midst of shifting priorities. My goals are to lessen my commute time, move away from defense contracting, and replace my income from a single primary source. To do this I see myself working either remotely, reduced hours, or only special projects. My long-term goals are to work in a clinical setting as a Yoga Therapist/Group Fitness Instructor focusing on working with aging population former athletes and military veterans, travelling with my wife to sacred places around the world sharing experiences and posting eastern philosophical insights, playing-writing-recording more music, finding my voice, promoting my image, finish remodeling our house, becoming a Shugendo Yamabushi, and many other adventures.
What are you most proud of?
I truly appreciate my wife staying with me through tough times so now we can really enjoy life. My sons, of course, have both earned their undergraduate degrees. I am absolutely humbled and appreciate every day by where I came from and what we have now.
What bit of advice would you give to current and future Cypress College students?
Impermanence. Events appear in our lives whether we believe that we manifest them or an outside force presents them. Take each as they are and allow them to pass through.
Connection. In our world of constant connection, take time to engage intentionally with the natural world to include people, nature, and manmade. I think this could work to ground and provide balance to the virtual world.
Is there anyone in particular you’d like to thank?
I thank my wife and sons first and foremost because what I do is for them. I thank my parents because I came from their world. I want to thank those that have been mentors and teachers, brothers and sisters at arms, muses, and examples.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
“May the Force be with you.”