Rising Stars: Meet Nathan Freihofer and Aaliyah Abarzua

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nathan Freihofer and Aaliyah Abarzua.

Hi Nathan and Aaliyah, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
In 2019, I began posting entertaining and motivational content on TikTok for fun while I was stationed at Fort Sill. In time, I built a large audience, where I was able to cultivate relationships with soldiers and civilians all across the world. I was creating an impactful platform for my audience.

In 2020, Aaliyah, also a Field Artillery Officer, reached out to me to come to participate in the 22 to Zero Ruck March at Florida State University, an event to raise money and awareness for Veteran Suicide. We instantly hit it off and began dating, this is where my platform transformed from not only satire and gym workouts but the relationship and lifestyle blogging.

Meanwhile, Aaliyah began training at Fort Sill as one of the few female Hispanic Artillery Officers. Our relationship and content flourished as we maneuvered through a long-distance relationship. Never our intent, but we were able to show our audience and other long-distance couples that it is possible to grow together and not apart.

In 2021, our joy to inspire and entertain others has reverberated through our work and platforms as we relocated to Fort Riley, Kansas.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Both, Aaliyah and I navigating, the military and social media alike, have faced our own respective trials and tribulations.

Nathan: On social media, you are putting yourself out to the world on a public platform, so no matter how much good you do for others, you will always encounter people who want to criticize you or speak negatively about you. I’ve had to learn to block out any hate I might get and be strong in my conviction and the good I have done and continue to do with my platform in order to bounce back from any obstacles that I face.

Aaliyah: Any woman in the Army can attest, regardless of rank, job, or duty station, we all face some of the same difficulties. However, male or female the army is a tough job to navigate. Being in a combat arms job (Field Artillery) where there are more men than women is challenging.

For the past 9 months, I’ve been the only female in my platoon which has been exhilarating and exhausting especially when trying to keep up with my male counterparts. Sometimes going to work feels like I’m going into a small battle where I have to fight for my place throughout the day.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Nathan: I create content on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook. My content mainly centers on entertaining lifestyle content with my Girlfriend and motivational fitness videos. I am known for my fitness accomplishments and personality. I have been able to do a lot of things through social media, but I am most proud of 2 things.

Firstly, through my platforms, I have been able to raise and donate over $30,000 to many different charities and soldiers, which have included raising money for surgeries that these soldiers would not have been able to pay for otherwise, and money to support soldier’s families after deaths in the family.

Secondly, I have been able to raise awareness for Men’s Eating Disorders. As a prior anorexia survivor, I have been able to show others through my fitness that you can beat this disorder and not be afraid to talk about it publically.

Aaliyah: I am a field artillery officer at Fort Riley and I am a small-time content creator on Tiktok. I am proud of the work I’ve done for the veteran’s community in Florida. Throughout college, I dedicated all my time to ROTC and the Veterans community to elevate their voice and raise money for soldiers and veterans alike.

I continuously speak with cadets and soldiers about a career in the military and the best ways to navigate. I love helping soldiers believe in themselves and guide them to a better life either in or out of the army.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Aaliyah: In the next few months, I hope to grow my platform with the things I love like fashion, makeup, and working out. In the next couple of years, I hope I’ll be able to go back to my ROTC roots and recruit more Hispanic women into the Army.

Show them how they can pave their own way in the Army. Once I get out of the Army, I’d like to attend law school in hopes to be an Army Judge Advocate General.

Nathan: I hope to either get into modeling, acting, or start a business using the platform I have built over the past few years. I currently am a co-owner of a liquid chalk company, INILL, and would love to see that grow as the years continue.

In addition, I would love to just continue building my brand, getting contracts with large reputable companies, and inspiring and entertaining people across the world.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected], [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathan_fri/,https://www.instagram.com/aaliyahabarzua/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nathan.freihofer.568/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/nathan_fri
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxQmx5aVUUBK6mdPSBsUq9Q/featured
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@_itsnate