Tell us about yourself:
Hello Beachside Family! I’m Jody — born in Gilroy, CA, but I spent most of my teenage years in Toledo, OH. After that, I joined the Marine Corps and stuck around for 23 years. During that time, I had the opportunity to travel all over the world — to some amazing places, and a few not-so-friendly ones too. I’m a proud dad to three daughters, ages 33, 31, and 28. I’m also engaged to Nikki, who you’ll probably see crushing the 6:30 a.m. class while I’m still at home sleeping! In addition to being engaged, I’m proud to add Nikki’s daughter Alison (17) to our little family.
What do you do for a job?
I’m a Contract Administrator for the federal government. It’s not glamorous – no cape or badge – but I make sure the government doesn’t get ripped off. Think of me as a financial watchdog with a really big spreadsheet. Somebody’s gotta keep the receipts!
Tell us something people might not know about you:
According to the VA, I’m 100% disabled – which basically means I’m not supposed to be out in public without a helmet and a permission slip. But I’ve decided to ignore that and show up anyway (helmet optional). Turns out, I do just fine.
What brought you to CrossFit in the first place?
When I retired from the Marines over 10 years ago, I was struggling – dealing with PTSD, depression, anxiety, and a failing marriage. I wasn’t putting myself first, and between the meds from the VA and drinking too much, I ended up gaining over 70 pounds. I didn’t like the person I had become, and I knew something had to change. So I joined a gym – and that decision changed everything. I fell in love with being part of a group where people support each other and show up every day with a goal to be better. That sense of community and shared purpose is what brought me to CrossFit – and keeps me coming back.
What was your first impression? How has that changed?
At first, I thought CrossFit was all about being the fastest, lifting the most weight, and pushing to the extreme every time. But over time, I realized that’s not what it’s really about. You don’t have to finish first or lift the heaviest to get a great workout. What matters most is showing up, putting in the effort, and improving a little each day. The real win is just being consistent and part of the community.
What was your first “Bright Spot?”
It wasn’t my very first bright spot, but definitely one of the most meaningful. I had back surgery in 2023 and spent about a month in bed afterward. My goal was to be back in the gym within six months – and I was determined to make it happen. After working hard through physical therapy, I was cleared just in time to participate in the 2024 CrossFit Open. I didn’t hit any PRs, but I showed up, did the work, and proved to myself that I was back. That moment reminded me that progress isn’t always about numbers – sometimes it’s just about showing up after life knocks you down.
What are you working on now?
Everything!!!
What’s your favorite BeachSide CrossFit memory?
One of my favorites has to be the time I lost a bet to Simon and ended up wearing a unicorn costume. Let’s just say it was a very magical workout – and a good reminder to choose my bets more carefully! Moments like that are what make this community so awesome.
