Around the Whiteboard: Stacey Odom

It’s time to go Around the Whiteboard with Coach Stacey!

Crossfit Level 1 Trainer
Favorite WOD: Helen
Favorite Lift: Clean and Jerk
Deadlift Max: 220 lbs
Back Squat: 155lbs
Snatch: 80lbs
Clean and Jerk: 115 lbs
Favorite Food: Mexican…but while pregnant Chinese 🙂
Favorite Movie: Dirty Dancing
Favorite Athlete: Brian McCann… so sad to see him leave the braves 🙁
Dream Job: I still am not sure I could answer that question. I would love to spend my time helping with charity work/social work and travel the world.
Dream Vacation Destination: Thailand

How did you find CrossFit and what drew you to getting started?
“I had heard some buzz about CrossFit after I got out  of college. I missed  playing college sports and feeling that competition. I started to sign up for several different races such as 5ks, 10ks, half marathons, Tough Mudder twice, and other mud races. I was still missing something, though! I finally looked up some local CrossFit gyms and came in for a free assessment. I instantly loved the atmosphere and knew that this could push me to keep my athlete mindset. I love the constant  challenge to push my limits.”

How long have you been doing CrossFit?
“1.5 years”

How has CrossFit changed your life, lifestyle, level of fitness?
“My lifestyle has changed completely because of CrossFit. Not only has it  maintained my confidence as I get older, but really forced me to think about my diet, sleep schedule, etc. I think about food in a completely different light now and I often think twice before eating something that may affect my performance that day in our WOD! It has been a life saver during my pregnancy so far. My body is obviously changing in many ways right now, but CrossFit keeps me feeling agile, confident, and strong. My husband jumped on a healthy eating kick once he started CrossFit, as well. He is now COOKING for the first time in his life and it is amazing! I love being in the kitchen with him and planning out fun meals to cook.”

Have you always known that you wanted to be involved in training and coaching others?
“I grew up playing several sports and loved being around a team atmosphere. I often found myself learning more about the sport than just playing, but  really understanding the coaching aspect and strategy. I had several people tell me while growing up that they think I would make an awesome teacher or coach. I did love the thought of this but  wanted to pursue a more technical degree in college. I enjoyed my career as an Industrial Engineer, but felt like I was missing out on a passion to help others.  I decided “why can’t I have my cake and eat it too?! “ I wanted to fill some extra spare time helping and coaching others to be the best they can be.”

What do you love most about coaching others?
“Seeing people improve throughout the weeks is the most rewarding part to me. It can be improvement with skill, strength, or just an overall health and well being. My greatest joy is to see people come into the gym as just “happier” people. You can tell they are starting to feel better physically and emotionally and that is why I really do love what I do.”

Did you play any sports growing up?
“I played softball and basketball growing up. My true love was softball, though, and ended up playing 4 years of D1 softball in college for Mercer University in Macon, GA.”

What position did you play?
“I was known as a “utility” player. I played third base, second base, right field, and centerfield.”

How do you think CrossFit would have benefited your college softball career?
“My husband and I think about this all the time! (he played collegiate baseball) I wish this was something that I was involved with at an early age. I feel like I am in better shape now than I ever was in my teens. My strength , balance, endurance, and agility have improved so much in the past year that I believe it would have been a huge benefit in my softball career. Also, I think about my eating habits back then and wonder how my new diet would have changed things!”

Tell us about a CrossFit moment or achievement that you are particularly proud of.
“I am actually proud of many moments in my CrossFit journey. I have to say, though, that one of my proudest moments was going to work out with my husband before he had joined CrossFit. I beat him during a WOD that I quickly threw together  for us and I knew he was impressed (and pissed :)) at the same time. I look up to him in so many ways and admire his work ethic and strength so beating him was pretty rewarding.  I will probably never beat him again, but I am ok with that!”

What is your funniest CrossFit moment?
“By far the funniest moment was when coach Brandon was teaching a class one night and everyone was quiet while listening to his instruction, when all of a sudden someone (who I won’t name :)) accidentally farted a little too loud. The whole room went silent and everyone turned their head to look at the culprit. His response was “Oops…that was louder than I thought it was going to be”…. best CrossFit moment.”

What is one goal you have yet to achieve in CrossFit but are working hard towards?
“There are way too many to count HA! At this moment, my main goal is to maintain my endurance through pregnancy. After I get through that big hurdle, my main goal is to get back up to a level where I can consistently do dips, strict push-ups, and  strict pull-ups throughout a WOD. I have always lacked upper body strength and want to really hone these skills so that I can one day do more advanced skill work, such as muscle ups.”

Do you have a personal motto or life mission statement?
“I went through a tough family situation a few years back and ended up losing my mom to cancer. It was by far, the hardest thing I have had to deal with in my lifetime. However, I grew so much as a person and gained wisdom beyond my years because of it. I read a quote one day while in the midst of her struggle that said “Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain”. It struck my so hard and made me realize that we will constantly be thrown in tough situations but you must learn to enjoy the present. I knew that my mom was not going to get better and there was no “waiting” for that storm to pass. I needed to  grasp the present and enjoy every second with her. That quote is something I still live by today, and it is also how my husband proposed to me. He took me out hiking in the pouring rain one day and told me that he wants to dance and live through every rain storm with me. Life isn’t about living a fairytale, it is about making the best out of every situation you get thrown into.”

What are your hobbies and interests outside of CrossFit?
“I really love to go out on a beautiful day and run. I find it very therapeutic.  I enjoy home improvement projects, playing with my nephews, and spending time with family and friends. I also just love to eat…a little bit too much sometimes!”

What is your advice for new members?
“Make that decision and commit to yourself that you are going to do this for YOU.  The workouts can be exhausting, but what you walk away with is a better you every single day. You have set yourself up for success here, just keep showing up and let the pieces fall into place. Before you know it, you will  have friends and coworkers asking what your secret is! In the end, hard work is always the answer.”

What do you love most about No Excuses CrossFit?
“It is the community of people that support me on a regular basis here at No Excuses. Everyone has had their days where they didn’t perform how they want ,but my friends and mentors in the gym never let me think that way. They cheer me on, they encourage me through their hard work, and they have helped shape who I am today.”