Athlete Spotlight: Stacey Odom

 

Name: Stacey Odom

Age: 31

Occupation: Senior Project Engineer

Hometown: Kansas City, MO

Which class time do you usually attend? 4 or 5 PM

Favorite WOD: Chipper type WODs

Favorite CF Movement: Learning to love snatches

Least Favorite CF Movement: Dips 🙁

3RM Back Squat: 175

1RM Deadlift: 250 (pre baby Everett)

Favorite Food: Mexican

Favorite Movie: Shawshank Redemption

Favorite Athlete: Mattie Rogers

Dream Job: Deliver babiessss

Dream Vacation Destination: New Zealand

If you could have any super power… Healing powers

Favorite Motivational Quote: “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, but learning to dance in the rain”

How long have you been doing CrossFit?

February 2012

 

How did you first discover CrossFit and what made you decide to start?

I was unhappy and depressed after recently losing my mother to brain cancer. I was sick of the weight gain and feeling like I had no control of my life. I needed structure, support, discipline, and friends. CrossFit fulfilled all of these needs plus more. The hard work I put in day in and day out at the gym was also symbolic of the hard work I was putting in daily for my mental health.

 

Tell us about your fitness/sports background: 

I always loved playing sports. I grew up trying it all and was fully dedicated to competitive softball where I eventually gained a scholarship to play D1 college ball at Mercer University.

 

What sorts of positive changes (mental, physical, emotional) have you noticed in your life since getting involved at No Excuses? 

I cannot even begin to explain this. I am a different person today mentally, physically, and emotionally than when I first walked into the gym. There are many factors to this change, however, this gym had a major impact and I cannot thank the community enough.

 

Who or what keeps you coming back and motivated?

my kids, my husband, my friends that I love competing with on a daily basis at the gym…

 

In what other ways do you use your fitness? 

pregnancy, labor, motherhood, the list goes on…

 

Please share with us a favorite CrossFit or No Excuses moment.

I can’t believe I have 7 years of CrossFit experience to reflect on for this… I love working out with my husband and watching his successes. I was so proud of him when I turned around during a regular WOD and watched him finally hit a 300lb clean. It is so fun and fulfilling seeing your loved ones succeed after all their hard work.

 

Name one goal you would like to achieve in the next year (doesn’t have to be CrossFit related, but it can be) 

I want to work on the butterfly kip 🙂

 

Tell us about your hobbies and interests outside of the gym:

good food, good family, good rest!

 

What advice do you have for someone just starting CrossFit or is on the fence about starting?

What doesn’t scare you doesn’t change you… plain and simple. It has been the most beneficial thing for my health but stepping in that gym all by myself day 1 was very scary! I am so proud I did it, though.

 

What do you love most about No Excuses? 

The sweat, the tears, and the lifelong friendships.