Sweating Out Struggles: Local Crossfit trainer helps others hit their personal goals despite disabilities

Cody Penn is a local Crossfit/powerlifting athlete and trainer who believes that everyone, regardless of physical disabilities, is capable of reaching their fitness goals while striving to be the best version of themselves.

"I work with a variety of different people as a trainer," said Penn, 28, of Rarden. "Some have physical disabilities, and some just want that summer beach body they have always dreamed of. In the end, it is all about the individual reaching a goal they have always dreamed of achieving."

Penn says he was inspired to participate in Crossfit by athletes such as Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, professional wrestler Shawn Michaels, Ray Lewis, and Emmitt Smith, all of whom "have a very big impact" on his life.

"All of us have something in common," said Penn, who works as a Personal Trainer at S&S Fitness, located north of Waverly at 1957 U.S. 23. "We strive to be the best."

For Penn, great reward can be found in knowing he "helped someone get past a rut" in their lives.

"It is a great feeling when I hit a personal goal myself, or when I see the happiness on a client's face after they hit their goal," he said. "This makes me realize that this is one of the reasons I was put on this earth."

Crossfit is described on crossfit.com as consisting of "constantly varied functional movements performed at relatively high intensity." The website states that CrossFit workouts are "based on functional movements, and these movements reflect the best aspects of gymnastics, weightlifting, running, rowing and more."

"Crossfit is all about dedication. You are never the best at it. There is always something you have to improve on, but that's the great thing about it. You always have something to strive for," said Penn. "Crossfit is very cardio-oriented, mixed with Olympic Powerlifting movements. It has taught me a lot about my will and desire, and it has also taught me a lot about patience. Hopefully someday I can make it to the big stage."

Recently, Penn began training a 24-year-old who suffered a massive stroke following a major car accident. For the past six years, the man has been "idle" and has had trouble regaining strength, said Penn.

"The stroke and accident left him with complete left side weakness ... It seems that the physical therapy sessions he was going to just had him walk and not do much at all, physically, to regain some strength," said Penn. "Luckily, he found me, and after the first two sessions, he has already told me how happy he is that he is finally doing something about it. After the end of each session, you could already see some fight and improvement in his left side. It was amazing. He wants to be able to play guitar again, and ride a motorcycle - probably things he never thought possible again."

Penn says he is thrilled to see his client gaining "momentum" in his training.

"He is realizing that this can actually happen," he said. "With a lot of work and dedication, he can break the barrier."

Another of his clients, Jill Williams, is wheelchair-bound with a tracheotomy. Penn says she is a "medical marvel" who is excelling at her fitness goals.

"She comes in every Tuesday and does things I never thought possible for someone with her disability," he said. "She is a medical marvel, and she amazes me every time I watch her do a shoulder press."

Throughout his life, Penn has struggled with anxiety, depression, and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. He says he, too, has learned to overcome his struggles, has come to terms with his disorders, and learned to conquer obstacles in his life while becoming a stronger athlete and individual.

"These things are always going to be a struggle in my life, and I have come to terms with that. I'm not fighting it anymore. I just let it come and let it pass. Thankfully, I have always had amazing family support through it all. My mom, dad, and wife have been so encouraging and patient," he said. "My mom didn't know what was wrong with me when I was a depressed 10-year-old child who got anything he wanted, and she tried everything. We just weren't educated on it at the time. A few years ago, it got extremely bad, and I finally sought counseling. It was the best decision I ever made. I have educated myself on my mental illness ever since, and it has helped tremendously. I live a pretty much normal life now, but if I ever go through a spell, I know how to conquer it now."

He and his wife, Shannon, have a two-year-old son, Layne. He says he enjoys the "family man" aspect of his life.

"My beautiful wife and son are the world to me. My mother and father are my heroes. They have taught me proper morals and how to always stay humble and work hard for anything you want," he said. "Life doesn't give you handouts or pity."

On the weekends, Penn also works at the Walmart Distribution Center in Washington Court House.

"I went to Northwest High School, and, after graduation, I signed with Wilmington College to play football, but didn't stay long at all. I was homesick, burnt out with school, and I realized that my football career was over, and I was ready to work," he said. "I went to welding school for six months afterwards and got my certification, worked at Osco Industries in Portsmouth for a while, then found Walmart Distribution, which gave me flexible hours so that I could finally get my PT certification. They also gave me the four days off to start a career with it, and I couldn't be happier. Every day, I find another reason to love life."

In addition to his weekend job, working as a Personal Trainer at S&S Fitness, and himself training at CrossFit Ingognito, in Chillicothe, Penn enjoys playing pool, wrestling, listening to rock and heavy metal music and playing guitar ? hobbies and interests he says "keep him sane."

"I have a busy life. It is all about positive vibes and being open about it. Don't bottle it in. That's what I did for far too long," he said. "There's a stigma that comes with mental illness. People are afraid to open up about it, and I'm hoping that if I do, maybe it can save someone else."

Mental disorders can be treated, said Penn, and fitness, he says, has been a "huge key in treating it."

"It's almost like on some days I can sweat out an anxiety spell. I owe 50 percent of my recovery to fitness. That made me realize that if I can beat that, I can beat anything," said Penn. "Fitness can alter your mindset. You kind of lose yourself during training, and your problems vanish. Everyone has a different struggle. Everyone has problems. That's life. It is something we all have in common. That's why fitness should bring us all together."