“Keeping a good attitude and focusing on the positive side of things is really helpful when you are struggling through something.”
Cody Anderson shocked the CrossFit community—and himself—at the 2014 North West Regional. Finishing second and securing his place at the 2014 Reebok CrossFit Games, the 165-lb., 22-year-old athlete said his goal was to place within the top half of the region’s competitors.
“I was incredibly surprised,” he said. “My goal was to finish in the top 50 percent, but I was even a little unsure of whether I would be able to do that.”
Anderson’s gymnastics background served him well on the handstand walk. He earned first place in the event, walking a total of 280 feet while the crowd cheered him on as the last competitor on the floor as the 3-minute time cap ticked to an end.
“I expected to do well on the handstand walk and pull-up/overhead squat couplet, but everything else was a surprise,” he admitted.
Keeping It Positive
“I try not to think about the people around me when I am competing,” Anderson said. “A lot of times, I’m not even thinking about the event until, “3-2-1 … go!” It can be mentally crippling if you start to compare yourself to others and stress about the workout you are about to do. There wasn’t any point in getting intimidated by something I couldn’t change.”
Anderson’s grace under tremendous pressure is a testament to his current educational path and life view. While he trains and coaches at Central Oregon CrossFit in Bend, Oregon, he’s attending Bible college with the goal of serving in ministry.
“I’ve given my life to Christ,” he said. “I want to know Him more and Bible college is a great way to grow in that and to gain tools to help others. It’s not the only way, of course, but it has been great for me so far.”
Anderson said his response to grueling workouts or difficult life situations is prayer.
“I’ve also learned the value of positive thinking and positive self-talk,” he said. “Keeping a good attitude and focusing on the positive side of things is really helpful when you are struggling through something. Say something like, ‘This is going to suck,’ and you’ve defeated yourself before you even start.”
Preparing for Carson
Anderson knows that to do his best in Carson, California, he’ll have to put himself in some unpleasant situations.
“I am doing a lot of stuff that is not only physically taxing, but also mentally,” he said. “Things like working out in the heat of the day or adding a bonus surprise round when I want to be done. Just doing the stuff I really don’t want to do.”
In anticipation of a water event, Anderson swims two to three days a week.
“I am also planning to gain a couple pounds,” he said. “Not a lot, maybe 3 to 5 lb., and I’m lifting heavy a couple days a week at least. I don’t expect to crush everybody on a super heavy event, but I would like to be as prepared as possible.”
To get through his preparations, Anderson keeps his faith-based philosophy in the forefront of his mind.
“People might get tired of hearing this, but I’m growing in faith and my relationship with God,” he said. “The whole reason I am where I am right now is because of Him. It would stand to reason the He is going to help me through the rest of this, too.”
Earned Confidence
Anderson said CrossFit has changed his life.
“The way I approach challenges has changed,” he said. “I am more confident in my abilities, and in most outside the box situations I know what my body is capable of doing. That’s a big change from the 130-lb., self-conscious 18-year-old I was a couple of years ago!”
His closest competitors said they’re impressed by his drive and athleticism.
“I’ve competed against Cody for the past few years and noticed this year that he has gotten so much stronger,” said Ben Stoneberg, third place man in the North West. “I was super impressed by how he handled heavy weight being a smaller guy. Looking at the regional WODs, I knew he would do great. He’s very impressive for a smaller guy and being so young. He has a great future in this sport.”
Cole Sager, North West Regional champion, was impressed by Anderson’s regional performance.
“That’s one of the best things about CrossFit: Fitness doesn’t know size, age, gender, weight class or height,” Sager said. “Fitness is how much work output an individual has. Cody has a lot of work capacity, skill and strength. He quickly reminds people of a Chris Spealler-type athlete. I’m super excited to see how he does at the Games.”
Setting an Example
Anderson attends and leads worship at Amazing Grace church in Redmond, Oregon. He appreciates the vision and family feel of the church and congregation.
“Every church is a little bit different,” he said. “Of the other churches I’ve gone to in the past, none have felt more inviting and like family than this one to me. A lot of the people there are not there for themselves but to serve others. That attitude is the same one that Jesus had and reflects where my heart is, too, to help and serve others.”
Among those are his little brothers, Anderson said.
“I feel like now it is partially my responsibility to set a good example for my little brothers and, of course, support them in whatever aspirations they have themselves,” he said.
He credits his family for his CrossFit success.
“My family has always been behind me and supportive of what I do. It started with gymnastics as a kid,” he recalled. “My parents made a lot of sacrifices to help me get as far as I did. Having a background like that was super beneficial coming into CrossFit.”
Anderson said he’s aware the desire to win varies from athlete to athlete, but for him that desire reflects his passion to follow God’s direction.
“My main desire is for God to be glorified in what I do,” he said. “My prayer going into each event is not that He would help me win, but for His will to be done, regardless of what it looked like.”
