The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

I have been waiting, waiting, waiting to receive the final numbers from Eventbrite and Venmo to determine the exact amount raised for Kerrville, and we finally have it! We officially raised a total of $3768.61 through the event. $3156.06 donated by members and friends $47.55 donated by Alsie's Ice Cream $40 donated by Ayteva BBQ $525 donated by Navy Blooms T-shirts (they raised over $22k in total!!!) PLUS the donated massages, sauna, cold plunges, red light therapy, chiropractic assessments, and physical therapy assessments. HUGE thanks go to all of these amazing companies that contributed. Don’t forget to go see them at their businesses! Navy Blooms - 6030 Luther Lane - Holiday, Game Day, Sorority & Camp goodies! Sauna provided by The Ritual Mobile Sauna - this Sauna is available to rent for parties! Ask for Deborah. Cold Plunge provided by Evolve Human Optimization Labs in Mockingbird Station - they have Day Passes! Red Light Therapy provided by Unwind Massage Lounge (massage chairs from our very own Amanda George - Snider Plaza) Physical Therapy Assessments by Raise the Barbell - our very own Amanda Anderson Massage Therapy by Massage Fit - ask for JJ Federico Resendiz Chiropractor at Aaram Wellness Alsie's Ice Cream Truck - for your next party! Ayteva BBQ Truck for your next party!

by Ellie Bishop McKenzie This prayer has carried me through some of life’s hardest storms. It reminds us that while we cannot control tragedy, illness, or disaster, we can always control how we respond. On July 4th, 2025, devastating floods swept through the Texas Hill Country. Even if you didn’t know the victims personally, many of us wept for them. They were neighbors, friends of friends, and part of the fabric of our Texas community. We felt powerless. But as true Texans, we did what we do best—we came together to help. At CrossFit Odyssey, that belief in resilience and action runs deep. John and I built this gym not just to help people look strong, but to help them be strong—for themselves, their families, and their community. That’s why we’re turning our 12-Year Anniversary into a fundraiser to support Kerrville flood victims. 12-Year Anniversary Fundraiser for Kerrville 📅 Saturday, August 23rd 📍 CrossFit Odyssey – Dallas, TX 8:00 AM – Open Workout (public welcome!) 10:00 AM – Friendly Competition (register HERE) Donation: Give whatever you choose—all proceeds support flood relief efforts in Kerrville. You do not have to compete to donate! Also, come enjoy: 🔥Saunas – The Ritual [@theritualdallas] ❄️Cold Plunge – Evolve Human Optimization Labs [@evolvelabs_dallascentral] 🤸‍♀️Physical Therapy Assessments – Raise the Barbell [@raisethebarbellptperformance] 😏Massages – MassageFit [@massagefit_dfw] 👕Texas Strong T-Shirts – Navy Blooms [@navyblooms_dallas] …and more! Why We Do This At CrossFit Odyssey, we live by a simple truth: hard things make us stronger. A tough workout. A personal challenge. A disaster recovery effort. Each test of resilience gives us a deeper appreciation for the life we’ve been given. That’s why this fundraiser is designed exactly like our philosophy: something hard, followed by something fun. Because strength and gratitude go hand in hand. Join us. Sweat with us. Give with us. Even if you don’t want to work out, come cheer, donate, and be part of something bigger than yourself. Together, we can turn strength into service—and make the world a better place, one rep and one act of kindness at a time.

The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

The body content of your post goes here. To edit this text, click on it and delete this default text and start typing your own or paste your own from a different source.

When John and I opened CrossFit Odyssey 12 years ago, we had one big goal: To make the world a better place—one stronger, healthier, more confident person at a time. We believed that if we could help each person become their best self, they could go out and make a bigger impact in the world. That’s why our anniversary has always been more than just a celebration. It’s a chance to give back. This year, that mission hits closer to home. My kids grew up spending summers at Camp Waldemar and Camp La Junta on the Guadalupe River, just outside of Kerrville, TX. After the recent devastating flood, my mind went back to all those summers when I’d wake up, grab my coffee, and comb through hundreds of camp photos—looking for my kids’ faces to make sure they were safe and happy. I can’t imagine waking up to find everything gone. Here’s the truth: Hard things happen. Natural disasters happen. Tragedies—both natural and man-made—will happen again. We can’t control that. But we can control how we respond. And our response here at CrossFit Odyssey is to take action. Join Us for Our 12-Year Anniversary Fundraiser for Kerrville Date: Saturday, August 23rd Location: CrossFit Odyssey, Dallas TX 8:00 AM – Open Workout (public welcome!) 10:00 AM – Friendly Competition (Register Here) Cost: Whatever you want to donate to support flood victims in Kerrville, TX Special Experiences Included: 🔥 Saunas – The Ritual [@theritualdallas] ❄️ Cold Plunge – Evolve Human Optimization Labs [@evolvelabs_dallascentral] 🏋️ Physical Therapy Assessments – Raise the Barbell [@raisethebarbellptperformance] 💆‍♀️ Massages – MassageFit [@massagefit_dfw] 👚 Texas Strong T-Shirts – Navy Blooms [@navyblooms_dallas] …and more! This fundraiser will be exactly what we believe in: Something hard, followed by something fun. Because doing hard things—whether it’s a tough workout, a life challenge, or a disaster recovery—makes us stronger and more grateful for the beautiful life we have. At CrossFit Odyssey, we believe in building resilience, one rep, one challenge, one day at a time. Join us. Sweat with us. Give with us. (And if you can't or don't want to workout, just cheer for the ones who are!) Let’s make every day an adventure—and make the world a better place together. [location-signature]

Sunday Story…Simple, not Easy A day rarely goes by that I don't get asked about the latest trend in eating, exercise, or some other special supplement or drug. The fact is, simple is better. There is no magic pill. There's no special diet, workout, or anything else that's going to work for everybody all the time, all the time. The next best thing might be a little better or a little worse than the last best thing. The thing is that improvement, consistency, and simplicity don't sell. They don't get you likes on Instagram. They don't get you another client. What sells is innovation. The new, the latest, the unique thing, and the promise of the magic pill or the shortcut. That's what sells. Numerous people have told me over the years that they had to get in shape to start CrossFit, martial arts, or anything else. The fact is that all those things will get you into shape. That's the point. That's how simple it is. If you haven't been doing strength training for over a year, start by picking a program and sticking with it for 12-16 weeks. See what happens and then decide whether to change it at the end of 16 weeks. Keep it simple. It doesn't have to be complicated. I've spent a number of these weekly missives talking about longevity and what's the best way to live your best life. The fact is that if you're starting from scratch, the most important thing is to begin; walk through the door, get on a bike, get on a rower, get out on the road, and start today. This is the simplest, most straightforward way to do it. Don't worry about whether you have the right program, or whether the food you're eating is right, or whether the supplements are this or that - just get started and keep it simple. It is simple…not easy. If you're interested in learning how to build muscle and strength, sign up for a free fitness assessment at www.crossfitodyssey.com or reach out to me directly, and let's get you started on your journey to extraordinary results. John Mariotti www.sunday-stories.blogspot.com www.crossfitodyssey.com 775-338-2412