Inspiring Stories from Ellie Bishop McKenzie
Journey to Extraordinary
Explore our running collection of inspirational articles about life and fitness by our very own Ellie McKenzie.
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.
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]
We have chosen our upcoming 12th anniversary to celebrate that training, that lifestyle, and the lives lost too soon in the Texas Hill Country. On Saturday, August 23rd, we will have a workout open to the public - the cost is any donation you want to make. One hundred percent of the proceeds will go to Kerr County.
by Ellie Bishop McKenzie There’s a story I love about a wealthy father who took his son to the countryside to show him what it looked like to be poor. After their trip, the father asked, “What did you learn?” Instead of feeling pity, the boy replied: “We have one dog—they had four. We have a pool—they had an endless creek. We have fancy lanterns—they have the stars. We buy our food—they grow theirs. We have walls—they have friends.”
At CrossFit Odyssey, we often remind our athletes to expect the unexpected. Life rarely sticks to the plan—and how you respond when it doesn’t makes all the difference. Day two of our trek proved this lesson in spades. We woke at 5 a.m., packed our gear, and set out to summit Apu Salkantay—revered as a Mountain God—via a 7-kilometer climb to Salkantay Pass at 4,630 meters (15,190 feet). The weather was raw and unforgiving: cold rain pelted us at the base, and snow greeted us at the summit. I was not excited about it. A Note About Day One. The day before, many of us tried chewing local coca leaves—a traditional remedy believed to ease altitude sickness. For the record, coca leaves are not the same as cocaine. Some in the group said it helped them breathe easier. Others thought it tasted awful. A few of us, ended up with immediate stomach cramps. That was me. By the time we climbed to Humantay Lake that afternoon, my gut was in full protest. I quietly drifted to the back of the pack, hoping fresh air would help. Later, at dinner, more people were feeling queasy and couldn’t face a meal. Horses to the Rescue
As many of you know, I love testing my fitness outside the gym. This year’s challenge: Machu Picchu. If you’ve followed my journey, you know these adventures started small. On my 49th birthday, I wondered—could I do a legless rope climb? I did. The next year, I went bigger: a standing backflip for my 50th birthday. Why? Because my younger brother used to flip effortlessly when we were kids—and I always wished I could. I hired a coach, trained in ninja gyms, sponge pits, trampolines, and finally the floor. It took work, but I nailed it. And that lit a fire. Since then, every year has brought a new challenge: 51: 51 steps walking on my hands 52: Skydiving (thanks, John!) 53: Time with my dad in his final days 54: Learned to wakeboard 55: Summited Mt. Kilimanjaro—with 7 friends from the gym That last trip sparked a new goal: helping others test their fitness in the real world, beyond the gym. Machu Picchu was my adventure for 56—and I brought 10 amazing people with me, including my 17-year-old daughter. Sharing this experience with her was a gift of its own.
by Ellie Bishop McKenzie We have talked a lot about building strength for the body, and explored how muscle supports the mind—enhancing cognition and protecting against decline. But there’s a third pillar that often gets overlooked: spirit. I don’t mean spirit in a woo-woo way. I mean that deep well of resilience, purpose, and joy that fuels how we show up in life. And here’s the truth: building physical strength absolutely builds spiritual strength. Strength Training Builds Grit and Resilience Every time you step under a barbell, pick up a dumbbell, or tackle a challenging WOD, you’re not just training your body. You’re training your will power. Strength training forces you to confront discomfort, doubt, and fear. And when you push through those hard things—you build grit. Grit isn’t about muscle mass. It’s about refusing to quit. And that grit transfers to every part of life: difficult conversations, raising kids, coping with grief or uncertainty. Strength training gives you practice being uncomfortable and overcoming it. In that way, it shapes your spirit as much as your quads. My Experience with Grit Back in 2013 I was in the middle of my first CrossFit Open and I had to do 150 Wall Balls. I HATE Wall balls. About halfway through I asked myself why I was doing this. What did I have to prove? The answer is that I needed to prove to myself that I could handle anything and everything thrown my way. As I finished that workout I was filled with pride in my accomplishments, but more importantly I knew as I went home to care for my three kids, that I had this. We were going to be fine. It Teaches You to Trust Yourself There’s a special moment that happens in strength training when your brain says: No way. Too heavy. Too hard. I can’t do this. And then—you do. You prove yourself wrong. As this happens over and over, you begin to trust yourself in a deeper way. Not just in the gym, but in life. You think: Maybe I CAN take that next step in my career. Or: Maybe I CAN handle this big life change. Muscle doesn’t just move the body. It moves the mind and spirit forward. Ready to Build More Than Just Muscle? If you’ve been following this series, you now know: strength training builds a stronger body, a sharper mind, and a more resilient spirit. If that sounds like the kind of person you want to become—we can help. At CrossFit Odyssey, we specialize in guiding people on the Journey to Extraordinary. Come train with us. Build your spirit one lift at a time. Register now for a FREE Fitness Assessment at crossfitodyssey.com
by Ellie Bishop McKenzie When it comes to building muscle, most people think about improved aesthetics or enhanced physical performance. But the benefits go far deeper — especially when it comes to brain health. Strength training isn’t just about lifting weights; it’s about lifting and enhancing your life. Last week, we explored how strength training boosts academic performance in kids. This week, we’re diving into how building muscle can prevent — and even reverse — cognitive decline. Yes, your workouts could literally change your brain. The Muscle-Brain Connection: Why Strength Training Matters As we age, protecting our brain health becomes increasingly critical. Disorders like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and dementia are on the rise, but science shows that strength training is a powerful defense. Here’s what the research says: 💡 Reduced Risk of Cognitive Decline: A meta-analysis of studies involving over 117,000 participants found that individuals with high levels of physical activity had a 38% lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s and a 21% lower risk of all-cause dementia. 🧠 Improved Cognition in Alzheimer’s Patients: In 13 randomized controlled trials including 869 patients with Alzheimer’s, regular exercise led to significantly higher scores on cognitive tests (MMSE), improving brain function and quality of life. 💪 Muscle Mass and Memory: A Johns Hopkins study of 621 older adults revealed that those with lower skeletal muscle mass had a 60% higher chance of developing dementia over six years. Less muscle was also associated with reduced memory and brain volume. 🔍 Sharper Decision-Making: The Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging found that older adults with low muscle mass experienced faster declines in executive function, such as attention and decision-making, regardless of their strength or activity levels. 🏋️ Reversing Cognitive Impairment: A six-month study in Brazil showed that older adults with mild cognitive impairment who engaged in strength training twice weekly improved in memory and even reversed their diagnosis in some cases. How Muscle Enhances Brain Health: The Science Your body and brain are deeply interconnected. Here’s how building muscle supports cognitive resilience: Myokines & Neuroprotection: During exercise, your muscles release myokines, powerful proteins that protect the brain by reducing inflammation and promoting the growth of new brain cells. BDNF Boost: Higher muscle mass is linked to elevated levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) — a protein critical for learning, memory, and overall brain adaptability. Whether you’re a student preparing for finals, or a professional managing a demanding career, or even a senior just trying to stay sharp and enjoy your golden years, muscle is your secret weapon for mental clarity, focus, and emotional strength. Your Next Step: Build a Stronger Body and a Smarter Brain At CrossFit Odyssey, we believe strength is more than physical — it’s a mindset, a commitment, and a lifestyle. Our science-backed programs combine expert coaching, functional training, and a supportive community to help you take control of your health — one rep at a time. 🔥 Ready to take charge of your future? 🧠 Ready to boost your brain, energy, and vitality? 📍 Join us at CrossFit Odyssey and take the first step on your journey to extraordinary. Your best self is waiting — let’s build it together. Sign up now for a FREE Fitness Assessment and let’s get you on your Journey to Extraordinary.
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