Everyday Inspiration at CrossFit Mayhem

While Rich Froning’s gym is full of competitive athletes, the affiliate’s chief operating officer said he finds much of his inspiration in members who overcome life’s challenges. 

For all its high-level competitive athletes, the 700-member CrossFit Mayhem in Cookeville, Tennessee is also full of everyday people who show up to improve their health and connect with fellow members.

Josh Malone, chief operating officer of CrossFit Mayhem, said it’s the stories of these people who make his work meaningful. While he is full of admiration for the elite athletes, Josh loves to share stories about people like Phillip Gentry, Jr., a member who overcame crippling anxiety and depression to become an integral part of the CrossFit Mayhem’s community. 

The Battle Within

Phillip, 45, is a disabled veteran. Although he is now a regular at the 2pm CrossFit class, and a fixture at CrossFit Mayhem’s coffee shop, there was a time when his anxiety and depression got so bad he not only couldn’t come to the gym, he couldn’t speak or leave the house.

While Phillip started CrossFit in 2013, he often struggled to attend the gym regularly. He is disabled through the state due to severe anxiety and depression, and in 2016 his mental health became so bad he had a breakdown. 

“He was extremely introverted, to the point of being agoraphobic and afraid to go outside,” Josh said. 

“It was a feeling of losing all control,” Phillip said in a documentary made by CrossFit Mayem, saying he became so depressed he began harming himself and had suicidal ideations. 

Then Phillip’s dad began attending CrossFit Mayhem’s L.I.F.E (Longevity in Functional Efficiency) class, so he joined his dad in 2017, showing up to the class about twice a week. 

In 2019 Phillip’s mom – who suffered from diabetes and cardiovascular disease – became hospitalized and passed away. After witnessing her struggles with poor health, Phillip vowed to prioritize his own fitness. 

“When you stop moving, you stop living. We are made to move,” Phillip said. 

A Lifesaving Community

That’s when Phillip began attending CrossFit Mayhem’s 2pm CrossFit class, with Josh as the coach.

“With somebody like Phillip, just stepping foot into the gym can be extremely scary,” Josh said, saying that Phillip told him later he was intimidated by Josh the first time they spoke.

However, Phillip stuck it out, and now he regularly attends class four to five times a week.

“The community and support of CrossFit changed Phillip’s life,” Josh said.  

Once so overwhelmed with anxiety he struggled to leave the house, Josh says Phillip now approaches new members to introduce himself, and spends hours hanging out with other members in the coffee shop.

“It’s insane the transformation he's made,” Josh said.

It’s a transformation Josh has seen many times within the walls of the gym. 

“There's these small, minor achievements that happen with the members, and I've been lucky enough to be able to witness a lot of those,” Josh said.

Like any CrossFit gym, inside the walls of CrossFit Mayhem you might find a CEO and an entry-level employee, working hard and prioritizing their health and fitness side-by-side. 

“All the differences that separate us outside of the walls of the gym are eliminated,” he said, “so you have somebody that's next to you that you're encouraging and cheering on and it allows for relationships and friendships to form.” 

About Author, Hilary Achauer

Hilary is a renowned fitness business writer, marketing content writer, and journalist. She’s written content for start-ups, entrepreneurs, executive coaches, wellness providers, gyms, and CrossFit. Her focus is always on telling the best story with a clear, compelling style and being able to engage readers, bring in new customers, or build an audience.