Goebel to the Games
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When my 17-year-old son Jake died, before I began this CrossFit journey, God laid something on my heart, "All will be alright because I am God and I know what I am doing."
After delivering this message at his funeral, I took off my suit and laced up running shoes and started running. I ran nearly every day for a year and 8 months. I would still be running if it weren't for my knees and my back finally forcing me to stop. Four knee surgeries and a potential back surgery forced me to throw in the towel. My coping mechanism for Jake's death was gone. I began to search for other avenues.
My sister, Andrea, had been doing CrossFit for a while and had been encouraging me to give it a try. My wife, Michelle, also had a client, Tracy, who did CrossFit. She told Michelle she really thought it was something I would enjoy. Finally, I went with Tracy to do a WOD. Though it was challenging and hard, I had always enjoyed competetion. One month later, in August 2012, I went to get my CrossFit Level 1 certification. Now here I am less than 3 years later and I am about to compete in the CrossFit games. When I began this journey, I never dreamed that I could achieve this much in such a short time, but God did.
The road hasn’t been easy. I have had countless injuries which derailed my training and slowed my progress. I have dealt with more drama than I care to mention, some self-inflicted, some not. The thing that was missing most from life was spending time with God each day. I now spend time praying for things that are out sync in my life and trusting God is big enough to take care of it. I needed humility, the ability to forgive and extend grace, I needed to listen more and talk less, and I needed to care about others' needs more than my own. There is still so much God is teaching me and I am so thankful I have been given this small platform to give him the glory.
Before the Open, I began to struggle with why I was even doing CrossFit. I began to allow worldly things to be my motivation. During those times, I was humbled by injuries and personal setbacks. One night during at coaches meeting my friend and training partner Larry Belas said to all the coaches and staff that he believed of all the people in our box "Jeff Goebel has the best chance of going to Carson and competing in the Games." I was dumbfounded. Larry is the best athlete at CrossFit Stacked. To hear him make that statement was where I started to rethink and remember why I had started doing CrossFit in the first place it isn't about the physical gains or the recognition. It's all about reading the word, learning from it, living it and sharing it with others. Now that I have this small spotlight shining on me I want to use it to bring glory to God and share my story of how God took me from the tragedy of losing Jake to being his hands and feet.
When it began, I couldn’t see where this road may lead, but God did. I love how he used a workout program called CrossFit to help bring me to the Cross.
No need to doubt or question if I belong anymore. It is in God’s hands and I will do my part.
Rise up, for it is your task, and we are with you; be strong and do it.” Ezra 10:4
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3: 5-6
The money raised by this campaign will go toward entrance fees for the Games and travel expenses for myself; my wife, Michelle; my trainer, Larry; and my coach, Ryan. Without their assistance, I wouldn't have made it this far. I want to show my appreciation by helping them be there to support me.
#Godisgood #Jesussaves #JGtothegames #JGtothepodium #Stackedstrong #misfitcrew
After delivering this message at his funeral, I took off my suit and laced up running shoes and started running. I ran nearly every day for a year and 8 months. I would still be running if it weren't for my knees and my back finally forcing me to stop. Four knee surgeries and a potential back surgery forced me to throw in the towel. My coping mechanism for Jake's death was gone. I began to search for other avenues.
My sister, Andrea, had been doing CrossFit for a while and had been encouraging me to give it a try. My wife, Michelle, also had a client, Tracy, who did CrossFit. She told Michelle she really thought it was something I would enjoy. Finally, I went with Tracy to do a WOD. Though it was challenging and hard, I had always enjoyed competetion. One month later, in August 2012, I went to get my CrossFit Level 1 certification. Now here I am less than 3 years later and I am about to compete in the CrossFit games. When I began this journey, I never dreamed that I could achieve this much in such a short time, but God did.
The road hasn’t been easy. I have had countless injuries which derailed my training and slowed my progress. I have dealt with more drama than I care to mention, some self-inflicted, some not. The thing that was missing most from life was spending time with God each day. I now spend time praying for things that are out sync in my life and trusting God is big enough to take care of it. I needed humility, the ability to forgive and extend grace, I needed to listen more and talk less, and I needed to care about others' needs more than my own. There is still so much God is teaching me and I am so thankful I have been given this small platform to give him the glory.
Before the Open, I began to struggle with why I was even doing CrossFit. I began to allow worldly things to be my motivation. During those times, I was humbled by injuries and personal setbacks. One night during at coaches meeting my friend and training partner Larry Belas said to all the coaches and staff that he believed of all the people in our box "Jeff Goebel has the best chance of going to Carson and competing in the Games." I was dumbfounded. Larry is the best athlete at CrossFit Stacked. To hear him make that statement was where I started to rethink and remember why I had started doing CrossFit in the first place it isn't about the physical gains or the recognition. It's all about reading the word, learning from it, living it and sharing it with others. Now that I have this small spotlight shining on me I want to use it to bring glory to God and share my story of how God took me from the tragedy of losing Jake to being his hands and feet.
When it began, I couldn’t see where this road may lead, but God did. I love how he used a workout program called CrossFit to help bring me to the Cross.
No need to doubt or question if I belong anymore. It is in God’s hands and I will do my part.
Rise up, for it is your task, and we are with you; be strong and do it.” Ezra 10:4
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3: 5-6
The money raised by this campaign will go toward entrance fees for the Games and travel expenses for myself; my wife, Michelle; my trainer, Larry; and my coach, Ryan. Without their assistance, I wouldn't have made it this far. I want to show my appreciation by helping them be there to support me.
#Godisgood #Jesussaves #JGtothegames #JGtothepodium #Stackedstrong #misfitcrew
Organizer
Jeff Goebel
Organizer
Johnson City, TN