Shall I tell you a story? Maybe two? The first is about an elephant and a rope. Let me preface this first story by letting you know I did not write about the elephant and the rope. The short story is credited to A.M. Marcus, although there is no evidence that he wrote it. Now that your brain has been educated, let us summarize the first story…

A gentleman was walking through an elephant camp and spotted that the elephants weren’t being kept in cages or held using chains. A small rope tied to one of their legs was holding them back from escaping the camp.

As the man gazed upon the elephants, he wondered why they didn’t use their strength to break the rope and escape the camp. They could easily have done so, but they didn’t try.

Curious and wanting to know the answer, he asked a trainer nearby why the elephants were just standing there and never tried to escape.

The trainer replied.

“When they are very young and much smaller, we use the same size rope to tie them; at that age, it’s enough to hold them. As they grow up, they are conditioned to believe they cannot break away. They believe the rope can still hold them, so they never try to break free.”

Now, we come to part two. If you want a true change in your life, you should internalize the inspiration behind this. Think deep and past yourself because this character has changed lives.

Inspiration is the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative. Maybe not the word I want. Honestly, it is crap, but let us continue and decide a word WORTHY.

We enter with our main character, a wife, mother, and grandmother who has owned a business for 29 years. It’s a successful coffee, energy tea, and gift shop in a small town with a population of 729. That alone should inspire you.

As years pass, we adapt and make assumptions, like the elephant in our first story. Our main character had to confront an enormous life challenge. She lost the lower half of her leg this past summer. All hope seemed lost. Already struggling with confidence, walking, and shoulder strength, she faced an unknown and life-changing scenario. Accept or break free. For weeks, the mental battle ensued. How could one overcome additional obstacles when they had already accepted and adapted to the rope? I am not speaking to anyone but the main character’s best friend. Only him. Not her son, not her daughter, and not her grandchildren. Broken and tied down by a rope life made for her. The best friend stayed by her side and showed her the rope could be broken. The main character, the mother, was confronted and forced to speak. The son tells the mother there is no acceptance and that what you have conditioned can be changed. He needs her; his kids need her; his dad needs her; her customers need her. 

Against all odds, she broke away from the darkness and the demons that haunted her and tried to hold her down. Motivated by her grandchildren, she broke the rope, accepting nothing. It was a complete change in thinking and living. This wonderful and strong character even changed her business. Her inspired customers rallied around her, believing in something incredible.

This story is one you will not come across again. It has a woman who had a mental block that she could not accomplish feats physically. Yet, she did. How do you do such things when you cannot see yourself as you truly are? Only my best friend knows such things. The son can only assume that there were many nights of internal battles. My friends, we all go through these battles, yet nobody wants to admit or talk about them. So, let us revisit our first story…

The only reason the elephants weren’t breaking free and escaping from the camp was that, over time, they adopted the belief that it just wasn’t possible. The beliefs we hold in our lives are extremely important because they have the power to create our reality due to the operation of the law of attraction. If we don’t change our limiting beliefs, they become a self-fulfilling prophecy, and we become unable to break free from the chains of our self-imposed limitations.

While the word inspiration will always come to my mind when I think of my mom, I have found something better, more powerful, and more suitable for a woman of such stature: IMPETUS. 

Impetus is a noun that means a driving force, incentive, or momentum. It comes from the Latin verb impetere, meaning “to attack.” You took control and are a driving force in my life. I love you, Mom, and I am so proud to be your son. 

‎”Nothing binds you except your thoughts; nothing limits you except your fear; and nothing controls you except your beliefs.”

DARE 2OVERCOME. DARE 2B GREAT.

For more information on specific training and nutrition, contact Cody directly. He is certified by the National Academy of Medicine as a Professional Fitness Instructor and is NASM Certified in Nutrition, Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Heart Variance, Weight Loss, Hypotrophy, Neuromuscular Flexibility, Supplements, and Mental/Behavior Performance. He incorporates techniques for concentration, focus, motivation, and ways to cope with anxiety. He has been featured in National Fitness Magazines as a model and writer and has spoken on several national Podcasts. Besides numerous certifications, Cody has received his Master’s in Instruction. He has first-hand experience with differentiating personalized instruction, planning, and goal setting. He was named 2022, 2023, AND 2024 Siouxland Trainer of the Year Award, nominated for 2025 Personal Trainer, Runner-Up for 2024 Siouxland’s Choice Best Weight Loss Center, and currently nominated for Best Weight Loss Center in 2025. Cody trains out of the Four Seasons Gym in Sioux City and performs scans and consultations from the Stifel Building in Sioux City.