Written by Ben Cox – BrownwoodNews.com would like to offer a “tip of our cap” to a selection of women in town that have made a positive impact on the lives of those around them. Whether by profession, or pastime, these community leaders contribute a rich part to the fabric of Brownwood, and we feel they deserve to have their time in the spot light. We present to you, The Leading Ladies of Brownwood. This week’s leading lady is Jody Easley.
I sat down with Jody and asked her our list of questions that each Leading Lady will be asked, and here are her responses.
What is your current profession/What do you do?
I currently own Brownwood Fitness Center, owner operator, and group fitness instructor certified through Les Mills. I have a degree from Texas Tech University in Exercise Sports Science & Health.
What clubs or organizations are you a member of locally?
We are members at First United Methodist Church, Brownwood Chamber of Commerce. The Brownwood Reunion was big for us, in that time. We sponsor Fun Runs and things like that, and I speak occasionally at TSTC and other events.
Where were you born? Where did you grow up?
I was born in Fort Worth, Texas. My father was a coach so we moved around a lot. Now, I’m gonna get my yard toilet papered because I graduated from Stephenville High School! (laughs) But I have a son on the Lions football team. I lived in Elektra, Lubbock, San Saba and Stephenville. I love Tech, love Lubbock!
Are your parents still around?
They are, they live here in Brownwood. My Dad’s a Brownwood Graduate, and my Mom’s a Stephenville Graduate. Proof you can make it work! They’re retired school teachers, living here in Brownwood and enjoy watching the boys.
What are some of your fondest memories of childhood?
Spending time with my dad raising cattle, raising dairy cows. We’d raise them up and I’d show them in 4H. Feeding calves, working on the little farm that we had. I also grew up at the gym because he was the head football coach everywhere we’d go. So I grew up in the weight room, on the sidelines with him, 7 on 7 practice I was the water girl. I grew up fighting in the stands with anyone who’d bad talk the coach!
Who left a lasting impression upon you that still is with you today?
It comes from my dad, a Never Give Up mentality. Don’t give up, and do the first things first. As a business owner that is very important to me. He’d say “They can’t eat you”, which to him was the most horrible thing he could think of. So it’s ok, don’t give up on what you want to do.
What do you hope your legacy will be?
Persistence, goal setting, staying true to your characters morals and values. Although you may fall off the wagon, it’s ok, just get back on and keep going. Stay persistent.
What is 1 lesson that you would like your to children to take with them into adulthood?
Clean their rooms!
Why is that important?
Responsibilities. You need to pull your weight in whatever you’re doing. And you need to be responsible as if you’re part of a team. We run our home like a team and almost like a business, it sounds cold but our household is far from cold. We have the most love possible, but everybody has a job, everybody is part of the team. You clean your room because that’s your job, that’s your part of the team. Your responsibility is to make this business, this family, work. So if they can grab a hold of that and take it with them wherever they go, especially like now with them in sports, they can pull their weight.
How has living in Brownwood shaped your life?
Community. The backing of people in the town that love what you do. I’m really talking from the Brownwood Fitness standpoint, because owning this business has been the biggest impact on me personally, more than anything. The way people band together. It’s our own little community, our own little Brownwood in here. They have a camaraderie and accountability, for a healthier lifestyle.
If you could speak to yourself as a High School freshman, what would you say to yourself?
(laughs) Give me a minute….
What’s happening right now is not going to define you and the rest of your life. You’re so into the moment, you think that whatever is happening right now is going to mold you into the person you’re going to be the rest of your life. You’ve got your whole life, don’t give up, stay true to your path. This too shall pass. Don’t let anyone define you and your happiness.
What is one goal for yourself/family that you haven’t achieved yet?
You’d think that would be something on my refrigerator!
Health and happiness, of course. As a family I want us to understand that the family unit is stronger than anything. As we go through life and the boys graduate and get married I just want us to be healthy, happy, and together. Appreciative of what we have each done for one another. To remain a strong family unit, and not have any regrets. To not look back and say I wish I had done or tried certain things.
How do you feel you have impacted Brownwood?
I feel like having a fitness center I’ve impacted a lot of people by providing a healthy place for them to come and do something good for themselves internally, externally, and mentally. I feel I have provided that place for them to reach goals and dreams they have for themselves.
What is one thing you’d like to see for the future of Brownwood?
I want to do it, but I can’t. A center for recreation. I can just see it in my head. A big recreation center that has everything. That has a place for the kids to do something, and places for the parents to go and do while the kids are doing something. Batting cages, Basketball courts, physical activity. A place for families to come and do things together.
What makes you proud to live in Brownwood?
Im proud of Brownwood because it’s roots, even though I grew up in Stephenville, it’s roots where my family started. My grandparent lived here, my dad may runt my uncles all grew up here in Brownwood. The fact that a lot of people were welcoming when we moved back. I’m proud of the roots, the tradition, the solid feel of Brownwood.
What does it mean to you to be considered one of the “Leading Ladies of Brownwood?”
Oh my gosh! I’m astounded! It means I’m not the loser I thought I was! It’s just so shocking to me, because Brownwood is such that place with roots and all that I was talking about, that to be that type of woman, to be considered, that is such an honor. What a great honor.
