July Update: Seasons Change, but the Mission Doesn’t

July is here, and it feels like a fitting month to reflect. As we celebrate 250 years of America, I’m reminded that the things that stand the test of time aren’t built overnight. They’re built through consistency, commitment, and people who continue to show up.

That’s exactly what this community has become.

Member of the Month

This month’s Member of the Month is Jerry Long.

If you’ve been around Iron Cowboy for any amount of time, you’ve probably crossed paths with Jerry. He’s one of those people who makes a room better simply by walking into it.

Jerry spent years in our regular classes, always working hard and proving that age is never an excuse to stop challenging yourself. After taking some time away, he came back when we launched our L.I.F.E. Class. It didn’t take long before he started doing what Jerry naturally does—bringing others with him.

Within a matter of weeks, several people had joined because Jerry invited them. That’s leadership.

Jerry spent decades serving our community as a teacher and coach, and he continues to mentor young people who need someone to believe in them. That same servant-hearted attitude shows up every day in our gym.

The loudest people or the fittest athletes don’t build the strongest communities. They’re built by people like Jerry—people who consistently show up, encourage others, and make everyone around them better.

Jerry, thank you. We’re grateful you’re part of Iron Cowboy.

Summer Isn’t a Time to Start Over

Over the past several months, we’ve pushed hard.

Heavy squats. Big lifts. Challenging workouts.

Now it’s time to shift gears.

Summer isn’t about trying to PR every week. It’s about maintaining everything you’ve worked so hard to build while making memories with your family, getting outside, traveling, hiking, camping, and living life.

Fitness should support your life—not become your life.

That’s exactly what our next training cycle is designed to do.

We’ll continue lifting three days each week, conditioning three days each week, and building flexibility into the program so that a long hike, mountain bike ride, backpacking trip, or weekend adventure can replace a conditioning session without making you feel like you’ve fallen behind.

Consistency will always beat perfection.

A Few Schedule Updates

We’ve added two opportunities to help you move outside our regular class schedule.

Sunday Run Club with Coach Kirklin at 9:00 AM is perfect if you’re training for an event, wanting extra running, or simply looking for people to get outside with.

Sunday Mobility with Coach Ryli at 4:00 PM is your chance to recover, improve flexibility, and keep your body healthy for the long haul.

Both are now available on the calendar and count as class check-ins.

Beginning August 1st, we’ll also be discontinuing our 6:00 AM class.

This wasn’t an easy decision, but after more than three years of consistently low attendance, it’s the right one. Open gym will still be available during that time, and if demand ever returns, we’ll gladly bring the class back.

A Personal Note

For over a decade, Iron Cowboy has been so much more than a business to me.

It’s where I’ve watched people lose hundreds of pounds, run their first race, lift weights they never imagined possible, make lifelong friendships, meet spouses, celebrate pregnancies, mourn losses, and grow into better versions of themselves.

It’s also where I’ve grown up alot.

Many of you have watched me get married, become a father, experience victories, make mistakes, and figure out life right alongside you.

Because of that, this gym will always be part of who I am.

But life comes in seasons.

Right now, it’s time for me to step into a new one.

I’ll be stepping away from the majority of the day-to-day coaching so I can pursue another opportunity and continue providing for my family. This isn’t goodbye, and it isn’t me walking away from Iron Cowboy.

I’ll still own the gym. I’ll still write the programming. I’ll still help plan events, guide the direction of the business, and you’ll still see me training here.

The difference is that you won’t hear my voice coaching every class.

Instead, you’ll be hearing the voices of Ryli, Kirklin, Aaron, and Julia, and maybe Kylar and me still from time to time.

I couldn’t feel better about that.

This coaching staff genuinely cares about you. They care about your progress, your experience, and the culture we’ve worked so hard to build. I trust them completely, and I know they’ll continue moving Iron Cowboy forward.

Because here’s the truth…

Iron Cowboy has never been about me.

It has always been about all of us.

It’s about showing up on the days you don’t feel like it.

It’s about celebrating each other’s victories.

It’s about picking someone up when they’re struggling.

It’s about becoming healthier so we can be better parents, spouses, grandparents, coworkers, and friends.

That’s the legacy worth protecting.

Buildings change. Coaches change. Programming evolves.

But the mission stays the same.

Thank you for trusting me, supporting this gym, and helping build something that means so much to so many people.

I’m incredibly excited for what’s ahead—not just for me, but for Iron Cowboy.

Let’s keep building.