Meet Sage and Jim, our I am Behemoth/BSHEmoth duo for the month of December. You can almost always find these two either working out, having fun or playing with their pups! They have a strong dedication towards health and fitness and share that passion with their own personal training community that they have built. These high school sweethearts turned gym rats make the perfect pair! Read more about their story below.
Who are you? Tell us a little something about yourself.
We are Sage and Jim Braddock; natives to Louisiana, but have proudly called Texas home for the last ten years. We’re both from Monroe and while just teenagers, we meet and started dating. 16 years later, we’re happily married and on this journey of life together.
JIM: I wasn’t big on attending class while in high school and soon found myself at a military academy in South Louisiana. After graduation, it was clear that I needed more stability, so at just 17 years of age I found myself standing on top of yellow footprints at Parris Island. In May of 2004, I landed in Iraq with 1st Battalion 2ndMarines as an infantryman. It was tough sledding to say the least and on Oct 27, 2004, I was struck in my face and eyes by shrapnel from an IED blast. Unable to continue my service, I returned to Louisiana and decided to give school another shot. I attended a trade school and received an electrical degree. Today, I work as a Senior Electronics Technician in the oil and gas industry and have done so for 10 years.
SAGE: I have 3 sisters: Babbette, Maurie, and Ainsela (poor dad, he had all girls haha). 1 older, 2 younger, and they all live in Monroe except for Maurie, who lives in Arizona. I was born in New Orleans, but raised in Monroe. I called Louisiana my home up until 2008. I moved to Texas right after I graduated college, but my first move was to Dallas. After living in Dallas for a year, I relocated to Houston to live with Jim. I’ve had several different jobs while living here, but finally found my passion when I became a certified personal trainer. Jim and I both own a personal training business called Braddock Fitness.
How and when were you introduced to Behemoth?
We transformed our third car garage into Braddock Fitness, a home gym where Sage offers one-on-one personal training sessions. While looking for equipment providers, we came in contact with Fitness Depot Houston and meet with Lee McLaren and Matt White. After fixing us up with some pretty amazing gym equipment, Lee asked us if we’ve ever tried Cross Fit. Our answer was no, but have several friends that do it. He told us about Behemoth and said we needed to check them out, so we did
What are you most proud of since beginning with us?
JIM: I’ve had a lot of positive changes since beginning with Behemoth. My mind is sharper, my physique is fitter, and it’s because I bought into the program. The lessons I’ve learned about diet and working out from the coaches have been tremendous for me. I’m proud of myself for putting in the time and being disciplined enough to stay focused on my goals.
SAGE: I had a strong base prior to Behemoth. I strength trained several times a week while also taking advanced HIIT and spin classes. However, Cross Fit definitely takes strength to a whole other level and I’m proud to say that Behemoth has helped me become the healthiest and be in best shape of my life. Barbell snatches, overhead squats, and squat cleans were definitely not apart of my workout programs!
Why Behemoth?
Well, a year ago it was just about trying something new and Behemoth was the name of the gym. Now, Behemoth is our second family. The coaching staff is impeccable and every person at Behemoth inspires us. We feel so fortunate to have been introduced and to be apart of this community.
What’s Next?
JIM: I’m excited to continue growing in CrossFit and becoming capable of participating in The Open “Rx.”
SAGE: I’m also excited to see how strong I can get with Crossfit, while also learning more about the sport. I plan on becoming a certified BirthFit Coach in February when Behemoth holds the workshop. And who knows, I might even get my Level 1 coaching certification to have more education for my personal training business (if Behemoth holds a workshop for that too ).
Mad Lib Section
JIM:
-My favorite movements are: Double unders and muscle-ups
-I attend: The daily 09:30 classes
-I have always wanted to: Be able to take Sage with me when I travel to exotic places. My hope is that one day I will.
-When I’m not doing cross fit: I fill my days with home projects and yoga.
-My favorite Pandora station: I don’t listen to many Pandora or Amazon stations because my personal playlists are usually more boss...haha. When I’m working out and southern Hip Hop comes on...I get that bounce in my shoulders, that extra push; it’s time to through down.
-Beast mode engaged when this song comes on: “Can’t Hold Us” by Macklemore. Something about this track triggers a mental stimulant within me and it’s game on!!
SAGE:
-Favorite lift is: Power cleans
-Frequent class I come to is: 9:30am
-I have always wanted: Jim to take me to Costa Rica, so I can drink water from a blue zone. (It’s a part of Costa Rica where people live longer. There’s a book about it called “The Blue Zones”).
-When I’m not crushing weights, my favorite thing to do is: Train clients and help them succeed in their Braddock Fitness Program. Also, cuddling with my dogs (and Jim).
-Favorite “application of fitness” outside the gym is: To see how many grocery bags I can carry from the car into the house.
-Favorite Pandora station: well I don’t listen to Pandora, but I do listen to Amazon Music. And I don’t really have a favorite station because I listen to so many. I guess it depends on what kind of mood I’m in and what the workout is. It can be anywhere from alternative to hip hop to 90’s jams.
-Beast mode engaged when this song comes on: “Wipe Me Down” by Lil Boosie. Throw that song on any day and it's guaranteed to put more pep in my step haha.
