Who is Coach Moody?

My story begins in St. Louis in 1973, when my 16-year-old mother, an honor roll student, faced a life-changing moment—discovering she was pregnant. Overwhelmed by fear and uncertainty, she considered abortion as many questioned whether the father would stay in her life. But with the unwavering support of my grandparents, who promised to help her raise me, she made the courageous decision to bring me into the world.

 

Growing up, I was surrounded by love and support from my family, but I felt the absence of my father’s presence. Although he reentered my life during my college years, his tragic suicide in my sophomore year sent me into a deep depression. I turned to drugs and alcohol to numb the pain, but these struggles became defining moments in my journey.

 

Sports played a transformative role in my life. At Hazelwood East High School, I initially pursued basketball but was encouraged by Coach Rick Gorzynski and my neighbor, Demontie Cross, to try football in my senior year. That decision changed everything, earning me a full-ride scholarship to Central Missouri State, thanks to Coach Terry Noland. After facing challenges and making mistakes in my early college years, I transferred to William Rainey Harper Junior College, where Coach John Eliasik helped me secure another scholarship to Northern Illinois University (NIU).

 

At NIU, I had the privilege of serving as a captain for both the football and baseball teams, earning the respect of my teammates and coaches, including Joe Novak (football) and Spanky McFarland (baseball). One of my proudest moments was hitting a home run on the first pitch of my college baseball career. These experiences, coupled with my relentless work ethic and resilience, shaped me into a determined leader.

 

In November 2000, life dealt me another challenge. A devastating car accident caused by a drunk driver left me in a coma with a fractured neck and a major brain injury. Doctors weren’t sure if I would recover, but through prayer, therapy, and the unwavering support of my family, I relearned how to walk, talk, and rebuild my life.

 

Today, I am running life’s race stronger than ever, driven by the lessons and love I’ve received from my family, coaches, and faith. My journey has equipped me with the resilience, compassion, and wisdom to inspire and empower others to overcome their own struggles.

 

I am passionate about sharing my story to help others find strength, purpose, and hope in the face of adversity. Whether through motivational speaking, life coaching, or keynote presentations, my mission is to inspire people to transform their pain into purpose and build legacies of impact and resilience.