Cody first stepped onto the mats at Black Lotus around 2010, in his early twenties. Martial arts had always drawn him in, but growing up with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and other health challenges kept him on the sidelines. After college, at the suggestion of a friend, he finally gave it a try and committed almost immediately, quickly going from three days a week to six.

About a year into his training, Cody began helping teach classes and found a natural gift for coaching: clear communication, sharp technical analysis, and an instinctive understanding of body mechanics and corrections. Over the years he competed provincially and nationally, performed in demonstrations, and coached and cornered many of his own students. As his head coach's first dedicated student, he also cornered his coach to two championship wins.

After stepping away to start a family and build his landscaping business, Cody returned to training a couple of years ago, both for his health and for the mental strength martial arts gives him. Coming back to coaching reminded him what matters most: helping others grow and watching students build confidence.

Outside the gym, Cody runs a small landscaping company, holds a diploma in Environmental Science, and enjoys hunting, ice fishing, and playing guitar.