Meet Cody Taggart | Personal Trainer, Gym owner and Mental Health Advocate

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cody Taggart and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cody, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start.” —Nido Qubein

There are plenty of quotes, affirmations, passages, etc that I’ve saved over time – but this one has been instrumental in my growth as an individual.

In 2012, I was a 320lb man who struggled with depression and anxiety masking my pain with eating and drinking, eventually leading to an attempt to take my own life on my 21st birthday after my Father had suddenly passed away from a heart attack. I had hit rock bottom and I could see no way out of that pain and suffering. Little did I know that my life was only beginning.

Since then, I’ve lost 120 lbs. I’ve moved from Detroit to LA opening up a successful private gym with a couple great friends. We’ve built an incredibly supportive wellness community in MyHomebase. Through various campaigns, we’ve raised over $30,000 for mental health support. I’ve run 2 marathons and I’m currently training for my 1st 100-mile race (raising more $ for mental health support.)

10 years ago, all of this seemed impossible to me. Who knows where the next 10 years will lead?

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets me apart from others? That’s a great question – and to be honest with you, I’m not sure I have a great answer. If we’re being truthful, the information I provide about physical health, mental health, emotional health, etc isn’t anything “new.” I’m just presenting it in “my” way.

I believe sometimes information needs to be presented in a way that connects with who we are in order to truly learn the information and apply it. So while I may not be the trainer for everybody, I’m the trainer for somebody and that’s enough for me.

I’m a former 320lb man who attempted to take my own life and has struggled with depression, anxiety, body image, etc for the majority of my adult life. 8 years ago, I dedicated my life/work to being the best health educator that I can be showing that our present circumstances don’t determine where we can go, they merely determine where we start.

I’m attempting to do that by building a supportive community and completing challenges that the 320lb, depressed man who attempted to take his own life would think is impossible – sharing the lessons learned along the way. We started by completing a marathon raising $30,000 for mental health support and now we’re in the midst of training for my first 100-mile race.

A priority for me is showing that wellness is so much more than physical health. Yes, the physical portion of our health is important. But our mental health matters. Our emotional health. Relational health. Environmental health. Occupational Health. financial health. Existential health. They all matter and they’re all deeply intertwined. The goal of MyHomebase is to connect the dots between each dimension of wellness and create the best version of ourselves.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Phew, a week long trip? I don’t know if I can handle hosting for a week! hahah. But for the sake of the question – if you’re spending a week with me, we’re getting outdoors. There are so many beautiful spots in the Los Angeles area and it’s far too easy to get caught up in the “grind” and forget that they exist.

The beaches are an obvious go-to. Santa Monica, Venice, take a drive on the PCH up to Malibu..we all need some water in our lives.

One of my favorite spots to go is about an hour north of the city – Angeles National Forest. Incredibly beautiful with a ton of greenery and scenic views. Living in Hollywood, there’s not a whole lot of grass or trees so it’s nice to visit the woods every now and then.

I try and take my pup hiking every week or so and usually we end up at Griffith Observatory which offers a beautiful view of the city. The Hollywood sign is usually a “must” for those visiting the first time. Be sure to hike behind the sign! A little tougher but well worth it.

As far as food goes? To be honest with you I spend too much money on SweetGreen and Bipibop so I’d probably refer to a flood blogger around the area for that one. If anybody has any recommendations on a solid Korean BBQ spot though, I’m all ears. That’s my jam.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’ve been lucky enough to surround myself with some pretty incredible people who I’ve learned an enormous amount from. It’s going to be damn near impossible to create this list, and I’m sure I’ll forget a few but let’s give it a shot.

First, my mom. Cliche, I know but it would be wrong of me if she weren’t first. After my Dad passed away, she stepped up and assumed both parenting roles for my little brother and I while she was grieving herself and I cannot thank her enough for that. Her strength and heart inspires the absolute hell out and I can only hope to be half of the person she is. Thank you for everything Mom.

Others that have inspired me (whether they know it or not) – My best friend Ollie Joseph. Joe Holder. Jesse Itzler. My friend Elohim. Mike Posner. Demetrious Harmon. Hellah Sidibe. Matt Haig. David Goggins. Rich Roll. This list could go on for days..

Some books that I have read over the years that have inspired me or I’ve learned from:

Reasons to Stay alive – Matt Haig
As a man thinketh – James Allen
How to do the work – Dr. Nicole LePera
The four agreements – Don Miguel Ruiz
The alchemist – Paulo Coelho
The seven spiritual laws of success – Deepak Chopra

This is definitely an incomplete list – these are the first 6 I could think of…I might add to this later!

Website: CodyTaggart.com and MyHomebase.club

Instagram: @cody_taggart and @myhomebase_

Twitter: @cody_taggart