Jody Webb interview

"World-Class Problem... SOLVED" My conversation with Jody has got to be at once the most inspiring, insightful, uplifting and heart-breaking - all at once. Never has an episode of TFG left me so humbled, so shaken, so moved to my core as this one. Jody describes himself as a "world-class problem solver". His life has been full of ironies: in what he describes as a "Freaky Friday experience", he was working for the Arkansas state auditor and fully intended to pursue a career in politics. He was in the state capitol the day Bill Clinton boarded Air Force One for the White House. His best friend was working through his student teaching obligations in preparation for a career as an education, and invited Jody to appear as a guest speaker. In that moment, he said he felt as if he'd been struck by lightning. Jody went on to a career coaching at YMCA, junior-high, and high-school levels, nearly winning a city championship in his third volunteer year and helping Westside High School produce its first college athlete in twenty years. His friend went on to be a director in the Arkansas state government on the education side. Jody also went on to face overwhelming failure - personally and professionally. Like many Americans, the events of Sept. 11th 2001 shook him to his core... and likely also triggered childhood traumas, which he spoke of candidly with stark honesty at the very end of our conversation. As too many men do - and as I have shared I myself had done - he hid his inner turmoil, wore the "public mask" as he put it - and it wore him down inside. To career failure, and homelessness. Down to fifty bucks in his pocket, living in his car. At wits end, he called his mother, seeking help from the one person he knew he could trust. With her help, he found faith. He found community. He found the support of other men who themselves had gone all the way to hell... and back again. Jody went on to become "Coach Webb" to student athletes and parents alike. Leader, confidante and trusted advisor, who has inspired thousands not only to athletic achievments, but successfully becoming upstanding adults and productive citizens. His closing message - specifically to the men in the TFG audience - moved us both to tears. The theme of "safe spaces for men" appears to be the throughline of this season. In Jody Webb, I think we've found our coach.