Many parents took on the role of teachers during the pandemic. Jeremy Bodenhamer, 42, is exercising more than ever since acting as a gym teacher for his three sons. When youth sports were interrupted last year and parks and playgrounds closed, the CEO of packaging and shipping software company ShipHawk began guiding his boys through training sessions in the family’s garage.
“My boys love school, but hate Zoom school,” said Mr. Bodenhamer, who lives in Goleta, California. “PE takes the edge off and takes out their pent-up energy.” Mr. Bodenhamer and his wife, Bethany Bodenhamer, dean of students at a local high school, are both ardent CrossFitters and have always encouraged their boys to be active. Titus, 9, plays baseball. Solomon, 8, loves hockey and running. Jeremiah, 6, loves basketball so much that he watches Stephen Curry’s MasterClass daily and mimics the NBA player’s drills.
In the morning, Mr. Bodenhamer takes the guys on running sessions or walks them through short workouts. When they are done with remote learning, they meet their father in the garage for training. Mrs. Bodenhamer also occasionally joins in to make it a family affair. The boys post their workouts and fitness challenges to their Instagram account @heartandhamer, hoping to inspire other kids to stay active. Last fall, the boys raised money through a GoFundMe campaign to buy 700 skipping ropes to give to local elementary school children.
“I’m trying to teach the boys that fitness is more than strong muscles,” says Mr. Bodenhamer. “We talk about life lessons such as setting goals and building strength inside and out.”