Mitchell community steps up for veterans with fitness challenge

MITCHELL — This Veterans Day weekend, CrossFit Tempest is challenging the community to step up — literally — for those who have served.

The gym is hosting a grueling workout that pushes participants to complete 1,000 weighted box step-ups, a test of both physical and mental endurance that mirrors the struggles many veterans face long after leaving the battlefield.

Set to take place on at 8 a.m. Saturday, the Chad 1000X is part of a growing nationwide movement to honor late Navy SEAL Senior Chief Chad Wilkinson and raise awareness for veteran mental health issues. CrossFit Tempest is the only gym in Mitchell participating in this initiative, opening its doors not just to members but to the entire community.

The Chad 1000X workout was created in memory of Wilkinson, who died by suicide on Oct. 29, 2018, after a decorated 21-year career in the service. His death was attributed to the effects of several traumatic brain injuries, blast-wave injuries, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) stemming from his numerous deployments, highlighting the mental toll of military service.

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans are 1.5 times more likely to die by suicide than non-veterans, with an average of 17.2 veteran suicides per day in 2019.

The workout itself is as simple as it is challenging: 1,000 box step-ups, typically completed while wearing a weighted rucksack, plate carrier, or vest.

Nathel Cody, a coach at CrossFit Tempest and a veteran herself, said the exercise is a fitting tribute to Wilkinson’s own tenacity and the mental battles that so many veterans face.

“It’s mentally taxing. You’re doing 1,000 reps, and at some point, you’re going to feel like you can’t keep going,” Cody said. “And that’s the point. It’s supposed to be long, hard, and grueling. It reflects the mental battles that so many veterans face”

For this event, CrossFit Tempest is offering the workout free of charge, though attendees are encouraged to make a donation to the Step Up Foundation, an organization founded by Chad’s widow Sara Wilkinson, to promote veteran mental health initiatives. The gym is also matching a $250 donation to the foundation.

This year, CrossFit Tempest is partnering with the Dakota Rucking Group, a local organization dedicated to outdoor fitness activities that often involve hiking with weighted backpacks. The group is led by former gym member Dan Ziebarth, who will be participating in the Chad 1000X for the first time.

“I’ve felt the need for some time to do something on Veterans Day that goes beyond just watching ‘Saving Private Ryan,'” Ziebarth explained. “I felt the need to do something that cost me.”

Ziebarth’s motivation stems from his personal experiences as a pastor and his interactions with veterans in his congregation. He recognizes the profound challenges many face upon returning to civilian life and wants to contribute meaningfully to their support.

“As a pastor, I’ve had several veterans as members of my church who have struggled with processing what they’ve experienced,” Ziebarth said. “Doing something that hurts a bit while raising awareness to the epidemic of veteran suicide seemed like the right thing to do.”

One of the key aspects of the workout is its scalability. Cody emphasizes that the event is open to participants of all fitness levels, with options to modify the workout as needed. The gym will provide a variety of box sizes and wearing a weighted vest is optional. Cody herself plans to wear a 14-pound vest during the workout.

The workout typically takes 60 to 90 minutes to complete, with participants able to tackle the 1,000 reps individually, in teams, or with a partner.

“It may seem like a daunting number, but when you’re working with others and encouraging each other along the way, it goes by faster than you think,” Cody said.

For many, it’s not just about completing the workout but about reflecting on what the numbers represent: the lives lost, the struggles faced, and the ongoing need to address mental health in the military and veteran communities.

“This is a way to make a difference,” Cody said. “We’re raising awareness, we’re showing up, and we’re supporting our veterans. That’s what matters. We shouldn’t be losing them after they’re home.”

Jennifer Leither joined the Mitchell Republic in April 2024. She was raised in Sioux Falls, S.D. where she attended Lincoln High School. She continued her education at South Dakota State University, graduating in December 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism. During her time in college, Leither worked as a reporter for the campus newpaper, The Collegian. She also interned for Anderson Publications in Canistota, SD the summer of 2000. Upon graduation, Leither continued to reside in the Sioux Falls area and worked as a freelance writer for the Argus Leader for a number of years.
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