Anthony (BA ’04, MS ’07) and Bethany (BA ’04) (Rhineholz) Shefferly rely on fit bodies and minds to handle all sorts of daily challenges. They just have to be careful to maintain equilibrium. They’re a productive couple, no doubt about it. They’re parents of four children, business partners, and health and fitness enthusiasts. Occasionally, they have to stop and narrow their focus, especially at their business CrossFit Tactical Strength.
“You almost have to say, ‘This is a business conversation, not a personal conversation or a couple conversation,’ ” Bethany said. “You have to delineate between those two things. It has its ups and downs, but I think the gym has enhanced our marriage and we’ve strengthened our marriage by doing things together. We can be a very good team.”
“At times, it’s challenging,” Anthony agreed. “It always pushes you to be better at all of the different roles.”
Anthony, from Grand Rapids, Mich., and Bethany, from Fort Wayne, met in the fall of 2000 as USF undergraduates studying psychology. Anthony played football and Bethany was on the dance team. Both earned bachelor degrees in psychology and Anthony went on to earn his master’s in psychology.
“Anthony wasn’t the typical guy I was used to dating,” Bethany said. “I didn’t date jocks, and he played football, but we connected through music. He was leaving class early for an away football game one day and he quoted an AC/DC song to the professor. I thought, ‘Who is this guy?’ I need to get to know him.”
They dated during the summer after their freshman year and became a couple as sophomores. They were married on Dec. 30, 2006.
The years since have been filled with professional and personal growth. Anthony became a police officer and works with the SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) team. He is certified in CrossFit, Olympic weightlifting, powerlifting and nutrition coaching. Bethany has been involved in the fitness industry since college, becoming a certified fitness coach, certified nutrition coach and instructor in fitness and dance. She spent a few years as the USF dance team director. The Shefferlys’ oldest son was born two years after they married.
After Anthony became interested and invested in CrossFit, he began instructing other police officers. The Shefferlys opened CrossFit Tactical Strength in 2013.
“I started doing CrossFit for the police department, coaching it here,” Anthony said. “That’s when I thought this needs to be available to help everybody, not just police officers.”
Anthony said his USF football experience, although his playing time was limited by injuries, helped shape him into a driven leader. An unflinching determination propels his police work, his business, his marriage and his parenting.
“I had two season-ending injuries and my football career didn’t pan out the way I wanted it to,” Anthony said. “But it taught me you don’t quit on things. You see things through.”
Everyone has their own reasons for wanting to train with CrossFit, Anthony said, but the program is effective regardless of a person’s motivation. In addition to the physical training, the Shefferlys offer nutrition classes to promote a healthier life.
A phrase on their website captures their goal: Expand the good parts of who you already are. “It’s an augmentation to your life,” Anthony said. “It’s a general program; we all have the same workout. But what you’re looking for might be different than me, and this is something that will help both of us.” “The coolest part is, someone like me is able to, as a soccer mom, work out next to a SWAT team
member,” Bethany said. “It has enhanced our lives as a couple and our family, too.”
The Shefferlys’ children—Anthony Jr., 10; Teresa, 9; John Paul, 3; and Nickolas, born in October—are often at the facility with their parents. The children see fitness as an integral part of their lives, Bethany said.
“If they’re not at school or home, they’re here,” Bethany said. “It’s pretty cool they can be around their parents at work, see what we do and they help out and get to do some work, too. The gym has definitely strengthened our marriage. It was a game-changer for us.”