05/30/2026

Sobriety Strength and Shenanigans
Urbandale IA
Sobriety strength and shenanigans explains a well description for three men at the Crunch gym in Urbandale. While many of us are still in bed at 4:00 AM, Cody Woltz and Kent Bain of West Des Moines are just getting their day started. These two men are part of a recovery program called Sober Soldierz and begin their mornings with devotion and prayer. It is one of the requirements involving their recovery which now became a daily routine habit before heading out the door for the gym. Cody refers the gym as the sanctuary. Kent Bain added that it’s a place to take care of God’s temple. Bain has been a distance runner in the Des Moines area and ran multiple half marathons with the Capital Striders and is going strong at 60 years of age. Another man, Bob got to know Bain and Woltz at the gym and it’s amazing that age is just a number. Bob chuckles with amazement of what these men can accomplish but seeing Bob in his 80s at the gym is an amazing feat in itself. Bain commented that it takes discipline. Woltz and Bain who are with the Sober Soldierz meet other recovery brothers Tyler DeMoss, JJ Greening who are also gym regulars.
Sober Soldierz began at about the time of the COVID pandemic with just a few guys which has grown into a great recovery family by putting God first in Recovery according to TJ Vasquez of West Des Moines IA. He encourages his guys to chase after God through surrendering themselves. Getting ready for devotions at 4:40am is one of the house requirements as putting God number one as the day begins to help establish routine before heading out the door. Sober Soldierz has been in the process of starting a second recovery house in West Des Moines according to Vasquez. Bain commented that he works out with Woltz on most days while improving physical strength and mental health through inspiring conversations which is one of the reasons why they call the gym the sanctuary. Recovery family who puts Christ first in recovery is what builds meaningful relationships through brotherhood.
For those who are finding out more about the Sober Soldierz, they are based out of First Church of the Open Bible at 2200 Beaver in Des Moines with meetings occurring every Tuesday and Thursday nights at that location as well as an East side recovery meeting every Saturday night at the Kingdom City Church at 1300 Buchanan on the city’s east side.
