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Photo by Savannah Schmidt
Jeff Davis runs across a bridge in Trussville, Alabama on Jan. 1, 2024. Davis became an amputee after a motorcycle accident from his childhood caused a disease that spread into his adulthood.
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Photo by Savannah Schmidt
Jeff Davis runs across a bridge in Trussville, Alabama on Jan. 1, 2024. Davis became an amputee after a motorcycle accident from his childhood caused a disease that spread into his adulthood.
In the spirit animal world — bears for strength, eagles for resilience, and owls for wisdom — Jeff Davis chooses to be a turtle.
“I tend to be an old soul and love to teach others about life,” reads Davis’ profile at M3 Endeavors, where he works as a personal trainer. “I work toward consistency and focus. ‘Slow and steady wins the race.’”
Davis, who also teaches Pilates at the Trussville Civic Center and the Trussville Senior Activity Center, was just 12 years old when he wrecked a motorcycle, severely injuring his right ankle. For years, he didn’t let the injury bother him. He played sports. He stayed active. But after his children were born, like many others, the glove was retired to the shelf, and the football was tossed into a box. Davis put on weight. When his oldest son began playing baseball and Davis was coaching him, he struggled to get around the field. He knew he needed to lose weight.
He couldn’t run, couldn’t ride a bike, and couldn’t adequately perform cardio workouts. His ankle had become one solid piece—jointless. In 2015, Davis underwent ankle fusion surgery. A year later, he had revision fusion surgery. That same year, he met Kendell Jno-Finn, the founder and CEO of M3 Endeavors.
“That’s when I dove, with the help of Kenny, into the fitness industry and figured out a way to lose 60 pounds,” Davis said. “It changed my life.”
By 2021, Davis had undergone multiple surgeries on his ankle to address problems as they arose. That year, he developed a bone infection — osteomyelitis — that began to spread up his leg.
“At that point, we decided on a below-knee amputation to keep [the infection] from spreading further,” Davis said. “Honestly, I had a very good peace about it.”
The amputation was performed in Nashville, Tenn. Davis was supposed to receive his prosthetic 12 weeks after the surgery, but he got it in half the time and started walking. It was the first time in two decades he had walked without pain. A triathlete since 2016, Davis was making remarkable progress in a short period of time. He joined Amputee Blade Runners, which provided him with a running blade and a cycling foot so he could continue training for triathlons.
“I just haven’t looked back since,” he said.
As Davis worked his way back to being a triathlete, he discovered a new love for running. He has since completed several 5Ks and a half marathon. In October, Davis finished the Chicago Marathon as a para-athlete, with his son, J.D., running by his side and assisting him.
“It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but it was also kind of the neatest thing I’ve ever done,” Davis said.
According to the Chicago Marathon website, the 26.2 miles took just over eight hours for the father-son duo to complete. Davis broke no land-speed records, he admits, but “slow and steady wins the race.” For Davis, the goal wasn’t to be the first to break through the finish-line tape but to simply finish.
“It was a huge feeling of accomplishment and just a feeling of joy,” he said. “There were a lot of tears. The whole day was just full of emotions. But when we finished, it was kind of a, ‘Man, we finally made it’ moment.”
Davis brings the spirit of a turtle — slow, steady, and patient — to his job every day. He aims to help his clients live better lives.
“I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I’ve watched so many people have success stories, and just knowing that I was a small part of that success is very satisfying. I’ve always felt my purpose was to help people, and seeing them walk in here with no confidence, just down on themselves, and then seeing them three, four, six, 12 months later thriving — not only in classes, but thriving in their life — it’s just so satisfying for me. It makes me feel like I’m doing what I’ve been called to do,” he said.