Jill and Jason Hughes regularly program Hero WODs at their gym, Saddle Up CrossFit, in Decatur, TX.
- “We have always made a big deal about doing Hero WODs, typically trying to do at least one a month. We put a lot of emphasis on the importance behind them,” Jill said.
That being said, in many ways, Hero WODs were just another hard, sweaty workout for her community to tackle, as nobody had any direct, personal connection to the fallen veteran or first responder the workout was named after.
But last January, the unthinkable happened.
- Hughes’ cousin, 27-year-old Navy SEAL Nathan Gage Ingram, was killed trying to save a fellow SEAL while on tour in the Arabian Sea with Navy SEAL Team 3. Jason and Jill suddenly found themselves designing a Hero WOD in his honor.
They applied to have “Gage” added to CrossFit’s canon of Hero WODs last spring and received official approval on November 15.
On Saturday, January 11, a year after Ingram’s death, the Saddle Up CrossFit community will tackle “Gage” alongside a handful of other gyms in the area.
Remind Me
Hero WODs are designed to honor a fallen member of the military or a first responder who died in the line of duty. Arguably, the most famous is “Murph,” named after Lieutenant Michael Murphy.
- The process of creating a new Hero WOD involves submitting an application to be reviewed by CrossFit. The only official requirement is for the hero to have been an active CrossFit participant who fell in the line of duty.
- CrossFit typically publishes new Hero WODs on both Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
- As of January 2025, there are 233 official Hero WODs.
The Story Behind “Gage”
Each component of “Gage” has some kind of significance, starting with the 1,996-meter row, which represents the year Ingram was born.
Jill explained that the movements they selected were some of Ingram’s favorites. The number 12 is particularly noteworthy, as it was both the date of his wedding anniversary to his wife, Jewel, and the family was notified of his death on January 12, 2024.
The Big Picture
Though it’s just another workout for many, “Gage” is about so much more for Ingram’s family and friends. And the fact that it’s now an official Hero WOD makes it even more special, Jill explained.
- “The first time we did the workout [last March], it was tough,” she said. “You finished, and you broke down. It hits you a little harder knowing what kind of a person he was. He was so selfless and genuine and kind, and that’s how we want to remember him.”
Ingram will be on everyone’s mind this Saturday at Saddle Up CrossFit, where Jill and Jason Hughes expect 60 to 70 people to tackle the WOD.
For Ingram’s mother, Kristi Hughes, the day will simply be about honoring her son.
- “My goal is just to honor him in any way possible and to get the word out about the type of person he was,” Kristi said.
Worth noting: Though it’s not an official fundraiser, the Hugheses invite people to donate to the Nathan Gage Foundation or purchase a T-shirt in his honor. (Last year, they raised $3,200 in T-shirt sales for the foundation.)
They’re also inviting any and all affiliates to join them in doing “Gage” this Saturday, or whenever is convenient, and to tag @saddleupcrossfit on Instagram.
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Featured image: Jill Hughes
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