At age 60, Francois Boda repeatedly proves age is just a number.
Training 12 times a week, six days a week, with only one rest day, Boda embodies the belief nothing is impossible if you have the right mindset and determination.
A two-time world champion track and field sprinter, Boda’s journey has inspired people worldwide, including students at Mount St. Mary Catholic High School, where he teaches French and business classes.
“If you know what you want and you fully commit yourself to achieving that goal,” he said, “anything is possible.”
In August, Boda traveled to Gothenburg, Sweden, to compete in the World Championship in the masters track and field 60-65 age group. Sacrificing much the last two years to make room for training, Boda said his dedication paid off, resulting in gold medals in the 100 and 200 meters, a silver medal in the 400 meters and a bronze medal in the 4x100 meter relay and 4x400 meter relay. He also earned several medals at nationals this year, including one gold, one silver and two bronze medals.
Boda takes every opportunity to share his deep faith with those he encounters along his journey, which extends to several medallions he wears around his neck – one for each family member – as well as a cross.
“I have a mission to tell people about my faith,” said Boda, “That’s the main reason.
“Age is never a problem. Eat right, train hard, keep the right mindset, know what you want and go get it.”
Boda grew up in Mauritius, an island in the Indian Ocean, and eventually trained in France. He ran in Europe, Asia and Africa and moved to Oklahoma in 1988, where he ran at Oklahoma Baptist University. At OBU, he met and ran with his future wife and eventual running coach, Elaine Boda.
After college, Boda found success as a business executive. However, he always wanted to pursue his passion of becoming an educator and mentor. So he retired from business in 2008 and became a full-time faculty member and coach at Mount St. Mary.
Humility is not the first word that comes to mind when considering a person with the level of success Boda has experienced. In fact, he is not only in the Hall of Fame at OBU but also a former National Athlete of the Year, captain of the national team, a 13-time All-American and a multi-national and world champion. Yet, those who know Boda personally, say humble is exactly what he is.
Emma McGowen, an 11-time world champion, underscores the determination, commitment and patience required to compete at their level.
“You have to stay humble,” Boda tells her.
McGowen said Boda reminds her to congratulate her competition, even if she doesn’t win. She says running with Boda has reminded her that people cannot be mad at their competition because they are running with the best in the world.
“He has a big heart, he is humble, and he is competitive,” said McGowen, “and that is what I like about him. It’s never I can’t. Always, I will. Even in pain.”
After college, Boda took a 15-year hiatus from competitively running track and field until he said he found himself in the middle of a challenge with his boys high school soccer team. Struggling to push themselves on the field, Boda bet his players he would pick up running again if they worked harder.
Not only did this challenge reignite Boda’s training, but his team also went on to win the state championship. Boda said the first two years he got back into track, he was “terrible,” with his body not yet conditioned for the competitiveness of the sport. Once his body was conditioned, however, he could begin competing against the best.
Now, he is the best.
Brian Boeckman, Boda’s long-time colleague at Mount St. Mary has witnessed Boda’s dedication on and off the field. Boeckman said despite Boda’s great talent, he has a real heart for serving others.
“We’ve been colleagues since day one, and I can say that he is inspirational not only to the students but also to the teachers,” Boeckman said. “He is a person who gives his best not only in his training but in trying to make a difference in the lives of his students in the classroom.”
Elaine Boda, Francois’ wife, and running coach, said his dedication drew her to him. She said her husband passed this mindset on to both of their daughters and continues to prove to students that despite age, aches or pains if people are willing to work through things, they will accomplish whatever they embark on.
Boda said he considers himself as a human being trying to be his best and stay healthy.
“There is no magic pill or potion. Commit and then go after it with everything you got. Pray to God every day to give you the courage and the effort to be able to do this,” he said.
Boda said seeing the look on the students’ faces when he returned to school after his recent world championship victory was everything. Students threw a party for him in his classroom, and Boda was invited to lead the football team onto the field at that week’s home game.
Boda said he hopes they learned a big life lesson from his example: that if they work hard, they can achieve their dreams.
Michael Bradecamp, Boda’s teammate on Team USA, has known him for more than 10 years and said what Boda has accomplished is rare. Michael Bradecamp, a longtime Team USA teammate, recalls this year’s world champion 4x100 race, with Boda on the last leg of the relay. Handed the the baton, the U.S. was some 20 meters behind the third-place runner. Bradecamp said if it was anyone other than Boda, that person might have given up.
Probably the best run of the meet, Boda passed the runner ahead of him to finish third and push Team USA to a bronze.
Boda’s next challenge will be the upcoming Indoor Nationals in Gainesville, Florida, marking the first time for the event to be held on U.S. soil. Boda plans to compete.
What lies next for him after those races is yet to be determined. However, one thing seems certain: he will continue to motivate and encourage others to never give up on their dreams, to use their God-given abilities to inspire others, and to make each day count by showing up as the best version of themselves.
Eliana Tedrow is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.
Francois Boda, Mount St. Mary Catholic High School teacher, led the MSM football team onto the field at a home game on Sept. 27. Photo Lindsay Tesio.
Francois Boda (middle) traveled to Gothenburg, Sweden, to compete in the World Championship in the masters track and field 60-65 age group, Photos provided.