In the 21st episode of The Showroom, we sit down with none other than Cody Moenk — a Cedar Rapids native, car sales pro, travel junkie, family man, and low-key local legend. This conversation is one part comedy, one part inspiration, and all heart.
From the Football Field to Four Oaks
Cody’s story begins in the neighborhoods straddling Cedar Rapids and Hiawatha, where he lived out a childhood full of bikes, whistles, and neighborhood buddies. A graduate of Kennedy High, Cody played football and dabbled in wrestling and baseball — until a mishap at first base ended his baseball career.
One highlight: Cody recounts a legendary “Bobby Boucher” moment from a JV football game where a coach from the opposing team mistook his comedic Waterboy impressions for something more serious. The Kennedy football room hasn’t forgotten that day — and neither has Cody.
After high school, he took a unique path — working at Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, selling Cutco knives, and eventually landing at Four Oaks, a youth treatment facility. His years there working with troubled youth left a mark on him and gave him a deeper appreciation for family and resilience. As he puts it, “It just makes you more happy just having good parents.”
How a Free Trip to Cancun Sparked a Career
Eventually, Cody joined the McGrath Family of Dealerships. What started as a quest for a free trip to Cancun turned into a fulfilling career in sales. “It’s not factory work,” Cody laughs, reflecting on past jobs that included bridge construction and a tough stint at Whirlpool. “Here, you go home with energy left in the tank — and maybe a Cancun trip, too.”
His car-selling journey even includes helping a customer all the way in Key West, Florida — an experience that turned into a long-distance friendship.
Life on the Road and Craigslist Hustles
Cody’s story includes some wild travel years living out of a van with a friend, painting kitchens they landed on Craigslist, and eating turkey breast by the pound. They even spent time selling gyros at a Blue Angels show on a naval ship.
Those years were about freedom, grit, and testing limits — and they gave Cody stories for a lifetime.
Chickens, BMX Races, and Being a Dad
Now a proud dad of two, Cody’s favorite role might just be “Dad.” His boys are already into BMX racing, and the family keeps chickens. He jokes about being the family dishwasher and coffee runner, but it’s clear he’s all in on fatherhood.
He’s also a local celebrity of sorts — thanks to a viral news clip from a rowdy St. Patrick’s Day when he was 21. The video, affectionately titled “Funny Drunk Kid on the News,” has racked up tens of thousands of views and cemented Cody’s legend status in Cedar Rapids lore.
Wisdom, Laughs, and Favorite Pizza
In the latter part of the episode, the conversation turns fun and reflective — from favorite childhood posters (hello, 1985 Iowa men’s basketball team) to favorite commercial jingles (shoutout to Lebeda mattresses) and marriage advice. “Work on each other. Keep finding time for micro dates,” Cody shares. “And have fun — April Fools’ pranks are key.”
As for food? “Probably pizza,” Cody says. “Need Pizza if you want quality. Papa Murphy’s if you’ve got kids.”
Cody Moenk’s journey is a reminder that every turn in life — from late-night football runs to Craigslist side hustles — shapes who we are. And when you bring heart, humor, and hustle to the table, you end up with stories worth telling.