Press "PandaGuides" above to follow us!
My name is Cody Rhodes, and I’m an American who has lived in China for over 11 years. My story is one of perseverance, self-discovery, and love - driven by a childhood dream of mastering Chinese kung fu and culminating in a life I never imagined, as a husband to a wonderful Chinese woman in Harbin.
Growing up in a tough neighborhood in the United States, I was a frail and often bullied kid. My fascination with Chinese martial arts began early, sparked by the movies of Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan. Their incredible moves and philosophies inspired me to imagine a different life, one where I could defend myself and feel confident. Lacking proper training, I mimicked their techniques in my small backyard. Little did I know, this childhood obsession would shape the course of my life.
Raised by a hardworking single mother after my father abandoned us shortly after my birth, life wasn’t easy. My mother did everything she could to provide for me, but we often struggled financially. Despite the challenges, I excelled academically and regularly earned top grades. However, I remained shy and withdrawn, as years of bullying had left me self-conscious and hesitant to speak up.
As I grew older, I took on part-time jobs to support myself through college. One of these jobs was at a Chinese restaurant in Chinatown, where I was introduced to the beauty of Chinese culture and the language. A friendly chef there became my first Mandarin teacher. He was the one who told me about the Shaolin Temple, a legendary place where kung fu was born. His words reignited my dream of mastering martial arts.
Determined to chase that dream, I made a drastic decision: I dropped out of college and began working four jobs simultaneously to save money for a trip to China. For over a year, I lived frugally - often sleeping in parks or abandoned cars - to maximize my savings. My mother, unaware of my plans, was shocked when I eventually told her I had already arrived in China.
My journey began in Henan Province, where I went straight to the Shaolin Temple. At first, the masters dismissed me as just another foreign tourist, but I refused to give up. Through sheer persistence, I was allowed to train as a lay disciple. However, the training was far more intense than I had imagined. The first day alone left me in tears as I struggled with the pain of stretching exercises. Yet, I refused to quit. The kindness of my fellow disciples, who massaged my sore muscles and introduced me to traditional Chinese treatments like cupping therapy, helped me endure the hardships.
After a year of intense kung fu training, I started looking for new opportunities to sustain myself. I worked as a stuntman in movies and TV shows, although my roles were small and non-speaking. Eventually, I moved to Hangzhou, where I landed a job filming promotional videos. Unfortunately, this experience ended poorly, as my employer failed to pay me the wages I was owed. Still, the experience taught me resilience and prepared me for what lay ahead.
With little money, I embraced the concept of "budget travel," a term I picked up in China. I visited numerous cities, marveling at the country’s diversity and beauty. In December 2013, my travels led me to Harbin, where I went to see the city’s famous ice sculptures. What I didn’t know was that this trip would change my life forever.
It was in Harbin that I met Hongyan, a beautiful Northeastern woman with a charming smile and fluent English. We connected instantly, and within a short time, we became a couple. I spent Chinese New Year with her family, immersing myself in their traditions. By the following year, we were married. Becoming a “Northeast son-in-law” was unexpected but a joyful milestone in my journey.
At the time, I had little money. I gave my savings of about 30,000 yuan as a bride price to her family and began teaching English to support us. Most of my earnings went to my mother-in-law, who has always been kind and supportive. Over time, I contributed significantly to the family’s finances, and in 2020, we bought a home in Harbin. While my mother-in-law helped, most of the funds came from my hard work.
Living in China has transformed me in ways I never imagined. Beyond learning kung fu, I’ve gained wisdom, resilience, and a deep appreciation for Chinese culture. The sense of community, the people, and the traditions have taught me more than I ever learned back home. Harbin is now my home, and I couldn’t be happier.
I came to China chasing a dream of martial arts but ended up finding love, family, and a new life. America gave me my roots, but China gave me wings - and I’m forever grateful.
Long press or scan the QR CODE below to follow us!
