Team Member Spotlight

Hailing from San Antonio, Texas, Frankie Grubbs is a five-year Beef Team member and seventh-generation Texan who juggles many responsibilities including her roles as a mother, hands-on grandmother, wife to Guy Grubbs (who joined the Texas Beef Team last year), volunteer, and litigation recovery manager by profession. Her life is defined by family, a commitment to health, giving back to others – and, of course, nourishing food, including beef!

Life is good, but there have been bumps in the road. Among her many roles, Frankie was also the sole caregiver to her mother who passed in 2018. Shortly after losing her mother, she was involved in a serious car accident that left her with 11 broken bones (including three in the ankle) and a lacerated liver. With these physical and emotional setbacks, the recovery process was long and challenging, and discouraging.

“Needless to say, I became very depressed,” Frankie elaborates. “My sedentary lifestyle was literally killing me and I had gained a lot of weight. In February 2022, I finally decided that I needed to recommit to a balanced and healthy lifestyle.  I started walking and incorporating more beef and vegetables into my daily diet. I am happy to say I have currently lost 91 lbs. My plan is to continue this sensible lifestyle in an effort to increase my longevity.”  

In the decade leading up to her accident, Frankie was tearing up the roads running. She took up the sport in 2008 (at age 46) when her employer was sponsoring the inaugural San Antonio Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon and offered her training and a bib. This experience sparked a love for running that has since tallied up three marathons, approximately 30 half marathons, and numerous 5Ks.

Her favorite race distance is a 5k, although she secretly admits that the marathon distance also vies for her top pick (but her doctor has forbidden her from doing any more).

“Since 2018, I have become more of a supporter of the running community rather than doing races,” explains Frankie. “I really enjoy volunteering and being in service to others.  Plus, I love watching my friends and teammates reach their goals”    

Growing up, beef was a part of Frankie’s family tradition, with Sundays marked by the comforting ritual of barbacoa tacos. Frankie eats beef every day and one of her go-to recipes today is Lazy Beef Lasagna,  an easy, comforting dish her whole family enjoys. The night before long races, Frankie relies on beef Spaghetti for sustaining energy. Two cuts of beef—T-bone and filet mignon—are her favorites, and her time with the Beef Team has refined her grilling skills through the Grilling 101 and Smoking Beef 101 workshops. As part of her fitness journey, Frankie incorporates beef into her daily diet, finding that it provides the nutrients she needs to support her active lifestyle.

Read on to learn more about this inspiring and dedicated team member:

Hobbies / Volunteering: Travel, being a “foodie,” and volunteering for Wreaths Across America. 

Beef Team Memories: I love hearing “Go Beef!” on the course and also supporting the Healthy Kids Running Series. It’s much fun watching how passionate our younger generation is about running. 

Favorite Races: The Houston Chevron 5k is a great race – well-supported and lots of Beef Team members show up to volunteer. I also love Girls on the Run in San Antonio. This organization’s mission is to empower girls and it’s wonderful to see this accomplished as each crosses the finish line.  

Motivation: I run for my health and also for the many people who are unable to run due to their circumstances.  

Race Mantra: Dig Deep! In long distance running, sometimes you must go there.  Last few miles of a marathon are more mental for me.  

Dream Celebrity Running Partner: I would run with the musical artist, Jelly Roll. He is such a positive role model. He reminds everyone that who you WERE is not who you ARE.  

Current Goal: My goal is to complete a 5k a month in 2025.  

Running Advice: Your only competition is with yourself.  Always try to do better than yesterday.

Favorite Running Gear: Asics Nimbus.

Running Music: Anything by Boston or Styx.