Jodi Johnson isn’t one to sit still. Between keeping beachgoers safe, training for marathons and pursuing a career in mental health counseling, the Rehoboth Beach Patrol lieutenant has plenty keeping him on his toes.
One philosophy connects much of what he does: “Everyone goes home.”
It’s the patrol’s motto, but Johnson believes its meaning extends beyond the beach. It’s about looking out for fellow lifeguards and taking care of himself along the way.
A Seaford native and Sussex Tech graduate, Johnson started lifeguarding with Delaware State Parks in 2019 before joining Rehoboth Beach Patrol in 2023. He rose through the ranks, becoming a lieutenant in summer 2026.
“You get to practice being a leader, practice being a really good friend,” he said. “You learn so many life skills here that directly correlate to real life.”
Going the Extra Mile
Johnson is pursuing a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling at Neumann University, with clinical work at Nemours Children’s Hospital in Wilmington.
He’s also training for the Philadelphia Marathon’s Freedom Challenge, Nov. 21-22, where he plans to run an 8K, a half-marathon and a full marathon. That’s 44.3 miles in two days.
This summer, he competed at the USLA National Lifeguard Championships in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, as part of the Sussex County Lifesaving Association, which claimed its third consecutive national championship.
Balancing graduate school, marathon training and competitive lifeguarding wasn’t easy but Johnson looks back on the season fondly.
“This was honestly like the best summer of my life,” he said.
Strong Body, Strong Mind
Running also gives Johnson an opportunity to support mental health advocacy. His upcoming Philadelphia Marathon weekend will mark his fourth race fundraising for Active Minds, a nonprofit focused on mental health awareness.
“I like to bridge those two things together, the competitive athletic side, and then my advocacy side for mental health,” he said.
His commitment extends to the lifeguard stand, where young guards sometimes face difficult situations.
“We deal with some really hard stuff on the beach … stuff that 16- or 17-year-olds honestly shouldn’t have to deal with, and you’re the first one on the scene,” he said.
Those experiences can stay with lifeguards long after their shifts end.
“You take care of something, nobody applauds you, you’re not in the paper – you just go home and have to deal with that yourself.”
Johnson believes leadership means helping fellow guards navigate those experiences while protecting their mental health.
“As a lieutenant, I have a responsibility to teach all of my lifeguards how to save lives, but also how to be there for the people on the beach,” he said.
The Only Way Out Is Through
When things get difficult, Johnson turns to one of his favorite sayings: “The only way out is through.”
For him, running is as much about mental resilience as physical endurance. Pushing through difficult miles helps him prepare for challenges beyond the racecourse.
“I practice trying to be as comfortable as possible in really uncomfortable situations when I’m running … so that when I get to those moments that are outside of my control, I can show up for them and be comfortable in my skin,” he said.
Those long runs also offer rare moments of solitude, giving him time to reflect on things that might otherwise get lost in his busy schedule.
While running gives Johnson time to himself, his fellow lifeguards help him recharge.
“I see these guys and girls like my family,” he said. “It just gives me so much energy to do the other really hard things in my life.”
For Johnson, lifeguarding, running and mental health advocacy aren’t separate pursuits. They’re all part of who he is.
“Instead of saying I live five different lives, I think I live one life … I just have different aspects of my identity that I really appreciate.”
Whether he’s racing toward a finish line, responding to an emergency on the beach or supporting a fellow lifeguard, Johnson’s approach comes back to one guiding philosophy: “Everyone goes home.”
Learn more information about Active Minds at activeminds.org.
Editor’s Note: This story was adapted and edited for The Cape Current from an original Cape Gazette feature by Aaron R. Mushrush, published Oct. 6, 2026. The story has been condensed and updated in style and presentation for The Cape Current. Reporting and original interviews are credited to Mushrush.
