Why did you join NorthFit?

I started CrossFit in Waukesha, Wisconsin and moved to Sullivan, Wisconsin. NorthFit is in the middle so I became a member here and have been a member for about four years. Steph Rios and I are best friends, so she helped solidify my decision.

Why do you think you were chosen as member of the month?

I have made a lot of changes that have helped me become who I am today. One day I was talking with Coach Jeb because I wasn’t seeing the progress that I had hoped. I used to drink alcohol a lot and figured out that it was hindering my growth. Coach Jeb said that to change I would need to make the choice of who I want to hangout with. Do I want to hangout with people who continuously drink, or do I want to surround myself with positive-like minded people? I am proud to say that I have been sober for 100 days to the day of this interview (July 24, 2019)! My life is completely different now. I could find excuses to have a drink, but drinking is not for me anymore. A book that I read is titled, “Naked Truth About Alcohol”. It debunks the myth and excuses and has really helped me in my transformation. A statistic that sticks with me is give it 3o days of no drinking (or 30 days of a habit you are trying to break). About 72% of the people who complete the 30 days do not go back to that habit.

How has NorthFit helped you in your career?

I work for AT&T as an IT Manager. I am at my desk all day. NorthFit helps me start my day if I come to class at 6:00 am or it breaks up my day when I come to class at 12:00 pm. The gym has also taught me little things that I can do throughout the while not at the gym. I recently bought a Bear Komplex hip band and I exercise while I am standing at my desk. This keeps me staying active during the day and Coach Tyler also wrote down some exercises for me to do. The gym is my support system. Pam and I partner together occasionally, and I am always trying to catch her. She keeps me going and inspires me.

What do you like about being a NorthFit member?

I love the fellowship. Being an introvert, I have a hard time interacting with other people and because we all have the “gym mentality”, it is easier for me to relate and talk to people. Working out with people you don’t know very well or at all breaks that barrier for me.

What encourages you to keep coming back?

“A body in motion stays in motion,” is what my grandpa says. I don’t want to lose what I have gained since becoming a member. I am responsible for so much during the day that it’s nice for someone to tell me what to do.

What is your nutrition regimen like?

I made a change 100 days ago and that is following the Keto diet (low carb) and intermittent fasting. I eat within a four-hour window between 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm and I feel great. I had gastric bypass surgery 15 years ago and this has helped me to stay focused on myself. Keto would be pointless if I were still drinking. One of my staples is apple cider vinegar mixed with six bottles of water, half tablespoon of lemon juice, and Stevia drops to taste.

What is your spirit animal?

An elephant. I recently went to Cambodia to work at an elephant sanctuary for two weeks and it was life changing. It was my first solo trip. This opened me up to my yoga practice and Romwod stretches.

For people who haven’t joined NorthFit, what would you tell them?

I was very self-conscious when I started. Once I stopped comparing myself to everyone else and compared myself to who I was yesterday, that’s when it became easier to walk through the door. No one cares what you look like or how well you do. What matters is how it makes you feel.

How do you overcome challenges during a workout?

Scaling the workouts helps me. I don’t want to cheat myself and I am comfortable asking the coaches which scale I should do for my level.

Lasting thoughts?

I have two kids, Jose who is 16 years old and Jojo who is 11 years old. They have watched me evolve in the last 100 days. CrossFit is part of my self-love and self-care journey. I started focusing on taking care of myself and it changed everything. Taking care of my body and creating the best version of myself everyday helped everything in my life to organically fall in line. I love taking care of my kids. There is so much more than going to the gym and eating right, a lot of it comes from the thoughts you have and how you react. Not everything is right for everyone. Figure out what works best for you. Learn from your failures. Life is a journey and the journey is beautiful.

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