Athlete Spotlight: Carlos Gonzalez

Carlos

 

Carlos Gonzalez

Age: 28
Occupation: Business Development Manager
Which class time do you usually attend? 6 a.m. or 6 p.m.
Favorite WOD: It’s hard to choose but I loved ANGIE, but also DIANE
Favorite Lift: Clean
Deadlift Max: n/a
Back squat Max: 205
Fran: 4:50 scaled 65 pounds
Cindy: n/a
Got Muscle-ups?:  Nope
1 mile run: Haven’t tried it in a while!

How long have you been CrossFitting? September 2012

 

What keeps you coming back/motivated?

“The fact that every day you workout you find a new weakness. There is always something you need to work on, always something you can improve, specially for a beginner like me! It’s you against you! There is no end to this journey!! At then sometimes you look back just for a second and you realize how far you have come and makes you go back and try harder the next day!… Also the coaches!”

How did you find CrossFit?
“I’ve known about it for about five months I watched the 2011 Games on ESPN and got hooked but for “other reasons” didn’t pull the trigger. Now I wish I had!”

What is your athletic background (If applicable)?
“I played tennis in college, but most recently road cyclist and other cross training workouts.”

How has CrossFit changed your life, lifestyle, level of fitness?
“I think it has opened my eyes a little more as to what fitness is about. I used to say that I was really fit; now I am not sure I can throw that phrase around. I think CrossFit has made me “fitter” or at least closer to being “fit”. Plus now I talk about CrossFit a lot to everyone!”

What is the one thing you have done here that you never thought you could do? (muscle up, double unders, heavy deadlift, run a mile, etc.)
“The ability to lift “heavy” weights (heavy to me). I mean, I still can’t lift really heavy weights, but compared to two months ago, now I am able to handle it a little bit better.

What motivates/inspires you?
“That is a hard question to answer, but it has to do with the reasons why I come back. To be honest, the thing that motivates me the most is the fact that CrossFit shows you your weaknesses. The fact that you always have something to work on, the fact that you can see the coaches always working on stuff, the fact that you read that your idols Rich, Julie, Annie, Chris always are working on stuff… that motivates me. Knowing that there is no limit as to what you can do and there is no limit as to how fit you can get!”

What is your proudest CrossFi achievement?
“Oh man … probably waking up at 5:10 a.m. so I can shower and be ready for 6 a.m. class? Hahaha! … I was happy when I did Angie!”

Name one goal/personal achievement you would like to achieve through CrossFit?
“Being able to do the workouts without scaling the weights! Rx’d style!”

What goals have you achieved in CrossFit?
“I can do most of the workouts with prescribed Rx weight for girls, which is something I couldn’t do two months ago.”

Hobbies/Interests outside of CrossFit?
“Ride my bike!!”

What is your favorite meal?
“Anything with avocado! … Probably chicken brown rice bowl with veggies and avocado! … Also I love salmon!”

Any advice for new members?
“Forget about the weight and concentrate on technique and form! It’s pretty intimidating looking at some of the guys throwing big weights around, but you need to focus on yourself and your own strength! I have to remind myself of that, work on technique and the weight will come!”

Additional Comments:
“My experience at No Excuses has been great. It’s hard to explain what happens when you do CrossFit, but it’s true what they say — you get hooked. I think the coaches play a big part of this, I mean they are there to help you 110% and there is no ego they are down to earth and cool! It doesn’t matter if it is your first time or if you are an expert they treat you the same, always helping always motivating and always working with you to make you better!”

Coach Laura’s comment:
“The first time Carlos came to the gym to try out the Intro he smoked it!  I knew then that we had a good athlete on our hands.  He is a consistent worker and very coachable; he focuses on technique and is adamant about getting proficient in all the movements.  With his consistency and work ethic I know we will be seeing some big numbers and fast times from Carlos in the future!