Around the Whiteboard: Israel Albarran

Certifications: Level 1 CF Trainer; ACE personal trainer
Favorite WOD: 12.1 (7min AMRAP burpees)
Favorite Lift: squat clean
Deadlift: 415
Back Squat: 305 / triple 280
Snatch: 175
Clean and Jerk: 230
Favorite Food: pizza
Favorite Movie: Elysium
Favorite Athlete: Leo Messi
Dream Job: CrossFit athlete or performance car mechanic
Dream Vacation Destination: Greece
Favorite Workout Song: Block Buster Night, pt 1
Favorite Motivational Quote: it’s not fun till you puke

How did you find CrossFit and what drew you to getting started?
“I found CrossFit while buying shoes at Dick’s Sporting Goods one day. One of the girls there told me about a CrossFit gym and I went to try it. I fell in love with the competition aspect of it, learning new stuff and the pain and satisfaction of finishing every workout.”

How long have you been doing CrossFit?
“I started CrossFit when I was 15 at a small box in Snellville. I’ve been doing CrossFit for 3 1/2 years now.”

What impact has CrossFit had on your life, lifestyle, and level of fitness?
“I have definitely become very healthy with my eating habits just because I want to perform better every day. It has also kept me very busy, leaving no time for any unhealthy distractions. I was never athletic when I was in middle school. I saw my athleticism improve throughout high school because of my involvement with CrossFit.”

What is your athletic background? How did you get started in those sports?
“I played soccer from the age of 9 until I was 16. My dad got me addicted to it same way he was. The older and more competitive I got the more I wanted to pursue athletics.”

Have you always known that you wanted to be involved in training and coaching others? 
“I never in my life though I would have become addicted to training the way that I have, much less find out my career.  The the job I want to do for the rest of my life is train other people! I first started working out for the muscle as most teenagers go through that stage. Never did I think I was going to start on a path to pursue the rest of my life. Like most teenagers, I didn’t know what I wanted in life or what career to choose, but getting involved in CrossFit and the love I felt for it made me want to share that love and coach others.”

What do you love most about coaching others?
“The satisfaction of seeing others succeed in long or short term goals, especially when I get the privilege to be one of the coaches who helped them get there. There is so much more joy in seeing other people succeed, it feels like you’re succeeding with them. It drives me to be a better coach and athlete.”

Tell us about a CrossFit moment or achievement of which you are particularly proud.
“I was very proud of myself when I got my very first bar muscle up. It was very eye opening to see that hard work and dedication does get you somewhere. I also find muscle ups to be super impressive because I relate them to real life situations. You never know when you’re hanging off a bridge and need to do a muscle up to save your life.”

What is your funniest CrossFit moment?
“One time doing some crazy rowing workout I remember getting up and standing perfectly fine, and after taking the first step my legs just gave out completely. Literally fell face first into the floor! Took about 10 minutes to be able to get up.”

What is one goal you have yet to achieve in CrossFit but are working hard towards?
“I would love to become more efficient in ring muscle ups. I have never been good at the gymnastic movements but would love to prove myself wrong. I am also working hard to go to Regionals. It would be a dream come true to get a sign above my lane with my full name on it… if they can fit it. Then I would be able to take it home and look at it every night!”

What are your hobbies and interests outside of CrossFit?
“I love working on my cars and working on other cars. Anything that has to do with performance parts on a car; sterero systems, lights inside and on the outside… I have a weird passion for driving too. I’m also into video games like everyone my age, but can only play for 30 minutes before I get sleepy.”

What is your advice for new members?
“We all have to start somewhere, but never give up no matter how hard it gets. It doesn’t get easier… you become stronger. There is no right place or time to start. Just start … work hard and keep going up the CrossFit ladder. Before you know it,  you will forget about how you used to struggle with it, and all you will be able to think of is how painful the movement is because you’re better at it.”

What do you love most about No Excuses CrossFit? 
“I love the coaches and the programming. It’s so perfectly thought out. I also enjoy the members. They are very sweet and have wisdom for me all the time. I love the barbells and especially how big the gym is. I hope to stay here long and make a new family.”