Athlete Spotlight: Erick Fuentes Lopez

 

Name:Erick Fuentes Lopez

Age:22

Occupation: Student

Hometown:Suwanee, Ga

Which class time do you usually attend?9:30

Favorite WOD: Thursday’s mobility session. Just kidding, I really liked Murph when I did it.

Favorite CF Movement: HSPU or hand stand walks

Least Favorite CF Movement: Running

3RM Back Squat:405 I think

1RM Deadlift:410

Favorite Food:Wings

Favorite Movie: The Waterboy

Favorite Athlete:Kylian Mbappe

Dream Job:Work for any major sport organization

Dream Vacation Destination:Dubai

If you could have any super power… Super strength like the Hulk

Favorite Motivational Quote:“Tu puedes Chaparito”- Mama “You can do it short stuff”-Mom

How long have you been doing CrossFit?May 2017

 

How did you first discover CrossFit and what made you decide to start?

Mom and dad had been doing, so they kind of forced me into doing it.

 

Tell us about your fitness/sports background:

I’ve played sports all my life. I played soccer at GSA and Ga United. I traveled almost every weekend from u13-u18 but ended up becoming a kicker for Collins Hill and played College Football for 2 seasons at Clemson, just kidding a small D3 school in Greensboro, NC.

 

What sorts of positive changes (mental, physical, emotional) have you noticed in your life since getting involved at No Excuses?

I feel more energetic and no matter how deep of a whole I dig myself in while working out, I manage to climb out of it. Which I wasn’t able to do before. I feel stronger and my cardio has gotten better.

 

Who or what keeps you coming back and motivated?

Both of my parents. My dad recently tore his MCL and got surgery. That didn’t stop him from being such a badass. My mom, because she works really hard and she never gives up. So, I really have no excuses to not come in on a daily basis.

 

In what other ways do you use your fitness?

Well my dad is ALWAYS looking for stuff to do around the house. Sometimes it’s moving tree logs around the property, so I have to power clean them up. Sometimes our ponies escape so I activate the cardio I’ve gained in CrossFit to chase them around for 25-30 minutes until they give up or I give up. (Usually I give up)

 

Please share with us a favorite CrossFit or No Excuses moment.

I believe during the Hugo Open I volunteered myself to do Hand Stand walks even though I had never walked an Inch. Somehow, I managed to walk like 10 feet and everyone was really surprised.

 

Name one goal you would like to achieve in the next year (doesn’t have to be CrossFit related, but it can be)

Probably get a bar muscle up and to pay off some debt cause ya boy broke.

 

Tell us about your hobbies and interests outside of the gym:

I like to play FIFA 19 and compete with other players in the Weekend League to achieve a World Ranking. I also play soccer on Wednesday and Sunday.

 

What advice do you have for someone just starting CrossFit or is on the fence about starting?

If you’ve never worked out, you’re probably going to not die but come close to it. It’ll still be fun and you’ll get a great work out. You will start seeing great results within the first month.

 

What do you love most about No Excuses?

I love how everyone is pretty cool with me at the gym. They make me feel welcomed at the gym. Especially with Glen Wilkins smacks my butt. This is a great place to be if you want to be part of a fitness community.

 

Coach Chris’s Take:Erick’s coachability, consistency, and respect to others, coach and athlete alike, make him not just a good and upcoming crossfitter but also a pleaser to have in class as a member.  He always comes in with no expectation except putting in hard work and that is why he has made so much progress in a short amount of time.”