If there’s one thing we love at enduraLAB, it’s a comeback story. And Armando Hernandez? Oh, he’s giving us the full feature film. From wrestling in high school to military fitness and trail running at a 7-minute pace, his fitness journey reads like an action-packed training montage. But as life would have it, the script took a turn. Around age 33, fitness took a backseat, and by 37, he found himself facing the uphill battle of starting over. “The mental disappointment of being able to do certain activities in the past to not even being able to complete one rep can be such a mental drain,” he admits. But guess what? He didn’t just bounce back—he’s rebuilding, stronger than ever.
The Game-Changer: Less Junk, More Movement
A self-proclaimed foodie (with an entire DFW map of restaurants as proof), Armando’s biggest game-changer has been watching what he eats and making movement non-negotiable. Whether it’s hitting the gym or finding another active outlet, he’s making sure fitness isn’t just a box to check—it’s a lifestyle. Bonus win? He’s been drinking less without even realizing it. (Three adult beverages all year? Some of us need that level of willpower.)
The LAB’s Impact: The Power of the Pep Talk
“Whether you’re new to gym life or a seasoned vet, we all know what’s good nutrition and how to recover,” Armando says. “But I like how the LAB pushes and reminds us. Repetitiveness is key.” And while he might not be the biggest hype man in the room, he’s cheering for you—inside. “If you make eye contact during a session, I’m screaming at you internally: ‘GET IT! GET THERE!’” So next time you see him, know that you have a silent warrior in your corner.
Mental Gains = The Real Wins
Has he grown as an athlete? Absolutely. Learning new workouts, testing max reps for the first time, and overcoming the mental drain of a restart has been huge. “I think I’m finally on top of the hill from that mental drain,” he says. “It’s my therapy for sure, has always been.” Physically, he’s still chasing goals, but mentally? He’s on another level.
Chasing That 8-Minute Mile
The next six months? It’s all about the numbers. Specifically, getting his jogging pace from 12 minutes to a solid 10—or maybe even 8 if we’re feeling ambitious. Oh, and let’s not forget pull-ups. Because what’s a fitness journey without leveling up in all areas?
Surprise Workouts & the Love for the Unknown
Favorite program or event? “To me, they are all a challenge. From endurance workouts to learning a new stretch. Sometimes I don’t even look ahead at the workout for the day just to be surprised.” The element of surprise keeps things fresh, both for his body and mind.
Words of Wisdom: Make It Your Lifestyle
For those just starting their journey at enduraLAB, Armando has simple but solid advice: “Keep coming, don’t stop. We are all in the same mindset with similar goals. Don’t just make it a daily task or checklist—make it your lifestyle.”
The Armando Bodies Workout – Are You Ready?
If we designed a workout in his honor, it would be called Armando Bodies—because in Spanish, “armando” means soldier, and it also means to assemble, to join, to put together. And this one? It’s a full-body challenge.
- 1-mile jog
- 10×10 sets of moderate-weight lifts (choose between legs, chest, or shoulders, or go beast mode and do all three)
- 1-mile jog to a pool
- 200m kick-only swim with a float
- 200m arm stroke swim with a float between the knees
- 1-mile jog to finish No score. Just complete it. (Or, you know, time yourself if you want to flex.)
Recovery, Eats & Epic Playlists
After all that, what’s his go-to recovery? “A deep, deep tissue massage. Make it hurt.” (We felt that.) As for food? “I’m a real foodie. The entire DFW area is my playground.” And when it comes to music, his ideal workout soundtrack would be an instrumental band following him around, playing Rocky anthems and Flight of the Bumblebee on repeat. Throw in some DMX, some 80s-90s classics, and maybe a military cadence, and you’ve got the ultimate playlist.
Final Words: GET IT. GET THERE.
Armando’s journey is proof that comebacks are possible, and mental toughness is just as important as physical strength. So next time you see him in the gym, just know—he’s silently screaming words of encouragement at you. And his final words for the enduraLAB fam?
“GET IT. GET THERE.”
