What brought you to enduraLAB? I wanted to make a change.. I did all I felt I could do on my own and I wanted to learn new things and be in an environment where I'd push myself to work harder!
What did your workout routine look like before joining the LAB? In June of 2020, I was nearing 275 pounds. Now as of March 2nd I weighed around 205. My diet didn’t change too much, but I became much more active with an online program up until December. It was highly beneficial for me and I lost 40 pounds with it. Working my legs glutes and back in particular really helped me shed the weight due to the size of those muscles.
What healthy changes have you made since joining the LAB? Considering what I eat and the cost in calories.. I try to avoid sugar. I still indulge though, the effort I put in at enduraLAB has still kept me losing.
Tell us what you do outside of the LAB? I work for the State as a Parole Officer and for the Tarrant Courts. I work two jobs and stay fairly busy. I live fairly far from enduraLAB, but it is still a high point of my day.
How have you grown as an athlete since joining the LAB? Brag a little. My endurance and strength have grown significantly. I have always been very overweight so this is the first time I really feel like I am where I want to be.
What is a goal you have set for yourself in the next 6 months? I'm not necessarily focused on lifting the most or being the fastest. I want to be fit and I want to be healthy. My goal every day isn't to be better than anyone else but to be better than I was yesterday. I'd love to keep losing to reach the 170 to 180 range but we will see.
What is your favorite enduraLAB event or program? Strength and Conditioning classes. When I thought of gyms I always thought of people doing their own thing, no structure, no goal. Just a bunch of people using machines. enduraLAB’s classes; A large group of us working together, pushing ourselves, is a dream come true for me. Even if I had the worst day at work I can always come to the gym and accomplish a very challenging workout.
What advice would you have for a new person starting at enduraLAB? Don't push yourself too hard and don't feel bad if you can't do a certain move. The workouts at enduraLAB aim for advanced athletes and I am grateful I can even finish them. For someone new, it’s important to remember that just by showing up, you're still lapping everyone sitting on the couch.
Favorite cheat meal/restaurant in D/FW? I'm a fan of Tex Mex. I am guilty of loving fast food. Talking myself out of going to Braum’s on University for a shake and fries after leaving enduraLAB is a real struggle.
Current read / podcast? Don't get much time but I do follow politics and news commentary on the David Pakman Show.
Pump up song? I like when Coach Roman plays Red Hot Chili Peppers. Not exactly high energy but I know the words and it weirdly works for me.
Any final words or thoughts? I've really enjoyed the gym community and the progress I've made so far. Though I wouldn't consider myself an athlete that's not why I come. enduraLAB has fast-tracked the progress I want to make on myself and honestly I've never enjoyed who I am more.
