State your Name and/or Nickname please:
George A. Valdez
Words to live by?
‘Pain is weakness leaving the body’ – USMC
‘The only easy day was yesterday’ – Navy SEALs
‘No Worries’ – local saying in Hawaii
‘It is what it is’ – local saying in Hawaii
What is your fitness background?
Due to a head injury when I was wee bit of a lad, all full contact sports were prohibited. But, all was not lost as I ran track and cross country in HS. Once I got to college, the workouts became sporadic. I think at one time I even took a weight lifting class in undergrad. Subsequently, all that changed pretty quickly while I went through pharmacy school. Learning about diabetes, erectile dysfunction and other disease states got me back to running and taking my health even more serious. Like they say, “Practice what you preach.”
To this day, we still have a membership to a local gym. It’s only real use is to practice my swimming, as I get ready for the Texas Tri Series. Before that, the gym scene was very boring. Run, do some weight lifting, go home and a few days later back to the same old workout routine. My cousin would post updates on Facebook about something called, “WOD”; looked intense. We needed a new challenge. So, my wife and I did some research and, voilà! Hence began our journey to the dark…I mean CrossFit… side.
How long have you been CrossFitting?
In February, it will be one year!
What’s your favorite part of CrossFit Austin?
My wife and I went to Maui in July of 2012 on holiday. Before getting to Maui, we did a little research into crossfit gyms in the area. I know what you may be thinking…”You were in bloody Maui and exercising”? In any event, we found a local gym called Lahaina CrossFit and completed several traveling WODs. The coach and locals were very hospitable. They even gave me a nickname…”Texas”. Aside from everyone having a perfect tan, what I remembered most was how the coach commended me on my deadlift technique. And that is what is my favorite part about CrossFit Austin: the consistent attention to detail performed by all the CFA coaches. They make it their priority to recognize bad form and immediately correct to prevent serious injuries later down the road.
The atmosphere at CrossFit Austin is pretty amazing too! Our “locals” are always motivating, high fiving each other and that experience is certainly second to none.
What are your training goals? The 2013 year is going to be huge for me. I’m running a half and full marathon in January and February. I’m running the Capital 10K with my pharmacy team. I’m becoming a Spartan (HA-OOH!). I’m going on a solo mission for the ‘Murph’. Hopefully, I’ll be finishing the year with the completion of the Texas Tri series
Favorite sport or activity?
When I’m not dispensing medication, teaching about beta-blockers, or doing bear crawls, I really enjoy camping. It’s probably the only time my cell phone stays in my truck the duration of time we are camping.
Recent adventure you’re planning?
A friend of mine is a US Army Major. We hopefully plan on taking a little trip to Washington DC to run the Army 10-miler next October.
Tell us something we don’t know about you…
Hmmm? Well, I’m sort of a comic connoisseur. No, let me be honest…comic nerd. I actually have a tattoo of Captain America’s Shield on my right shoulder. I enjoyed reading comics but stopped because it got a little expensive. Plus, the extra money pays for CrossFit. (FYI…Stan Lee will be at the Austin Comic Con next November.)
Longhorns or Aggies? Really? There is only ONE Texas school in the Lone Star State. Texas Fight!
You were one of the top spreaders of holiday “cheer” at our recent holiday party… If you had to pick a favorite holiday/theme party, what would it be and why? I would have to say a robot themed party. Never been to one so that in itself would be a good reason to have one. Plus, I could already here someone saying, ‘I’m a sophisticated CrossFit robot sent back in time to make you do bear crawls’.
Leave the fine folks of CrossFit Austin with some parting words… I have read some amazing stories regarding Navy SEALs. I can recall one moment that stood out from the book, “The Warrior Elite”: One of the instructors describes the infamous ‘hell week’ as “just a SPEED BUMP in BUDs.” I was totally blown away by that simple mentality. So, that is how I approach life’s little or big challenges. You feel it. You forget about it. You keep going forward.
I want to thank all the coaches at CrossFit Austin for selecting me as Athlete of the Month. We have so many other athletes that fit this role. I am truly honored for this recognition. One last thing…BEAR CRAWL!!!
The CrossFit Austin Strength + Beauty Challenge starts up again January 13th, 2013! Past sessions have led to some amazing results, some of which we just have to share with you! This week’s athlete is Aubrey Putney.
Aubrey’s Results Over the course of the 4-week Challenge, Aubrey…
Lost 4 pounds
Lost 9.5 inches total
Lost 4.3% body fat
About Aubrey
“Aubrey was such and integral part of the September group and I can truly say that it would not have been the same without her. She is leader, beautiful, always uplifting, positive, and motivating! She a strong, positive role model to those around her well as all mothers/soon to be mothers.” – Coach Alex Janss
A word from Aubrey “I didn’t sign up for S + B to lose weight, I signed up to hold myself accountable to a Paleo diet and regular exercise. After having a baby, I was struggling with finding time to fit it all in – work, play with my baby, workout, have “me” time, enjoy time with my husband, etc. Working out and eating right were the first things to go, so when the Strength and Beauty program began, I knew I had to get on board and get some accountability in these areas.
Guess what…I was able to do it all! Workout, work, and have better quality time with Lilah and Boone.
When you eat healthy, and exercise, your body naturally becomes more efficient. My emotions were more stable, I could focus better, and my attitude was more positive. I didn’t have more time in the day, but the way I used my time was more effective. If you think you don’t have time to workout and eat healthy, think again.
Thank you so much to Alex for hosting this program at CrossFit Austin. It is a HUGE motivator to be surrounded by such strong, beautiful women!” – Aubrey Putney
“Love life, engage in it, give it all you’ve got. Love it with a passion, because life truly does give back, many times over, what you put into it.” – Maya Angelou
Level Two A. Hip Snatch + Hang Snatch x1+1 x 7 @ 50-60% Rest :30
B. Deadlift x2x10 @ 50% EMOM
C1. DB Bench x8x3 Rest :30
C2. Hor. Ring Row x8x3 Rest :30
All Levels “12 Days of Christmas” Team WOD 1 Clean (135 lb, 95 lb)
2 Front Squats (135 lb, 95 lb)
3 Deadlift (135 lb, 95 lb)
4 Deadhang Pull-ups
5 DB Thrusters (35 lb, 20 lb)
6 Step-ups/leg (20”, 16”)
7 Burpees
8 DB Swings (35 lb, 20 lb)
9 Push-ups
10 Lateral Box Jumps (20”, 16”)
11 Toes to Bar
12 Push Press (135 lb, 95 lb) *Done in the same style as the Song “The 12 Days of Christmas” (1, 1-2, 1-2-3, 1-2-3-4…..) *One person works at a time *Each Partner does all reps of each exercise every round
