State your Name and/or Nickname please:
Thomas Bueno
Words to live by?
The only thing stopping you from the life you want is you. If you want something, you have to go get it. I wasn’t going to get in better shape by hoping for it to happen. It’s up to me to make it happen everyday.
What is your fitness background?
I played football growing up, I worked out through college and had a home gym in my home years ago. Then life happens and before you know it I haven’t touched a weight in over a decade. So then I walk into CFA and my journey begins.
How long have you been CrossFitting?
Right at 2 years.
Take us back to your first day of CrossFit… How did you feel? How do you compare it to workouts today?
Oh boy. I admittingly did not do alot of research about crossfit and didn’t really know what I was really signing up for, lol. I didn’t even finish the first 1:1 session. I think I even threw up during the warm up, lol. I was in the worst shape of my life. I did 10 1:1 sessions before I could join my first class. I pulled a calf muscle on my last 1:1 and had to scale my first few classes. I went from struggling to finish the warm up, to now going to class 4-5 days a week.
What’s your favorite part of CrossFit Austin?
I like the variation of workouts. I was more familiar with “traditional” football oriented weight lifting programs I did growing up. At this point in my life, that’s not what I was looking for. I was looking for a place that provide the programming and coaching to help me achieve my goals. CFA is that place.
Current Training Goals/PRs?
Just keep showing up. Stay consistent. No 2 days are the same. The way I look at it, that 400m run, and that 50 cal row, and those snatches were all that much more than I was doing 2 years ago. So my goals are to just to get through every workout the best I can. Just keep showing up and good things will happen.
What advice do you have for folks just starting out in CrossFit?
Just move. Go at your own pace, don’t be afraid to scale, and don’t be intimidated. It’s not as important to do a workout as prescribed as it is to do a workout the right way with quality movement. You are only competing against yourself and slow progress is always better than no progress. Stick with it and show up everyday and it will get easier and become part of your lifestyle. Also, everyone at the gym is pulling for you. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and just move.
How do you balance staying focused in your training when life gets busy?
As a business owner, my day can be hectic and unpredictable. I kept having to reschedule classes as things came up through the day and sometimes I would even have to miss class. So I started going at 5:30 am. That works best for me and there is something to be said about completing a good workout before the sun comes up and most people are asleep. It really propels my day to start off in a productive way. I used to think people that did early AM gym sessions were crazy, but now I get it. I can’t believe I’m one of them now.
What is your “cheat meal” go-to?
Give me that sizzling beef fajita platter with every side to go with it every time!
How do you use your fitness outside of the gym?
I started at CFA for health reasons and to get in better shape so I can be a better Dad to my son. I didn’t want to be a dad on the sidelines, too tired to get out there and get on the field or help train. I want to be an active Dad. So my training goals are around my body test results, inches lost, and how far I carry my son my shoulders at the park. Since I started at CFA, all of my tests have improved, down 7 inches at the waist, and the last time my son and I walked to the park I carried him a half mile on my shoulders. So that’s progress.
What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your fitness journey?
I’d say the food part. Fitness is food and sometimes it gets boring with the usuals, so I’m always on the lookout for food options. I consider myself a big foodie but really laid off that the last couple of years in favor of healthier options. But I’ll be back at you some day Craft Beer Fest!
Tell us about a moment you felt most proud of yourself during a workout.
One that comes to mind is one particular workout where we had 3, 400 meter runs and I did them all. When I started, the runs were extra hard and I would row instead. So for me to able to not only do the runs, but finish under time was big win for me. I never subbed a row for a run again.
If you could create a WOD and name it for yourself, what would it be?
I’d call it the SMILEY and it would not be 25 minutes, lol.
What keeps you going on the days you don’t feel like it?
I remember my why. I do this for my family so I can be here longer for them. I set a goal for myself and I won’t stop until I get there. And when I do I’ll set a higher one and keep going.
What are your hobbies, interests and/or talents outside of CrossFit?
Fishing, family, football! I like to BBQ and I’m a huge Houston sports fan. In my business I spend most of my day analyzing numbers and developing business processes for the companies I work with.
Tell us something we don’t know about you…
I’m from Houston and a huge Houston sports fan. I don’t care where I’m at or what is going on, if there a critical game being played, I am watching it or listening to it somehow. I’m always listening to either Houston sports radio, or some kind of business/finance/investing topic. I love numbers.
Leave the fine folks of CrossFit Austin with some parting words…
I always like the saying, “They don’t put championship rings on smooth hands.” It’s a metaphor for so much. A championship is getting that job, or landing that contract, or meeting that goal, and the only way to get any of it is through putting in the work. Everyday, put in work!
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