July Athlete Of The Month: Robert Reyes
State your Name and/or Nickname please:
Robert (sometimes Wes will call me “Double R” since my last name is Reyes)
Words to live by?
“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” -Michael Jordan
“Life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it.” -John Maxwell
I grew up playing soccer and baseball as a kiddo and in high school I played JV tennis, golf, and soccer. In college, I played intramural soccer and occasionally would go to the gym. Over the years I let myself get way out of shape. When I moved to Austin I knew I had to change my sedentary lifestyle and that’s when I found CFA.
How long have you been CrossFitting?
It will be exactly one year on July 6.
What’s your favorite part of CrossFit Austin?
The coaches, community, and, of course, the programming. Over the course of a year, I have seen some amazing changes in my fitness. The most dramatic being that I started at a 40″ waist and in about 8 months I was down to a comfortable 34″ waist and approximately 50lbs lighter, which is where I am currently. In addition to the physical changes, I have more energy and I think I am generally happier! (much happier after a WOD than just before HAHA) I credit my success thus far to FANTASTIC coaches who teach, encourage, and challenge us to complete sometimes daunting WODs and to break personal records, leaving us with a renewed self confidence and an awesome sense of accomplishment! In addition to the coaching staff, the community of friends at CrossFit Austin has been essential to my enthusiasm for showing up day after day. It’s great to work out with friends who motivate you and give you pointers for success along the way! The CFA community has been a huge part of my life both in and out of the box since moving to Austin a year ago. Thank you all for your friendship and positive energy!
What are your training goals?
This will sound pretty typical, but I would like to continue getting stronger, build muscle, and lower my percent body fat. Kipping pull ups, or pull ups in general, are my arch nemesis and I hope to get better at them in time! I very recently joined the South Side Strength program led by Coach Wes in an effort to get stronger, and I really enjoyed my first class! My short term goals are a 300lb Back Squat, 250lb Front Squat, and 230lb Bench Press. A year ago these numbers would have sounded absolutely ridiculous to me, but now I believe they’re within my reach!! We’ll see how it goes.
Favorite sport or activity?
CrossFit is my favorite athletic activity. I also enjoy playing golf, soccer, and tennis, but I haven’t had many opportunities to do so lately.
Recent adventure you’re planning?
Colorado Snow Skiing! I’ve gone on an annual ski trip with my family for the last couple of years and I enjoy each year more than the previous one. It’s pretty cool getting to spend quality time with my family in such a beautiful environment; I hope I can join them again next ski season.
Tell us something we don’t know about you…
In addition to English and Spanish, I speak French conversationally. I’ve studied abroad in France and really enjoyed learning the language in high school and college. I don’t use it very often, but it’s fun when I get a chance.
Longhorns or Aggies?
I went to college in New York City so I can’t identify with either team the way others can, but since I live in Austin I feel obligated to support the local team, even if they’re not performing as well as they have in the past. Go Longhorns! HAHA
In addition to being a student, going out of your way to get to know everyone in the gym, and taking an active part in the CFA community, you also currently hold the record for the person who has gotten locked in the gym the most to date. What would you say is the key to not getting locked in the gym?
First off, I’d like to say that I am honored to receive such recognition for being the CFA-wide record holder in this category! 🙂 Just for the record, I’ve only been locked in twice. What can I say, I can’t get enough of CFA!! The key to not getting locked in the gym is to get out of the shower before the last class of the day ends. In the past, I would try to squeeze in a shower at the end of the last class of the day without letting the staff know. This, of course, did not end well, so I have since modified my routine. Experience is the greatest teacher!
Leave the fine folks of CrossFit Austin with some parting words…
CFA’ers, you guys rock!! Thanks to you I have been able to achieve some awesome goals and improve the quality of my life! I am so grateful for your friendship and support, and I hope that I, too, have been a source of positive energy for you guys! I look forward to continue WODing alongside you and keeping the tradition of community encouragement alive for any new CFAers who may join us.
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” -Maya Angelou
