Athletes of the Month: The G-Unit

Salus • Feb 11, 2021

Each month we highlight a different athlete or athletes at Salus. These individuals have something special. They give their best in every class (and then some), they are hungry to learn more and always ready to do the work without complaining. Not only that, but these individuals support their fellow classmates and encourage them to reach their goals, too. We believe that this is what the Salus Community should be all about.

This month, we’re excited to feature the Gonzalez men. Wilson, Tomas and Eduardo all started after Benny (Miss December) , who joined in 2017. As you’ll read below, the men didn’t really have a choice in the matter (Benny is very convincing), but now they’re all “hooked.” And we’re so glad she did. Now, they’re fitter, stronger and full of energy.

Please meet the February Athletes of the Month: The “G-Unit”

1. When and why did you start at Salus?

  • Wilson I officially started Oct 2017, my wife (Benny) got me an intro class as a birthday gift and basically told me I had to join. I had no choice.
  • Tomas About 2-3 seasons ago. Because my mom made me.
  • Eduardo I joined Salus around 2 years. Why did I join? My mom told me to.

2. How has your performance changed since you started at Salus?

  • Wilson As someone who has exercised most of my life, I didn’t think my performance could improve. Boy was I wrong. The constant doses of high intensity workouts have increased my aerobic capacity. The fact that I can get my heart rate up above 170 (high for my age) consistently is proof.
  • Tomas It’s still a little too early for me to give an accurate answer to this. However I’ve definitely noticed some improvements in the sport so far.
  • Eduardo My technique for a lot of lifts has gotten better as well as I can lift more weight for them.

3. Are there exercises you can do now that you couldn’t do before?

  • Wilson Prior to rotator cuff surgery, the overhead squat was impossible for me. Thanks to great coaching and increased mobility I am now able to perform them. The next step is to increase the strength with that exercise.
  • Tomas Most of the exercises in this sport are new to me which I’ve never done before so yeah. (Kipping, oly weight lifts, double unders, etc.)
  • Eduardo I never really been used to doing handstand pushups and I can do them pretty easily now.

4. How have you changed since you started?

  • Wilson Sleep and stress: two of the most important things to manage in life. CrossFit at Salus has allowed me to maintain healthy sleep habits as well as be a stress reliever. This allows me to deal with other life issues in a positive light.
  • Tomas   I’m pretty sure I have started to look a little bigger (in a good way). I’ve started the paleolithic diet recently, so now I’m trying to take in better foods, more nutrients, and improve my overall healthy eating habits.
  • Eduardo My body has changed. I have lost 30 pounds since I started and I’m still losing weight, so that’s good. Also, I am so tired after every workout that I pass out and go to sleep right away instead of staying up until 3a.m. like I used to.

5. How do you describe Salus to your friends?

  • Wilson Literally, the best thing I can do for my body and soul.
  • Tomas An intense functional sport that focuses on performing a certain exercise/lift as fast as you can in a certain time.
  • Eduardo Salus is a good group of people that want to see each other work hard and get better.

 

6. What keeps you motivated to continue? What’s your “why”?

  • Wilson My why: At my age it’s all about staying healthy to enjoy life.
  • Tomas I just want to get good at the sport! It’s fun. I also like to keep in shape and want to try and get a little more muscular and lift heavier while still keeping my endurance/stamina and still being able to perform well on body weight workouts.
  • Eduardo I like the weight that I am now (I haven’t been this light in a while) but I want to keep on losing and get to the weight I feel is right for me. That’s what keeps me motivated.

7. Favorite lift or WOD?

  • Wilson Surprisingly after doing it, the Murph was really gratifying. Secondly, anything involving squats (front or back) is always a welcome.
  • Tomas Any WOD that doesn’t involve weights. And involves mostly body weight stuff/running.
  • Eduardo My favorite lift is probably the deadlift.

8. What advice would you give to a newbie just joining Salus?

  • Wilson Stay within your limits and stick with the program. The results will speak for themselves.
  • Tomas Having a good and trustworthy coach who instructs the exercises well is very important (which thank god we have). I’d say listen very carefully to the coaches and try your best to complete the lift as intended. Also, start off light and make sure you have the mechanics down.
  • Eduardo Focus on yourself and don’t get discouraged if you can’t do what someone else does. If you keep at your own pace, you’ll get in time. So, don’t give up if you can’t get it on your first try.

9. What is your next goal to accomplish?

  • Wilson I would love to get a muscle up!
  • Tomas Being able to RX more of the weightlifting WODs without looking like a clown.
  • Eduardo My next goal to accomplish is to get back to lifting heavy again.

10. If you could design your own WOD, what would it look like?

  • Wilson 800m run followed by 3 rounds of: 10 back squats of 225, 10 ctb, and 15 push ups. And then another 800m run to finish it off
  • Tomas No weights LOL. All body weight exercises and a lot of running. Just imagine a bunch of ab work on the bar with 400-800 m runs in between. And maybe pull ups/push ups as well
  • Eduardo If I was able to design my own WOD it wouldn’t have any running in it because i cant run for my life.

 

11. Favorite thing to do for fun?

  • Wilson I don’t do it enough, but I really love scuba. Also love binge watching a good series.
  • Tomas Video games and watching tv.
  • Eduardo What I like to do for fun is just what anybody my age does for fun right now and just play games all day or go to a soccer field and just hangout.

12. Favorite healthy dish….and favorite “splurge” meal?

  • Wilson Grilled mahi with asparagus vs medium rare rib eye with creamy mash potatoes.
  • Tomas Wings from air fryer vs wings fried in oil.
  • Eduardo Healthy stuff. Yeah I eat healthy stuff….. does Jersey Mikes count?

13. If you could be a superhero/animal who/what would you be and why?

  • Wilson Definitely a hawk, the awesomeness of soaring through the skies and observing life from above.
  • Tomas As much as I have always loved all these fantasy characters and stuff I’ve always just kind of wanted to be my own hero and genuinely help or have a positive impact on other people’s lives. It just feels good knowing I’ve made a positive impact or was a good influence for somebody else.
  • Eduardo If I could be any hero it would be superman. I loved superman ever since I was little and still do. Why? Because he does whatever he can to help people like me.

14. Favorite motivational quote?

  • Wilson ”You don’t stop lifting when you get old, you get old when you stop lifting.” anonymous.
  • Tomas “Don’t give up.”
  • Eduardo “A team is not a group of people who work together. A team is a group of people who trust each other.” That’s a quote I go back to a lot because I have lots of trust in people.

15. Interesting fact not many people know about you.

  • Wilson For my 30th birthday my wife gifted me a parachuting gift. (I didn’t have a choice back then either HA!)
  • Tomas I’ve always valued genuineness and integrity very highly.
  • Eduardo An interesting fact no one knows about me is that I like to help people a lot. I usually drop what I’m doing if someone really needs me. That’s why I got a job as a physical therapy aid because I like seeing people getting better.

 

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