Congratulations to our December 2016 Athlete of the Month!
Tristan Apolinar
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Born and raised in Texas. I am 17 years old and currently a Senior at Hays High School. I am planning on attending college to study animation. I am an Adult Black Belt at Diaz Martial Arts, which I’ve been attending for seven and a half years. Four years ago my family convinced me to run a 5k relay with my cousin and have been running cross-country with my family since then. I really enjoy taking great care of the one and only body that God has given me. With two siblings, my brother (1 year old) and my sister (3 years old) that look up to and mean the whole world to me, I’ve realized it is my job to set the best example possible. Other than that I am just about the typical teenager who plays video games and is surprisingly terrible at taking selfies.
What brought you to CrossFit?
In 2012, I was an eighth grader when my mother was attending CrossFit Kyle. She told me about the CrossFit Kids program that the gym was going to have and asked if I would like to try it out. Without hesitation, I said “yes!” and began going to classes that summer. I really enjoyed it as it brought so many new challenges, some of which I haven’t beaten to this day, and made me realize how unfit I was compared to how fit I thought I was.
How long have you been doing CrossFit?
About three and a half years.
How has CrossFit changed your life, lifestyle, level of fitness?
CrossFit has enlightened me to how poorly I was treating my body and drove me towards living an almost complete Paleo lifestyle (one does not simply not eat tacos and tamales). My fitness level has also greatly increased and aids me in my everyday life. CrossFit Hays has also, but most importantly, introduced me to its great community in which I consider and gladly call my family.
Favorite CrossFit lift/movement?
I enjoy doing muscle ups, GHD sit-ups and snatches.
Least favorite CrossFit lift/movement?
I have no least favorite movement(s) as any movement provides the opportunity to improve myself. So in other words, yes, I love burpees.
Name one goal and/or personal record you would like to accomplish through CrossFit.
I hope to eventually make my way to the CrossFit Games but to win, not just to say that I’ve been there. My most important goal however, is to inspire people of all ages to change their ways of life to the healthier side as well as improve the world to making better choices in terms of health and in general.