Athlete of the MonthSeptember

Roger Parilla

Through his ability to build friendships and mesh with the community, Roger has surrounded himself with a support system to keep him accountable and consistent.

Q: How long have you been doing CrossFit? What changes have you seen in yourself (physically or mentally) since beginning at Terminus?
I started doing CrossFit last year at the very end of Oct when I signed up for the Intro class at Terminus. It was awful, I threw up in the parking lot at the end of my very first class! Thank you Patrick!
I started coming Monday-Friday when I joined the normal classes the following month. Since then I have seen a lot of changes.  Physically, I’m down 40lbs since joining and have gotten much fitter. I literally could not finish the 250m route without walking on day 1 but just last week was able to complete Jerry (1mile run, 2k row, 1mile run). The biggest changes for me have been mentally though. When I first joined I wasn’t happy with my weight at all and my expectations for each WOD were always very low. I would come in and expect to fail most workouts and would. But the more I got in there and the more comfortable I got with the coaches and members the higher my expectations got. Now I feel great! I’m confident in my fitness, I’m confident in my body and I’m confident with myself.

Q: How has Terminus helped you outside the gym?
With the weight loss and new confidence I just move differently, physically and figuratively. When it’s time to get ready I’m not worried about what I’ll look like in what I choose to wear. Instead I can get dressed and think about what I’ll be getting into that day. Think about the fun to be had. I’ve been getting my family out of the house at least once a week for some physical activities now. That time spent with them outside together is much more enjoyable than sitting around all day in the house.
My favorite part is feeling more comfortable being the leader in my family. I’m happy, healthy, confident, disciplined and much more. Knowing that, that’s what I’m putting out for my wife and children to see makes me feel amazing.

Q: Who inspires you at the gym, and how do they inspire you?
This question can go so many ways! I’m inspired by everyone at Terminus and I’m inspired daily by everyone in the 8am class, which is the class I attend on the regular. I will try to keep my list short although I could name each person from my class and how they inspire me. First I would like to state the obvious, and that is that Terminus is full of the most bad a** women I have ever met.
I’m thankful for Sara who made me feel welcomed on day one and has pushed me to finish workouts since I joined the 7am (now 8am) class. I have heard her voice many times encouraging me to finish every WOD. She is also always down to do the cool down with me! DEFINITELY an inspiration.
I’m also inspired by Wyatt and Ben Davidson, who peer pressure me into pushing heavier weight everyday! I still don’t know how those two are so fast. And I would also like to thank the 4 people who inspire us all, in no particular order, Emily, Sonya, Trent and PATRICKKKKK.

Q: What is something that we may not know about you?
Most people know I tattoo but most of them don’t know I also illustrate children books!

Q: Any advice for someone considering trying CrossFit for the first time?
Just give it your best try! It’s not easy but if you give it your best every time, you will get better!

Q: What are your top 3 memories at Terminus?
1) Patrick making me throw up on Day 1 and making me consider my life decisions.
2) Trent feeling bad for me being so far behind, he told me to just do 4 rounds instead of 5!
3) Me dying in the middle of a workout and Sonya yelling “It’s suppose to be uncomfortable!”

Q: What’s your proudest accomplishment?
For the first month, maybe even 2 months, I was doing every workout at level 1 and I still timed out on every WOD that had a time cap. My proudest accomplishment was finishing my first workout within the time limit.

Q: Moving forward, do you have any short term or long term Fitness goals? 
BEAT CAM IN A RUN! LET’S GOOOOOOO

Thank you Ben and Emily for creating this space.
Thank you to the coaches for leading us and helping us.
Thank you to all the members for being amazing!

Previous AOTM:

«

Next AOTM:

»