Spotlight Athlete

Age: 43

Started at The Box HTX: August 2017

I met Joseph back at our original starting CrossFit gym. We were both new to the scene and enjoying the process of discovering what we were capable of. Over the years, as we both gained experience, it was easy to see how helpful and easy going Joseph was when engaging with other members. He had a very natural way about him. He was generous with his knowledge and shared experiences with other members. In 2016, when I branched out and started my own gym I remembered thinking how he was one of the people I wished I could bring with me. Fast forward about a year and a half and we moved our location closer to our original gym and in turn closer to Joseph’s residence. I mentioned to him how I would love for him to be a coach at our place and over the course of the next couple of months he transitioned over to us full time. It has been a blessing ever since.

What originally drew him to this style of training:

“Variety and planned workouts”

Joseph is the definition of consistent. I KNOW that if he is in town, he WILL be at the gym every weekday. He works out five days a week without fail. Usually an afternoon attendee, but if Joseph has plans that conflict he WILL come to the early morning classes.

With so many excuses available, he never chooses that route. Training is part of his day. This is what we should all be shooting for.

“Deadlift and Power Cleans”

He excels at many others such as burpees, box jumps, pistols, and squats. If you saw his quads you’s see why. 😉

“I make it part of my weekly routine. I don’t downplay the importance of it to my physical and mental health. I have a job that is mostly sitting but is also mentally exhausting and draining. I need this outlet to create a balance for well-being.”

“High: Making my first rope climb. I hated doing these back in the day when we had the physical fitness tests in PE because I couldn’t do it. It was such a high when you make your goals—no matter how long it takes.

Low: Having surgery for a torn muscle. It feels like such a setback during recovery and physical therapy. This is when you really have to dig deep to keep motivated, stubborn, and persistent.”

“I love sharing what I know and have learned. Getting that certification helped me to learn to be observant and motivating so that I can help others.”

“Travel. Having the energy and being mobile so I can enjoy going to places and seeing the world.”

“I’m sticking with it. If anything would stop me, it would be because it’s something beyond my control.”

Age: 42

Started at The Box HTX: August, 2023

Alicia is our first Spotlight Athlete of 2026 because she is the ONLY member who earned all 12-months of our Fully Committed Club in 2025. Meaning she got to the gym a minimum of 17 classes per month and walked 10k steps 5 out of seven days a week EVERY week of the year. She is the definition of consistency. She managed to this with 3 school age children, a full-time job, and all the responsibilities that go along with those and the rest of life. She is not about excuses. She shows up.

Her exercise background:

“I’ve always lived an active lifestyle. I played sports as a child and throughout high school. As an adult, I’ve done both CrossFit and Camp Gladiator, and those experiences have kept me moving and challenged.”

The characteristic which I, as the leader of this wellness community, wish I could sprinkle on every one of my members is the no excuses Alicia brings to her exercise. If she has events or plans after school, she comes in the morning. If she has the kids, she brings them along (great example to them). If she goes out of town, she has a plan to get her workouts in. She puts her mind to something and nothing will stand in her way. This is how she is wired, but can also be learned. She is an incredible example of what I would wish for every exerciser to mimic.

“I enjoy the Olympic lifts, even though I’m not great at all of them yet. I like the challenge and the opportunity to learn and improve. I also enjoy (for the most part😉) the high-intensity, heavy-breathing cardio days — those workouts always leave me feeling accomplished because they push my endurance and mental toughness.”

“Consistency comes from planning ahead. I schedule my workouts around work and my kids activities and try to stick to that routine as best I can. Fully committing to my fitness journey has changed my mindset — instead of debating whether to go, I’ve already decided. I treat my workouts as a priority. Making that commitment is what keeps me consistent week after week.”

“Strict pull-ups are a big one for me! When I first started, I never thought I’d be able to do even one. After consistent training over the past two years, I was able to do two in a row recently! It’s incredibly rewarding to see that progress come to life, and it keeps me motivated to keep showing up.”

It should also be noted that the first time she tried a rope climb, after years of training, she did a full one and now does them in our workouts. #consistency

“I’d tell them to just start. Fitness makes you feel better, builds confidence, and improves your overall quality of life. The key is finding something you enjoy and committing to it.”

“I see my fitness journey as something I’ll continue to prioritize long-term. Staying active and consistent is important to me, and I know it will make everyday life easier and more enjoyable as I get older.”

“The coaches and community at The Box HTX are what keep me coming back. It truly feels like a small family, and that support makes it easier to stay consistent and show up every day.”

Age: 44

Started at The Box HTX: July 30th, 2023

I am writing this because Bryan is an introvert who doesn’t like to talk about himself. But his story is a really good one. It hasn't been a smooth process AT ALL. He was pretty inconsistent in the beginning. He was unsure of his capabilities and very hesitant to challenge himself. In his first month he was pretty consistent with 3x-week. In his second month, he showed up TWO times total. And in his third month he did not show up one time. Not the smoothest start we’ve ever had.

After not renewing with us for his fourth month, understandably so, he reached out on November 10th, 2023 and said he wanted to rejoin us with an all in attitude. We got him signed back up and he was off to the races. Getting in 5 classes a week for that remaining month and the next two months. Tracking his nutrition and putting in the work, Bryan was down about 50 pounds. In February of 2024, things started to get a bit inconsistent again. This shit is hard… it is not always smooth sailing. Life comes along and throws us curve balls and Bryan saw his share. In March 2024 he made it to 10 classes total.

For the 8-months Bryan hit about 16-17 classes a month. A solid performance, but still very unsure of his abilities with strength and endurance alike. He still struggled to make it through workouts and feel confident at the heavier weights he was capable of moving. His nutrition took a back seat, and other choices he admits were not the best ones for a successful journey. The path is NEVER smooth. We are all trying to juggle work, relationships, finances, family, and Bryan was not the exception. But he stayed with it. He did not quit.

After struggling with consistency closing out 2024, Bryan started this year with Personal Training sessions… 1-3 sessions per week all the way through May. He was hanging on… still not giving up. By June of this year he was ready to transition back into classes. Starting out with the goal of 4 classes per week and quickly moving to 5, Bryan has not looked back.

While Bryan has upped his attendance at the gym, he has also set boundaries in relationships, tracks his nutrition, and stopped consuming alcohol all together. His moods are lighter, he has more energy, and is working out with every level athlete in our community… something that was not a possibility a year ago.

He has goals and milestones he would like to attain… and this time around he is taking it one day at a time and focusing on doing the small things consistently.

Bryan loves long grinding odd object workouts. Sleds, heavy ball, wreck bags, farmer’s carry… he loves to move heavy weights.

He is strong AF. And still even stronger than he knows. I have been LOVING how he is now challenging himself on our strength days. This is something he can do now because of his consistency. The breathing is better allowing him to dial in on the weights.

Today, December 10th, he ran with a 60# Wreck Bag. Yesterday, we had a slew of 100m runs and he ran ALL of them. It was incredible to watch!

Whatever Bryan wants. He knows he has what it takes now. He has his daily routine starting well before our 5am class together. He knows what works. He is not looking for short-cuts but rather putting in the work to make the life he wants.

One thing life teaches us is that challenges will always arise. But the more you stick to your good habits, the easier those challenges are to overcome or get through. Bet on YOU! As Bryan likes to remind us… YOU are the only one who can save yourself.

It has been and continues to be a great honor to have Bryan choose us as his community. He’s picky with who he spends time with, and I am so grateful we make the cut. He is incredibly kind, generous, and loyal. He is a teddy bear and I love that I have been able to experience his journey through morning hugs and frustrating workouts. Most of all I LOVE to see that smile on his face. He has earned it.

Lesson to take away from this month’s spotlight athlete… NEVER GIVE UP! You may mis-step or need a little break, but NEVER QUIT. Your life depends on it!

Age: 33

Started Functional Fitnessing: 2016

Started at The Box HTX: August 2021

No, I was looking for a new gym community to join after switching jobs.

Erica had previously trained this style. She was experienced coming to us.

When I don’t go to the gym I start feeling off. I don’t feel good about myself. So I decided the best thing for me was to keep showing up everyday. It’s now just part of my everyday life routine. It also helps having a fiance who shares the love for the gym with me.

Side note: Erica didn’t think she deserved this spotlight. But her consistency over the last four years is EXACTLY WHY she has earned this recognition. This process isn’t about being perfect. It is about being consistent and continuing to show up even when the results don’t happen as fast as we want them too.

“Show up for yourself. Not everyone has the chance to move their body freely.”

Snatches, squats, push press/jerks, bench presses.

She loves her a barbell.

Proper push ups and most recently a 20” box jump.

Still kicking ass and lifting heavy shit.

Coach Jess and the awesome community she’s created.

Age: 63

Exercise Experience: 27 years of Soccer

Started at The Box HTX: May 2020

Yes, I was a little afraid of past knee injuries, but in reality it was the opposite as my legs got stronger the discomfort in my knees decreased over time.

For me, the gym is now an important part of my daily life, it's like my breakfast, since I like to exercise in the mornings. And it makes me feel physically, mentally, and emotionally strong.

I highly recommend they should do it for their health and to feel good, even to look good.

I like all the movements. If there are any that I can't perform, there is always a scaled progression to move me toward doing them as prescribed.

Jumping on the 20" box and climbing the rope. It was a lot of work for me to perform these because of my knee injuries, but now I can do them.

I want to continue with this style of functional exercise. I want to be active and hang on to my independence for as long as possible.

The support of the community and the guidance of Coach Jess have been invaluable to me. Learning all the movements with Coach Jess’s direction has been especially important, as it helps prevent any injuries.

Age: 33

Exercise Experience: 5 Years

Started at The Box HTX: 8/18/2021

I was very hesitant to start working out. My girlfriend had to convince me for weeks before I agreed to entertain the idea. I dreaded attending my first trial class at The Box HTX. I have always been petite and weight has never been a motivator. My inhibitions were all mental. I feared I did not have the discipline to push through the difficult learning stage of working out.

It’s a lifestyle. I am committed to myself. When I started working out, I realized I had plenty of work to do. I started with 5-6 afternoon classes and noticed my progression. Mentally I have associated my progression with my consistency. Even when life throws curveballs at me, I refuse to reduce my class attendance. Currently I attend 5-6 morning classes to better fit my schedule. Once that mindset sets in then the rest is like clockwork: drinking water, meal prepping and getting to bed early. Also, the monthly gym payment is a reminder. I pay for unlimited classes so I better get my money's worth.

Health is not something that is given to us, we must maintain and nourish it. It is better to start sooner rather than later. Find something that works for you, either a commercial gym or a more structured training program. There is so much variety when it comes to levels of fitness. You are worthy of investing in yourself and providing that service to your body.

Barbell! Squats, snatches and cleans . I love the complexity of the movements. They require coordination, flexibility and power. I feel very accomplished once I execute the movement and find it's a continued euphoric feeling when I hit certain weights/numbers. Lifting can be intimidating when competing against others, but not when your are competing against yourself.

Squat. I use to have horrible plantar fasciitis and no range of mobility. I always thought at best, I could work towards squatting at parallel. Now I can front squat and back squat my own weight well below parallel with no feet discomfort.

Pull-ups. I did not even think this movement was obtainable. Coach Jess does an amazing job at curating our training ( making us do things we sometimes don't want to do but should do). She knew what I was capable of before I did. My upper body strength was at a place that it could sustain my body weight.

DHonestly, in 5 years, I see my fitness journey in the same course as it is now. Consistency is the thing that works for me. This course has and will take me to achieve new movements (perhaps gymnastics) and PR's. I hope to still be doing it at The Box HTX with my friends, si Dios quiere.

The community. It is the absolute best. Each member is so motivating and loving. I cannot miss a day without someone checking in to make sure all is well and that I will be at the next class. My social bonds are solid. We suffer together. We achieve together. I have met some of my favorite people thanks to Coach Jess (also being one of them).