Fernando Alcantara

Muscle-Upping Maniac

A part-time bartender, Fernando's work-related lifting is typically limited to a bottle of booze. But recently while on the job, Fernando hoisted a full keg onto the top shelf, without asking for help.

"I googled it later," says Fernando. "That keg weighed 160.5 pounds." Definitely a PR, Fernando. And quite possibly a new WOD at CFLB?

Long before Fernando was hoisting kegs overhead, he heard about this thing called CrossFit from a friend. So he decided to give it a try, following the main site WODs as closely as he could at the local globo-gym. "I did a lot of Barbaras," he recalls, referring to the body-weight workout that involves a whole mess of pull-ups, push-ups, sit-ups and squats.

So when Barbara recently came up as the WOD at the gym, Fernando attacked her and landed himself on the leaderboad for his time - where you'll find his name repeated in multiple categories, including the muscle-up club.

Since joining CFLB last year, we've seen Fernando get stronger, faster, leaner and more skilled. Not afraid to face his weaknesses, Fernando's now mastered those technically challenging moves that once eluded him including rope climbs, handstand push-ups and double-unders - the latter for which he now holds the #2 position on the leaderboard, just behind Coach Chad.

"I recently strung together 100 double-unders unbroken," says Fernando. "I did 16 handstand push-ups in another WOD not too long ago." Oh, and he cranked out 11 muscle-ups in a recent workout, just a few weeks after getting his very first.

Today, Fernando does just about every WOD RX'd, including the inhumanly brutal hero WODs. And he's definitely got a thing for the girls, too: Fran, Grace, and of course, Barbara.

So what's the secret behind all this beast-like performance? Spinach? Well, sort of. Since fully embracing the Paleo diet, Fernando has seen tremendous gains in his stamina and strength. He's also seen positive changes in his mental state as well.

"I am much happier, that is for sure," he explains. "That might have to do with adopting Paleo, but I also think it's also because I've developed a social life from making so many friends at CFLB. When I was at the globo-gym, all I did was work out and go home. What I was missing was friends who shared those same passions and goals. Which makes it easier to attain your goals."

It was this support system that helped Fernando stay on tracking during our recent 8-week Summer Leaning Challenge, for which he was a finalist. "We all wanted each other to succeed. I never felt like I was doing the challenge alone."

Fernando lost 17 pounds and nearly 4 inches during those 8 weeks. "I hear from everyone how I don't even look like the same person anymore," he says. "That makes me feel great and also makes me understand that there's nothing I can't do so long as I want to do it."

Well said, Nando.

"Fernando brings it every day. He is not afraid to hit his weaknesses and he puts in the time." says Coach Chad. "He is just an awesome, positive guy. I love being around him."