October 2014 - Charles Rubert Perez

Name: Charles Manuel Rubert Pérez (full latino name)

Nickname on the boards: Don’t have an official one yet, but I go by Rubert on the website’s message boards.

Member Since: August 2013

Occupation: Post-doctoral researcher in Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine at Northwestern University.

Words to live by: Life is short to waste it being insecure or too shy to take risks, start new adventures and not being open-minded.

Favorite quote: ‘If you fall behind, run faster. Never give up, never surrender, and rise up against the odds.’ – Jesse Jackson. I also credit my parents for always reminding me to never give up. 

I also follow this, specially those times when I am the last one to finish a WOD (like when I did squat clean Grace): “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop” – Confucius.

Favorite movies: I am a geek when it comes to movies. I am usually into sci-fi/fantasy/action movies such as Star Wars, all of the Marvel superhero movies, Inception and Hunger Games to name a few. I also enjoy a good drama or indie movie like Silver Linings Playbook and Her.

Favorite food: I enjoy eating and trying different types of food. Every time my partner is in town, we spend it exploring different restaurants around the city. I always enjoy Korean and, of course, Puerto Rican food. However, you will never go wrong with a delicious piece of fluffy chocolate cake with a creamy frosting accompanied with a good cup of coffee. #sweettooth

Favorite music or artist: I mostly listen to pop/rock, r&b, electronic and alternative music, but always enjoy a good slow song or ballad. One of my favorite bands has to be No Doubt. 

Favorite sport or activity: Crossfit, beach volleyball and playing with my dog.

Sport or activity that you are training for: Mainly running towards the bus or train when I’m late and try to teach my dog to not get bored while running with me. I did make a bet a couple of weeks ago with a co-worker to see how much weight (leanest mass possible) we can gain in three months; will be spending more time at the box lifting heavy stuff… 

Goals

Personal: Trying to become a better listener, be more confident in myself and pay more attention to details.

Professional: I will be applying soon for faculty positions in chemistry.

Athletic: After doing around 2 cycles of Oly, Murph training and currently the GST program, I have come a long way, but there’s always something to improve upon, which keeps me always motivated and interested. 

Some of the things I want to achieve:

1. Increase weight on OHS and Snatch – I’ve improved on my overhead position, but I am still working on my snatch technique.
2. Get the coveted muscle-up – currently trying to work on progressions with both the bar and rings.
3. Handstand walk – spending time stabilizing my handstand push-ups.
4. Arch body rock – simple to others, hard for me. Working hard on the arch body holds.
5. A 20 – 22 minute 5K – work on my cardiovascular endurance in general.

Overall I want to get stronger and improve my cardiovascular fitness. I want to start planning to compete in the future on other things outside the gym like running a half-marathon, competing on an obstacle/running event and/or in Trodo-like events. 

I am passionate about: Spending time with my significant other and dog, science, fitness, food and a good evening with friends.

Name some things we don’t know about you:  

1. I was in a dance group during my last two years of high school and in college. It was mostly a choreography-based dancing group that included hip-hop, salsa, jazz and contemporary.
2. I cannot straighten my right pinky; it’s always bent.
3. I like to put corn flakes in my ‘café con leche’, just like my grandmother taught me. Try gluten-free cornflakes in your coffee. It’s good.
4. I broke 3 pair of jeans 2-3 months after starting Oly. I gave up on jeans for a while and started wearing khaki pants for everything. I only found recently the perfect pair of jeans (Levis 514 stretch, emphasis on stretch). #bulkythighs 

Adventure you are planning: Hopefully, living with my partner again in the near future. Other things I want to do are to travel to Europe, Latin America and other places in the US. 

Comments

[Mr. Feb]

That is well deserved AOM. Congrats Charles!

[Dingo]

Congrats amigo. I hope to get to meet you at some point.

[brenda]

woo - nice - congrats Charles!

[Mully]

So well deserved! Awesome photo!!

Congrats Charles!

[Daryl]

Way to go Chuck! Well deserved!

[Super G]

Charles, congratulations on your AOM award. Very well deserved!

[Copper]

Love the photo! Congrats Charles!

[Duchess]

Awesome! Congratulations Charles!!!

[Remo]

Congrats!

[Neil]

Wait a go Rupert, very well deserved!

- Neil

[RMG]

Congrats Charles! I really like the photo. I believe it's the first one taken upside down. Thanks for the advice about the jeans! Keep getting jack'd.