BattleWolf Crossfit Athlete Spotlight
February's Alpha Wolf goes to Mrs. Lori Gallegos. If you haven't had the privilege to workout with Lori yet, then you are missing out. Lori shows up regularly with a smile on her face and puts in work, then it's off to work, solving the world's problems with her research at the university. She is one of those athletes that makes technical movements look so effortless with her spot on technique. We couldn't be more happy to have Lori represent our Box as our February Alpha Wolf.
Name: Lori Gallegos
Hometown: Albuquerque, NM
Occupation/Major: Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Texas State; administrator, RC Motors Texas
When did you start crossfitting?
--I started while in grad school, maybe five years ago. I was a gymnast as a kid, and I missed it a lot when I got older.
How did you hear about BattleWolf Crossfit and why did you decide to start crossfit?
--Finding crossfit was really exciting for me, because it allowed me to practice many of the same skills. It also helped me to stay balanced and experience the joy of shorter-term accomplishments while working for years to get through my Ph.D. program. I moved to San Marcos two years ago, and immediately started looking for a box. I tried a few different places, but obviously BattleWolf was my favorite. I stick with crossfit because I like the variety of workouts and I like that the coaches do the work of programming the WODs and motivating athletes to work hard each day.
What are some of your goals in and outside of crossfit?
-- In crossfit, my goal is to stay consistent and continue to improve all around. Having done crossfit for so long, at this point I just try to sustain a relationship with fitness that I can really enjoy. Outside of crossfit, my life mostly revolves around trying to do my very best work as a researcher and teacher. I would like to have a positive impact on my readers and students' lives. I am also very involved in the operation of my partner's small business. I feel like I'm always working, so one of my goals is to get good enough at everything I have to do so that it feels less consuming.
Describe your diet?
-- I've tried a few diets since starting crossfit. I did Paleo for about two years and got really lean. Then I did Eat to Perform and built a lot of muscle. I tried vegan for ethical reasons, but felt too weak. Now I am not on a diet because I don't have the mental energy to make it a priority, but in general, I very rarely consume soda, fast food, or sweets. I'm trying to strike a balance between caring enough to stay healthy and not being too hard on myself. I'm trying to develop a healthy, thoughtful, life enriching, sustainable, and authentic relationship with food and with my body.
What/Who motivates or inspires you?
-- I'm most inspired by people who suffer through genuine hardship -- illnesses, pain, or disability -- and who nonetheless find strength and purpose. I am also inspired by my mom. She started body building in her thirties and taught me the importance of good form and of protecting oneself from injury. I continue to learn from her as she adapts in her late fifties to the changes of her body with optimism and responsibility. I stay motivated to work out because being strong and healthy feels wonderful.
What would you tell people who are looking to start crossfit?
-- Small gains over long periods of time. If you fall off, get back on.
Hobbies outside of crossfit?
-- I'm kind of a foodie. When I moved away from home after college, I learned to cook by watching Food Network every day one summer and trying different recipes that looked good. I used to home brew. I love to try great restaurants and enjoy good food and drink. I also love hiking and camping and the feeling of freedom and adventure of being in nature. I don't follow any one sport closely, but I like to watch sports of all kinds for leisure.
Favorite Motivational Quote and why?
-- "What are you going to do with your life today?" Every day presents a new opportunity to make a choice or a change. It's a quote that is at once forgiving and demanding. We can forgive ourselves for failing in the past. But we are profoundly responsible for what happens from here on out.
Favorite Cheat Meal?
-- A really good burger with fries, or enchiladas with a fried egg on top. Beer.
Three must have workout songs are….
1."No One Knows," Queens of the Stone Age
2. "Bulls on Parade," Rage against the Machine
3. "Alive," POD
Assault Bike or Burpees?
--Burpees...No question!!!
Tell us something that people may not know about you?
My dad immigrated to the U.S. as a teenager to be a professional mariachi singer, so I grew up listening to mariachi music. If forced to sing at a party, Selena songs are my go-to. My first job was at an automotive parts store, and now I help run an automotive dealership. I know way more about cars than I ever wanted to.
