CFDC Athlete Spotlight: Ricardo Z.-L.

More than anything else, we at CrossFit DC take pride in the strength of our community.  And as both of our gyms grow, we’re eager to help our members continue putting names to faces and connecting with fellow gym-mates.  Hence — our new CFDC Athlete Spotlight series!

In our initial installment, we introduced you to the ever-smiling Dhriti P.  Today, we’d like to highlight another CFDCer with a constantly upbeat attitude, regardless of the workout.    

Ricardo Z.-L., a 14th Street regular, comes to DC by way of Puerto Rico.  He took up CrossFit about a year and a half ago, not long after his interest was first piqued by seeing the Crossfit Games on television.

Since then, Ricardo has competed in his first CrossFit competition (joining forces with Phil G., Abbey S., and Jessie C. at the Mid-Atlantic Affiliate Challenge this past April) and earned his CrossFit Level 1, CrossFit Kids, and USA Olympic Weightlifting Coaches Certifications. (Whew!) Read on for more from Ricardo!

• What do you do when you aren’t flinging heavy weights around the gym?

I’m a physical education teacher.  I teach from Pre-K to 12th grade but right now I’m teaching from 4th-8th grade.  

I teach a lot of CrossFit movements on a daily basis in all my classes.  They love it!!!!!!  [<-editor’s note: Yes, that includes burpees!]

• Favorite and least favorite CrossFit movements?

Favorite: muscle-ups.  Least favorite: clusters.

• Words to live by?

“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”

• Tell us about a goal you’re working toward (in the gym or beyond).  

Improve all my weaknesses and develop all the skills possible to teach (help) others achieve their goals.

• Why do you do CrossFit?

I do CrossFit simply because I truly believe in the philosophy of “Training for life.”

Thanks for sharing, Ricardo, and thank you for being a part of our community!