Forward Movement Magazine SUMMER ISSUE 2016 | Page 47

FM: AFTER LEAVING
THE MILITARY WHAT
DID YOU DO?

RC: Once I was medically
retired from the Army, I had
a choice to move back to
California with friends or to
Texas with my family where
my mom, sisters, and brother
are. So my doctors and I felt
Texas was the best for me,
and it has been, especially
for therapy. Since I could
no longer deploy or do my
duties as a soldier, I had to
find purpose for my life and
my existence upon this earth.
This is what I am working on
currently.

FM: HOW DOES YOUR TIME
IN THE MILITARY HELP YOU
NOW WHEN SETTING AND
ACHIEVING GOALS?

RC: The Army taught me to
prioritize, and once I have
a mission I see it through
till the very end no matter
what it calls me to do. So
as I continue in the fitness
world, I prioritize everything
and make sure I continue to
complete each task. I know
my limitations and I know I
must succeed, so I must see
it through until it is complete.
After each task is complete
I move on to my next goal
which is always more demanding then the last.

FM: HOW DID
YOU GET INTO
BODYBUILDING?

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RC: Actually bodybuilding
found me. I use training in
the gym as a form of therapy.
I am dealing with many diagnoses and injuries, so when I
started training my body developed to the point where
people and bodybuilding
competitors alike would
inquire when my next show
was. They would ask me if I
competed, or how long have
I been a bodybuilder. About
2 years after leaving the
military, I was surrounded
by a few, dedicated workout
partners and the next thing
I knew, I was on stage for
my first bodybuilding competition and I won Overall
Champion of “The Heart of
Texas’!
Being a Sergeant, I had soldiers that I was in charge of
and trained on a daily basis,
so training others is a part
of me. I love to train others,
especially those who use
working out and training as
therapy to overcome severe
issues they may have.

- 47 -

FM: WHAT IS YOUR
FAVORITE THING
ABOUT TRAINING
OTHERS?

RC: Honestly, my favorite
thing is that first look of
accomplishment on their
face, whether it be a smile,
a yell, a hug, whatever. No
matter how big or small their
accomplishment may be, to
see their initial reaction to
completing a technique for
the first time inspires me as a
trainer.

FM: DO YOU USE ANY
OF THE TRAINING
TECHNIQUES THAT YOU
LEARNED IN THE
MILITARY WITH THE
PEOPLE YOU TRAIN NOW?

RC: Yes, but it’s more of a
combination with my own
techniques I had to use
because of my injuries. Even
though I may not train ‘conventionally’, every technique
is still greatly effective to get
the desired results, (and even
better results my way!)