Meet an Athlete of Merit: Rudy's Story

Rudy Estrada

Merit Member Since June, 2017

Rudy is a 38 year old member of the United States Air Force who moved to Maryland in September of 2012. A seasoned CrossFitter, he was born in El Paso, Texas, but grew up in Juarez, Mexico until he was 18. Rudy's passion for fitness and a good challenge is evident to anyone who get to know him, and so is his kind and friendly nature!

Read on to learn more about Rudy and his love of CrossFit!

Rudy and his three children Alain, Aylin and Alexa.

How do you spend your time outside of Merit?

Well, I do not have any family here so I try to stay as busy as I can. I work in DC, so my weekdays are pretty much taken by my time at the office and my daily 3 hr. round trip commute. My weekends consist of activities such as meeting with friends, riding my bike, hiking, walking/playing with my 2 mini-schnauzers, anything that keeps me outside (in the warm months), chores around the house, and open gym of course!

What were your goals when you originally joined Merit?

Rudy's two mini-schnauzer's, JC and Scooter.

What were your goals when you originally joined Merit?

When I joined Merit I had been away from doing CrossFit at a box for about a year, and I missed it very much. Since I am in the military I am required to stay in “good” physical condition, so for that year I worked out with friends and co-workers but it is not the same as being in a box. My goals when I joined Merit were to get back in the shape I was in when I used to do CrossFit daily, get stronger, and feel better all-around. Another one of my goals was to meet new people and become more involved with this amazing Merit community.

Have you accomplished any of those goals so far?

Yes, I think I have. Little by little I am regaining the strength I used to have, I am becoming more flexible, and I have been able to meet lots of new people at Merit.

What is your favorite CrossFit movement/WOD?

I would have to say my favorite movement is the snatch. It is such a complex movement and requires lots of practice to master it, so, when you are able to do a heavy snatch and have the mobility and precision to catch in a full squat without losing your balance it's such an accomplishment. I also have a favorite WOD, and that is the Fight Gone Bad (FGB). I love doing that workout, because I don’t care how fit a person is… that WOD will make you fall on your butt at the end of it.

“I hate feeling like I’m not able to do something, so when I find something I am not good at, I try to work on that movement to become better at it. ”

What is your least favorite CrossFit movement/WOD?

I wouldn’t think I have any least favorite movements/wods. I hate feeling like I'm not able to do something, so when I find something I am not good at, I try to work on that movement to become better at it. So I wouldn’t call it a least favorite, I would call it a challenge.

Just crushing some double unders. 

What is your most memorable CrossFit moment so far?

I’d say my most memorable CrossFit moment was when I participated in an Olympic lifting competition. It just such a good feeling to be able to go in front of judges and spectators and perform what I have been practicing for a long time. I didn’t do great, but it was a very good experience. 

What/Who is your biggest motivator?

My biggest motivators are my children. I have a son and two daughters who are very active. I want to be able to keep up with them, I also want to set an example for them to be physically active which hopefully will encourage them to live a healthy life.

What would you like to say to people on the fence about trying CrossFit? 

I remember going to a box for the first time to ask for information about CrossFit, and I remember being pretty intimidated by the “looks” of the WOD going on that day. Luckily the coach who talked to me about it was pretty inviting and made it sound easy enough for a person new to CrossFit to begin. So I would encourage people to try it. It may look intimidating at first but it can be done. Most of us have started the same way and have developed a “love” for this thing called CrossFit. 

Rudy with two other Merit members, Sherwin and David, after a trail run.