Lazaro ‘Laz’ Suarez is the CrossFit 305 Athlete of the Month for August, 2010

I’d heard it all before. A neighbor of mine was coming to the gym. No, really…this time for real!
When Laz told my visiting father that he was coming in the gym, I brushed it aside. People say they’re getting into the box all of the time, many of them repeat offenders. When Laz showed up, asked how to get started and signed up for our On Ramp program, I was a little surprised, a lot impressed.

He was plain about the fact that he was only going to be with us for a few months, letting us know that he was going to LA Fitness after three months. Six months later and 20 pounds lighter, Laz is still with us, keeping up with his workouts even when on the road for his job. When he started, he had no pull ups, no push ups and not a lot of go in him, but he worked and tried and didn’t give up.

Laz is a people person and if you’ve ever done a WOD with him you know him and his cheery personality. He’s the kind of guy that will not let you, or himself, quit. We’re elated to have him at CrossFit 305 and look forward to helping him continue to grow and improve.

Karina has been with us since our first location back in 2008. While she came in with a good CrossFit base, she had weakensses and didn’t like to work on them. With a little encourangment, she went after them and got her pull ups, double unders and many other skills. Her shining moment thus far with CrossFit 305 was her performance at The CrossFit Games Southeast Regional Qualifier. As a late fill in Karina stepped up, and although visibly nervous, did an amazing job. During the team event, with the clock about to expire Karina went back to help her teammates finish a grueling barbell complex/farmers carry/sprint WOD. Without her last second effort the team would likely have not finished. With continued dedication, Karina will certainly continue to develop her skill set and make huge gains.

Javier ‘Javi’ Herrera was born 1981 in Hialeah, FL to Cuban parents. He is recently married and is expecting his first child, a girl. He attended Gulliver Prep High School. Out of high school he was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the forty second round, but turned down the offer to attend the University of Tennessee. There he played from ’01-‘03 and had the opportunity to play in the college world series as well as for Team USA. After his college career he was drafted in the second round of the MLB draft by the Cleveland Indians. He spent four years with the Indians organization before being traded to the Washington Nationals in 2007. He played two years with the Nationals organization, making it all the way up to AAA. Without any regrets, his baseball career is officially over and he now looks forward to getting his competitive fix at CrossFit 305.

“Being that I no longer will be pursuing my baseball career, CrossFit 305 has made my transition into the real world a lot smoother than originally expected. CrossFit allows me the opportunity to compete on a daily basis, and has given my training a purpose which I used to have, while preparing for a season. I have always struggled to maintain a consistent diet, due in part to late night meals after games and really bad minor league eating habits. I am now eating a zone diet and have lost 15lbs since joining 305. I didn’t have many expectations before joining, because honestly I had never heard about CrossFit. Six months later, I am addicted and love the results.

Since joining I have met nothing but great people. I enjoy the structure and team like cohesion that gets built while competing during a W.O.D. These workouts were all foreign to me back when I first joined, and now I actually look forward to doing a burpee. My goals change on a weekly basis, but until I can do one muscle up, that will be my main goal. All in all I look forward to more WOD’s and less Fat.”

Niev D Bar AKA  “DBAR”

Dedication personified. Shows up early whether tired or not, every day and puts in an all out effort. DBAR has adopted the lifestyle of CrossFit which has changed his life and has made an impact on the people around him.
A former pack and a half/day smoker, he weighed 215lbs not worrying about the diet or lifestyle choices he made. Since completing his introductory sessions on November 24, 2009 he has lost over 20lbs following the zone diet principles and his own common sense approach and is currently maintaining 15% bodyfat while building lean muscle. Not to mention he finished his first “Fran” workout. The key word being “finish”. He does not leave unless the job is done.
Crossfit has helped him to believe that he can do the impossible and it shows in how he carries himself and how he interacts with other people. “He does not let it get to his head” claims Peter Kazanas one of his coaches at CF305. His sensitivity to the struggle to maintain a healthy lifestyle has kept him on the ground and moving forward.
DBAR has a goal to compete in triathalons in the future. This new way of life has led him to believe that it is possible to reach his own genetic potential. Which is also one of his long term goals.