The coaches at Dane’s Body Shop are proud to announce our December Fusion Athletes of the Month, Daniel Gonzales and Ana Garces-Wood. Daniel and Ana have shown the character, drive, support and love for health that we want to represent here at the Shop and throughout the community. Congratulations to both of you, we have enjoyed watching you grow and can’t wait to see the amazing things you will accomplish in the next year. Read and find out more about our December Fusion Athletes.
Daniel Gonzales
Tell us a little about yourself.
I always like to win! I am very competitive in everything I do. I grew up playing all sports, always outside and I love to mountain bike.
Tell us about your fitness background.
My fitness background has alway been up and down, and what I mean by up and down is working out for a month then take a 3 to 4 month sabbatical. I have always gone to your traditional gyms, but it always felt weird to go inside to workout, so I guess I never found it to be a good investment.
How did you find out about DBS Shop?
LOL! Since November of last year I would drive by and tell myself I needed to stop by and check it out. I mentioned it to a friend, and he said one of the coaches there was a good friend of his. I finally went in and tried it out and haven’t left since.
What made your come back after your first class?
My first class was the Strength class and it was exactly what I was looking for. Then all the other just classes fell in to place.
How has DBS and the DBS community impacted your life?
The impact is humbling and what a great life experience it has been. Which in return will continue to create more amazing experiences.
You attend all classes offered at the Shop, Yoga, Strength and Fusion. Why do you feel that is important?
I have always wanted to find a place where I could build strength, speed and flexibility. I make it a priority to get to all three classes each week.
What is your favorite movement?
Man makers
What is your least favorite movement?
Squats
What are you visions for DBS in the future?
Working together with DBS community to make it the best in Austin and beyond.
What has been your proudest moment or biggest accomplishment since joining DBS?
My proudest moment is having the ability to do a fusion class and strength class back to back. Also, the time I arm wrestled an entire country bar downtown.
What goals do you have for yourself in the coming year?
My goal for the next year is to become stronger and faster!!
Ana Garces-Wood
How did you hear about DBS?
I heard about DBS through the Whole Foods boot camp last winter originally sponsored by Lululemon.
How long have you been coming to classes at DBS?
I have been at DBS consistently for about 6 months now and have enjoyed every minute of it, even if my body aches for days!
You are a 5 a.m. warrior, tell me a little more about that class.
The 5 a.m. class is unparalleled. It is a little bit like a dysfunctional family that goads and inspires one another to strive to do the unimaginable, which usually includes that 5th round or increasing the weight you lift by 10lbs. Everyone there is excited to be there.
What inspires you to get up at 4:30 in the morning and come workout?
The people inspire me, they do not judge even when they have lapped you once, maybe twice. All they want is for everyone to succeed and to feel welcome. Also the coaches are awesome. They get up at same disgusting hour and bring their enthusiasm and amazing personality to push past our previously thought limits.
You are an amazing women, working 2 jobs and juggling many other important things in your life. How do you find time to workout?
Exercise has only entered my life within the past two years. It started with training for half marathons, but was becoming bored with the monotony. I felt like my workouts were missing something and that is where Danes came in. For the first time in my life I feel like I am addicted to working out. I find time because I love it and it helps with the stress of school and work. It’s also nice that I have some visible triceps to show for that addiction. Also, I love the community so it’s a little like my fun, social time.
You bring your boyfriend to workout at our PEASE PARK community boot camp. What do you find the most rewarding thing about working out with a significant other or friend?
I love introducing the people I love to the activity I love. The best experience was when I brought my brother to the community boot camp. It was so amazing to bond over getting our butts kicked and then the recovery that lasted for DAYS after.
You are an avid Wine Night attendee, what has been your favorite food item or wine thus far?
Well while I love red wine, the Wine Nights are always perfected with the bubbles! Also I love the guac!
You are an ambassador for DBS because you show up to classes, community events, 21 Day Holiday Challenge and social functions with a huge smile and a winning attitude. How has the community at DBS effected your desire to workout and belong to a new group of liked minded folks?
It all starts with the coaches. Each one brings something different. I love that Leann works me harder than I ever thought possible. Word of advice, be wary of her “surprises.” They can be painful! Then there’s Veronica and her unassuming confidence in my abilities, which calms my worries when increasing in weight. Dane makes things look way easier than they actually turn out to be, but that false sense of ease makes the workouts more interesting. He also played a fabulous astronaut! Matt mixes humor with athleticism, making the workouts more enjoyable. Overall the coaches are extremely welcoming and knowledgeable and I owe them so much. Then there are the people working their butts off next to you every day. Without my 5am warriors and the rest of the Dane’s community I would not be as motivated to work harder. I don’t know how to thank the Dane’s community for all that it has done for me, other than to continue to come and encourage help others achieve their goals.
What is your favorite movement, least favorite?
Favorite movement thus far is the box jump burpees (especially since I have graduated to the BIG BOX! Yipee). Least favorite might have to be the kong walk, which I was only recently introduced to. It is a lot harder than it looks and it looks pretty goofy!
I notice you are still keeping up with recording your workouts and food log from our 21 Day Challenge. How did that experience effect your overall wellness and fitness goals?
I like the recording of the workouts and food as a way to note my progress and to make myself accountable. I started at Danes thinking that the only thing that needed correcting was my workout, but I did not give enough thought to the nutrition. The better I eat the better I perform, which is what the 21 Day Challenge with Veronica, and Leann really taught me.
What future goals do you have set for yourself?
My big goal, ever since I started, is to do a strict pull up. I am getting close but, as the Cuban says and the saying goes, no cigar!
If you could sum up your experience at DBS in one sentence what would you say?
DBS has made me physically and mentally stronger and allowed me to find the confidence in myself to be the person I am constantly striving to be.