MEET MAGS CASTANEDA, TONE HOUSE ATHLETE & MARATHON RUNNER, WHO WAS HOOKED AFTER HIS FIRST WORKOUT ON THE TURF BACK IN 2016. MAGS PARTICIPATED IN THIS YEARS 60-DAY CHALLENGE, WHICH HELPED OUR ATHLETES COMMIT TO BECOMING THE BEST ATHLETES THEY COULD BE IN THE NEW YEAR. BETWEEN JANUARY 1, 2018 AND MARCH 1, 2018, MAGS LOST OVER TEN POUNDS AND FOCUSED MORE ON HIS NUTRITION AND RECOVERY.
PROFESSION:
Assistant Controller, CPA at a Hedge Fund.
FITNESS/ATHLETIC BACKGROUND:
Wrestling in high school, running the last 3 years.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN COMING TO TONE HOUSE?
My first class was Total Body with Coach James in September 2016 via ClassPass. I switched to Tone House class packages after that first workout.
HOW DID THE 60-DAY CHALLENGE HELP YOU ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS?
I’ve been consistent with training the last 6 years, going from 210 lbs. to 160 lbs. However, I’ve been sporadic with eating healthy and recovering. My goal with this challenge was to focus more on those two things and build sustainable habits.
During the kick-off meeting in December, nutritionist Jen Silverman discussed her holistic approach to nutrition and Dr. Kamraan Husain stressed the importance of recovery and listening to your body. Their messages, along with those of Coach Shaun, Adrian and Christi, have helped me make changes to my routine. I honestly have cooked more the last two months than I have the last two years! I’m stretching/rolling more regularly before and after workouts. In addition, I started taking advantage of Dr. Kam’s open-floor recovery sessions at Tone House NOMAD.
Although I’m not too concerned with numbers, with Training, Fueling and Recovery all in focus during this 60-Day Challenge, I’ve lost an additional 10 lbs., increased muscle percentage from 41.7% to 45.4%, and lowered my body fat from 17.6% to 11.1%. But more importantly, I feel a lot better and began to enjoy cooking and view it as a hobby as opposed to a chore. Hopefully, I’ll finally get that elusive six-pack!
FAVORITE TONE HOUSE CLASS:
Conditioning Day! I’ve taken them all and they’re all great. However, regardless what type or how often I workout a week, nothing is as humbling as Conditioning Day. And even with that said, there’s a handful of classes on another level that are deserving of an IG story from Coach Shaun to (in his own colorful words) come mentally prepared for and ready to work.
FAVORITE TONE HOUSE “TOY” (EQUIPMENT) TO USE IN CLASS:
Sleds. Whether it’s the fast relay style or heavy (teammates sitting on the sandbags) workout, sleds always have my legs feeling like jelly.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE COACH THAT YOU ENJOY TAKING THEIR CLASS? WHY?
It’s hard for me to choose just one, it’s between Coach Christi and Coach Shaun. I’ve been going to Christi’s Core Focus Day classes and Shaun’s Conditioning Day 6:15 AM classes each week religiously for over a year. They are both great at motiving everyone. Christi brings that positive vibe to every class; she’ll let you know when you’ve just killed a lap in speedwork giving you that boost to go even harder the next round. I like how Shaun holds you accountable throughout his class. He has no hesitation to call you out if you grab the small sandbag or if you reach for any other weight other than the 25’s.
WHAT RACE(S) HAVE YOU PARTICIPATED IN?
I ran my first race in April 2015. Since then, I’ve participated in 32 races including 9 Half and 4 Full Marathons (NYC twice, Chicago and Philadelphia). I’m also running the 2018 New York City Marathon.
HOW DID TONE HOUSE HELP YOU ACHIEVE YOUR RACE GOALS?
Since I started Tone House, I’ve been able to push myself harder and longer during races. I’m also not as fatigue after my races and can recover a lot quicker.
I’m looking forward to this year’s running season after developing new habits. I’m confident my new approach to nutrition and recovery will help me set some PR’s.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT TONE HOUSE THAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT FROM OTHER GYMS/WORKOUTS?
The team environment! You do get that feeling like you’re in a team practice. I see the same faces in class, people get to know each other and cheer for one another. And there’s also some trash talking like if you don’t go max effort, drop your chest or skip over bags instead of going around it during warm-ups, when your teammates know you can do it.
FAVORITE MOTIVATIONAL QUOTE:
“How Bad Do You Want It?”
It’s not really a quote, but it’s the title of a book by Matt Fitzgerald on mental strength in the context of endurance sports. I’ve used it as a mantra when feeling lazy about training or when I’m hitting a wall during races.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS:
I want to thank Coach Alonzo, all the other Coaches, and the entire Tone House Team for creating an amazing community!
Lastly, shout out to the 6:15 AM Athletes!
