If you’ve been following along with out Fit Friend posts every Friday you’ll notice this week is a little different. Over the coming months we’ve decided to change up our regular questions to better suit the current worldwide COVID-19 Pandemic.
This week it’s all about Beef. Beef is someone who, if you’ve done a race in the Philippines you’ll be very familiar with. Encompassing all things Spartan, if he’s not building up the racers in the community and sharing their successes, he’s toeing the start line and racing hard himself! He also does workouts with his gorgeous pup which combines our two favourite things here at Team Grit. His interview below is packed full of interesting anecdotes and helpful tips so you don’t want to miss this one!
Name: Wellington "Beef" Co
Age: 25
IG Handle: @Beefcuts
What is your day job?
I work for Spartan Race Philippines Marketing - Digital marketing/Merchandise Lead and own a startup brand called TUF that distributes international OCR equipment in the Philippines.
What is your fitness background?
I was actually never into sports to begin with. My best would probably be football back when I was in the 3rd grade stopping just after a month I can't even say I did great. I was more of a video gamer throughout my entire life. best i could say was I had the capability to play video games for 12 hrs straight. Never did I touch a gym bar or train my running until March 2018, a month after my first Spartan Race ever.
First OCR Race?
Spartan Race Alviera February 24, 2018 Philippines
How did you first get in to OCR?
My friend had a fundraiser movement from a corporate sponsor for the non-profit organization I had back in 2018 that supported Indigenous communities in the Philippines. It was from that moment that I tried it for fun because the sponsor provided a free pass, little did I know I became competitive to invest my best at it. Also, side note the project the corporate sponsor supported has been successful and sustainable up to this day.
What keeps you coming back?
Honestly, rather than self development and growth, it's more the community. The OCR community is by far the kindest and most open sports community I've observed where EVERYONE supports one another even if there is a rivalry involved. Since I did not have a background in sports, my first race was tragic and difficult but never did I expect 5 to 6 people passing by and offering help and salt sticks when I got numerous cramps. Massive respect to the community worldwide.
What's your favourite cheat day snack?
Right now I don't really have a strict particular diet but training has made me neglect chocolate through the years and honestly a chocolate bar sounds really good... mmmm and I'd say Milk Tea (glad they don't deliver anymore for us though).
What change have you made during COVID that you're going to keep?
This COVID season gave me more insights on being disciplined as an athlete both for my goals and actions towards others. All these hours of doing something else like slacking off or not doing anything productive I got to convert into slowly progressing towards my goals. Its not always about how fast you get to a specific goal but progress is progress, no matter how little it goes by and Im happy with the discipline I managed to acquire during this crisis, especially when it involves also being responsible of my actions for the safety of others.
Have you set yourself any personal goals or challenges to replace racing currently?
Right now I host virtual workouts for everyone to join in. It's the least I can do to help further motivate others to stay fit and reduce their risk of catching the virus during this pandemic. Right now my personal goal is support everyone with their own goals during this quarantine period while we have the liberty of time and opportunity of connection online.
How are you staying focused on training with all current events postponed?
Right now all these races postpone gives me an opportunity to challenge myself independently from training outside and the usual. The best training would come from one's self because you'd know your limits and will try to break them so stay focused by maintaining a goal by the end of the lockdown that will for sure improve my game when I get back to racing.
What is your top tip for sticking to a schedule?
I'd like to always say, "Later means never" so when the time is ripe or when an opportunity to have a activity rises, I'd rather give it a priority rather than just moving the idea later because for sure it will be forgotten. Schedules are important because they're little goals that will help you accomplish your development not just as a person but also as an athlete. Best advice I could give is to make every schedule a goal for you to get through. Treat them as an obstacle to get over with, a hindrance that will make you progress towards your goal to get better.
Favourite item of kit and why?
I don't own any weights so best workout equipment I use all the time is the gym mat because there are just so many things you can do with it especially with just using body weights. Through time I realised I can develop by doing body weights as a substitute for real weights because you get to know your body more and not rely on external factors that can lead you to frustration when not available.
Favourite nutrition product and why?
Right now the only supplement I'm taking is Wheyl Co. Nutrition whey protein. I'm not really a fan of protein shakes before due to its taste and because for the most part it did not just sit with me, but Wheyl Co. nutrition was a big help for my recovery plus they have reallllllly good flavours such as Mint Chip (resembles chocolate + mint) so it keeps me going every after intense workout ready for my next feat.
Favourite fitness book / app and why?
Currently not using any Fitness apps and looking for Fitness book inspirations but for what it's worth, not really a fitness book but a recent book I finished that helped me become a better athlete is "Ask for a Bigger Blanket" by Penny Bongato because it highlights the things and actions we can actually do for our dreams/goals if we just know how to look at it at the right perspective. It is mainly centered on Filipino empowerment in general but I believe it can be for EVERYONE because we all have our own dreams and goals that we want to pursue. Do you have any words / advice for people struggling to stay motivated? "It's never game over, just press the "start" button again." This was a line I always say because as a gamer who played ALOT of different type of video games, they all had one goal in common. When you make a mistake in the game it wasn't meant for you to throw the game away or stop playing it was for you to learn from it, get better at it, and finish your goal. Like in life, just cause it hits us hard it doesn't mean things have to end, it all boils down to what we did wrong or what was inadequate for us to reach our goals. It's not a perfect movement but rather a progressive one.
Any sponsors, brands or people you'd like to shout out too?
I'd like to thank my family for always supporting my crazy stunts in life (especially for Lake Tahoe 2019) and of course my friends from the OCR community who had always made an impact to my life and the sport we very love.
