By RAY QUIROGA
South Padre Parade
rayq@portisabelsouthpadre.com
Many people are uncomfortable looking at themselves in the bedroom mirror in the privacy of their own home. Guys and gals like 28-year-old Jose Luis Rodriguez not only do it in front of an audience, they do it while wearing a bathing suit, all the while having their body judged by a group of folks whose eyes are trained to find every strength and flaw on their body.
When Rodriguez sat with the Parade, we made him divulge all his secrets. He was grilled on his diet, his routines, and workout habits. Some of his answers were surprising, others were quite typical, but in the end, it came down to one thing – it’s all about educating yourself.
Well, of course, if you want to look like this champion bodybuilder, you’ve got to have the discipline to execute, but the other difference between Rodriguez and the rest of us mortals is the fact that for as early as he can remember, he’s been training his mind as much as his body to learn the skills and habits to be a world class athlete.
For as far back as he can recall, Jose Rodriguez has been health conscious. As Rodriguez recalls, his mom was an avid health enthusiast and his dad was a bodybuilder. Even his grandmother stressed the importance of self-control at the table and staying healthy.
So it should not come to any surprise to know that Rodriguez has long aspired to not just become a bodybuilder but to be the best bodybuilder possible, and for Rodriguez a giant step towards that goal was achieved this fall when he competed and won the right to be recognized as a professional.
In late September, Rodriguez competed in the Alamo Showdown Classic as an amateur, but his showing at the event earned him what is known in the bodybuilding world as a Pro Card.
Now when he competes this coming summer, for the first time in his career he will be doing so as a professional, which, by definition, will allow him to compete for money.
Believe it or not, when the Parade met Rodriguez at South Padre Island’s beautiful Casa Mariposa Guest House and Event Venue on Corral Street, he was in what he described as his offseason shape at 175 lbs. compared to about 10 pounds lighter when training to compete. Of course, to the untrained eye, Jose is about as chiseled as a guy can get, but there are still a number of weak spots. “When it comes down to it, it comes down to muscle development, separation, symmetry and proportion,” he said.
Rodriguez’s other passion is helping others meet their health and body goals as a personal trainer and consultant at a health food and vitamin shop. “My goal is to be stronger, faster and more agile than I was the day before,” he said.
For more information on his personal training services, contact Jfiery1030@gmail.com.
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