Braulio Rodriguez

More Than Muscle: How Braulio Rodriguez Is Building a Legacy Through Fitness

July 2026 Athlete of the Month – CrossFit Broken Chains

By Coach Nate Hemphill, CCFT-L3, Owner/Head Coach, CFBC

When Braulio Rodriguez  first walked into CrossFit Broken Chains three and a half years ago, he wasn't chasing the next fitness trend.

He was chasing results.

"I'd watched friends, family, and coworkers start different workout programs over the years," Braulio recalls. "CrossFit was the only one where I consistently saw people change—not just physically, but mentally too. I wanted those results."

Today, at 40 years old, Braulio has certainly found them.

But the greatest transformation wasn't one he expected.

It happened at a neighborhood playground.

Strong Enough to Inspire

One afternoon, Braulio and his son were playing at the park when they came across the monkey bars.

His son wasn't interested.

"He didn't think he could do them," Braulio remembers.

So, without thinking much of it, Braulio climbed up and crossed the monkey bars himself.

That simple act changed everything.

Watching his dad succeed gave his son the confidence to try. Before long, he had crossed them himself—and then did it again... and again... and again.

"Now he does them every time we go."

For Braulio, that moment means more than any personal record.

"I couldn't even do monkey bars when I first started CrossFit. The strength I built here made that possible. And seeing my son believe in himself because he watched me do something I once couldn't... you can't put a price on that."

It's a reminder that our children aren't always listening to what we say.

They're watching what we do.

The Gift of an Hour

Like many busy professionals, Braulio appreciates that CFBC removes one more decision from an already full day.

"The people, the location, and the workouts. A one-hour structured workout is a godsend for someone with a busy schedule like me. I can come in, work hard, and leave without having to plan anything."

(He admits the recovery drinks available afterward don't hurt either.)

That consistency has paid dividends.

Whether it's tackling overhead squats—his favorite movement because they make him "feel like Atlas"—or preparing for endurance events, CrossFit has equipped him for challenges he never imagined.

Including one very memorable race.

"I signed up for what I thought was a 5K Spartan race," he laughs. "About a week before the event, I realized it was actually the 22-kilometer Spartan Beast."

He finished it anyway.

Fitness That Extends Beyond the Gym

For Braulio, CrossFit's biggest impact has been felt at home.

Because he's active, his son wants to be active.

Because he enjoys being outdoors, his son enjoys being outdoors.

Together they've climbed, run, thrown balls, conquered playgrounds, and created memories that will last a lifetime.

"He's outside moving instead of behind a screen, and we've had so much fun together. We've built memories because of CrossFit. You really can't put a price on that."

The gym has also given him something else he never expected—a second family.

"I've made a whole crew of friends and so many special memories with them."

Whether competing in the Hero 343 Challenge, the Battle of Narcoossee, or Spartan races, Braulio has embraced every opportunity to challenge himself alongside people who have become lifelong friends.

Advice for Anyone Thinking About Starting

Braulio keeps his advice refreshingly simple.

"Just go. You'll feel better. No one ever leaves a workout—no matter how they performed—feeling worse than when they walked in."

And if life gets busy?

"If you've missed a few days... or a few weeks... just come back. You'll always feel better."

It's advice born from experience and one of the reasons Braulio has become such a valued member of the CFBC community.

Living the CFBC Bond

To Braulio, the CFBC Bond  means something much bigger than exercise.

"It's a commitment to a greater purpose. The workouts aren't just about me."

That mindset perfectly reflects who he is—not just as an athlete, but as a father, teammate, and friend.

Shoutouts

Braulio made sure to recognize the people who have made his journey possible.

"Every coach, past and present—including Ms. Annette, of course!"

He also thanked his teammates from the Hero 343 Challenge,  his partner from the Battle of Narcoossee, and his Spartan race partner for helping create memories that extend far beyond the gym walls.

Final Words

Some athletes inspire us by lifting incredible weights.

Others inspire us through extraordinary perseverance.

Braulio reminds us that sometimes the greatest strength we can build isn't measured by what's on the barbell.

It's measured by the example we set for the people who are watching us.

Because somewhere along the way, one little boy looked at his dad, believed he could do something hard... and discovered he was stronger than he ever imagined.

That's what CrossFit is really about.