Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Gonzales
Hi Alex, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
In 2019, I found myself looking in the mirror hardly able to recognize myself. Just 4 years prior, I was a lean, fit, 3x state champion swimmer. After starting college, I got mixed with the wrong crowd & simultaneously got broken up with after a 4 years relationship. At 22 years old, I was 260lb & depressed, dealing with knee, hip, & back pain. I knew I had to get back to my old self. I changed my major to Exercise Physiology, because I wanted the knowledge to not just get me out of this funk, but to help all those who find themselves in a similar place. Within a 18 months, I dropped almost 70lbs with consistent diet & exercise. Now, in 2025, I feel the best I’ve ever felt & continue to push my personal limits!
After college, I got a job as a performance trainer at Maximize Potential in Belton, Texas. There I spent 6 years gathering every experience from 7 year old youth athletes, to a 92 year old who wanted to be able to get off the ground by himself, & everything in between.
ETRNL Health & Fitness started as an idea while I was working in Belton. Although I enjoyed working with athletes, helping our adults get back into shape was by far the most fulfilling. I had a 62 yr old come to me post knee surgery, after rupturing her quad from a fall. I was fresh out of school & trained her the only way I knew how, like an athlete. After 10 months of consistent work, we were training harder & more efficient than ever before! Athlete trainers have one job & that’s to make their athletes stay as strong & able bodied for as long as possible. Lift heavy, move intentionally, eat well, & thrive in the body you have! Once I applied this philosophy, I quickly realized there isn’t an age limit on progression. If you have the right systems in place, a good coach, & the right mindset, you can accomplish anything!
After spending almost 6 years as a performance coach, I decided to move to San Antonio and shift my focus to non-athletes & adults. ETRNL Health & Fitness has been running since August 2024 and continues to offer the highest quality coaching. My goal isn’t just to make you feel fit & able, it’s to make you feel eternal!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Although I’m educated in the health & fitness field, I wasn’t immediately ready for all the work that comes with being self-employed. Marketing, social media, & event planning were all things I had very little knowledge in. But when you want something to work, you always find a way! I’ve had tons of help from friends & family to help get the word out, helping me build the amazing clientele I have today!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
ETRNL Health & Fitness is a private training facility that specializes in lifespan fitness & wellness. We offer 1-on-1 personal training, small group training, nutrition coaching, & mobility training to ensure clients have the ability to become strong & able bodied for as long as possible! We aim to optimize your life through personalized data & evidence based practice, led by a multidimensional licensed professional. Each client goes through a careful evaluation process that allows their coach to create a program that’s tailored to their specific wants & needs. With a multitude of monthly plans & memberships, there’s a plan for all ages & abilities!
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I’m a big fan of educators in the space like Dr. Layne Norton & Dr. John Rusin, who take a whole body approach to health & fitness. I find their ways of coaching (both physically & nutritionally) are much more relatable to the general population. Most fitness influencers that you see on social media paint this false narrative that you have to eat 1200 calories & do an hour of cardio everyday to attain the body you want. This is both unrealistic & potentially dangerous for those whose lifestyle is otherwise different than the 20-something year old on performance enhancers.
I also love books on goal setting & mindset. My favorites at the moment are “Atomic Habits” by James Clear & “As a Man Thinketh” by James Allen.
My best advice for those looking to improve themselves is, find the people who follow the science, but ultimately do what works best for you. Consistency is the greatest factor in your progress. So you could have the greatest step-by-step plan, but if you can’t stick to it, it’s no better than winging it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://etrnlhealthfitness.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gonzilla.performance/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557840036000
