R3VIVE’s Member of the Month, November 2023
Introducing our Gym M.O.M. (Member of the Month) for November 2023 … Luke DeDeus!
Luke has consistently embraced the early morning grind for nearly a year now, steadily advancing toward his goals since he first became a part of our community. His ability to take to our coaching and his patience with working through our recommendations around his limitations / injuries, is why it’s a pleasure working with him. While we understand it can be challenging to want to rush through the road to recovery, Luke is a prime example of what it means to have your patience pay off.
Aside from his hard work and coachability, Luke is an amazing addition to our gym’s community. If you’ve never taken a class with Luke (assuming it’s because you struggle waking up so early), you will experience someone who is always encouraging you and cheering you on throughout your workouts!
We’re extremely proud to honor Luke and look forward to working with him a lot more!
Learn more about Luke below:
Q: What made you decide to start functional fitness training?
I came in as a former athlete having played soccer for most of my life, but after I blew out my knee some years back I was struggling to find something that was both conducive to building strength as well as having that “burn” that I felt on the pitch. It also had to be something that was efficient and something I could stick to on a consistent basis. Functional fitness definitely fit that bill, and now I couldn’t imagine life without it. It’s also something my wife Gemma and I can do together which of course makes things even more fun (even if she is always faster than I am at the WODs!)
Q: Are you a student/working professional/both? What do you do for a living?
Working pro. I teach middle school history just outside the city and coach high school soccer in that same town.
Q: What are your hobbies/interests outside of the gym?
When I’m not with my 6AM allies, I like travel, reading, cooking/grilling, following sports (especially the Boston Celtics, American football, hockey, and of course soccer from around the world) listening to music/collecting records and spending time with pals whenever possible. I’m also learning golf these days.
Q: What are some of your favorite movements (name up to three)?
I really like Russian kettlebell swings, cleans, and running.
Q: What are your least favorite movements?
I have a tough time with heavy lunges and jumping rope. Handstand-related movements are brutal too.
Q: What movement do you want to improve at?
I’m currently on a side quest to add kipping pull-ups to my locker.
Q: What advice do you have for someone considering our gym?
Show up being open to learn and be patient. Progress comes bit by bit. Whether you’re starting off having previously led a fully athletic life or just exercising for the first time there is a place for you at the gym and a way forward. Think of the long game. If you stick with it, keep showing up every day, and keep stacking up those small wins, before too long you’ll be impressed at what you’re learning and what you’re capable of. Not only will your internal engine be humming better than it ever has, but also the mental aspect – confidence, belief, clear thinking – is a benefit that I think bears mentioning. Of course your classmates and coaches will be there every step of the way too which for me makes it feel like being a member of a team again. And last but not least – RIP IT!
Q: What’s your favorite “cheat” food?
Pizza!
Q: What is your guilty pleasure?
Movies that are “buddy comedies” – bonus points if it’s also an underdog story!
Q: Do you have any nicknames?
My closest buddies nicknamed me “The Swami” back in the day – no idea why but I’m not asking questions 20 years after the fact!
Q: Tell us an interesting fact that we probably don’t know about you!
I’m a dual citizen of the US and Portugal.
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