Daily Inspiration: Meet Alvin Munrose

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alvin Munrose

Hi Alvin, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started lifting weights from the age of 13. I had always been an athelete. Growing up, I played baseball, basketball, football, track & field, and karate. When I got to high school, my primary sports I stuck to were football and track. After high school, I walked on to the Texas A&M football team. I was a member of the team for 3 years until I had suffered a back injury (herniated disc). Unfortunately, this injury brought my football career to an end. I ended up having surgical (diskectomy) procedure done on my spine. The procedure went well, however, my doctor requested that I lose a substantial amount of weight – roughly 35 pounds was the goal. At the time of surgery, I was 250 pounds. After completing rehab, I got back into the gym and began my weightloss journey. Over the next several months I had exceeded my goal and lost a total of 50 pounds. Although I reached my goal, I was not happy with my physique, I was super lean but I wanted to look more muscular. After I graduated from college, I started my career in the construction industry and wanted to try to bulk back up a little. However, my injury kept coming back to haunt me. I’d get into a rhythm of working out for 6-8 weeks at a time and then I spend the same amount of time trying to recover from the back pain. I went through this cycle for the next several years. During this time I tried chiropratic and massage services to help alleviate the pain. They were only temporary fixes. One day I noticed that the massage place offered a stretch service. I booked a session and from then I was on way to bulking up my physique. Since then I’ve put on over 25 pounds of lean mass. Part of me is proud of my progress and the other part of me is still hungry for more improvement.

I honestly never had any real aspirations in starting an online training business until I had multiple people told me I should put myself out there. I already had the physique, proven results and the work ethic to be successful in the fitness industry. All I need was the exposure and clients to get things off the ground. When it comes down to it, my sole mission is to help other people create their dream physique. Most people find it hard to go to the gym due to lack of motivation and/or energy. My outlook on going to the gym is that it teaches you self-discipline and builds character. If a person can transform their body, they are capable of doing anything they put their mind to because that is one of the hardest things for someone to do. Fun fact: Statistically it is easier to become a millionaire than it is to get 6-pack abs.

It’s more of mental than physical battle with yourself. Once you start getting the results, you become addicted to them and actually start to like working out. I will say the thing that stands out about myself amongst other trainers is that I’ve overcome a serious injury that could have kept me at the same level of fitness that I was at years ago. I proved to myself that through persistence I could achieve whatever I wanted to. Another thing service that I offer is a personalized meal plan. If I’m being completely honest, thats where most people fail. Getting in shape is 20% exercise and 80% diet. That’s honestly where I noticed the most drastic change in my physique over time. You know the saying, “You are what you eat”? That couldn’t be more true when it comes to fitness. My go to meal is ground turkey, rice and and broccoli but I know most people crave variety so thats why I put together a variety of dishes for my clients. I am currently accepting new clients. If anyone is serious about making a change, and getting into the best shape of your life – please feel free to reach out to me via instagram (@thatmanalvo).

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I had suffered a back injury (herniated disc). Unfortunately, this injury brought my football career to an end. I ended up having surgical (diskectomy) procedure done on my spine. The procedure went well, however, my doctor requested that I lose a substantial amount of weight – roughly 35 pounds was the goal. At the time of surgery, I was 250 pounds. After completing rehab, I got back into the gym and began my weightloss journey. Over the next several months I had exceeded my goal and lost a total of 50 pounds. Although I reached my goal, I was not happy with my physique, I was super lean but I wanted to look more muscular. After I graduated from college, I started my career in the construction industry and wanted to try to bulk back up a little. However, my injury kept coming back to haunt me. I’d get into a rhythm of working out for 6-8 weeks at a time and then I spend the same amount of time trying to recover from the back pain. I went through this cycle for the next several years. During this time I tried chiropratic and massage services to help alleviate the pain. They were only temporary fixes. One day I noticed that the massage place offered a stretch service. I booked a session and from then I was on way to bulking up my physique.

For the past 3 years I have been working on the road, 60 hour work weeks with commutes as long as 45 minutes each way. How did I manage to make progress? I had to plan my workouts and meals accordingly. That included me going to the gym either before or after work. I would get to the gym as early as 3am to warm up and hit the weights since I started work at 7am. I know, I sound crazy right? I would post pictures with a time stamp at the gym to show others I ACTUALLY standing on business haha. I believe it takes that level of dedication to standout from 99% of people. Since a child I always held myself to a higher standard.

Also, I would do all my meal prepping for the week on Sundays to refrain from making unhealthy choices/eating out during the week. I would allow myself to cheat on my diet on the weekends and then get right back on track with it every Sunday. It really made all the difference. Another thing is that I cut out drinking, not completely but I just drank on occasion. What most people don’t realize is that when you consume alcohol your body must stop protein synthesis (muscle building process) in order to metabolize the alcohol. It is literally poison when it comes to muscle building.

I just want people to understand that when it comes to fat loss – the more muscle you have on your body, the harder it is to get fat. Your body needs muscles to burn calories so why prolong the process with excessive alcohol consumption?

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have a BS in Construction Science from Texas A&M University – College Station. I’ve been working in the industrial construction sector for the past 8 years and it’s not the most ideal profession when it comes to having a white collar job. I work 60 hour weeks and travel all across the country. However I do try to find some ways to incorporate fitness into my daily routine at work. The one thing I hate the most is cardio so I’ll typically skip it at the gym and get my steps in at work. Fun fact: you can get ripped from walking! I always aimed to get at least 10,000 steps a day.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People can find me on social media via instagram. My handle is @thatmanalvo. For those who are serious about making and living a healthier lifestyle they can either DM me the word “COACH” or click on the linktree link in my bio and fill out the coaching application. From there, I’ll be able to get you on your way to building your dream physique!

Pricing:

• Online Training: $297 / month
• Online Training: $997 / 3 months
• Bulking / Cutting Program: $100 (one time fee)

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatmanalvo/

Image Credits
Alvin Munrose Jr.