EP 5 | Oscar Moreno: DEKA Worlds Qualified / US Army Veteran / Regaining Purpose and Focus

About OSCAR MORENO:

• North Hollywood, CA. / 37 years old / Retired US Army Veteran and full-time Operations Manager for a pharmaceutical company.

How many kids do you have (please include ages)? 

• 3 kids / 1 boy and 2 girls/ 13 yo boy, 6 yo girl, and my youngest 5 yo girl.

What was your biggest accomplishment as an athlete? 

• My biggest accomplishment was winning my weight division powerlifting class and making it to the 2022 DEKA WC.

What is your biggest accomplishment as a father (non-athletic)? 

• Being a dad. 

When did the competitive side of you begin? 

• The real competitive side of me started when I was in high school. I tried out for the school's cross-country team. I also ran track & field while in high school. After a few years of competing, I joined the Army, where fitness was a must-have quality, so my competitive nature continued. It wasn't until I retired and a few years later, did I really get into a competitive edge. DEKA Fit LA 2022, is where it all began. 

What kind of competitive events did you compete in before kids as an adult?

•  I didn't compete in anything when I was a kid. As an adult, I only competed in two spartan races, and several DEKA Strong and Mile Events. I did also compete in powerlifting for a short period in 2022.

What did your training schedule look like before the kids? 

• My training schedule fluctuated a lot. Sometimes I was able to train early morning and other times late evening. Not a schedule, but I made it work. 

What kind of competitive events do you compete in now as a father?? 

• I have mainly competed in DEKA events, but plan to train for several other events this year.

What does your training schedule look like now as a father? (hours per week est) 

• Now, after my divorce, I train Monday through Friday from 0600-0700, when I don't have my kids and when I have them, I train after I pick them up from daycare and school. My mother helps me watch over them while I train. 

How have you adapted/adjusted and what changes have you made competing and/or training as a father? 

• Being a single father and sharing custody is a challenge on its own. Finding the time to train was a huge task. Late nights and early mornings became the norm to get the training I needed. Adapting to a full-time job, business, full-time school, father and partner has been amazing. 

What are some things or ways you stay present as a father balancing training and fatherhood?

•  Gosh, this is a tough one. I not only work, go to school full-time, and train for events, but make all my time for my kids. My kids are my priority, but through my dedication, I try my very best to demonstrate that one can accomplish many things through dedication.

What drives that bug in you to compete? 

• My competitive nature started in middle school, then further developed in HS, where I ran track and cross country. I had such amazing coaches that tested my will when I competed. Soon after HS, I joined the Army and further developed that fire of being the best. I train now to show others that through goal setting and consistency, you can achieve amazing fitness goals. My mother is my main driver. As a Single mother of 6 children, she did not let any adversity that came her way, take her away from providing for her children. A true reflection of a hero. I prepare with her in mind every single time. 

What are your most notable improvements from staying fit and/or competing in fitness events? 

• My overall health has drastically improved. The most notable experience that I would drag to my friends is the overall mental stability fitness provides. Outside of the obvious changes in physic, the mental health aspect has started me in a direction of strength that becomes addicting.

What benefits do you get out of training and competing? 

• A sense of purpose and focus. Constantly trying to do better, becomes the adrenaline needed to carry me forward.

What kind of time management hacks have you conquered? 

• Training in am or pm etc? My hack has been to train early morning. There is something about the start of the day becoming how you set the tone for the day. Sleeping early is the ultimate hack to get the rest needed to train in the morning. 

What advice would you have for those men out there that lost connection with their health when they finished competing as an athlete or as a first-time dads that lost touch with their competitive edge and respect for the man in the mirror? 

• Man, great question. In the simplest form, one day at a time. Regaining a connection with health and fitness is no easy journey, but when broken down in days, then weeks, easier. Looking in the mirror and telling yourself you got this! Is a simple affirmation that builds the slightest inner fire that will then become the flame needed to crush.

What is your spirit animal and why? 

• My Chinese spirit animal is an Ox. Always hard-working, powerful, and providing a stable and loving home.

What big races, or events, coming up for you this year? 

• This year my main focus is DEKA WC. All odds are against me. I am no pro athlete, and I have no endorsement, or any special fitness accolades, but I do have the grit in me to become that underdog. 

How can everyone find you and follow what you're doing (IG handle, website, etc)? any sponsors or upcoming items you want to share? 

• People can find me through my personal IG page @jmoreno_0820 or my gym page @_fragoutfitness