We’re looking forward to introducing you to Tony Gonzalez. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Tony, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
I have a four year old boy who is currently into dinosaurs. Normally my day starts early so I leave before he wakes up but recently I had a rare morning off.
On this morning my wife asked me to take him to school and since I hardly get to, I was stoked.
Luckily we live within walking distance of his class room and the whole way there we were acting out our own version of Jurassic Park.
We held hands, and would pretend to see a T-Rex before running away from it.
He would stop me and yell “lava!” before jumping over it. At one point we saw a plane over head and he pointed it out pretending it was a pterodactyl. We had so much fun and laughed the whole way to his class room.
Once we got to his class room, he showed me his cubbie, where he does arts and crafts and his art work. I was really happy, proud and it made my day.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi there! My name is Tony Gonzalez and I am a boxing and fitness coach. I was born and raised in Los Angeles and am a first generation Mexican-American.
I first started boxing in 2004 looking for a fun and exciting way to exercise and stay in shape. What I found was an awesome community of like minded people, a group of friends and in the process, I learned a skill set centered around commitment, perseverance, hard work and mental grit.
In the fall of 2008, I started attending UCLA where I started the boxing program. During that time, I competed locally, regionally and nationally. When I graduated in 2011, I stayed on and became the head coach.
For over the next ten years, I worked at UCLA teaching students the sweet science and I also worked at a local in local gym in Santa Monica.
In 2021 I started my own business, Bell2Bell Boxing- Fight Inspired Training. The aim of my business is to improve the lives of individuals through fitness, boxing and functional movement. I work with people of all ages, goals and experiences.
One of the aspects of my business that I am most proud of and is unique from others, is that I work with those afflicted with Parkinson’s Disease and other neurological ailments. Many of these individuals are seniors who have a hard time with movement and day to day activities. My goal is to make these people feel healthier, stronger and feel more confident in their day to day. With methods and techniques I have acquired overtime, I’m confident in being able to fight back against Parkinson’s Disease.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
My parents are my biggest influence when it comes to work ethic. Both of parents are immigrants who came to the United States at different points in their lives. My mom came when she was 8 years old and my dad came when he was 18. After they met, got married and started a family, in the spring of 1994, they opened a restaurant in Sherman Oaks. In April of this year, we celebrated our thirty year anniversary.
I grew up in the business and very early on, I was able to see their work ethic. They were a role model for me. I watched them work fifteen hour days, seven days a week. I watched them make hard decisions and sacrifice personal time to make sure the store was running on all cylinders. They did it all for the family. They’re my role models and inspiration. Everything they did was in the name of the family. I take the same approach with my work today, everything I do is for my family and with them in mind.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
To be perfectly candid, I would tell my younger self, “Everything is going to be ok.” When I was younger, I tended to worry and stress myself out over so much, whether it was fictional or not, or if I could control the outcome or not.
In school, I used to worry about the book report I didn’t finish or the science project I didn’t properly flesh out. I used to worry about what the teacher would say to me.
I had a stutter growing up and I would worry how people would view me if I couldn’t get my point across.
I think I would tell my younger self to relax, take a breath and enjoy the journey because the journey and the growth are what matter. I should have told myself “It’ll work out in the end.”
I think I would tell myself to have a little more fun and enjoy the moment because I was so caught up in the repercussions and the possible outcomes that I tended to over think, or rush through moments that I feel like I either didn’t enjoy them or I missed out on a lot.
One of the traits I learned through boxing was that all good things take time. I learned that to really be good at the sport, it takes time, and through repetition, curiosity, and hard work everything is achievable and usually good things follow.
To be honest, nothing will take you out of your comfort zone like boxing. I realized early on that training and competition is hard and if I can do that, I can do anything. To this day, I tell myself everything else is a piece of cake.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
I like to think of myself as consistent day in and day out. The person you see at the gym is the same person you see at home. I am human and am fallible but for the most part I try to put my two best feet forward and do my best. For me, it’s all about having a conscious intention to be my best for my family, my clients and myself.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
My hope is after I’m gone, my family, friends and clients will say that I truly cared. I really hope that people will say I cared and always put my best two feet forward.
When it comes to my family, I want my wife and kids to know they’re always number one on my mind and everything I did was for them. I hope they say I was present, available and made them a priority.
When it comes to work and my clients, I want people to say I always gave 100% and went above and beyond when I could.
Regardless of it’s my family, friends or clients, It’s important to me that those in my inner circle win.
One of my beliefs is, “Your success is my success.” But I also hold the opposite true, that when you fail, or fall short, we’re going to figure it out together. I’m a big believer of, if I don’t know an answer, believe me when I say, I’m going to figure it out.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bell2bellfitness.com/
- Instagram: Bell2bell_fitness
- Twitter: Bell2bell_fit
- Yelp: https://yelp.to/ytVxwb9uiP
Image Credits
Yoko Morimoto Photography.
