Inspiring up to live Cesium’s 2021 mantra “be healthy, adapt and grow”.
Luis is Cesium’s E-Commerce Sales Associate and Ironman triathlete. Originally from Mexico, he and his family moved to Canada 3 years ago. Since making the move, Luis has embodied Cesium’s 2021 motto “Be healthy, adapt and grow”.
We put the spotlight on him to get his take on how to live the motto and to give us some inspiration to get our heart rates up.
Get to know Luis with some rapid-fire questions:
Q: Do you have a nickname?
Yes, it’s Luison.
Q: Do you listen to anything while training? If so, what?
Yes, I love rock music. Mostly 90s, 00s and grunge rock.
Q: What kind of tech accessories help keep you going while you train?
Plantronics headphones, and I swim with my phone in a LifeProof waterproof case.
Q: What’s your favorite cheat meal?
In Canada, pineapple and ham pizza with lots of spicy sauce. In Mexico, tacos al pastor with lots of cheese.
Q: Do you start your day with coffee, tea or something pressed?
Yes, I have coffee and a smoothie with mixed berries, almond milk, and scoop of whey protein, oatmeal, peanut butter, 2 whole-grain bagels with strawberry jam before training. After I have a proper breakfast of 4-5 eggs with veggies, toast, and green juice with chlorophyll, grapefruit, and green apple.
Learn more about Luis’ Journey
Q: How did you get into Ironman?
I started running as a kid growing up in Mexico City. At the age of 10, my friends and I would go running outside in the streets. I realized that running is not something I could do every day because it wears the body out. By chance, one of my friends introduced me to a triathlon coach. That’s when I learned a lot about swimming and how it’s the perfect exercise. From then, I joined a team to compete in triathlons, and ever since, my teammates and I became best friends. We all share values and a love of exercise. We’d even take our families on training days and socialize.
Q: Can you take us through your triathlon history, and let us know what’s next on your agenda?
There are 4 types of triathlons: Sprints, Olympic, half Irons, and full Ironmans. As far as Ironmans go, I completed eleven half Irons all over the world, and I completed one full-distance race in Mexico in 2014. But I specialize in Olympic distance triathlons. I took part in a World Championship race in Rotterdam. The Olympic is shorter than the Ironman—I’ve done about 50 of them. And I can’t really count the number of sprints I’ve done.
Coming up are 2 half Irons in Acapulco and Mont Tremblant. I also qualified for the World Champions in Edmonton in 2020, but it has been postponed to later this year.
Photo by BTC 
Photo by BTC 
Photo by BTC
Q: What does your training entail?
I’ve been training consistently for the past 8 years. I can’t live without exercise. It’s impossible for me to not workout for 3 days.
I do 2 hours of cardio every morning. Switch between running on a treadmill and cycling. Then, when the kids are asleep, I do another hour at night. I also work in some swimming at Lasalle’s Aquadome. And, long sessions are kept for the weekend when I put in 4-5 hours in a day.
The last component of my training is eating. I have to eat all day. It’s expensive and time-consuming, but necessary.
Q: Cesium’s 2021 motto is “be healthy, adapt and grow”, what does that mean to you?
Being healthy is personally important to me. I lost both my mother and brother to heart attacks, so I’m concerned about my family history, and I’m determined not to have the same fate. It’s what keeps me motivated to train.
Growing and adapting have been two major themes in my life since moving to Canada. It’s been a challenge to get back the same quality of life I had in Mexico, but it’s an achievement I’m proud of.
I think it’s a good company motto because it really fits the lifestyle of the last few years of my life. I’m happy to be an ambassador of health at Cesium, and I hope that my colleagues will grow and adapt with me.
Q: Are there any transferable skills between work and training?
Yeah. Two come to mind, discipline and organization. There are days when you don’t want to get up early but staying disciplined and having the mentality that there are no days off serves me well. Also, keeping organized is key. It’s not easy to balance work and training so good planning is important.
Q: How has Cesium played a role in your success?
I’m very thankful to Cesium and the leadership team for the support and the recognition I get. The organization has done an amazing job of embracing shared growth.
I’m very grateful to Cesium and its network for sponsorship. Triathlons and Ironmans are not cheap or easy, so the support goes a long way.
Lastly, I want to thank my manager, Adhurim, for always supporting me. He’s a great teammate, and nothing would make me happier than crossing the finish line with him.
Cesium is rooting for Luis
Luis’ colleagues are wishing him safe travels to Acapulco where he’s competing later this month, sponsored by Blu Element. We are also cheering him on for the Mont Tremblant race in late June.
With inspiration from Luis, our team is curious to know how YOU are planning on to “be healthy, adapt and grow” in 2021?
Keep an eye on the Cesium LinkedIn page for updates!
