1) Who is Gaby Moestar? (where are you from, what do you do, a bit about yourself (hobbies, etc) Im originally from Suriname, a small country in South America. My first language is Dutch. I moved to the US (miami) in 2009 for college where i had to take a bunch of extra classes to learn English. Now, i work in IT as a Program analyst and enjoy staying fit and competative in Crossfit. I've been involved with the Florida Grid League since they first started. I competed on GRID6 teams, joined the league as a referree my first year, and worked my butt off to get recruited as a strength specialist for the Palm Beach Breakers (previously known as the Palm Beach Elite for mutliple seasons while helping as assistant coach as well.
2) How many years have you been training? (Including how you got started, etc)
I started crossfit in 2014 as a coping mechanism for depression, which only got worse when my mom passed away. I found GRID when they first started in 2016. Wanted to try something different than crossfit and dabbled in powerlifting for a year, but didn't like that either. Took a break to reflect in 2018-19 and switched to physique training, but missed crossfit and now I'm back more determined.
3) Whats been the most challenging/hardest part of your journey so far? and how have you overcome them (set backs, rejections, injuries, basically anything difficult that you have had to overcome)
Most of my setbacks have been mental. I used to be afraid to get out of my comfort zone in training and suck, and feel goofy about not being good enough. I was terrified of failure! But in the recent years, that has changed, with growth, different habits, maturity in the sport, a change of mindset, and a great support system.
4) What does your typical workout/diet routine look like? (With any particular protocols you rate).
I typically train 5x a week - split between an AM and PM session to cover both crossfit and physique training around my full time job hours. I've been focussing more on skill, endurance, and accessory stuff while maintaining strength at working weight for crossfit the past year vs only being strength/barbell bias. This definetly changes around Grid season, where it will be more like 100% max effort of some barbell cycling rest 15sec and do it again. As far as diet, which has been trial and error over the year, but now I maintain a balanced diet overall composed around 1750-1900cals a day, but i always make room for a (phatash) cookie :-)
5) What new knowledge have you learned over this past year regarding training, lifestyle and nutrition? (And How has it changed your focus for the future)
1) Discipline repeated with consistency lead to greater acheivements. Training smarter with smaller achieveable goals, a balanced diet, and enough sleep to recover prevented me from burning out and made me feel much more accomplished.
2) Don't compare yourself - your accomplishments are defined by measures of your own success.
3) The scale is just a number and doesn't define how fit your are.
6) Whats your favourite cheat/Treat meal?
Really good ice cream and cookies loaded with sugary goodness.
7) Whats one supplement that you could not live without?
MRE Lite from Redcon. The only protein my stomach can handle.
8) If you had to start your Journey from scratch with both your health & physique what would you do differently and why?
I would have gotten educated way earlier on nutrition and how it directly impacts your physical appreance and performance. I think when starting crsossfit i got carried away consuming more calories than needed doing a crossfit workout or a strength workout a day.
9) Who do you look upto in the fitness industry and why?
I love all crossfit athelte's but my favorite is Dani Speegle. She's such a badass to watch! I also like Maddy Forberg - powerlifter who made the switch to bodybuilding. Her lifestyle and training journey is relatable and admiring.
10) If you had to give one bit of advice to people starting out what would that be?
In both training and nutrition, consistency is key. Track your progress, and celibrate your victories. Have fun with it, but know why you started.
11) What new goals do you have on the horizon?
Be well rounded in crossfit. Currently, I have many gymnastic holes - as in - I currently can't do them at all, so the goal is to be able to do all gymnastic/bodyweight movements and perform them in a workout.
12) Where can people find you? (website, social media accounts)
Instagram - @g_moes
