Mixed Up With Me

Sallie (00:16)
Hello and welcome to Twin Study After Dark. I’m your host Sallie. And I’m your other host Katie. And today we are having a special edition. It is a study break for us at Twin Study After Dark, which means we have brought in someone to interview. Woo! Woo! Since Sallie’s been advertising this forever. I’ve been talking about this every week for…

Andrew Reyes (00:35)
Yeah.

Sallie (00:39)
Since we started the podcast, like people don’t believe me anymore. They’re like, they’re never getting guests. So our guest today, his name is Andrew. He is with The Oak, the fitness and nutrition community. He is an entrepreneur, business owner, fitness and nutrition coach. People who know him joke that he is their physical therapist and sometime permanent therapist too. Lastly, most importantly, he is a father and a husband. Andrew, welcome to Twin Study After Dark.

Andrew Reyes (00:44)
Yeah.

Yeah. my gosh, thank you. I’m really excited to be here. Yeah, thank you.

Sallie (01:10)
We’re happy to have you. We’re happy to have you. So do you want to introduce yourself in any other way to our guests? Like who are we talking to today? Who is this mysterious Andrew? We’ve also, yeah, go on.

Andrew Reyes (01:23)
I think you, you did a much better job than I would have. Like you hit all the things. no, I mean, I, I, and like you said, I’m, I am the owner of the Oak and, fitness nutrition and community. exactly what you said. And I am proudly a, a husband of about eight years and then a dad of about eight months. So, things have been.

Things have been all the exciting things over the last eight months. So, but yeah, it’s been really fun. It’s been really good, but yeah, I’m happy you’re here.

Sallie (01:58)
Awesome. We’re so excited. I really was interested in having you on the pod because I’ve known you for a couple of years now. Weirdly, our paths have crossed. Basically back when I used to work out, I don’t know, like maybe five years ago, it was like before COVID. really? Wow. Yeah, like it was a while ago. You would come and, yeah. No, no, it was like before, it was right when we adopted Suzy. So it was,

Andrew Reyes (02:08)
Yeah.

It wasn’t, yeah, it wasn’t recently. Yeah.

Sallie (02:27)
Honestly, five years ago, you would come and sub sometimes at my fitness class, my outdoor fitness class. Sometimes you’d come in sub and I kind of knew you from that. But when we moved to the area, somebody told me that you had started your own company and I was like, no way. Like he was such a good trainer. So that’s why I tried the Oak.

Andrew Reyes (02:32)
Okay, yeah, that sounds right.

Mm -hmm. Yep.

Yeah. Yeah.

Sallie (02:49)
But anyway, I wanted to have you on the pod because now I’ve kind of gotten to know you a little bit more You started your own business. You started your own fitness and nutrition company. You’re not even 30, right?

Did you start this when you were 28? Okay, okay. So you and this company has been around for how many years?

Andrew Reyes (03:06)
I just turned 30 in January.

Yeah. Yeah.

we had a year in March, so just over a year.

Sallie (03:19)
Yeah. Wow. Awesome. So that’s like incredibly impressive. When I found that out, I was just like, that definitely takes a lot of confidence. I think your market is very saturated. Like there’s a lot of fitness people out there. And for when I found out, it was like, he started his own company, he’s under 30 and you have a wonderful community that you’ve built. So, if you don’t mind, I’m just going to ask you some questions to kind of.

Andrew Reyes (03:23)
Yeah, just every year.

Yeah.

Sallie (03:49)
Pick your brain.

Andrew Reyes (03:50)
Please. Yep. Absolutely.

Sallie (03:52)
what was it that.

made you brave enough to like be like, you know, I’m just going to start my very own company because I don’t think a lot of people would do that. Like, it’s scary.

Andrew Reyes (04:01)
yeah, it, yes.

the very short answer. it is scary.

Sallie (04:08)
Yeah.

Andrew Reyes (04:11)
Officially, you know, I Sallie you had mentioned the the my my company that I was with I was with them for seven and a half years and Taking that leap from building a community over seven years and having a really established Approach to what I was doing To who then saying, you know what? I’m unhappy here. I’m gonna go start my own thing. I

That is what was the scariest. Cause I, after seven years, I had thought I was going to be starting from scratch. Like I was, I built up this incredible community over seven years. and it was like, I, I have to have full expectation that I have to be starting from scratch. so what was extra scary too, is that like at the very, at the same time, I just was real brave and probably dumb, to.

Sallie (04:48)
Yeah.

Andrew Reyes (05:11)
Also, at the same time, my wife and I were pregnant. So it was getting, leaving my company of seven years, starting our own company, our own business. And then it’s, hey, by the way, we’re going to have a baby.

Sallie (05:21)
Mm -hmm.

Andrew Reyes (05:27)
So there was a lot of really scary things all happening all at once. But honestly, and it sounds so cliche, but the biggest thing that really just like forced me to do this, if you will, was my family and friends. Like they just, they were so supportive and I honestly can tell you.

that this has been the most humbling experience of my life. Because it’s hard. It is hard and it was scary to get into it. And, you know, Sallie you being one of the people that have humbled me as much as I have been humbled by coming back after so many years. Because like you said, like, I met you probably five years ago and it was very…

Sallie (05:53)
Mm -hmm.

Yeah.

Andrew Reyes (06:11)
in passing style relationship and that we had that when I randomly would train and step in and sub but you are one of many and I honestly don’t even know the number at this point and that has come back because they’ve heard, hey, I heard you started your own company and I wanna come back and I wanna train with you.

bit.

Sallie (06:35)
was your wife how was she when she found out she was pregnant and she’s like, you might not have a steady income. Was she like, nope, we got this, it’s all gonna work out. Or was she like, I’m terrified. Like we’re gonna, this is gonna be terrible.

Andrew Reyes (06:42)
Mm -hmm. Right.

I,

Sallie (06:51)
laughs

Andrew Reyes (06:55)
The short answer is she is my biggest cheerleader in the world. I think I would not be in the position that I am if I didn’t have her. I 100 % that is just no matter the sport I’ve gotten from outside of this home, that she is by far my biggest cheerleader. With that being said, we were both scared. You know, we were both like, is this a good idea? So we both had our doubts and we both went to that place that was kind of dark and scary of like, should we do this?

Sallie (06:58)
Aww, that’s awesome.

Yeah.

Andrew Reyes (07:25)
Because it’s all the things that happen at once, you know, between starting a business and having a child was like we had two babies last year that we tried to grow from scratch. So, but yeah, that’s that. Yeah, I she obviously once I decided, you know what, I am going to do this. This is this is something that I think we should do. And she and I talked about it for about a lot, but definitely something that like we both were in that mode of. All right, here we go.

Sallie (07:34)
Yeah.

Andrew Reyes (07:55)
this. See what happens.

Sallie (07:55)
I love that.

I just wanted to ask, can you elaborate on how you chose to name The Oak The your company?

Andrew Reyes (08:05)
Yeah, so a slightly embarrassing story, but I have always been fascinated with acorns. If you ever are in my truck or ever in my office, I have them everywhere. It’s a weird thing for me. And since childhood, I would always, I still do this today, I would collect them, I would dissect them, I would peel them apart.

Sallie (08:07)
and

Andrew Reyes (08:33)
And like that feeling that I get, it’s a weird thing, but that feeling that I get when I like see the first acorn on an oak tree during like going the transition into fall, it’s just like, and then when I see them start to hit the driveway, it just, there’s, it does something for me and it’s weird.

Sallie (08:51)
I

Andrew Reyes (08:51)
But like after realizing, like when I started older, like really realizing the potential that’s inside of the acorn, you know, of like, this is a like oak tree seedling that has the potential of being an incredible, strong, majestic oak tree. I just, I, you know, grew to love them even more. So,

as I helped more and more people in the fitness industry and in the fitness world. And, you know, I started with like family and friends, wasn’t getting paid. Like that, it wasn’t, it didn’t like start as a job for me. It just started kind of as like, Hey, I’m working out. Yes, you can join me. Like I realized my like true passion behind what I was doing in fitness wasn’t, wasn’t based around, you know, people’s weight loss.

or like muscle gain or even like PRs if they wanted like to go to a race and PR something for that. Like, none of that really like stuck with me and like really like drove me of like, I just completed my first pushup. Like, great. The thing that really excited me was like when people switched their mindset and like I saw the moment when people started to believe in themselves and have that holy crap.

I can’t believe I just did that, whatever it was, whatever it is. And if it is that first push up, that’s fine, but how did you react to that? And like having that just enormous belief in their potential is what really drove me to, to continue in the fitness industry and why, like what still drives my passion today and all those things of like, just when that person, you can see it in their eyes when they’re like, I didn’t think I could do this. And.

I just did whatever that looks like for you, you know, and knowing the potential. So like, you know, circling it back to the acorn of the potential that lives inside that acorn, you know, the limitations that people put on themselves is exactly that. They put them put it on themselves. No one. And unless they had a, you know, and everybody has a different story, right? So, you know, they believe.

that they can’t or they won’t or those things that happen. So trying to have people see their potential of being kind of that oak to live in that. So that’s kind of the backstory on it. And then one night when I was really struggling to make this decision of to leave my old company, to start my own thing, and I was going back and forth on what to call it and what names and then…

I was in the middle of the night, I woke up from dead sleep. And it was like a vision that I had of just this giant, gorgeous, beautiful oak tree. And I’m like, that’s it.

That’s the one.

Sallie (11:52)
Yeah, we love that. I love

Andrew Reyes (11:55)
yeah, that’s the…

Sallie (11:55)
Katie and I are like, we’re humongous, like signs people, like, like signs like in the middle of the night or whatever. But I also just want to comment on the fact, did any of this cross your mind while you were picking the name that you literally said your wife and you were starting with a baby in her belly, but also your baby and fitness, like literally a seed, like literally you were both.

Andrew Reyes (12:06)
Mm -hmm.

Sallie (12:21)
growing in your own way. And like not only your company has like turned into this giant oak tree, but also your family at the same time. It’s very symbolic. Yeah. It’s very poetic. I know. You know, like the whole thing.

Andrew Reyes (12:26)
Yeah. Yeah.

It’s, yeah.

after a year in with the company, I said, sent out a survey to say like, hey, let me know your thoughts. I want some feedback. How can I be better? What do you love? What can I, what can I adjust? What can I do better? And one of the things that I was surprised about was like, and I still to this day, I don’t know who it was, but the night one of the

Sallie (12:46)
No.

Andrew Reyes (12:58)
It may have been Sallie. One of the negative feedback that I got, I’m kidding, that I got was, I don’t understand why you call the company The Oak. Maybe I’ll buy some merchandise if you change your name. Maybe that’s why the question came up. But no, I was like, wow, okay. Yeah.

Sallie (13:10)
That’s why Sallie’s asking.

gosh.

I think honestly, your explanation of why you call your company the oak sold me. I thought it was I thought it was so beautiful. I was like, I love that. It’s just to me, it fits. It’s like nutrition, like I was even just the stage in your life. Like I’m like, that is beautiful. Yeah. So anyway, now you’ve got to go into him and why people like working with him. You know, to that hater out there.

Andrew Reyes (13:32)
that’s… We’re good.

Yeah. Yeah.

Hahaha.

Sallie (13:50)
I think you just keep going with the oak and just make the logo even bigger next time.

Andrew Reyes (13:55)
Right, I know. I know what’s so funny because then I of course went on this rant of like, do you know what Apple does just because like you don’t know that they’re a technology company just by their name of the company. And like, just this long list of these. What about Amazon? Does Amazon tell you what they do because the title of their company?

Sallie (14:06)
Yeah

that’s so funny.

So for the people who are listening the oak like I know what the company encompasses But can you tell us about like the four different areas you kind of offer? to your clients

Andrew Reyes (14:16)
Yeah.

Thank you.

course, yeah, the one on one sessions are exactly what they sound like. They’re it’s just you, you and I with the deep dive of your goals. So one on ones will dive into your nutrition as well. And nutrition, I’ll talk about your assignment. But so one of ones you get nutrition included, my nutrition coaching included. But it is just a like, like I said,

a real deep dive into your goals, what you need versus like the semi -private or bootcamp, those are more group classes.

But yeah, one on one is definitely like you get what you pay for. That is the the like.

deepest dive that you can take based on the workouts that I designed specifically exactly for you and your needs. And then nutrition on top of that.

The semi -private is probably, and I’m nervous to say this when I’m preaching about my company, but it’s probably my favorite thing that I do with the Oak

I think it’s one of those things that I am so passionate about because what semi private does, we focus on strength. So you’re, you’re going to lift really heavy, probably heavier than

you usually do like out of bootcamp workout. And I say really heavy, it’s don’t think like these meathead workouts that you’re lifting a barbell that’s 500 pounds. It’s these very functional movements that, you know, you might pick up a 50 pound dumbbell, where at bootcamp, you may pick up like a 15 pound dumbbell. So semi -private though, outside of strength, we’ve focused a lot on mobility and mobility, just trying to get your joints and really healthy thoughts. And what I really believe in for my

Mobility sessions of the semi -private is longevity. So I’m I am training you during semi -private I am training you for when you’re 85 years old and Trying to get off the ground or trying to play with your great -grandkids and I’m I’m completely going beyond the fact that like I want to train you to keep up with your kids No, I want you I want you to be set up for success to where your joints don’t Just destroy you when you reach an age that

things are things are tough to move.

I had at one time in my life, not so long ago, three herniated discs in my lower back L543. All at once there was a moment that I there was a day that I woke up and I cannot move. There was a day that I had to call my wife to help me get out of my truck.

Sallie (16:56)
Yeah.

Andrew Reyes (17:03)
So like things like that, like I just, I couldn’t move because I had herniated discs at the bottom of my lower back, my lumbar spine. So with semi -private, I, in my experience that I had through that, it’s getting your joints in a really, really healthy spot and, you know, learning proper body mechanics and how to, how to move properly and like what your core really is and how to protect your lower back.

or.

herniate something or bulge something, you know, so this kind of thing. And we don’t just focus on the back. It’s a lot of other things, but all your joints is what we focus on there

Sallie (17:35)
I want to I want to vouch for the semi privates for you real quick. Because I was just talking to somebody in boot camp and she was saying she hasn’t tried to semi private. And for anyone listening who’s like thinking they want to start a workout community, all like I’ve done a lot of your offerings and they’re all beneficial in their own way. But I will say the semi private isn’t what I expected it to be. It really was truly like

Andrew Reyes (17:41)
Yeah.

Sallie (18:02)
getting your body in line. It’s not yoga. It’s not necessarily stretching, but it is kind of in a way doing certain moves to really like get to know your body more. And I heard this the other day when we were working out Monday, somebody said, he’s saying to like use my abs. I don’t even know what that feels like. And I told you when I came to semi -private, it was the first time I ever like, like you were like, tighten your core. And I was like,

Andrew Reyes (18:25)
Yeah.

Sallie (18:30)
I don’t think I can do that. Like I was like, there’s nothing. And he like taught me how to do that. Yeah. And I think especially like after you give birth and have a baby and like, that’s kind of like not, you know, like you kind of like forget how to use it. So like, I really didn’t, I always, you know, I stand with my stomach sitting, sticking out. Like, yeah, always.

Andrew Reyes (18:34)
What’s that mean?

Mm -hmm.

Sallie (18:56)
And like you were the first one that was like, no, you have to do this to get your core and just knowing how to do those body movements to lift things like that’s so much healthier and better for your body. I mean, not to get too like into women, but like your pelvic floor and everything too. I would imagine that’s what semi privates are helping you with. Yeah. Like those muscles you don’t always know how to like actually utilize. Yeah.

Andrew Reyes (19:16)
We do a lot on public port. Yep. Yep.

Yep. Like the hip tilts and…

Sallie (19:25)
So I definitely

it to anybody. Just anybody, truly anybody could get something from that. It’s so beneficial.

Andrew Reyes (19:27)
Mm -hmm. Yeah.

I especially talked to my wife a lot about it, of like, what I do and what my approach should be during semi -private, you know, her experiencing the things that she does in her female body. It’s like, pelvic floor is a necessity for females. It is just, and those things that we start with every single time. Core bracing, how to properly core brace, and pelvic floor.

and all those things that we start with and then you’re set up for success later.

And then there’s bootcamp, which bootcamp is what I did and knew for the seven years that I was with the old company. And that’s the fun atmosphere. That is the fast pace, a lot of movements, a lot of cardio.

some lighter strength. And I say lighter strength because there are days that I intentionally like tax the muscles a lot with a higher reps but lower it kind of thing. But that is where you get a big group of people and it’s just fun. It’s high energy, all those things. And then nutrition coaching is another thing. And I’m also certified nutritionist on top of being a certified personal trainer. So my approach to nutrition is kind of controversial because that lets you eat whatever you want.

But we count macros and I keep you inside of a very specific window of those macros. So it’s not the wild, wild west. You’re, you’re still put within a very specific window. but, and I’ll talk about that here in a little bit. but it’s something that I, I found there was a lot of things wrong with the fitness world and the nutrition world of the amount of people that I’ve talked to when they talk about nutrition is I’ve tried this. It didn’t work. I tried this and it worked really well, but it didn’t last.

Sallie (21:16)
Yeah.

Andrew Reyes (21:17)
So I try to figure out those things

I’m not going to go grocery shopping with you. I want you to be able to live your life for a long time and have it as something that you can sustain for a long time.

it’s like, yeah.

Sallie (21:30)
I’m wondering like the sustainment of like the enthusiasm. You think about like New Year’s, everybody’s like, I’m going to diet now or I’m gonna start working out and it lasts for a month or something. Yeah, so like helping people sustain that excitement or enthusiasm towards a goal they have. Is there any advice you’d have for that or is just?

Andrew Reyes (21:43)
Yeah, my gosh. Right, right.

Mm -hmm.

directly talking to the people that are unsure of where to start or are have attempted so many different things. Nothing should happen quickly. Nothing is when when you’re talking about fitness and most things in life, but I’m on here to talk about fitness and nutrition.

but it’s not supposed to be easy and it’s not supposed to be fast. huh. If you hear a way that it’s supposed to be fast and easy, run away. Don’t do it. because like, yes, someone can absolutely drop weight if you’re if you’re so let’s specifically talk about weight loss. You can drop weight quickly by here’s the spicy part, taking a pill, injecting.

ejecting a shot, going on a medication, even surgery. All those things are possible and you can absolutely lose weight doing that. But what you didn’t do is change your lifestyle and change your habits. And it was a quick fix that in six months down the road, when you created all these habits to get to where you’re unhappy with in the first place, you’re right back to where you started.

Sallie (23:10)
Because I think what I do sometimes, and I think a lot of other people may as well, is I can become very obsessed about a routine or a regime, like an exercise routine I’m into for X amount of time. And then I’ll see results and I’ll get really obsessive. But then if I miss it, then I’ll start hating myself or I’ll be like, I can’t believe I failed and missed it.

Andrew Reyes (23:37)
Yeah, right. Right.

Sallie (23:38)
And then it’s like this, I feel like it’s a toxic relationship. I kind of give up. Yeah, because I’m like, I hate feeling that way.

Andrew Reyes (23:48)
the importance of grace is unreal. Because if you don’t extend yourself that grace to say, it’s okay that I just had an Oreo, because I have met people that it’s like,

Sallie (23:54)
Yeah.

Andrew Reyes (24:04)
I just ruined everything I’ve been working towards. What? No, you haven’t. Like, it’s okay. You’re a real person. It’s like, I missed my run today and now I’m going to get fat. Like, whoa, okay, now we need to talk about a different mindset, a different mentality. So that, I think, is another thing that I would really, really encourage is just the ability to offer grace.

Sallie (24:07)
Yeah.

Yeah.

Andrew Reyes (24:31)
you know, with with some discipline around the grace, right?

But like me personally, like all of us, I can relate directly, which I think is part of my story is that like I personally have been in these dark places that I really struggle with my self -image and I’m really unhappy with my physical state. And like there are days that I like want to emotionally eat my feelings.

And like all the things that everyone assumes that I don’t experience, I do. So like I came up with the phrase discipline over motivation. Because when you discipline yourself enough to say, I don’t care how I feel right now, I need to do this for my goals, right? Like your goals don’t care about how you feel. Like you’re at the end of the day, your goals don’t care about.

Sallie (25:19)
Yep. Yeah.

Andrew Reyes (25:22)
You had a long day. They don’t care that you’re tired. They don’t care if you’re motivated. You have to discipline yourself enough to be consistent with the thing that you enjoyed like we just talked about. And then, you know, things don’t happen overnight.

It does not happen overnight. And if it takes a long time, that’s good, because it changes who you are as a person.

Sallie (25:48)
Any other questions, Katie?

when you have reached a point of like feeling low, what do you do to get out of that? That’s a good question.

Andrew Reyes (25:57)
gosh, that’s a great question. Honestly, I just kind of have to start really slow. You know, cause I have a pretty consistent and disciplined workout routine right now and it’s not, it’s something that is very varied. It’s not the same thing every day. And it’s different than what a lot of people might do, but it’s something that works for me. Kind of like what I talked about earlier.

Sallie (26:07)
Mm -hmm.

Andrew Reyes (26:27)
But when I get, when I reach those dark places of just in that lull and like, man, like I haven’t worked out in, I don’t know. I don’t know an example they give you to like make it more relatable. But if it’s been for me personally, if it’s been more than a week, a week and a half, two weeks that I haven’t worked out, like I am in that dark place just because that’s what works for me. I understand that like the people listening, it made me like, well, I haven’t worked out in like six months. So like, he can’t relate to me, but no, honestly, like it’s a,

Sallie (26:48)
Mm -hmm.

Andrew Reyes (26:58)
It’s something that you just have to start slow. You cannot jump into it full force. And like, honestly, this happened recently. Yeah, I was, it was when I, my grandfather passed away in March. And I was just in this really like, we were hosting family for two weeks straight. I was in this really like deep, dark, emotional state. And I just wasn’t working out like a

It was something that I completely lost my routine. and to get back into it, I started, I think, honestly, I started by like, like a half mile run just to tell myself, Hey, you did something today, even if it’s not at the max level that you used to go and you’re going to be up soon. cause it’s really like, and I hear this all the time. It’s so hard when you know where you used to be, right? You, if that,

Sallie (27:39)
Mm -hmm.

Yeah.

Andrew Reyes (27:56)
The enemy is in the comparison and sometimes you’re comparing yourself to yourself and that is so hard to do. So I honestly, my advice and where speaking from experience, just start slow. Even if like, even if you say, Hey, I’m going to go for, I’m going to go walking for 30 minutes. Great. You, you told yourself, you discipline yourself enough to say, I’m going to do this no matter my circumstances around me.

Sallie (28:02)
Right.

Andrew Reyes (28:26)
even if it’s slow, even if I, and then you progress from there and then progression starts to happen and results start to happen. And, and then you can, you can ramp it up, you know, it doesn’t have to be like, all right, I’m going to do, I’m going to go do CrossFit tomorrow. Like, hold on, like let’s slow down for a second. so yeah, that’s, I don’t know if that answers your question.

Sallie (28:41)
Yeah.

I love that. Yeah, that’s really good advice. I think that’s great advice. I love that because part of that too is just like committing to something, you know, like even if you say like it’s a walk, you’re committing to like that time to do something and then like eventually, yeah, maybe it’ll grow. I love that advice. I think that’s, and that’s really like not intimidating because sometimes when you have a couple of weeks where you’re like, I just haven’t been working out, you’re like, damn, I could run five miles before and now I, you know, I can’t do that.

Andrew Reyes (28:57)
Mm -hmm.

Sallie (29:16)
But I think that’s awesome. I love that you start with a place of grace and you’re just like, go slow. I think that’s really awesome advice. I think that’s good, helpful information that a lot of people could use. And it’s not scary, right? Like it’s like, literally do as much as you’re comfortable with. Yeah. And that’s helpful. Yeah. That’s great advice. Well, thank you. Thank you. Yeah, we love that.

Andrew Reyes (29:36)
Yes. Yeah, for sure. Yeah. For sure.

Sallie (29:40)
I really want to know if somebody’s nervous about starting a fitness routine or even like talking nutrition as well, because I know like you had mentioned before, there’s so many different diets. You have a different plan, but like,

I know that there have been times where I’ve been intimidated to just start something that I’ve never done before. So how could you help or what would you tell somebody that was nervous about that?

Andrew Reyes (30:05)
Right. Right.

if anybody is nervous about starting kind of a fitness plan, or a nutrition plan, and just going to like, just they don’t know where to start, like, my like one liner for it is exercise will never outrun bad nutrition. Like, you one, obviously, everyone’s gonna respond a little bit different.

Sallie (30:25)
Mm -hmm.

Andrew Reyes (30:32)
to all things, because every body is different.

the constant frustration that I hear off of people, because they’re working out all the time, like I work out five, six days a week, and I’m not hitting my goals. How’s your nutrition?

so that’s like kind of my like one -liner of anybody’s like nervous about starting things. Just understand exercise. Your workouts will never outrun poor nutrition habits. so get that, get that in line really try to like create awareness, start reading labels, track some like download a, one of those tracking apps that, that, tracks your calories and your macros and those things, and just start to create awareness that you’re just, you know, what those things, or even if it’s.

Sallie (30:45)
Mm -hmm.

Andrew Reyes (31:14)
going to get blood work done, just knowing what you need to do to start to adjust your diet and your nutrition.

the next thing that I would really say is like, like when we mentioned earlier too, like you have to find yes, what works for you, but something that like you enjoy.

Sallie (31:32)
I was gonna say like my perspective on this is so different than both of you because you’re both so into fitness. And Katie’s always been in art. She’s the artist. I’m more I would be more interested to know like, what would you tell somebody who would be intimidated to show up to one of your camps or you know, like isn’t?

Andrew Reyes (31:34)
Yeah. Yeah.

Sallie (31:55)
I mean, I assume there’s people of all different ranges and that photos. No, okay, like they’re all marathon runners. No, I’m just kidding. No, everybody’s at a different level. I feel like that’s the most intimidating part. You’re afraid to join something that you think it’s, yeah.

Andrew Reyes (31:57)
Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah.

Sallie (32:10)
when I first came I

just coming to a new community, it seemed scary. Like, you know, you don’t know exactly everybody and you don’t know if everyone’s gonna be welcoming or especially because like I knew your followers kind of followed you, you guys had known each other for a while. But Katie, I promise like everybody and that’s the thing that I want people to know about the Oak and I’m sure you do too is like everybody is so welcoming and.

Andrew Reyes (32:19)
Right, right.

Mm -hmm.

Sallie (32:39)
They’re so excited when somebody new comes along and they you become friends with them. Like it is just like, you know how we always say, so Katie and I always go hiking and we love hiking and Florida is not the best for it. But you know how you and I are always like, hikers are like the nicest people. They’re just always saying hi and like, you know, so friendly. That’s how I feel about your boot camps. Truly. It’s not competitive in a way that’s, intimidating.

Andrew Reyes (32:58)
Yeah. Right, right.

Sallie (33:07)
You know what I mean?

Also, everyone’s each other’s cheerleaders too.

Andrew Reyes (33:10)
Right. Well, and I intentionally, yeah, I intentionally make, like have created the workouts, especially for bootcamp at the Oak to where not once in Sallie, you can, you can attest to this, but when you’re at bootcamp specifically, like there’s not been one workout that you’re directly competing with anybody else. There’s, there’s this, there’s this mindset that I’m going to work harder because the person next to me is working harder.

Sallie (33:30)
Yeah.

Andrew Reyes (33:39)
or I’m gonna work harder because I see as I’m running, you know, at my last run of the workout and there’s seven other people waiting for me at the finish line, just cheering my name and going nuts. Like I have intentionally made it to where it is, the workouts are built around the community aspect, not the competition. Because exactly what Sallie and I had said, this is for all levels.

Sallie (34:02)
I think that’s the community that you made because I don’t think all trainers have that community. And that’s a testament to you and the people that have followed you and just the atmosphere that you’ve grown. I think that has something to do with you as a trainer. That’s really special. I was going to ask too, like your main clientele, do you have…

Andrew Reyes (34:24)
Yeah.

Sallie (34:24)
It’s mostly, is it mostly women or is it mostly or is it half and half?

Andrew Reyes (34:29)
Absolutely.

if I were to put a percentage on it, I would say like 80 20.

80 % is female, 20 % is male. And the influx of males that I have, honestly, I just think it’s a very specific thing for guys to just want their very quiet garage style. I don’t want to talk to anybody. I want my loud music in my ears and I want to lift as heavy as I want to. So there’s just this, there’s a different desire.

Sallie (34:33)
Yeah.

Mm -hmm.

Andrew Reyes (35:01)
you know, in a different interest that I get from males to females. And then what’s funny is when, you know, I have these females bring their husbands, bring their spouses, and then they blow them out of the water and then the guys never come back. So that’s a problem too. So because they see all these females, especially like

Sallie (35:24)
Yeah.

Andrew Reyes (35:30)
all different ranges. You know, I have everything from mid twenties to late seventies. And just, hey, male that, you know, as a random example, maybe, maybe try some cardio on top of your weights. Maybe. cause that’s just a very specific interest in guys that they just, they like their quiet time and their, their like meathead workout, which is fine. Like, and.

I don’t know if we’re going to get to it later, but that’s something I really am passionate about, really, to say. If it works for you, do it. I understand that I’m not for everybody. I understand that my approach is not for everybody, but if you’re taking care of yourself, that is what’s important. So, in a safe, healthy way.

Sallie (36:17)
Yeah, I think women tend to like community. I know. Yeah, I think I think you’re right. Yeah, like I think it’s a woman thing where they’re like, I want community like I like to laugh in the morning when I’m like, it I think women are just more prone to that. It’s funny though, because Adam came to one of your workouts like a year ago, we joke, because he only came to one and he hasn’t come back.

Andrew Reyes (36:23)
Yeah.

Mm -hmm.

I remember.

Sallie (36:41)
But the the ladies there they were just so nice about it. They were like he did so good. my gosh, he was so cute. He wasn’t tired. And I’m like, they’re so positive and uplifting about him. And I’m like, but he didn’t stay and I’m like, you had so much support babe, like why do you why are you going back? But yeah, I think there’s something with guys. It’s just the girls like the sense of community. I really think that’s true. And honestly, if I was a single guy, I’d be listening to this right now being like,

Andrew Reyes (36:44)
I know.

Yeah. Right. Right.

Mm -hmm.

Right, right. Yeah. Yeah.

Yes. Yeah.

Sallie (37:10)
Maybe I should go to the Oak because there’s 80 % women there, but most of them are attached. I will say, I think. Yeah. I think most of them are attached and like, yeah, but you’re, so your events that you have, they’re open to everyone. Correct?

Andrew Reyes (37:15)
Yeah. Right?

Most of them are, yeah, that’s true. That is true, yeah.

Yeah, no, it’s open for everybody. And this is, and I intentionally make them family friendly every time. And, you know, the back half of the series is, it’s our race half. So our first half, there are six events. The first three are workout style. And then our second three are more races. So it’s workout, workout, workout, race, race, race. So.

They’re all family friendly, but then the races draw more families at work, like doing it together. Like last year, Sallie, you brought your kiddos for the turkey trot that I ran in November, which is awesome. I love that. But that’s why I made the series because this is, it is open to everybody and I don’t need you to be working out with me. I don’t need you to be one of my clients to be able to have access, to be able to train for something every couple of months. Like no matter what you’re doing.

Sallie (38:05)
Yeah.

Andrew Reyes (38:23)
I wanted to give the opportunity to, if you’re doing CrossFit, if you’re doing just your gym workout, if you’re doing your garage workout, if you’re doing just just running, solely running, like whatever style training you’re doing, you have something specific to train for. Put it on your calendar. When you come to the workout or when you come to one of the events that I’ve never met you, we’re all going to be so happy that you’re there. You’re going to get that support from the community. And if we only see you for the events, that’s fine. That’s okay.

because you have the thing that you like to do on the side. So yeah.

Sallie (38:56)
Yeah, and I love that they’re local. I love they’re in a Apopka go because I feel like it’s just helping build our community into a place that has events because a lot of events are downtown Orlando, you know, so it’s really nice to have actually local events that our families can like grow up knowing like this event happens here or whatever and at this time of the year and stuff. Yeah, so you.

Andrew Reyes (39:03)
Yeah.

Right. Right.

Thank you.

Good.

huge reason I did it because, you know, I born and raised in a Apopka growing up, I always had to travel to a race that I wanted to do or an event that I signed up for. it was always like, okay, I have to go to go down to winter garden or downtown Orlando or, you know, Lake Nona, but like nothing was here in our community. so I’m like, let’s have people come to us.

Let’s create these events and like the Turkey Trot, we have people from all over.

Sallie (39:50)
Yeah.

Yeah, for sure. I think we’d all like to see a Apopka kid like do well and have these types of things. I would love it if my 5Ks were in a Apopka kid. I know. You hate driving downtown all the time. I go to Baldwin Park all the time. I know. Katie’s, her 5K

Andrew Reyes (40:05)
See? There you go.

Sallie (40:09)
the month is going to be the turkey trot.

Andrew Reyes (40:09)
Yes.

Sallie (40:12)
But you have an event that’s coming up in July.

Your next event, correct? It is called the Duran.

Andrew Reyes (40:17)
Yeah.

Yes, I do. It’s called Duran.

because that is a hero workout that honors the fallen for Memorial Day, but very specifically around Lieutenant Michael Murphy that was a US Navy SEAL that passed away in combat in a very heroic way. So Murph was created because this was his favorite workout that he did. So that’s what you do around Memorial Day. So a hero workout that is more close to home in this series.

is actually back to back from Murph. We do another here workout in July that’s coming up on July 9th and 13th. So we have two different dates and I’ll explain why here in a second, but that is to honor fallen apocryphi fighter, Austin Duran. So the workout itself is called Duran for Austin Duran. And he was a firefighter with the Apopka Fire department that unfortunately just due to an accident that just should not have happened.

passed away from just lack of, lack of training, not his fault. lack of leadership again, not his fault and a malfunction with equipment that around one of the fire stations. so with that, there was a huge, huge following and just support behind, behind the family, behind Austin because on,

June 30th, and 22 is when, the accident happened. And then for 15 days, there was so much prayer and support and just, just a rally behind Austin when he was in the hospital attempting to recover. unfortunately he did pass away from it just to do to injuries that he, his body just couldn’t fight anymore. so on.

July 15th is when he officially passed. So what the 2650 Foundation is doing, which is the foundation that was built in memoriam of him, because 2650 was his badge number, is doing 15 days of hope starting on June 30th and going to July 15th. It is just, they’re doing running different events and just a lot of positivity around those.

We are honored that they asked us to run our Duran workout, our hero workout for him within those 15 days. And like I said, we’re going to do two different dates because it is more of a first responder style workout. It is still open to everyone. It’s still open to the public, but because the fire fire community is so tight knit, they all wanted to be there last year when I did it for the first year, first time. But unfortunately, some of them were on shift. Some of them were working. So.

we’re gonna do on two dates. So those that are not on shift on the ninth can come on the ninth. And then those that are not on shift on the 13th can come on 13th. So we have two different dates that’s coming up and the workout itself, I just, like I said, I’m very honored to have had the opportunity to write this workout and create it as this incredible hero workout that so many people support. But.

2650 was Austin’s badge number as a firefighter. So that’s where the 2650 foundation came from. That’s the title. And then Duran is 2650 to where you’re as an athlete, as a participant of the workout, you are actually working. Your working time is 26 minutes and 50 seconds. So you get the same working time as.

Sallie (44:26)
Okay.

Andrew Reyes (44:32)
has his badge number. So that’s coming up on July 9th. And then if you’re not available on a Tuesday night, then you have the July 13th on Saturday morning. So all proceeds go to, it’s a free event to register to participate and all proceeds go to the 2650 Foundation for raffle sales that we’re gonna do. We’re gonna do some cool raffle prizes that are out there on the 13th. And then you can purchase raffle tickets on the 9th, but you have to be present on the 13th to win.

Sallie (44:33)
Very cool.

Andrew Reyes (45:01)
And then that is going toward the foundation to support training, support classes that they would go to, equipment, scholarships for firefighters that are going through Academy and all those things. So, but yeah, it’s a great event that’s coming up. And we’re excited.

Sallie (45:21)
That’s awesome. I love that. And I love again that you’ve gotten involved with the community and like you’re able to support that event, like hold that event. That’s amazing.

And I already told Katie and her boyfriend that they’re coming. So we’re going to force Katie to work out maybe twice this month.

Andrew Reyes (45:39)
Good. Love it.

Maybe twice this year. Welcome to the Oak Series, Katie.

Sallie (45:45)
I

we’re about to wrap up here in just a little bit. Do you have any following questions for Andrew? I know this is only your first meeting with him. No, but I just have to say that it’s been a pleasure to meet you and I’ve loved hearing about everything you’re doing. I specifically just loved the story of how you came up with the oak. I know I’m just a feeler like I love those like in the middle of the night thoughts and that come to fruition. That stuff gives me the chills.

Andrew Reyes (45:48)
Yeah, me too.

Yeah.

Good.

Yeah. Yeah.

Sallie (46:14)
Before we end, I just want to ask.

So Andrew, you’ve created your own company. That’s honestly, it’s quite a success. You’re 30 years old. What’s next for you? Where’s this going? What’s your biggest dream for this?

Andrew Reyes (46:31)
Gosh, what’s, honestly, the snow, it’s great.

Sallie (46:34)
Say it out loud! No, I’m just kidding.

Andrew Reyes (46:40)
So, you know, the first goal, the big dream that I have is to expand a team and create a team. Cause right now it’s just my wife and I. So, you know, because I’m wearing all the hats, I don’t feel like I’m truly doing the oak.

and what the vision for this, and what I have called to do, as much service as I can that it deserves, because I’m just being pulled in a thousand different directions. So, you know, like an admin, an event director to take over and really just dive into those events, community outreach for things like the Duran event that’s coming up, and just pouring into our first responders and make sure that they know that they’re supported.

and just walking into other companies and other businesses and those kinds of things. And HR, you know, things like that. Another trainer one day is another big dream to add offerings and, well, to expand on offerings, I guess, add to our schedule that we already have. And luckily, like my wife, because like I said earlier, she has been an incredible support system. She is officially taking over.

has already taken over as our media specialist, if you will. So if you follow The Oak on Instagram or on Facebook, the reason why it’s looked so good over the last month and a half is because that’s all Mrs. Reyes, not Andrew, not me. So she has done an incredible job just making it look so good and just really getting that community engagement through social media and marketing.

Sallie (47:55)
Love that.

Awesome.

Andrew Reyes (48:20)
And it’s also like just taking so much stress off of me because I’m terrible at social media. I’m terrible at the media stuff. And she’s not, she’s the opposite. She is so good at it. So it’s already relieved a lot of things for me. So to directly answer that question, I think just expanding the team one day is the goal that way we can dedicate what it deserves and what this community

needs.

Sallie (48:42)
have so much to offer. Like I could probably pick your brain all day. Cause I’m even like, my mind is always like thinking popping questions, but no, I really want everyone listening. Yeah, there you go. After Katie goes to the Duran event. my gosh. She can give her feedback. Guys don’t even put this on me.

Andrew Reyes (48:42)
Ha ha ha!

Well, let’s do a sequel episode. I’m fine with that.

Yes! The thoughts.

That’s right.

Sallie (49:05)
But I would love to join an event. I’m gonna make my boyfriend come I’m gonna force him to come and then you have to come. my gosh. So tell our listeners where they can find the oak where they can find you if they want to reach out to you and ask you about nutrition, fitness, look into your programs, look into your events. Where can they find you?

Andrew Reyes (49:07)
Katie’s like, cut, cut, cut.

Yeah.

sure. Yeah. So I’ll talk social media first, because my wife would be proud of me for doing that. But so I’m Instagram and Facebook, you can find us with the Oak community. So the Oak is the company and the community is kind of a tagline because the Oak exists in several different platforms. So the Oak community, and if you Google it, if you Google the Oak community, you’re going to get a lot of neighborhoods. That happens a lot. So

Sallie (49:49)
I’m gonna go.

Andrew Reyes (49:59)
Don’t Google it. We’re getting there. We’re trying to fix that. But yeah, on social media, you can find us. That’s true. That’s true. Yeah, on social media, you can find us through the Oak community. And then our website is the place that you’re going to find all the information. You know, our offerings, my contact information, our the registration for the next event.

Sallie (49:59)
Hahaha!

There’s worth things that could come up. Yeah, seriously.

Andrew Reyes (50:26)
The schedule for our events, if you are just interested in the events. And there’s also, I call them whiteboard workouts, which are just free workouts that I wrote personally, that if you’re not able to make it or are nervous about going to a workout in person, these are workouts that I’ve written with my whiteboard in my garage, that you can do just from the website and pull those and do it at your own pace and do it from anywhere.

So all the information that you could ever want about the oak is on the oakcommunity .com. And that’s just the source of all things.

Sallie (51:03)
Awesome. Okay. Awesome.

I’ll make sure that I put your website as well as your social media information in our show notes today as well. So for anyone who’s listening to the podcast, you can go and click. it’ll take you to the Instagram page, the Facebook page, and we’ll put the website on there for anyone who’s interested in joining or just, contacting Andrew because he is an expert in some of these, some of these important things in life.

Andrew Reyes (51:17)
Thank you. Yeah.

Sallie (51:36)
So thank you. Katie, did you feel this was cool? Yeah, this was great. Thank you so much for sitting with us. I know you guys don’t know each other, but now you kind of do. We kind of know each other. I feel like we’re friends now. I mean, you totally are. I think so. So thank you so much for being our first guest on Twin Study After Dark study break. You made our episode so much easier. I mean,

Andrew Reyes (51:38)
Thanks.

Absolutely, yeah. Good.

Same. Good. Yeah.

my gosh, thank you, yeah. Thanks for making this so easy, this was fun.

Hahaha.

Sallie (52:06)
You you made our episode it was easier for us because you did most the talking Study break because we’re just listening to you Know that thing. Yeah, that’s the point. Yeah, that’s the point. We want to hear your voice And I I really hope that you were able to share everything you wanted to Like I said, I could ask you a million questions. I am fascinated by your journey I Definitely look up to you and your work ethic and the community that you built

Andrew Reyes (52:13)
Sorry, I don’t know if that’s a good thing. Yeah. Okay, good, good. Okay, good.

Sallie (52:35)
and continue doing what you’re doing. We hope that in another year we can just see those branches grow in and get in all the places you want to be in life with the oak. So thank you so much and screw that person that didn’t like the name. Yeah.

Andrew Reyes (52:45)
Yeah.

I claim it. That’s great. That’s awesome. Thank you. Yeah, no, thank you guys.

So I like that you reference that back. That’s so funny. It was, yeah, it just, it just fueled my fire. That’s all.

Sallie (53:00)
They’re like. But hilarious. No, I’m just kidding. But thank you so much. Have a good night and go put your baby to bed. I think it’s probably bedtime now. All right. Thank you. It’s so nice to meet you. Bye. Thank you.

Andrew Reyes (53:11)
Yeah, thank you. Yes, ma ‘am. It is. It is. I’m going to do it. See you guys. Thank you.