My Story

Greetings, My name is Efren, and would like to share my story with the public. In 2004 I weighed in at 300lbs, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and if I continued with my eating habits, on my way to type 2 diabetes. In 2005 I decided to make a life long commitment and get healthy through exercise, nutrition and my faith. I joined a gym weighing in at 230 and as of August 1, 2005 I weighed in at 156lbs.

I started spending 3 hours a week at the gym and worked my way up. After spending 16 to 24 hours a week at the gym doing cardio and lifting weights, along with volunteering.  I just became a certified fitness instructor and feel very good about myself. I think it’s important for people to know that there is a light at the end of the tunnel with weight loss. With so many diets and extreme surgeries happening today I think people forgot that exercise and eating right just works, I am proof of that. Recently I ran a 5k run in Ripon and beat my time by nearly a minute. My time was 20:29. This is a big deal, for I was a smoker since the age of 16 and quit cold turkey in March 2005. Included are some photos of before and after.

Thank you for your time.

Efren J

I came up with idea for this website one evening while I was working out late.  I thought to myself, what's a great way to help promote Exercise, Health, Nutrition and my Love for Jesus Christ at the same time.

Below are a few photos of some races I have entered and a few other pics showing me keeping  the weight off and a much happier me. 

YOU CAN DO IT! 

Me and my best bro, My Dad. Thanksgiving 2005

I love you Dad!

Below is a prayer that I came up with when I was running one day.

I hope you enjoy it.

January 5,2006

Glory to God in the Highest; Thank you Jesus for a better lifestyle and a healthier me. It may be my hard work, but it’s your will. Thank you Lord for giving me the opportunity to live a healthier life. With you in my heart, I shall continue to treat my body as a temple of faith in Christ.

Amen

December 2005

This was my first race in the cold weather. The race was a lot bigger and even though it was cold that day, I was able to improve my time by 2 minutes. What a great run thanks be to God

Photo below in prayer before the run

December 2005 YMCA 5K Run Time 22.12

April 8,2006

My first Triathlon at Stan State University. It was a ¼ mile swim, 12 mile bike ride and a 5k run. Never in my life did I ever think of going to one much less entering in any competitive sporting Event. Much to my surprise, I came in 5^th out of 122 people in my age group. Thanks be to God.. It just goes to show you what you can do when you have Jesus in your Heart.

In prayer before the start of the Triathlon 4/8/06

May 13,2006

Saturday I entered the Run for Wishes 5k Race at Stan State University. I am happy to say that I came in first in my age group. It just goes to show you that you can do all things through Christ. It was a great run and the Event benefited the Make a Wish Foundation. 

Run For Wishes 5/13/06

This was a small Event at Stan State University, but none the less it was very competitive. Most of the people who participated were professional runners and competed on a regular basis.

5k First Place in my age group

Wharf to Wharf Race 7/23/06

This was the biggest run I have ever done so far! I It was a 10K Race Starting from The Boardwalk In Santa Cruz to

Capitola. Was an Honor to run with some of the best runners in the world. Their was over 15,000 Runners. It was a sea of runners 5 miles long... I was happy to have placed in the top 200 with a time of 46.33.  It was a great experience and I plan to make this run a tradition every year god willing.. Thank you Jesus.

Memorial Hospital Run and Ride 7/16/06

A wonderful event promoting Cancer Awareness. There was a 2 mile walk, 10k run, 12 mile bike ride, a 19 mile bike ride and a 63 mile bike ride. This was a wonderful event and I was proud not only to run with some of the fastest runners in are area, but extremely happy to have my DJ business there to help spread Cancer Awareness in our community. My run was Awesome!

47.48 6.6 miles a 10K

I beat my time by over a minute & placed 7th in my age group total 83 runners

Turkey Trot Thanksgiving Day 2006

It was Wednesday night when I heard of this Awesome Race.. Should I do it? Hmm, I will give it my best shot.

I'm the person in the blue out front. 

What a wonderful experience and a great way to start out a new Thanksgiving Tradition. There were nearly 700 runners that competed and I was very thankful to hear of this Event. Out of 688 runners I came in 101 with a time of 22:33.. Not my best time, but hey what a blast. In fact I enjoyed it so much that later that day I ran over to my Father-in-law's house just to get more of that same rush..

Praise God I Love to Run

YMCA 5K Christmas Tree Run 2006

It’s The Annual YMCA 5k Christmas Tree Run! For me this was the second time participating in it and what a thrill. In 2005 my time was 22.12 this year I beat my time by 1 minute 10 seconds with a time of 21.42. I placed 5^th in my age group & 14^th out of 98 runners. What a great feeling it is to see the improvement your time & pass up all those young

5K 21:42

July 2007

The Wharf to Wharf In Santa Cruz CA. 2007

This was my second time running the Wharf to Wharf 10K run. Thanks be to God. Last year my time was 46.33. This year I beat my time running the Wharf to Wharf in 44.20.  My goal is to run it in under 40 minutes. My life time goal is to run a 10 k in 35 minutes. One day I will God willing.

July 2007 The Wharf to Wharf Race 15,000 runners! 10K 6 miles 44.20 

The Wine & Cheese 5k Run October 2007

Incredible! I beat my time by 58 seconds in a 5K race. In 2005, I did a 5K race;  I did it in 22.12. 2 years later, I did it in 21.14 My goal is to do a 5K in under 20 minuets. This was a fun race and loads of people turned out for it. I place 7^th in my age group and if I was 9 years younger, I would have place 2^nd in my age group! If I was one year older, I would have placed 3^rd and if I was a women, I would make for one ugly lady. Giggles Thanks for your support.

21.14 7th Place

The Halloween River Run 2007

21.07 5K

21.11 5K

Almond Blossom 8K Run 2/23/08

Time 34.36 8K

This run was dedicated to my wife. She has been just amazing and her support for me to continue a healthy lifestyle. This was my first 8K run and I was very happy in placing 7th out of 400 plus runners. Glory to God in the highest! I Love Jesus, My Wife and my Mother.

Henry's Run 3/15/08 2nd Place Over All

5K 20.26

After several runs, I finally was able to beat my best time by 3 seconds. It seems I do best when I push away all thoughts on placing and run more for fun. Still, I was very excited to place 2nd over all out of over 300 runners. I actually placed fist in all other age groups except the 13 to 19 age group. The winner was only 13 years young and came in 26 seconds ahead of me. That kid ROCKS!  Folks, this is just a reminder. YOU CAN DO IT! Again, I smoked for more then 20 years and abused my body one way or another. Don't give up! Make exercise a lifestyle and  experience the secret to the fountain of youth.

Run for Health 4/19/08

20.03 2nd place 5K race 

3 seconds can make a world of difference! Sure I beat my best time of 20.26. But still, my goal is to run a 5K in under 20 minutes.  By the grace of God, I will do it someday. 

Below is a photo of all who placed in this run for health. winners! sure everyone one who ran that morning were winners for giving it a go for health.

The 5K Run, The Chocolate and the Heat of 106 degrees!

5/17/08 

This was a great run regardless of the extreme temperatures that hit the Oakdale Chocolate festival  & "5K fun run"  This race was about the hottest race I have ever entered with the temperatures hitting a record high for the day of 106!  Still, I was very happy with my run, I finished in 5th place with a time of 21 minutes flat.  After the run, I went to the festival and had to break up a chase between a Cat and a Tweety Bird. WOW, it was a good thing I was there, that Sylvester can be a terror when it comes to Tweety Birds.  

The Escalon Park Fete July 14 2008

13.26 for a 2 mile run and a 6AM wake up call. Eek!

Good times and My DJ service was hired to entertain the runners and bring them in with some get go to the finish line. It was a 10K race & or a 2 mile run. Since I was hired to entertain the folks there, I entered the 2 mile run so that  I would be missed for to long behind the sound system. In fact, I told me wife. play this recorded mix of 14 minutes & I will be back before it ends. Sure enough, I did the run in 13.26 placing third in my age group.  As far as the song I left paling with my wife. Heck, I still had enough time to get back & cue the next song and dance around. 

3rd place

The Santa Cruz Wharf to Wharf 08

Saturday night came & I was off to work. Being a DJ this happens every year. I get home around 1AM and wake up at 3AM to make the trip to Santa Cruz for the big race of 15000 runners and walkers.  Still, with very little sleep, I beat my time by 1.26 minutes. Incredible! I didn't even race a hard race. My thoughts where to not use my ipod and just go easy to enjoy the run and all the music and people along the route. I finished the race in 43.14 minutes. The Wharf to Wharf race is a hard course with loads of turns and uphill challenges. Me, I was so happy with my time, that when we got into Santa Cruz I jumped in the ocean and swam 1/2 mile in 17minutes. Yes, it's official, I am a cardio junkie.  During my time in Santa Cruz I trained hard with more running, biking and swimming in the ocean. I just loved it. The fallowing day, I swam to the 4th bowie in the ocean witch is the half mile mark. you can't really see that bowie from the shore, but trust me. It's there. In fact, if your ever in Santa Cruz swimming in the ocean on the dream Inn hotel side, take a swim to the 4th Bowie and you will see that it reads in small wording, "Efren Was here" Giggles.. Happily I completed that 1 mile swim in a little over 31 minutes. 

43.14 6 miles

                                                      31.11 1 mile swim      2nd bowie on my way back to the beach 

Color the Skies 5k Run 

August 30,2008 

20.39 5K 4th place in my age division

This was the first time The Color the Skies Festival had a 5K Race, 1 Mile Run/Walk, and my favorite the 100 meter kids run. Me, I was so jazzed to get the kids motivated for their race, I just couldn't help myself and joined them at the start line.  With over 200 entries, this festivals run was a success for the Children's Hospital. Me, I look forward to running this event every year with the kids.  

Memorial Hospital Run & Ride 08

It was a beautiful day & the turn out was great. I would like to thank all those who attended & especially Memorial  Hospital for honoring me with the best DJ award.  Natalie & I where not only surprised, but we were very touched. Not just from the award but from the thought that it came from such a wonderful group of folks that devote their lives in helping others in the fight against cancer. We love you all & I thank you for making The Quake Mobile DJ your first choice for your events. Here are a few pics of The Run & Ride. Me, I entered the 10K & I ran it for my father-in-law who was just diagnosed with pancreatic Cancer. I will call him today & let him know, we placed 2nd with a time of 43.32   Although I think I would have placed 1st; If it wasn’t for that hole in my sock. Smiles 

Praise God for Jesus 

The Wine & Cheese Run 08

Placing 4th & 11th over all with a time of 20.22 Last years time, 21.14 I have still yet to break 20 for a 5K race. But IM getting close. 

The Halloween River Run 08

The Run, Well, It stunk! Giggles. The course was different from last year. It was on rough terrain as well as longer then a 5K course.  NO worries, I made the best of it and it was still a very fun time. My biggest thrill of this event, I get to meet Olympic Gold Medallist Stephanie Brown-Trafton.  She was so nice, It was more then thrilling for me to sport her Olympic Gold Medal. Oh My Gosh! For a minute, I felt like a Gold Mentalist. Thanks Stephanie! 

Update! Keeping off the Weight!

November 08! Its been 3 years since I devoted my life to a healthier alternative. Above here on this website you will see a photograph of me with my Dad sporting a no shirt look. Smiles; Back then I was weighing in at 156lbs with 16.8% body fat This October, I was in Mazatlan Mexico and celebrated a 3 year bench mark with keeping the weight off and 3 years Tobacco Free! Glory to God in the Highest! In this photo above, I about 167lbs with 11.7% Body Fat & 67% Muscle Mass. IM 40 years old here, but I have been recently tested to have the metabolic rate of a 23 year old. 

In the words of our new President Elect, Barack Obama "Yes We Can"

In the words of a God loving man such as myself, "Yes You Can"

The BAC Triathlon 2008

A different challenge this year at the Modesto Fitness & Racquet Club’s Triathlon, the turn out was a bit smaller bit the competition was much harder. There where some well experienced Tri Athletes that showed for this event. I knew I had my work cut out for me when I arrived and realized that most of the competitors where half my age and extremely fit. Still, nonetheless I manage to place 2^nd to a 22 year old man with about 23 steps in front of me. Over all I was very thrilled with my time beating it from last years time by 7 minutes 14 seconds.

Overall time 101.27   2nd place 

Turkey Trot 2008

Nearly 1200 runners showed up to start the Holiday out on a good step. Me, I raced a hard race with an overall time of 20.38 & placing 63 out of 1153 runners. Excited, you bet. I beat my time from last year by 1-minute 14 seconds. Praise God! I love to run..

The Big Swim with Humpback Whales

Back in January I swam across the Sea of Cortez to Lands end in Cabo Mexico. It’s just about 1.5 miles across. But at mid Sea, I encountered some of my Lords biggest creatures on Earth. “Humpbacks" Accompanying me, It was not just 1 but 3 Humpback Whales that shadowed me for most of my Swim. The reality didn’t dawn on me till later that night as I was walking back to our resort along the beach. I asked my wife, why do you thing these enormous creatures would have been so close to the shore? After all, its not a common thing they would have been there with 3 ships docked outside the cove and many water sports of plenty going on at that time of my swim. Her reply, “search your feelings and it will come to you"
I got quiet & started thinking, even though I hired 2 guides to escort me, 1 in a Kayak and the other in a motorized water taxi, I never felt like I was in any danger. But, my biggest concerned was that a ship or fishing boat might run over me. But, It never came to me what might be lying in the depths below under the sea.
Instantly it came to me. Friends, their is no question in my mind that my Lord sent those three Humpback Whales to watch over me and keep me safe. It was an amazing feeling not just to swim across the Sea of Cortez but just knowing I was less then 20 yards from the biggest creatures on earth & in their environment is amazing. That is something that I will never forget. Thank you Jesus for loving me, and Thank you, for keeping me safe. I accomplished my goal in 41.04 minutes and in his name.
Friends; my body is a Temple of Christ and I will keep preaching how much the Lord has helped me to live a healthier lifestyle. Thanks be to God for Jesus in my King!
Efren J
 

Henry's March 3/2/09

1st place in the age group 40-99 with a time of 20.36

OK so this wasn't my best time, but I was very happy to have come in 1st in such a wide age group and 1oth over all. Henry's Run happened at Stan State University.  This was the second time I raced for such a worthy cause. Even though the winds where treacherous that morning and very cold, I still managed to finish with a decent time of 20.36 In 2008 I did the same run in 20.21 so this gives me some room for improvement for 2010.   Some day, I will break 20 in a race. God willing, I will..

I hope this has served as an inspiration to all.  I am proof that all is possible through exercise, nutrition & faith.

In the words of Jack LaLanne

"YOU CAN SAVE YOUR OWN LIFE WITH EXERCISE AND NUTRITION"

Don't let time pass you by.
The best days of your life are Now!

email efren@iwillliveforever.com