(my 2(x)istence) | 2(x)ist PORTRAITS: Willi Farrales
2(x)ist PORTRAITS is an intimate look inside the lives of our brandfans and how they 2(x)ist. Today, 2(x)istence‘s Jay V. del Rosario and contributing photographer Ronald NZ Tan meet Willi Farrales, a Californian who fully personifies the phrase “mind-and-body.”
Upon asking what drives him, Willi Farrales opens the conversation like this: “I guess you could say my foremost passion might be emotional and spiritual development and exploration in myself and with others …”
But before you judge him as some type of crunchy, San Francisco-type (incidentally, that’s where the Modesto, California-reared Farrales now resides), just know that Willi can kick your ass. Literally.
Willi teaches something called BODYPUMP and BODYCOMBAT, fitness classes that are as intense as their names (and their mandatory caps-lock status) imply. Combining barbells and strength endurance, BODYPUMP—for which Willi is a master trainer—is a lesson in doing what you really love. Prior taking it up as a vocation, the 24-year old attended the BODYPUMP class (which he says “just works … and it’s frickin’ fun!”) for five years before turning “pro.”
Add to that a physical training client roster across four health clubs, biking, skating (“I’m about to do a four-day rollerblading trip from San Francisco to Linden, CA” [Editor's Note: a distance of 100 miles!], the Brazilian martial art of Capoeira, and something called “monkey conditioning” and one quickly realizes that peak physical form is paramount to Willi.
“I guess my body is kinda my life!,” he admits endearingly (followed by a hearty laugh).
Considering his insane physical regimen, one would also be wrong to classify Willi as a simple meathead. Instead, you’ll find a laid-back, California-cool dude who peppers his conversation with words like “wicked” and infusing ecstatic, infectious enthusiasm into even the most mundane questions. (On food: “San Francisco has the best food all over the damn place.”)
Delve even deeper and you’ll find a young man on a quest to be “one, whole, integrated, happy little animal.” This means exposing himself to all types of experiences, cultures, and people—rather easy in urbane San Francisco—so it’s no surprise that Willi enjoys a penchant for foreign tongues.
“I love learning languages,” he says. “I’m super intrigued with how our brains process communication …”
To that end, Willi can confidently count fluent French to his skillset, which includes (obviously) English, plus dalliances with German, Spanish, Japanese, Portuguese, and American Sign Language.
With that many dialects, it would take a global village to fulfill Willi’s curiosities and zest for learning. Luckily, Willi can enjoy his cosmopolitan surroundings and continue welcoming people into his world: “I love to enjoy life and help those around me enjoy it more thoroughly too.”
And if you disagree, Willi just may BODYPUMP you to the floor.
Willi Farrales is photographed by Ronald NZ Tan in SLIQBriefs, available now at shop.2xist.com
[PHOTO: Ronald NZ Tan (ronaldnztan.com) | WRITER: Jay V. del Rosario]
