(my 2(x)istence) | 2(x)ist PORTRAITS: Willi Farrales
May 19, 2011
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]
(my 2(x)istence) | 2(x)ist PORTRAIT: Jason V
BONUS SHOTS
May 15, 2011
Our latest 2(x)ist PORTRAIT profiles Jason V, with photography by Eugene Gallegos, as seen in these bonus shots featuring SLIQ Trunks. Learn more about Jason in his 2(x)ist PORTRAIT, reported by contributor Ronald Sklar.
Above, Jason wears the SLIQ Trunk, available now at shop.2xist.com
[PHOTO: Eugene Gallegos (eugenegallegos.com)]
(my 2(x)istence) | 2(x)ist PORTRAITS: Jason V
May 12, 2011
In today’s 2(x)ist PORTRAIT, 2(x)istence contributing photographer Eugene Gallegos turns his lens towards Jason V for an intimate shoot featuring SLIQ Trunks, while contributor Ronald Sklar reports.
“To be honest with you, I haven’t really worked out in the past year,” says Jason V, a Long Island-based fitness trainer. Uh, yeah, looking at these photos, we found it hard to believe too. Yet Jason insists that he owes it all to genetics.
“I know from my father’s side, his brothers are all built kind of short and stocky,” he says, “but I know from my resting heart rate that I burn about 3000 calories a day with just my regular activity—walking around, things like that.”
While his own engine revs naturally, he helps others motivate their less ambitious cabooses. The 29-year-old has a lifelong passion for body sculpting, and enjoys a consistent satisfaction from sharing his knowledge with others.
“It’s a great feeling,” he says, “just knowing that I was the one who put the time and effort into training them, and then seeing the reactions on their faces, how appreciative they are. It’s overwhelming.”
Jason V is photographed by Eugene Gallegos in the SLIQ Trunk in Sangria, available now at shop.2xist.com
[PHOTO: Eugene Gallegos (eugenegallegos.com) | WRITER: Ronald Sklar]
(snaps) | Jesse in SLIQ by Kevin McDermott
May 11, 2011
Model Jesse is the apple of photographer Kevin McDermott‘s eye in this new editorial shot featuring SLIQ. Here, Jesse wears the SLIQ Brief in new Spring 2011 shade Sky.
Connect with Mr. McDermott’s studio via Facebook and Twitter. Shop now at shop.2xist.com
[PHOTO: Kevin McDermott (kevinmcdermott.com) | MODEL: Jesse]
(snaps) | Hagan in SLIQ by Jason Jaskot
May 09, 2011
There’s no “pane,” no gain when shooting with photographer Jason Jaskot. The New York-area lensman turns his editorial camera on a widow-seated Hagan in SLIQ Sport Briefs in Black.
Preview more of Mr. Jaskot’s work via his studio’s website. SLIQ is available now at shop.2xist.com
at Macy’s.
[PHOTO: Jason Jaskot (jasonjaskotphoto.com) | MODEL: Hagan]
