I first met Ener on 10/31/2017 for my very first training session in Poway LA Fitness. I was skinny, weighed 115 lbs, 23% body fat, and had absolutely no background nor experience in weight lifting, let alone getting in shape. But I was tired of being weak physically. And that physical weakness affected me mentally as well. All I had was a dream of some day becoming strong, through what ever means necessary even though I had no idea how to put in the work into becoming strong.
There I was, all skin and bones at the time. I distinctly remember looking at Ener, and admiring his physique. The results of Ener's work habit in lifting was very visible; it didn't take a genius to figure out that he was truly strong. Hell, his muscles flexed by him simply just WALKING normally from one place to another. And I immediately made the decision with this attitude and mindset: I was gonna go through all his training, or die trying.
Ener once asked me, "what is your goal? Why did you start working out?"
I replied a very simple answer, "I'm tired of being weak. I don't want to be strong, I NEED to be strong."
And that was the one and ONLY time he asked me that question. He proceeded to put me into the grind, and grind I did. I gained 30 lbs in my first 90 days and eventually I went up to weighing 180 lbs in late 2019. He continued training me 3 times a week consistently, and I had to discipline myself to show up when I didn't want to. The first 2 years from 2017-2019, there were countless times after a training where I felt like throwing up afterwards. But I never treated his training as if it was an option, and I sure as HELL never thought of ever quitting. Even the hardest exercises (deadlifts and barbell squats), I hacked my brain and convinced myself those exercises are absolutely not optional.
The very first training session on 10/31/2017, I had trouble simply just deadlifting and squatting the barbell itself, only 45 lbs! My first time achieving a 4-plate deadlift (405 lbs) was recorded and immortalized on his Instagram on August 2022. Now, my deadlift has reached 475 lbs for a 1 rep max. That was something I never thought I could accomplish, but I did thanks to Ener. However, the 475 lbs 1 rep deadlift still PALED in comparison to Ener as he could consistently deadlift over 500 lbs with 10 REPS for 3 SETS. Truthfully, I was envious. But more than that, I was very inspired. Which was why I remained under his tutelage even up to the very end. The training skillset and mindset Ener imparted to me will be taken for granted. I will forever be in his debt through the 6.5 almost 7 full years of physical training.
My heart goes out to the entire Beltran family. Ener is someone I aspired to be, and I will always remember him.
