By Swetha Kotwal
Ryan Claros, D.P.T., is an assistant professor at the UOG School of Nursing and Health Sciences, and owner of Guam’s second free-standing physical therapy clinic, Custom Fitness LLC Physical Therapy.
Born and raised on Guam, Claros was always involved in sports. He was active in track-and-field and competed in international games at the age of 14.
He transitioned into rugby and played semi-professionally.
He has competed in three Pacific Star Games, multiple international games and is a Micronesia Game medalist.
As an alumnus of Father Duenas Memorial School, he went to pursue his education first at the University of Guam.
He then graduated from San Diego State University with a bachelors of science in kinesiology with an emphasis in fitness, nutrition and health. Afterward, he completed a master of science in exercise in physiology from San Diego State University. He also holds a doctorate in physical therapy from the University of Saint Augustine.
In 2006, while Claros was attending college, he realized he didn’t have enough time to exercise.
He was balancing classes, working out and playing semi-professional rugby. It was around that time he discovered CrossFit.
“CrossFit is a trademark way to kind of workout,” Claros said. “It is high intensity:”
His staff at Custom Fitness LLC, a CrossFit gym, includes 16 coaches, 10 holding degrees and the other six continuing their college education.
He emphasizes that credentials, community, and set goals are the key components to a good CrossFit family and environment.
With having staff members with credentials, Custom Fitness relies on science and evidence-based practice to set them apart from other CrossFit gyms on Guam.
Custom Fitness has spent no money advertising their gym because word of mouth and results have spoken volume to the people of Guam. They have provided activities for Guam Cancer Care for three years. Custom Fitness LLC possesses the only CrossFit kids affiliation on Guam.
“We’re not in it to make money,” Claros said. “We’re in it to change lives.”