EFM Elite: Alex Rose

May 26, 2023 Earth Fed Muscle

The Elite program is a team of competitors from all walks of life who are pushing boundaries, embracing change, and living the #earthfedlife.

Meet Alex Rose. Olympian. Super dad. All around great human. We're excited to support him as he represents Samoa and works on his return to the Olympic Games.

How did you get into athletics in general?
I first got into athletics with soccer at a young age. While I wasn't a fan of running, I did enjoy the snacks we would get at every game, which is probably why I stayed playing for a few years. Later I played baseball, and had a similar experience. This was my earliest memory of a coach telling me I was a gifted athlete, and that I could have a bright future with sports if I applied myself. I didn't wind up continuing with baseball, but I did fall in love with basketball and football, which I played throughout the end of my high-school career.

My parents didn't play organized sports growing up, but I know that if my father had the opportunity to he would have been a phenomenal athlete. Growing up in Samoa in the 1960's and 70's, he didn't have the chance to compete in organized sports like we do in the US. My mother was more of a bookworm, but I'm confident she would have been a good athlete if she would have tried too!

How has your athletic path influenced your career?
My success in athletics can be attributed to breaking down long term goals into much smaller 'do-able' short term goals. I think this applies to success with most jobs. In particular I think having this mindset can really benefit you in sales, which is where I wound up!

How did you find your current sport?
My chemistry teacher (our school's track and field coach) set a discus on my desk one day and had me hold it out. He told me I had really long arms and needed to throw!

What is your favorite part of your sport?
I really enjoy the time it takes to truly master the discus. There is always something to get better at, and you're only competing against yourself.

What is your favorite part of training?
I enjoy competing at big meets the most. The experience of competing at a major championship is very unique- from being in an athletes village to exploring the city after competition- there are so many reasons why I cherish these trips.

Tell us about your favorite competition.
World Champs in Eugene was the first time my wife was able to watch me at a championship. I placed 8th, and it was just an incredible moment for my career that we will always share together.

Let's talk about being a dad. How has this changed your life and goals?
Being a dad makes training and work both infinitely harder. The goals remain the same, I just have to hold myself to another level of accountability to make it happen.

How do you balance working full time and being a professional athlete?
It's very difficult to do both, but giving yourself 'grace' is a huge part of it. There are weeks where work simply won't allow me to train as much as I should be. I've had to learn that instead of overcompensating the next week, or becoming an emotional wreck, it's important to just do what you can and trust the long term program to be in as polished form as possible by the end of the season.

How does it feel to represent Samoa?
I'm always so honored to put on the Samoan uniform. I compete with a chip on my shoulder knowing that there really aren't that many Samoans out there, so placing high on a world stage is a huge achievement for a small country.

Did you grow up with any AAPI athletes that you looked up to?
I loved watching Troy Polamalu from the Steelers. He was always such a humble dude, and an absolute freak athlete!

What are your favorite EFM supplements?
I have been loving my Dragonfruit Pre workout lately! It has gotten me through some lifting sessions where I needed to smash weights in the gym after a long day of work.