Eddie Pena: I Can't Move Like I Did at 18, So I Got Smarter
April 18, 2019
The D10 Athlete Profile explores what brings competitors to The D10 playing field...and what they bring away from it. Eddie Peña
Asst. Director, Baruch College and Asst. Studio Manager, Tone House
The D10 NYC
Fundraising goal: Team Rogue Nation (8K);
2019 Marquee event: 500M Row
What is your primary motivator for competing in The D10 events?
I ended up being interested in The D10 through my work at Tone House. Last year was my first year. I was motivated by Alonzo Wilson, the Founder of Tone House, to join one of two Tone House Teams last year. It was an honor to represent Tone House. The last few years working there part-time have been life changing for me.
How much of your motivation for participating in The D10 stems from its charitable mission?
If I'm being honest, that was not at the forefront of my mind. However, as time went on, and I met with different members of The D10 community, I began to understand the impact we can have when we work as groups toward a common cause. We are able to compete physically and mentally on a (most likely) warm day in June. There are some who aren't so fortunate as to have that opportunity. Keeping this in mind, I have emphasized my fundraising this year and re-centered my focus. I want to do for others what Alonzo and The D10 community did for me. I want to continue fundraising and building up others.
How did you first get involved in The D10?
I got involved last year when I participated with James McMillian, Adrian Williams, and Ricky Schwartz. Ricky had previously participated in The D10 as an individual and values highly The D10 mission and purpose, stemming from his own family. Ricky helped shape my view of the importance of The D10's charitable purpose. James and Adrian had participated previously in The D10 and were motivating factors to me in terms of training. Adrian and James placed 1st and 2nd in athletic points, respectively. Having their confidence placed in me meant everything.
Eddie's a very busy guy, but he's making time to train for his second D10 this June in New York.
How has The D10 been different from your collegiate or high school sports experiences in terms of training and motivation?
I was relatively lazy in high school. While I played soccer and ran track, I never had the mental grit factor. I relied on the way my body could move at that youthful tiime, and mostly I tried to outwork others to better myself individually. The D10 has been different because while there is an emphasis on the individual numbers, there is an even bigger emphasis on team. I felt welcomed to a community that wanted me to succeed. They cheer my victories and pick me up if I don't do well in an event. When my fundraising initiative underwhelmed, they encouraged me to strive harder at the next chance for the bigger mission. The biggest difference is that The D10 is a community crafted to help everyone involved.
In what ways has your participation in The D10 affected or enhanced your performance at work?
I believe participating in The D10 combined with the mentors I’ve met at Tone House helped me develop that mental grit. I can’t move like I used to when I was 18 and 130 pounds; I’ve had to get smarter. Working smarter and being more efficient translated into the work that I do. I’m able to take a step back and analyze ways that we can shave time off a project.
Have you made new lasting friendships, or strengthened your professional network, as a result of your D10 experience?
I’ve met a lot of great people who keep in touch throughout the year. They constantly ask considerately how I'm doing and if I'm gearing up for the next D10. All I can hope for is to pass that same energy to future rookies of The D10.
Eddie has two jobs while also currently a Doctoral student. He finds time to get in his workouts and training or The D10. Show support for Eddie and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center by donating to Eddie's performance at this year's The D10 NYC.
