November Spotlight Coach: Lorenzo Romero
This month’s Spotlight Coach, Lenz, as his friends call him, is someone I’ve had the privilege of mentoring and getting to know well. We’ve stayed in regular contact since he became certified in coaching the method. Lenz has demonstrated a thorough and robust understanding of the factors which make 5thSet work, as well as how to modify them within the limits of the method to suit a wide variety of client applications. To say I am proud to have him on the coaching team would be understatement of the highest order. Let’s take a look at what he has to say about his own journey and experience teaching the method.
Tell us a little about your background, and what got you interested in coaching.
My name is Marcos Lorenzo Romero, and this is my story. I am from New Mexico, I love being a father and lifting is my passion. Truth be told, I never planned on becoming a coach or even a mentor/leader in any aspect of life. It was during my enlistments in the USMC that I was thrown into these positions. I didn't know much about lifting. All I knew is my dad gave me a set of weights at 12 years old and I curled with them daily. I also worked with horses and carried heavy sacks of feed from the time I was in elementary through high school. I learned quickly that people won’t mess with you easily if you are strong and tough (naive, I know). I was a troubled and troublesome kid. I struggled with addiction to hard drugs (which I also sold) at a young age. I was a fighter, a boxer to be exact (which probably saved me from getting into more trouble than I already was). My first search by a police officer was at 13 years old and my first arrest was at 16. I tried the sports thing but I couldn’t stand that I did my best and others didn’t, resulting in losses to rival teams. I was used to "friends" that only used you for their own gain, usually in illegal activities. So you could see why I never thought I could be or should be in a leadership role, much less a coaching one, but I digress.
The group that took me in when I got to my unit were absolute meat heads. They baptized me into their group by having me squat for 4 hours straight with them on a Friday night when they found out I lifted. I did hundreds of pull-ups and pushups daily. I couldn't wait to be done with 12-16 hour workdays so I could go lift with them. As I packed on size, fellow Marines would ask me to take them to the gym and help them do the same. I realized that if I actually wanted to help these Marines, I had to know what I was talking about. So I read articles, I watched videos, I asked lifters more experienced than me for help. And I trained my ass off. All of this, I came to find, made me feel good inside. Helping others and seeing how they glowed when they saw their strength showcased. I knew then, that my role in life was to do this. To help others be better. To show them how to be strong and to find peace with it, as I did. I apologize for that long story, but in order to understand something you have to understand why that something exists in the first place.
What does your training business look like? Do you train out of a private studio or commercial gym, or online? Where is it located?
My training business is certainly not of a "commercialized" stature. It is not just a "get fit and pay for sessions" type of relationship. I started this business a week before I left the United States Marine Corps. My first client and session was in a garage in Oceanside California. Then a garage in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Now I have a studio behind my residence in Bernalillo, New Mexico and I also hold a spot as a private trainer at a private gym in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I have 6 out-of-state (online/over the phone) athletes as well. I program their training every microcycle (or 7 day week if they are not running 5thSet, though the structure is similar). Whether I am teaching 5thSet to the platform lifter, or getting the mom who works long hours to feel confident in herself, or the average joe who never thought he could thrive with steel and iron, my goal is to always teach you the what, the how and the why. I am absolutely under selling what I teach but I do that because strength isn't just for the individual chasing an elite total. Strength is for everyone. Strength is what must prevail, in all aspects. The physical strength developed in training 5thSet is undeniable. But the mental and emotional strength and fortitude that can be forged through it, is what does it for me. Much like how I live and the way I built my business in this short time, it takes discipline. It takes guts. It requires you to treat every lift and accessory with intent and never taken for granted.
What aspect of the coaching certification course most benefited your business, or the services you offer?
I think it helped me confirm that what I have chosen as a profession is indeed the path God chose for me to walk. To be around amazing lifters and coaches, at the mecca of strength, learning from a man who holds his principles as dear as I do, and being the youngest one there, no less. Those alone are what I call an honorable and privileged opportunity. Swede definitely has helped me more over the years via messages than I could sum up into words. He, along with 5thSet, has helped me understand that quantity is always less of value than quality, not just in clients and training, but in life as well.
What demographics do you typically work with?
I cannot say I work with a specific demographic in the realm of lifting. I have lifters with different styles both in person and online. From powerlifters to bodybuilders to men and women who just want to be stronger, to be better. I guess if I were to simplify it, an athlete who works well with more compression than compassion. I'll take anyone (whether they compete or not) so long as they have the will, the dedication and the desire to be stronger. Throughout history, it is proven time and time again that strength provides advantage. Someone on the platform knows that they will fight tooth and nail for that little bit of extra strength. It exists even in those not on the platform. 5thSet is what helped me over the years— naturally I want to show others how it can help them.
Testimonials:
“The method of training (5thSet) you teach is really dope. It actually makes me feel like I’m working on something and doing it right!! It’s as well really effective- my body gave a change in a month.I love it. As a coach, I think you’re really dope. I like how you don’t let us stop and you give us your support to the fullest! You make us want to put more effort into our workout. I totally recommend 100000/10.”
-Jo
“Working with you has been wonderful. I've seen changes in my body that I never thought I could achieve. I have gotten so much stronger and more so, I've learned a lot. The workouts can be intense, but it's all worth it and I feel great after. You are good at what you do and you know what you're doing. You never let me quit, but instead push me to my max and that is what I really like.”
- Yami
“I've been a client of Lenz "Ironpath" Romero for 5 months. I have seen progress each and every time, not just lifting weights but performing it as an art through skill and technique. As I have gone to my training sessions, I’ve seen myself becoming more of an artist and more of a professional lifter, embracing new challenges to put together a masterpiece. To this day I'm proud of each time I get to train, to take myself further than I ever have before. Thus, building mind, body and soul. Thank you Lorenzo Romero. I appreciate you so much for being an amazing coach, boosting my confidence, self esteem and strength. I give this program 5 stars. All my lifts have improved an unbelievable amount. Iron Path Iron Mind is the best.”
- Daniel
“The 5thSet program has been the best training structure I have personally experienced with the coaching and advice Lorenzo has provided. He has helped me find confidence and overall improvement in my everyday routine and the help given by Lorenzo, with being out of state, has been the push I needed. After every training day we review the videos and find what can be better and what we can do to fix the lift. In the beginning we had to assess where to start and figure out where I'm sitting (total). With that, Lorenzo has structured a plan to best fit my goals, which is unique in my short time lifting because now I absolutely crush all my old maxes and only continue to improve. I will always choose the 5thSet training program and only choose to train with one coach behind me. Lorenzo Romero is Iron Path Iron Mind.”
- Bryan
“Marcos Lorenzo Romero is an excellent fitness coach. His effort and experience has gone beyond expectations and helped me find results and changes towards my goal. Despite me being a “bro lifter” for years, his routines have given me knowledge and led me on a better path for better and more effective training results. His knowledge about maintaining good health as well as nutrition diet plan have gone beyond expectations. I would recommend Mr. Romero to anyone who wishes to seek more defined and conclusive results.”
- Mike
Interested in working with Lorenzo? Contact him:
Phone: (505) 321-8862
Email: ironpath.ironmind@gmail.com
Instagram: @_lenz_ironpathironmind_0818
