Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Zachary S Eshleman | 191031-N-VS214-0018 MILLINGTON, Tenn. (October 31, 2019) Sonar Technician (Surface)...... read more read more
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Story by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Zachary S. Eshleman
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (NNS) – A crowd of onlookers huddled under tents and umbrellas along the sides of Beale Street Entertainment District on May 11. They had been waiting all morning for this event, which was a final display of strength during the annual “Strongman on Beale” competition. With his heart pounding, Sonar Technician (Surface) 1st Class Juan Cadena walked forward through the light rain steps inside a steel contraption, gripped the handles and prepared to lift, all eyes on him.
On the other end of these handles, supported by several metal bars, were the rear tires of a sport utility vehicle. The audience erupted with cheers of encouragement and applause as Cadena lifted the car up off the ground, achieving his personal record for the deadlift.
Describing that moment, Cadena said, “It’s an amazing feeling to put in the work and see it all come together in a moment like that; I was so pumped, and I was happy to be able to do something new that made me uncomfortable and then accomplish it.”
Despite the level he has risen to in competitive weightlifting and CrossFit, the competitions themselves are not his biggest motivation. He’s driven by a deeper desire to always be improving himself, and those around him.
As a first generation American whose parents came from Mexico and settled in San Antonio, Texas, he wants to constantly take advantage of all the opportunities available to him in order to rise to his highest potential.
“For me, it’s about seeing how far I can push myself and what I’m capable of,” said Cadena, who is currently stationed at the Navy Recruiting Command (NRC), Millington, Tennessee. “But if I can help inspire my family and my cousins, still living in Texas, to do their best and accomplish what they can, then that would definitely be a plus.”
This “never settle” mentality distinguished him during his time at NRC where he was meritoriously advanced to first class petty officer because of his involvement in command activities outside of his regular duties. Besides serving as support staff for recruiters working in the NRC cyber recruiting department, he dedicated himself to volunteering in the multi-cultural committee, Navy ball committee, Morale, Welfare, and Recreation committee, the Junior Enlisted Association and he also teaches proper fitness techniques to anyone who wants his help.
Cadena’s dedication to fitness inspired Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 3rd Class Cyndra Kohfeldt to train at the same gym. She said she was lucky to have a leader who cares so much about those who work for him, and who is willing to go out of his way to help people both personally and professionally.
“It’s inspirational to see the improvements he’s made for himself and to watch him put so much effort into the competitions,” said Kohfeldt.
After his current tour in recruiting, Cadena is going back out to the fleet, to a guided-missile cruiser stationed in Japan, but he won’t forget his time at NRC.
“I’ve really enjoyed it here because I learned a lot about the big Navy and gained perspective into programs and how things are done,” said Cadena.
Wherever he goes, Cadena said he will always put his best foot forward and see what he can accomplish. Every time he hits a new personal record, he takes one step further from the man he is, toward the man he will become.
NRC consists of a command headquarters, three Navy Recruiting Regions, 16 Navy Recruiting Districts and 10 Navy Talent Acquisition Groups that serve more than 1,300 recruiting stations across the country. Their combined goal is to attract the highest quality candidates to assure the ongoing success of America’s Navy.
For more news from Commander, Navy Recruiting Command, go to http://www.cnrc.navy.mil. Follow Navy Recruiting on Facebook (www.facebook.com/NavyRecruiting), Twitter (@USNRecruiter) and Instagram (@USNRecruiter).
| Date Taken: | 11.01.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 11.01.2019 15:56 |
| Story ID: | 350206 |
| Location: | TENNESSEE, US |
| Web Views: | 95 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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