How We Go Home Programming Lets Combat Athletes Build Strength Without Sacrificing Performance—And What First Responders Can Learn
Ruben’s Take On The We Go Home Human Performance Program
This week we’re featuring Ruben Rodriguez, one of our We Go Home Human Performance athletes. Ruben not only created a video explaining why he prefers our programming (see below), but also shared valuable insight on a lesson that’s critical for younger first responders and tactical populations: the weight room is not your sport. The streets, the mountains, the call you’re responding to—that’s the event you need to perform in.
Bio: Former Infantry Marine
“I am a former infantry Marine who served with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment. I am also a Renzo Gracie Jiu-Jitsu black belt and currently train at Clark’s University of Martial Arts. While I am not currently in the first responder field, martial arts remain a major part of my life. I train in jiu-jitsu, judo, and wrestling because of my deep respect for the grappling arts—their discipline, constant evolution, and the opportunity they provide to learn something new every day.”
Ruben’s Take On Strength and Conditioning
“I don’t think they really understand the balance of it all. The training in the weight room supplements what I do in the dojo. I’ve done other programs in the past that were “bodybuilding” focus or “CrossFit” type workouts that leave you completely beat up and performance where it matters goes down. And there’s a good amount of police officers that train at the academy I’m at now but a good amount of them are completely out of shape because, yeah they train in martial arts but make no time for the weight room or their diet is poor. Like they need to find balance and they know they need to find that balance but refuse to seek it and stay committed to it.”
The Reality Check
Here’s the uncomfortable truth: I made this mistake myself. I used to train extremely hard in the gym, always chasing intensity or excessive volume, but the reality was brutal — on nights when I might’ve needed to perform (chase someone down, engage physically), I would’ve been at a disadvantage due to soreness and fatigue.
This doesn’t mean you don’t challenge yourself. But the focus has to be keeping training sensible so you can make progress AND perform when called upon.
Ruben trains harder and is in better shape than most police officers I’ve worked with. He’s stronger, has better conditioning, and would be a real problem for most in a hands-on situation. He prefers our programming because we strike the balance that allows for challenging, results-driven training and leaves room for skill work, recovery, and job performance.
Here’s what separates training from just working out: Our programming isn’t designed to crush you every session. That’s not sophisticated—that’s just volume. Real training supports your sport, whatever that sport is. For Ruben, it’s the mat. For first responders and tactical populations-, it’s the job.
