About
Ray Castro, NASM-CPT, CES, Pn1
Certifications
National Academy of Sports Medicine - Certified Personal Trainer
National Academy of Sports Medicine - Corrective Exercise Specialist
Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certified
Online Trainer Academy - Certified Online Trainer
TRX - Suspension Training Certified
TRX - Functional Training Certified
American Heart Association - CPR/AED Certified
I was born and raised in Montgomery County, Maryland. After graduating from Boston College in 1998, I began a long career in the tax/accounting profession. Around this time is when I also discovered my passion for fitness. Growing up as a small, skinny kid, I lacked confidence and self esteem. I made the decision that something needed to change, so I began weight training. This decision completely changed my life for the better, and I have been passionate about fitness ever since. Seeing all the changes happening to my body, having people compliment me and say nice things to me, and having fitness goals to strive for made me feel like a completely different person and built my confidence like nothing else could.
However, working in a career that did not provide any type of fulfillment, and gave me nothing besides a steady paycheck always kept me searching for more. The gym was always my anchor, but there were only so many hours during the week that I could spend in the gym, so I sought out some sort of physical activity that could be another outlet. That let me to discover martial arts in the form of Thai Boxing and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2002. Jiu Jitsu became the other passion of my life and was a great compliment to my love of fitness. After many years, and many hours on the mat, I was awarded my black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2011.
Finally one day, I came to the realization that life was too short to waste in a career that I did not find fulfilling or enjoyable. I made the leap, and traded in my CPA license to become a CPT. At the same time, I pursued my love of Jiu Jitsu and opened a martial arts academy - Poolesville Self Defense - with Mark Munster, a friend and training partner from our home academy (Evolve Academy). Then, after working for a well known national fitness chain as a Personal Trainer and Fitness Advisor, I opened RPC Fitness.
My passion is to help busy professionals, as well as those new to fitness get started on their fitness journey, and to help them make it a part of their lifestyle. Everyone should be able to feel good about themselves and feel proud and confident when they look in the mirror. I love my work because I understand the difference that fitness can make in a person's life. It is extremely rewarding to see my clients improve themselves by changing their old, negative habits, replacing them with positive ones in order to reach their goals. My mission is to instill into my clients the belief that if they are able to transform their bodies through fitness, they can change any aspect of their lives if they apply the same work ethic, discipline and mindset.
Ray Castro
Owner
NASM-CPT, CES, Pn1