No Luck at Sports
Baena hoped sports would be the solution to fitting in at Frontier High in Bakersfield, but after getting cut from the tryouts for both the soccer team and the basketball team, Baena was convinced sports weren’t for him, especially given his physique.
“I was actually really chubby in high school. Like really overweight,” Baena told Unwaxed. But then his friend pressured him to join the swim team, which ended up completely changing his life.
Started Swimming
Without any tryouts needed to join the team, Baena simply joined the rest of the swimmers, and soon found his calling in the water. Through swim practice, he was surprised to realize that his weight shed off quickly. With his long arms and unexpected upper body strength, Baena truly excelled on the team.
He was soon winning trophies and recognition on the team and at school. With a newfound confidence and an appreciation for his body, his life was completely changing before his eyes.