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Michael Espinosa

@riceandcleans

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USAW National Coach:
@theark352
@gatorweightliftingclub

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Best showing at Florida State Championship for @gatorweightliftingclub ever: 12 athletes, 7 medalists, 2 state champions.

I’m forever grateful for this team and for the opportunity to coach these athletes.

So much is happening with the club right now, and with the gym. Somehow, every day, week, month, and year, things just get better and better. I’m so happy and fortunate to ride this fairytale out as long as I can 🙏🙏🙏

Thank you @gatorweightliftingclub taken in USF Tampa by @riceandcleans

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9 days ago

Another epic meet in the books! Congrats to our best overall lifters…

Open Men:

🥇 @nick.groth
🥈 @chrisw.1k
🥉 Alfonso Thornton

Open Women:

🥇 @ladybugblooms
🥈 Andrea Matos
🥉 @williamserinn

Youth Men:

🥇 Jacob Sweat
🥈 Bruce Potak
🥉 Evan Santiago

Youth Women:

🥇 Andrea Matos
🥈 Libby Augusti
🥉 Charlotte Forest

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Next up…

The GWL Fall Open 2026

AND…

The USAW South East Regional University Championships

November 14th and 15th, at the Reitz Union Grand Ballroom, at the UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA!

🐊🐊🐊 taken in UF Reitz Union by @riceandcleans

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3 months ago

Tiny red shorts chronicles, pt. 1

@raskolapparel, I need these in orange and blue, ASAP taken in Gainesville, Florida by @riceandcleans

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3 months ago

This is not an even playing field.

And, we’re still winning…

@gatorweightlifting is a student-run organization. These young men and women do it all: fundraise, volunteer, work, study, and grind in the gym.

They’re not here because they were offered anything other than pain, discomfort, and the possibility of fleeting glory. Doing it all while enrolled at one of the most academically rigorous Universities in the country.

They are elite performers on every level. Not just as athletes, but also as students, and as governors of a high-functioning organization.

They understand that accolades do not matter if they are not also great people. These weightlifters are empathetic, compassionate, supportive, and integrated.

That makes for a great team; one I’m grateful to be a part of, and eager to serve for as long as I’m able. taken in Salt Palace Convention Center by @riceandcleans

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6 months ago

Some training highlights from the last few weeks. Most notable Zercher Squat 5RM @130kg. Injured af rn but I know I’ll be looking back at this post ten years from now like, “Those were the days.” taken in The Ark School of Fitness by @riceandcleans

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8 months ago

Finding myself really limited in what I can do lately, but still trying to move in ways that feel good. taken in The Ark School of Fitness by @riceandcleans

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a year ago

[WEALTH]

Some people are rich and miserable. Others are poor and enviously happy.

Some people take every opportunity to complain. Others look for—and express outwardly or inwardly —what they are grateful for.

Happiness isn’t automatic or innate, it is a learned behavior. It isn’t a personality trait, it is a skill.

True contentment doesn’t come from the situation changing; more money, bigger lifts, or an updated phone—it comes from the self being anchored in what truly matters. It comes from recognizing what is “enough,” and honoring the beauty of life with each opportunity, regardless of context. taken in Boulware Springs Trailhead by @riceandcleans

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a year ago

Two day training dump with commentary.

Notable lifts:

Zercher Squat: 110kgx10
Safety Squat Bar Lunge: 215lbsx10 each leg
RDLs: 150kgx7
Dips: 21reps at 81kg BW taken in The Ark School of Fitness by @riceandcleans

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a year ago

Lil training dump from the last few weeks. taken in The Ark School of Fitness by @riceandcleans

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a year ago

[HUNGER]

For thousands of years, fasting has been used by people across cultures as a deliberate practice of self-discipline and renewal. It is a way to quiet the body, sharpen the mind, and focus attention inward. By stepping away from constant consumption, people have created space for reflection, self-mastery, and transformation.

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For me, it’s pretty simple: it’s difficult to be a good person when hungry. To rise above short-temperedness and to practice being graceful on an empty stomach takes discipline and constant awareness.

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We like to think that we’re rational human beings, but hunger shows us that our behavior and ability to judge is more closely linked to our bellies than we’d like to believe.

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It is a privilege to be able to *choose* to be hungry, knowing that nourishment awaits us, and to be able to practice grace under such conditions. Over the past couple of months, I’ve failed to be graceful so many times, but have gained an appreciation for those who cannot choose, and yet are more graceful and grateful for life than I can ever be.

📷: @_sirin.pics_ taken in Boulware Springs Trailhead by @riceandcleans

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a year ago

He’s a dang work of art @riceandcleans by @riceandcleans

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a year ago

Bathroom progress selfies. No flexing, overhead lighting. Last photo is Friday on week 7. 90kg>>>83kg.

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It’s a tradition for me at this point to lean out when I’m injured. Last time I did this particular diet I hurt my back pretty bad doing heavy deadlifts. I was out for 6 months and returned to baseline after a year.

So, with my current injury, when I realized that my recovery would be 6-12 months, I decided to give it another go. Partly, to clean up my diet and reduce inflammation, but also because I actually really like being lean, even with the reduced strength.

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What’s different this time is I have my young daughter watching me, and even though I try to keep it on the DL, she sees EVERYTHING, and I wonder how seeing me dieting affects her own self-image.

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Dieting, for me, is as much a mental practice as much as a practical one. Practical in the sense of honing the necessary culinary skills. Mental, because I get to practice being graceful when hungry (mostly, I fail being graceful, but sometimes I succeed).

It’s also a privilege, to be able to say “no” to something that is so readily available to us, but not to all. taken in Gainesville, Florida by @riceandcleans

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a year ago