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February 23, 2017

King of the Jungle

Ben D'Aguilar during a game against Ottawa on Sept. 17, 2016 (Photo by David Moll)

The football field is where he performs, but the Jungle is where he prepares.

Veteran special-teamer Ben D’Aguilar, known in part for his unique and creative workouts, has picked up a rather fitting off-season job this winter.

After stumbling upon a nearby fitness facility last off-season, the six-foot-two, 235-lb. Stamp decided to make a move.

“I think about a year ago I went to this funky gym called TAZA Jungle Fitness,” began D’Aguilar. “I was training next door at the MMA University and then I heard this place opened up. So I switched over and started working out there and I just over time developed a relationship with Grant, the owner there.”

Ben D'Aguilar warming up for the 2016 Labour Day rematch (Photo by David Moll)

Ben D’Aguilar warming up for the 2016 Labour Day rematch (Photo by David Moll)

Initial discussions since led to D’Aguilar pursuing a business relationship with the gym, combining forces with the family-run operation to offer a modified training experience unlike any other.

“We just figured it would make sense to combine our methods together,” the 27-year-old conveyed. “I would teach my sport aspect which would go along with the taekwondo and the obstacle training and Spartan Race stuff and Ninja Warrior (apparatus) that he offered. So we figured by doing that, we would have the first gym of its kind.”

Twice per week at northeast Calgary’s TAZA Jungle Fitness, D’Aguilar will soon begin incorporating his 360 Sport program. This comprehensive package will include exercises geared towards joint mobility, crawling, squatting and running.

“It’s basically a wellness system as well as an elite-level sport system combined into one,” indicated the Hamilton, Ont., native. “I can train senior citizens just as much as I can train kids just as much as I can train pro athletes. So it really is all-encompassing.”

With a vast instructor background in areas such as CrossFit, gymnastics, breakdancing, hip-hop, tribal dance and other self-described natural movements, No. 44 for the Red and White will also be relying on information acquired from prior online coaching courses. Knowledge gained from his father, once a pro weightlifter and bodybuilder, will be put to use as well.

D’Aguilar first became immersed in such training techniques after tearing the ACL in his left knee while briefly attending Virginia’s Fork Union Military Academy between his high school and collegiate playing days. Former football stars such as 1995 Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George and Super Bowl XLII hero Plaxico Burress likewise attended the all-male boarding school.

“I realized that I kept getting hurt, but I was eating right and doing all the things that all the trainers and everyone that was popular in the NFL was doing,” expressed the McMaster alum before explaining his time at FUMA earned him a full-ride offer from the Arkansas Razorbacks, although he was unable to accept the scholarship due to an international stipulation. “So that kind of started my journey into different styles of movement and training. The more I practised them, as well as doing the professional training, I found that I felt better, which correlated to performing better.”

Adam Thibault and Ben D'Aguilar celebrate during a game against BC on July 29, 2016 (Photo by David Moll)

Adam Thibault and Ben D’Aguilar celebrate during a game against BC on July 29, 2016 (Photo by David Moll)

Fellow Stampeders teammate and friend Adam Thibault had a major influence on D’Aguilar taking up his new gig. The two confidants also work under the brand Athlete Nation, a one-stop shop online for athletes to satisfy their supplement, equipment, clothing and footwear needs.

D’Aguilar had never considered making 360 Sport available to the masses, but Thibault encouraged him to pursue it as a part-time profession.

“That’s kind of how it started to take off and help me decide that I would take my system public,” remarked D’Aguilar. “Before, I didn’t really have any intention of sharing it with anyone. It was just going to be my thing and how I trained. The more Adam trained with me and told me ‘Hey man, this stuff is really good,’ I thought I would see what I could do with this.”