BOCES personal trainer program sets siblings on career paths

Submitted by Lisa Bielmeier

Orleans/Niagara BOCES Public Relations Specialist

In 2016, CJ Gonzales completed the Orleans/Niagara BOCES certified personal training program, taught by Jared Karas at the Niagara Career and Technical Education Center (NCTEC).

“CJ was one of the coolest students I ever had,” Karas said. “I have kept in touch with him over the years watching his career, and he has been gracious enough to part of my advisory committee for the program.”

Gonzales, a Lewiston-Porter graduate, went on to play baseball for Niagara County Community College (now SUNY Niagara), East Stroudsburg University, Niagara Power and Wilson Tobbs, which is a very competitive Coastal Plains League. Later, he signed a professional baseball contract to pitch for the Billings Mustangs, an independent baseball team of the Pioneer League.

Wanting to guide and mentor other athletes, Gonzales transitioned to coaching and is now the assistant coach for SUNY Niagara’s Thunderwolves baseball team and the pitching coordinator for Power City Athletics Travel Baseball Association. He has also become an entrepreneur and owns Steel-Head Performance, where he offers strength and conditioning, pitching biomechanics, flexibility and training programs – sharing his experience and knowledge to help others develop their skills.

Someone else he inspired is his sister, Sophia Gonzales, a senior at Lewiston-Porter High School, who decided to follow her brother’s lead and take the personal training program at NCTEC, as well. Sophia recently completed an internship at Power House Sports Center where she personally trained side-by-side with CJ.

“I thought it was great that they got to work together and learn from each other,” Karas said. “They shared their experience as they worked with CJ’s clients. It was fantastic to see that. They are just an awesome family, and it was a very cool and unique experience for me to teach both of them.”

Sophia’s future plans are to study dietetics and psychology in college.