The Third Lemon

Eldrine Soriano

Imagine walking into lululemon, either as a guest, or as an educator starting your first shift. The dance music is pumpin’, the energy is buzzin’, and right when you walk in you’re greeted by Eldrine, or, as you first recognize his as, the strong guy up at the front with a dozen tattoos and biceps the size of your head. But, as soon as he looks at you, smiles, and greets you with that polite “Hi there, how’s it going today?” any assumptions you make about Eldrine all wash away. 

This guy, who could break your wrist with a simple high five (but never would), is 100% pure heart. If you know him long enough and if you barrage him with questions about his life, you will know that he didn’t have the best upbringing. He grew up around domestic violence, bullying, and drugs, and for the majority of his teenage years it looked like his life was going to keep spiralling down in that direction. But then, he met lulu. 

Lulu allowed him to take all his pent-up negative energy and turn it into a positive goal. When he was eighteen, Eldrine fought to stay alive, but now, at twenty-two, he fights to make a life. Not everyone gets the chance to turn their life around, and there are people who Eldrine knew back then who still haven’t turned around now. Not everyone is lucky enough to find a job that cultivates possibilities the way lululemon does. But it’s not just luck. It’s also choice. Eldrine made the choice to look at his life and realize he needed a change. And it also took a lot of courage for him to step back from his life, pick up all the scattered pieces, and build it anew. He is an inspiration to anyone who ever has thoughts about throwing the towel in when life gets too hard.

He always had this courage – growing up the way he did, he had to be strong – but it didn't hurt that he had one solid source of strength and motivation to guide him through: his mother. Her unconditional love and support is the reason he ditched fighting on the street for Muay Thai fighting, but he himself is the reason why he continues to fight, and win. He’s the reason why his goal is to become the 2012 TBA Muay Thai Classic Champion of the 137-142 Novice Weight Division. He’s the reason why he’s going to Iowa in July to claim his belt. And he’s the reason why he trains seven days a week: strength sessions three times a week, Muay Thai four times a weeks, and running all the other days. Sure, it helps that he has his strength coach, Morgan Alexander, and his nutritionist, Lorraine Cocolicchio, to support him through his training, or the fact that he is recognized as an athlete worth sponsoring by Jaco Clothing, but at the end of the day, the life Eldrine now leads is all thanks to the choices he made. 

He picked his goals so that he can provide for his mother, future family (wife and kids) and get his family out of their hostile living environment. Crazy, isn’t it, how his negative upbringing is what’s inevitably going to save his family from it? So, maybe when you first step into lululemon and see Eldrine at the front, you don’t initially think “Family Man.” But talk to him for five minutes and you’ll know a guy who loves his mother more than anyone, gives the best hugs, can recommend amazing restaurants, and will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. And we all have Muay Thai to thank for that because the more he directs any negativity he has into competing, the more of a loveable teddy bear he can be on the floor. Just like lululemon is about more than just stretchy pants, Eldrine is about more than just brawn. All you have to do is come in for a chat. 

"Most importantly, not only as an athlete, but as an individual, you have to have the confidence in yourself and your abilities. Dream. Believe. Achieve."

-"The Filipino Bad Boy"
Eldrine Soriano