Local fitness instructor flexes his largest muscle...his heart

THE WOODLANDS, Texas - Antonio 'Tony' Flores has a history and a career that define the word 'strength.' He is a former Navy veteran and professional boxer and mixed martial arts expert, and now the owner of Pound 4 Pound Boxing, the premier martial arts and physical fitness training facility in The Woodlands. With all the brawn on display at his gym, it may come as a surprise to learn that Flores' biggest muscle is his heart.

A recent example of his dedication to helping those in need of physical training and the boost in confidence that accompanies it is when producers of The Learning Channel (TLC)'s My 600-lb Life television series approached him for his help. Now in its fourth season, My 600-lb Life tells the weekly stories of morbidly obese people who undergo gastric bypass surgery, confront their food addiction and add an exercise regimen into their life.

One of their episodes featured an extremely overweight Houston-area woman named 'Paula' and they requested that Flores teach her to box as part of her weight-loss training. Flores immediately agreed. 'You have to understand that when someone is struggling with obesity, standing, walking, getting up and down or even getting dressed is a challenge for them that others cannot imagine,' said Flores.

After Paula's successful gastric bypass surgery and recovery, Flores trained her twice a week for two months. 'Standard weight programs and exercise routines do not apply. It is a different approach and mindset if a person wants to lose 100+ pounds,' he said. 'There are so many factors that must be taken into consideration, such as medical supervision, family support, realistic goals, food intake and calories, weight training and possible surgery.'

Emboldened and empowered by his success with Paula, Flores is currently donating his time training William, a local Walmart employee he befriended who - like Paula - is morbidly obese. Hoping that William can be featured on the show to initiate his own health and weight-loss journey, Flores bought William a new pair of training shoes, began teaching him to box and is helping him make contact with the series' producers.

'My wife Jacqueline Abbassi, who works as a Pound 4 Pound instructor, and I love and enjoy helping others reach their fitness goals whether it's for a championship belt or if a person simply wants to tighten their own belt. We are in their corner. We tell our clients to think of us as encouraging friends who know you can get fit and healthy and who are with you every step of the way,' said Flores.

About Pound 4 Pound Boxing
Pound 4 Pound Boxing is located at 1061 Pruitt Road in The Woodlands. Classes are offered to children, teenagers and adults in boxing, ju jitsu, Brazilian kickboxing and other forms of martial arts and mixed martial arts. To register for classes or to learn more, visit www.pound4poundboxing.com or call 832-491-6882.