Mr. Tsolekas, one of Cardozo’s beloved physical education teachers, has been a teacher for 28 years. Four of those years were spent teaching in Brooklyn, with the remainder right here in Queens.
Although he is currently a physical education teacher, he also had an early interest in being either a police officer or a math teacher.
Most days now, Mr. Tsolekas spreads his passion for weight training to like-minded students in his classes, teaching kids about the importance of exercising. Using his personal experiences, he gives his all to ensure his students can reach their highest potential in the weight room.
When teaching weight training, Mr. Tsolekas knows that there is a difference between those who have experience lifting weights and those who have never touched weights before.
“You know, teach the beginning people about the basics, and the people that are already lifting weights, they think they know everything,” he explained. “So sometimes they stay in their ways and do not want to change bad habits that can improve their life, gain more muscle or prevent the risk of injury.”
Alongside teaching his students about exercise and lifting weights, he also puts a heavy emphasis on the value of nutrition. Through Mr. Tsolekas’ own experience, he claimed that “Nutrition is very important, nutrition is what’s you gonna get your muscles to grow and be healthy and get the results you’re looking for, people tend to say it’s 70% nutrition, and only 30% lifting weights.”
This is why Mr. Tsolekas gives his best insight to his students about nutrition so that they can further reach the goals they have set for themselves.
The idea of bettering himself drew him into the profession of weightlifting, as he was not really fit and unhealthy. He shared, “I was overweight. I started working out, and then I just progressed from there.”
Now, he considers this to be a hobby for him and proceeds to pursue an interest in weightlifting. Through his hobby, he was able to use his passion and turn it into a career — inspiring students to do the same.
