My name is CJ Perea, and I’m currently a student at NMHU majoring in exercise science. I’ve always been passionate about health, movement, and understanding how the body works, which is what motivated me to choose this major. My goal is to eventually turn that passion into a career where I can help others improve their performance, stay healthy, and push themselves to be better—whether that’s through athletic training, personal training, or another path in the fitness field.

I was born and raised here in Las Vegas, New Mexico, a place that has shaped a lot of who I am. Growing up, sports were a huge part of my life. I spent years traveling around the country for different competitions and tournaments, and those experiences not only made me competitive but also helped me appreciate the excitement of seeing new places. Traveling is something I plan to keep doing for the rest of my life.

Family means a lot to me. I come from a family of five and I’m the youngest of three kids, with two older sisters who had a huge influence on me. They introduced me to music and the classic 90’s cartoons that I still love today. Shows like Rugrats, Rocko’s Modern Life, and Courage the Cowardly Dog were such a big part of my childhood that I even got them tattooed on me as a reminder of where I came from and the things that shaped me.

Overall, I’m someone who values family, adventure, and anything that keeps life interesting—whether that’s sports, cars, traveling, or just hanging out with the people who matter. I’m excited to keep growing at NMHU and see where my path in exercise science takes me.