When it comes to breaking barriers, there are some individuals who not only think outside the box but go as far as burning the box down. This is precisely what the 58-year-old coach Raul Lara from Mater Dei is doing. With an unwavering determination that could move mountains, he is demonstrating that age is never a hindrance to rewriting the rulebook. It is akin to witnessing a seasoned professional successfully execute a last-minute Hail Mary that catches everyone off guard. If you find that astonishing, just wait until you discover what unfolds next. This story is only at its beginning.

From now on, when we talk about age being the factor to limit someone’s capabilities, everyone should remember Raul Lara, who not only changes the entire narrative but also proves strength is mental, then physical. While building his physical strength, Coach Lara shared a story on Instagram saying, “429 lbs 4x!!! Okay.”

The video captures Raul Lara in his beast mode as he showcases his remarkable strength. Sporting headphones on his ears, knee caps securely in place, and a belt around his waist, he fearlessly takes on the challenge of squatting with an impressive 429lbs on the barbell. With precision and determination, he effortlessly performs 4 deep squats, leaving viewers in awe. It is no easy task to handle such a heavyweight, but Lara, regardless of his age, has achieved this remarkable feat. Undoubtedly, he can take great pride in his exceptional leg strength, which he proudly displays for all to see. Plus, his never-giving-up attitude perfectly resonates with his team too and the way they perform.

Talking about Mater Dei School’s performance under Raul Lara, let’s talk about their recent accomplishment in the season. Last week, Mater Dei went up against St. John Bosco, and their gameplay showed what they are capable of. The team entered the game as the No. 1 ranked team, whereas Bosco entered as 10th. Even after trying hard to secure a win against Mater Dei, the John Bosco fell short with a final score of 24-31 against them. Not only were the players exceptional, but it was also the effort of coach Raul that made it happen. But his journey to the high school was not as straight as it looked.

Raul Lara’ journey to Mater Dei High School

Well, Raul Lara’s entry into Mater Dei High School was nothing less than a climactic scene of the movie. It’s a known fact that Coach Lara is one of the most talented and accomplished head coaches in high school. Who is perhaps known for the 13-year-long time at Long Beach Poly, where he led the team through five Southern Section Championships with an exceptional track record of 142-30? Now you can understand why the nation’s best team requires Raul Lara to be on their team.

However, his entry into the Mater Dei is not just based on his remarkable record of leading his team through tournaments but also because of his desperation to be part of the team. Yes, you heard that right. Coach Raul Lara has to go through the selection process two times, as reflecting on his journey, he says, “When (Bruce) Rollinson stepped down, who I have tremendous respect for, I applied for the position.” But that didn’t happen as Rollinson got replaced by Frank McManus, and when his tenure got dismissed by the high school, then there was time for Raul Lara to take a step forward toward his ultimate goal. It’s nothing less than his power of manifestation making Raul Lara’s way to Mater Dei High School, and no wonder he is taking up his job quite well. Let’s see what’s more left to unveil in terms of teams’ gameplay under him.