Hello everyone!  Meet Chris Barragan our April member spotlight, and one of our awesome members.  Get to know Chris a little better as he talks about his interests and experience.  

Tell us a little about yourself and how you are affiliated with Caltech.
I work Caltech as the Director of the Center for Student Success, where I work closely with students, staff, and faculty to help make support systems feel clear, connected, and human. My work focuses on care, accessibility, and coordination when students are navigating complex or difficult moments. Outside of work, I'm a parent, a swimmer, and someone who deeply values routines that support both mental and physical wellbeing.
 
How long have you been coming to the Caltech gym?
I've been coming to the Caltech gym for two years now, and it's become a regular part of my life here. It's one of those places that's woven into my week.
 
What is your favorite form of exercise or movement?
Swimming, without question. It's both physical and meditative for me. The water creates space to think, reset, and find rhythm. There's something grounding about the repetition of laps and the quiet focus it requires. It's where I do some of my best thinking and some of my best letting go.
 
Why is maintaining an active lifestyle important to you, and how has it impacted your life?
Swimming helps me show up better in every part of my life. For a long time, movement wasn't a meaningful part of my life, and I struggled with my physical and mental health because of it. When I joined the Athletic Center, I didn't realize I was stepping into something that would fundamentally change me.

The pool became a place where I found myself. I learned patience, consistency, and the power of steady effort. Over the last few years, swimming has reshaped my life. I'm in the water five days a week now and completed my first open water swim last summer in Lake Tahoe. I honestly can't imagine my life without the water anymore.
 
Why do you like the Caltech gym, and what's your favorite part about the Caltech community?
The Caltech gym feels real and unpretentious. People are just there to move, breathe, and take care of themselves. There's a quiet sense of community that I really appreciate. Also, we have amazing lifeguards that care deeply for our little community.