East Ventura News

Moises Velasquez, an exercise science major, began running as a 12-year-old in the San Fernando Valley. Despite logging thousands of miles over the years, he does not see himself as a natural athlete. “When I started running, it didn’t feel like a calling,” he said. “I think it was more shallow. I wanted to see how fast I could get.”

Velasquez's interest in running has led him to pursue a degree focusing on health professions. He plans to help culturally depressed and idle youths use exercise to become healthy adults. “I’m in a place where I can give back to others,” he said.

His senior capstone project at Cal Lutheran focuses on helping low-income Latino youths through a 16-week training program aimed at reducing anxiety and depression. Velasquez noted, “The Latino community is very underserviced when it comes to (fitness) research and guidelines for them.”

The project involves about 100 youths from South Gate, Los Angeles. Supported by Cal Lutheran’s McNair Scholars Program and faculty mentor Louise Kelly, Velasquez created 32 one-hour exercise videos for the program. The process involved extensive approvals due to working with minors.

Velasquez hopes his project will show that even minimal weekly exercise benefits children psychologically. “I hope to show how exercise, even two days out of the week, is beneficial to children psychologically,” he says.

As he prepares for graduation, Velasquez expressed gratitude towards his family and supporters at Cal Lutheran, including research partner Samira Negrete and mentor Louise Kelly.

Kelly praised Velasquez’s genuine nature: “He’s always been invested in health...and it seems to be his lifelong passion.” She added that his humility and empathy make him stand out among students.

After earning his degree, Velasquez aims to pursue a doctorate in physical therapy and eventually open clinics in lower-income areas. His goal is "to give resources and education" so children can have equal opportunities.

“Every once in a while, as a kid, I was the last chosen,” Velasquez said. He believes that access to exercise doesn't require money or equipment: “Even a little bit will make you enjoy life a little bit more.”