The book of gaberock with Gabriel Avilla

“Artificial amateurs aren't at all amazing. Analytically, I assault, animate things…” In this episode, I share my recent conversation with members of the Sigma Iota Epsilon chapter from the Air Force Institute of Technology, commonly known as AFIT. I open with my leadership philosophy known as Alphabet Aerobics, explain why this is different from my personal philosophy, and have some Q&A...

“Stay true to yourself because there are very few people who will always be true to you.” In this next episode of AAPI Leaders Unmuted, I talk with Colonel Trish Csank and Lt Col Bryan Wong on “The Disparate Path of AAPI Men and Women.”  We talk about our varied experiences in in being a solo AAPI or being surrounded by them and how that shaped our perspective, making sure any opportunities we hav...

“Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing we’ll ever do.” In this next episode of AAPI Leaders Unmuted, I talk with Captain Faelisha Yeager and MSgt Ron Esposo on what it means to “Not Be Asian Enough.” We talk about our awkward experiences with interacting with other AAPIs, what are the common catalysts to the feeling of not being enough, and how we can elev...

“Focus on sharing your story and affecting the people that are hungry for your light.” In this episode, I welcome back Colonel Trish Csank to kick off Asian American Pacific Islander Leaders Unmuted, a series of conversations to educate and inspire each other on the Asian experience. We discuss the Model Minority Myth, how it is harmful to all minorities, the dark side of trying to live up to unre...

“Words are free. It’s how you use them, that may cost you.” In this episode, I cover my thoughts on the two-sided weapon that has shaped our collective communities: social media. Using social media is inevitable, but how you choose to act yourselves and react to others is something we can control. These thoughts also sparked my next upcoming project, AAPI Leaders Unmuted, which I’m really excited...

“Don’t practice until you get it right. Practice until you can’t get it wrong. ” In this episode, I discuss the parallels between learning, training, and applying military and fitness skills. If you want to perform your best during real-world operations or game day, you need to put the sweat equity both in the classroom and during practice as well. As the five-time CrossFit Games champion Mat Fras...

“Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” In this episode, I cover my approach to another round of Professional Military Education. These phases in a military career can be overwhelming at times and not always what you expect or want, so I provide my thoughts on how to make the most out of these experiences. Register for “Operation Elevate” and use the code “gaberock” for a $5 dis...

“Community means strength that joins our strength to do the work that needs to be done. Arms to hold us when we falter. A circle of healing. A circle of friends. Someplace where we can be free.” In this episode, I interview Nicte Soto, founder of Nicte-Ha Cafe, a military spouses community designed for driven individuals who want to continue developing their own personal and professional path whil...

“Live in the moment. Don’t carry baggage from the past. Put that baggage in a history book and learn from it, but don’t carry it on your shoulder. You will feel lighter and be able to enjoy the present and the future.” In this episode, I share my advice on how we should see our recent adaptions as a mobile workforce as opportunities to shape the future and avoid returning to our inefficient past....

“You can't build an adaptable organization without adaptable people--and individuals change only when they have to, or when they want to.” In this episode, I share my thoughts on approaching organizational change. This three-part cycle can be applied to any size team, it just takes deliberate leadership and teamwork to turn a bright idea into a reality that has long-term sustainability built-...

“When the winds of change blow, some people build walls, and others build windmills” In this episode, I interview Lieutenant Colonel Kyle Grygo, a fellow cyberspace operations officer. We reflect on the early phases and challenges of accelerating the rollout of telework capabilities to meet the demands of the workforce, how these capabilities and more have shaped certain behaviors we may not want...

“The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.” In this episode, I freestyle across a few topics. I cover how to deal with the frustrations of teammates, the difference between knowledge and wisdom, and how my journey as a leader has multiple layers of depth.

“A good coach can change a game. A great coach can change a life.” In this episode, I show the parallels on how I coach in the gym and how I lead in the office. I share three techniques that work in both situations and how you can elevate your leadership game.

“When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. When you listen, you may learn something new.” In this episode, I share my recent feedback session that included some interesting and shocking perceptions of me as a leader. I’m not impervious to feedback nor do I  claim to be perfect, but I know that remaining true to myself, both for good and bad, will help me keep my mind and my hear...

“The best ideas emerge when very different perspectives meet.” In this episode, I cover my top 10 recommendations for what incoming squadron commanders should and should not do during the first 90 days of taking command. I take an alternative approach and don’t present my ideas in chronological format, but rather focus on the different groups you will interact with daily and how to forge those rel...

“A goal is not always meant to be reached. It often simply serves as something to aim at.” In this episode, I reflect on my recent performance at the 2021 Baltimore Open. I talk about my mindset approaching my first weightlifting meet, how I performed, and why deliberately challenging yourself will help you become a stronger person. Iron Athletics Weightlifting Revival Fitness

“Take time to deliberate; but when the time for action arrives, stop thinking and go in.” In this episode, I discuss my recent encounter with the idea of acedia. I cover the various elements that drove to this encounter, how I will choose to overcome the feeling, and how I intend to find peace through deliberate thought and action. 

“The spirit of democracy is not a mechanical thing to be adjusted by abolition of forms. It requires a change of heart. ” In this episode, I let my mind and thoughts run via freestyle to address my current concerns with my former and possible current brothers and sisters in arms that decided to storm the capitol on 6 January. No set lesson or takeaway, just my thoughts on wanting to understand so...

“A good listener is not only popular everywhere, but after a while, he gets to know something.” In this episode, I share my strategy for taking over a new team and seeking to earn trust early. Even when our team is physically distanced, I use the framework of Listen, Learn, Help, Lead to lay a foundation of communication and collaboration so the teams can continue to succeed. BUY my new book “No P...

“Hope is not a course of action.” In this episode, I kick off Season 3 of Constant Elevation by sharing my perspective on how I intend to tackle 2021. No resolutions or wishes on deck, just the drive to be a positive leader through my actions and not expecting hope to save the day. “No Pressure” by Gabriel Avilla is an authentic approach to leading within the most influential position an officer c...

“Your story could be the key that unlocks someone else’s prison. Don’t be afraid to share it.” In this episode, I interview Captain Sabrina Torres and Captain Orlando Cabrigas, medical officers stationed at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. We talk about their grassroots response to addressing their Airmen’s need to talk about race and discrimination, how they seek to share the human side t...

“Do you want to be right, or do you want to be happy?” In this episode, I talk about my internal struggle with this classic question. This isn’t a clear cut decision, and most of us have to overcome ourselves to make sure we are recognizing things we can change, things we can’t change, and the wisdom to know the difference. BUY my new book “No Pressure” here: http://www.constantelevation.co/shop  

Welcome to episode 50! In this episode, I talk about a struggle all of us deal with: trying to stay motivated. In fact, I don’t rely on motivation to keep me going, because that feeling is too fickle for me to rely on. Instead, I rely on discipline. BUY my new book “No Pressure” here: http://www.constantelevation.co

"If a window of opportunity appears, don't pull down the shade.” In this episode, I welcome back SMSgt Eddie Grant. We talk about maintaining productivity even in quarantine, overcoming fears to unleash your true potential, Eddie’s new creative endeavors, and always looking for opportunities around every corner. Be sure to stay and listen to his new song “RONA” at the end of the episode....

“I see my path, but I don't know where it leads. Not knowing where I'm going is what inspires me to travel it.” In this episode, I interview Lt Matthew Banuelos, a fellow cyberspace operations officer. We talk about our digital origin story, the pros and cons to being a prior enlisted officer, early commander expectations of a Lieutenant, and the advantage of having fresh perspectives to...