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People On The Move - Dr. Gerardo Goldberger
10/27/2009 - By Gayle Davis
IRON MAN UP TO THE CHALLENGE
It’s baffling as to why CBS producers of the hit show “Survivor” did not accept Dr. Gerardo Goldberger’s application. The fourth generation, Argentinean-born doctor has always had a passion for sports and fitness. Moreover, he has worked and trained intensely to earn “Iron Man” status in the triathlon world. Gerardo says, “My grandfather was a rower, so very early in our lives we were rowers too! My parents were very driven in what we were supposed to accomplish in the realm of sports and education. I was part of a Jewish rowing club – the only one in Argentina at the time.” Also an avid squash player, he adds that he competed in the Maccabean Games in Israel in 1981, representing his native Argentina. These games are described as the “Jewish Olympics”; the experience, at a very high level of competition, proved to be a positive one for him.
Just one year after the games in the “Promised Land,” the 47 year old came to the United States (at age 18) to attend Rutgers University and, at the time, did not speak a word of English. To become more involved, he joined the crew team and competed on a national level during all 4 years of college. Learning the English language became imperative for him. He also knew that he wanted to follow his lifelong dream of becoming an orthopedic surgeon. He says, “Since I was 5, I wanted to be a sports medicine doctor. There are a lot of doctors in my family, and I had already had a few broken bones, so I thought it would be a good idea to help people fix what was broken.” Goldberger never turned back. He remembers going to high school during the day and taking college courses at night when he was only 15. Soon after graduating Rutgers he went on to earn his medical degree; he now serves as the Chief of the Department of Orthopedics at CentraState Medical Center in Freehold.
By the time Dr. Goldberger was in high school, he had already played rugby, tennis, soccer, and was swimming on competitive levels for regional teams, as well as participating in track and field and water polo. Internationally, rowing and squash were the sports in which he competed. These sports were very demanding and required cross training. While in Iowa at medical school, Gerardo recalls rowing and wanting to continue to stay in shape. One of his friends suggested they enter a triathlon. “It was my first one,” he said. Eventually, when he finished medical school and was in practice, he started to train heavily enough to be able to compete in his first Iron Man competition (about 10 years ago). To date, the orthopedic surgeon has eight full Iron Man competitions under his belt and some 30 Half Iron Man races. A full Iron Man competition consists of 2.4 miles of swimming, 112 miles of biking, and an entire marathon of 26.2 miles, all taking place consecutively. A Half Iron Man is 1.2 miles of swimming, 56 miles biking, and a 13.1 mile half marathon. “It’s a huge commitment and a change of lifestyle. Not only is the training important, but eating nutritiously and sleeping well are also necessary.”
Dr. Goldberger works with his personal coach who helps him find balance. He’s able to adjust the surgeon’s training schedule based on his work agenda, which includes being in the operating room each week. This focused doctor has earned numerous medals and has even been afforded opportunities to compete at the Aquathlon World Championships in Mexico and work as a field physician at the Olympic games of 1996 and at the Soccer World Cup in 1994. The Iron Man competitions take place all over the world, in different climates and terrains. No challenge is too big for this Iron Man! In his spare time Dr. Goldberger chairs a triathlon and multi-sports conference each year.
His family is undeniably supportive of his fitness quest. They reside in Marlboro, a place he says affords his children great schools and a good sense of community.
STATS
FAVORITE RESTAURANT
Nicholas in Red Bank
FAVORITE MUSICIAL GROUP
Pink Floyd
FAVORITE MOVIE
The Deer Hunter
PET PEEVE
loud cell phone conversations in public places
THREE PEOPLE YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE DINNER WITH
my family – wife, daughter, and son
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