Leading by example: How CSUSB’s Guillermo Escalante turns process into performance

Supporting student success at Cal State San Bernardino requires leaders who model consistency, discipline and applied expertise. Guillermo Escalante, associate dean in the College of Natural Sciences and professor of kinesiology, brings those values to his work at CSUSB — and demonstrates them through his continued commitment to competitive bodybuilding.

Last summer, Escalante returned to high-level bodybuilding competitions after a three-year break, balancing rigorous training with his administrative responsibilities at CSUSB and a full slate of national and international speaking engagements. Competing across multiple regional and national events, he earned seven top 10 finishes.

Escalante’s 2025 summer competition results included:

NPC West Coast Classic (Riverside) – Regional competition

• 1st place, Masters 45+ Classic Physique
• 3rd place, Open Bodybuilding Middleweight

NPC Universe Championships (New Jersey) – National-level Pro Qualifier

• 2nd place, Masters 35+ Bodybuilding Lightweight
• 3rd place, Masters 40+ Bodybuilding Lightweight
• 5th place, Masters 40+ Classic Physique

NPC Patriots Challenge (Las Vegas) – Regional competition

• 2nd place, Open Bodybuilding Middleweight

NPC USA Championships (Las Vegas) – National-level Pro Qualifier

• 10th place, Open Welterweight

  

Throughout his competitions, Escalante’s performance served as a real-world demonstration of disciplined preparation and sustained effort. For him, competition is not separate from his role at the university — it provides an example of how process drives results.

As an administrator at CSUSB, Escalante applies that same mindset to student success initiatives and academic program development within the College of Natural Sciences. Drawing from his own experience of “falling in love with the process,” he encourages students to focus on sustained effort rather than immediate results.

Escalante’s involvement in bodybuilding began more than 25 years ago after a friend encouraged him to enter his first competition. Having previously participated in collegiate sports, he viewed bodybuilding as a way to continue competing while deepening his understanding of how scientific principles translate into performance. What began as a single experience evolved into a newly discovered passion. 

By putting theory into practice, he hopes students understand the importance of aligning knowledge with action in their future careers, especially in healthcare and kinesiology.

“Practicing what you preach is very important to show patients that you not only know what you're talking about, but you also implement what you're talking about,” Escalante said.

That commitment to applied science has also shaped his professional impact beyond CSUSB. As a scientific consultant for the National Academy of Sports Medicine, Escalante served as the lead subject matter expert who developed and co-edited the organization’s Physique and Bodybuilding Coaching Program. The program was recently adopted as the gold standard coaching curriculum by the National Physique Committee and IFBB Pro League, the largest bodybuilding federation in the world.

In addition to his leadership role at CSUSB, Escalante is a sought-after speaker who presents on sports nutrition, physique science and sports medicine, bringing both research and personal experience to his presentations.

That same emphasis on preparation and consistency also guides how Escalante works with students. He stresses the importance of discipline to students in achieving long-term success — whether in academics, health or long-term professional goals.

“You don’t need motivation; you need discipline,” he said. “If your discipline leads to consistency, consistency is going to yield results.”