How did you get into endurance sports?
I used to play American football. I played in Brazil and in high school in Canada. I came to the United States with the goal to play football in college. I played at Iowa Western for one semester but ended up deciding that I did not want to pursue football as a career. For a while, I just stayed training for my health and as a hobby, but I always wanted to have a big goal to pursue.
I started running before coming to FIU. I did a three-mile run, a six-mile run, as well as a couple of shorter races. I just fell in love with running. I love the endurance, mentality and dedication you need for this sport. I got introduced to triathlons through a good friend of mine. He shared a few videos of the sport and after watching them, I was like, “Well, why don't I start swimming and biking as well?” So, that's how I started.
What is training for a triathlon like?
My coach makes all my workout plans, so I just follow the weekly plans. Usually, what triathletes do is split their week between the three sports and balance them throughout the week. Right now, I am doing around 3 swims, 3-4 runs and 4 bike workouts during the week. My coach is also the one who dictates how much time or miles I’m covering that week. Triathlon training can be more complex than it seems because it encompasses 3 different sports. I always recommend a coach for those trying to get into the sport. That’s the safest way to start.
What type of challenges have you experienced along the way?
Swimming is a very humbling sport. As I hadn’t swum competitively before, this was the biggest challenge. I learned that this sport was something that I needed to have patience and respect for. I still struggle a lot with form and technique, but I'm now able to feel comfortable swimming long distances.
Fast-forward to now and you’re on your way to your third triathlon. What motivates you to set a Guinness World Record?
I'm working to set the world record of being the youngest person to complete an Ironman triathlon across six continents. I hope to motivate other people to challenge themselves. I also hope to prove to myself that I can do those things. I think I got that drive from my parents. My mom and dad are incredibly hardworking, and they've achieved so much in their lives through discipline, dedication, and a genuine appreciation for the process. Their journey motivates me.
How did you end up pursuing a degree in Dietetics and Nutrition at FIU?
I spoke to Dr. Cristina Palacios [chair of the Department of Dietetics and Nutrition] during my first visit to FIU in January 2024. I was passing by the dietetics department, and she welcomed me into her office. She explained the different pathways of the profession here in the United States. It gave me a much clearer idea of the career and helped me plan for my future before transferring here.
As a triathlete and dietician, you can pretty much work in the same area. It's not very different, and I want to work with the sport. It goes together: my degree and what I'm doing outside of campus. In the triathlon world, we have four disciplines: swimming, biking, running and nutrition. Fueling the body and good nutrition are extremely important for your performance in the race. The Ironman is a long-distance triathlon that can take you between 7 and 17 hours to finish. Having that in mind, the athletes need to have a nutrition plan during the race and replenish the carbohydrates and electrolytes used while exercising (that can be in the form of carb gels, carb drink mixes, electrolyte drinks, etc.). Nutrition is crucial not only during the race, but in the daily training routine as well.
What’s next for you?
I am very excited for my next race on March 1 in Taupo, New Zealand. That will be the third of six races for the world record! I announced that I was doing this challenge in May 2024, and it’s crazy to think that I am already going to be halfway done. I hope that this journey can motivate others to challenge themselves. By accepting challenges, we are able to see how far we can go and truly overcome our own limits.