Martin and I began working together in March 2024.  Within the course of our initial phone call and conversations, I could tell this young man had a passion for health and fitness.  Little did I know just how far he had traveled within the past seven years.  From 300 pounds to completing his first triathlons across multiple distances (sprint, Olympic and 70.3), Martin continues to be an inspiration to me, his family and friends.  Please enjoy learning more about Martin and the insightful advice he has to offer for anyone looking to maintain a healthy lifestyle…

You have been on an impressive journey with your health.  Tell us a little about this experience and how you became interested in triathlon.

My journey with my health really started in 2018, when I was 17 years old and weighed around 300 lbs. I cannot say I wasn’t active, sport was always a big part of my life, however, with my weight as big limiting factor, there was only so much I was able to do. At seventeenth everything changed, since I finally decided it was time for a change, and a drastic one. I started going to the gym everyday (something I had never done before). Nutrition-wise changes were made too, and probably this was the key player in this. After 4 months I had managed to cut over 100 lbs. It has been 7 years since the turning point. There is not a single sport I haven’t tried since.

Triathlons caught my eye a little over a year ago. I had been working out for 7 years straight, almost never missing a training day at the gym. I felt as the routine of hitting the weight room was making me lose interest, so I researched different sports that involved more then just the weight room. That is exactly how I found triathlons.

2024 was an exciting year for you with several milestones - graduating from the University of Colorado last December and comxpleting your first triathlon across multiple distances. What did you find most notable about these experiences and what were a few of the keys to your success?

Consistency. It may sound cliché, but consistency and a routine were key to be able to achieve my goals. Having a clear structure, training times, study times, and school made everyday tasks to become achievable. 

The most important factor is my family and friends. People around me have supported me since day one, training, working, and having a social life can be challenging, however, with the right support and motivation it is possible to find a balance and put all the work needed. 

In January you completed your first 70.3 distance race in your home country of Chile at 70.3 Pucon.  Describe that experience overall for you and what did you learn?

The 70.3 in Chile was one of the most incredible experiences in my life. Having raced my first Ironman in my home country is just incredible. Having my family be there with me, support me, bear with all the training and travels, and wait at the finish line was life changing. 

The race taught me about grit and perseverance, after my watch stopped working I knew it was all in my head. It wasn’t me against the clock, but me against my own thoughts. I learned that the most important thing is to enjoy the race, the people around you.

What is one of your favorite workouts?

My favorite workouts are the long bike rides. I tend to join groups for their Saturday group rides, and something about sharing the love for a sport with like-minded people motivates me every time. 

What advice do you have for anyone looking to make lifestyle changes for better health?

There are two main pieces of advice that helped me the most, and I think are imperative to achieve health changes. First, no amount of exercise will ever outperform a bad diet. It is crucial to make enough changes to have a better diet, not a restrictive, but a better one. Second, it is important to know that any exercise is better than none. Don’t like the gym? No problem! Go for a walk or run, play racquet sports, or maybe go bike. It is not about efficiency, when getting started, it is all about consistency.

What are you most excited about for your 2025 race season?

Last season was one of the first times for me, and this season will not be much different. I am planning on racing Ironman 70.3 Boulder and my first full marathon. 

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