1. How did you end up at CrossFit?

I was a professional football player until I was 27 years old, during that time, I finished my degree at the Faculty of Human Motivity, started teaching at a first cycle school, and started my career as a personal trainer at Holmes Place. In the meantime, I stopped competing and dedicated my entire life to coaching. It was a difficult phase and I missed something that would motivate me to coach. That's when I switched to Fitness Hut. Here, there was a weekly challenge, the WOW, which is inspired by the principles of CrossFit. It sparked my interest as a professional and athlete. On one hand, as a professional, it was and is the best and most complete training methodology I know. On the other hand, the more personal one allowed me to compete again, and that was fantastic for me.

2. Do you have a coach or do you plan yourself?

Unfortunately, I always planned it for myself. It always went well! But when I say unfortunately, it's because it's not easy to plan, and particularly for ourselves, because you run the risk of choosing what you like best and not what you really need. Besides the fact that we always need someone there in our corner to support us at all levels.

3. Describe a normal day of training

Every day is different and a lot depends on the phase of the season. But, in general, on days when I can do two sessions the morning, training is more of an endurance training, that is, with a strong running/move/bike or pool component, among others. According to the objective, the afternoon training will cover some of these physical abilities: strength; power; gymnastics; functional endurance "WOD", etc.

4. Why did you decide to join Super Vegan Fitness?

First, because I believe in the Super Vegan Fitness LINK MANIFESTO project and the superior quality of the product. Second, because I am a person who likes challenges and not to feel comfortable.

5. What's your favorite product?

Almond Butter. I also like Peanut Butter protein very much.

6. Do you believe food is important?

Extremely important. It is the main factor for health, not to mention the benefits in relation to training. Recovery is much better if the diet is healthy and balanced. And by improving recovery, I can train more often. The performance of training is much better, and all this helps me to be more fit. I have learned that almost all "problems" can be solved or minimized through eating.

7. Do you have any feeding habits that you do every day?

I take an anti-inflammatory shot every day first thing in the morning that improves my immune system. The recipe is: 50ml of water, half a lemon, 1 coffee spoon of turmeric powder, 1 coffee spoon of ginger powder, 30 drops of green propolis, mix well and take. It tastes bad, but it does very well!

8. What helps you stay calm and focused on a competition?

Being in the "arena" isn't easy. The days before a competition are horrible, because no matter how prepared you are, you always think, "I'm not as good as I want to be".

On the day of the competition, and as soon as it starts, everything changes. You enter your world. I know people don't really understand this, but an athlete who wants to win is "arrogant." Not in a bad way, but rather because he's committed and focused. Sometimes, you don't even realize you're doing it, but you have to commit to what makes you be there. When I was a kid my mother even asked me why I didn't say goodbye to her when I came out on the pitch or during the game. At that moment, I just think I want to win, what I have to do, what I dedicated myself to be there. So, I have to make it all worthwhile. There's one thing that comes to mind, many times, when it comes to suffering: "You'e done worse than this, hold on".

9. What are you most proud of in your life as an athlete?

I've been an athlete since I was 8-9 years old, and then I became a professional football player, and now, a CrossFit athlete. My greatest pride has always been to have excelled at my sport and nothing has ever been easy. I've always felt through all these years that life has been "testing" me and putting on great mental and physical challenges, which has made me grow. There is a phrase that is quite true: "Sport does not give character, it reveals it.” Regardless of the sport, of all the achievements I have had, of the good and less good moments, I am very proud of this incredible journey.

10. Besides being an athlete, you have 3 CrossFit boxes. How do you keep your balance?

I'm still a father, trainer, coordinator, etc. But, as I said before, I can't stand still and I'm always in a constant fight between my "two loves". On one hand, I've always been an athlete and I don't know what else to be. It's something I can't give up or I'm not prepared for, because it's one of the things that gives me the most pleasure. On the other hand, the enterprising will and the vocation I have to help others, whether as a boxer, a trainer or a coach. Sport is my life and I still have a lot to do for this profession, because I believe in its fundamental role in society. Keeping the balance is not easy and I know that sometimes some things get left behind or don't happen the way I would like, but it is part of it. I find it difficult to say no and it is very difficult to give up the things that do me good, even if I have to make sacrifices.

11. As a coach, what are you trying to get through?

In my opinion, the most important thing is to pass on trust. For that, we must have knowledge, credibility, and commitment! The knowledge I have about my profession is from the most academic or theoretical point of view, up to the most practical part of how to apply everything in the field and show results. The credibility that we give to people will bring confidence, and that is fundamental in the coach/athlete relationship. Without that, nothing happens. The commitment is to show that we are there for them and with them at all times.