What’s your backstory?
I was born and raised in Maracaibo, Venezuela. I’m an only child but a member of a huge family. My father has always been a business owner and my mom was a lawyer who quit practicing her career in order to help my dad build their main business. As a kid, I used to dream about becoming an engineer, and several years later, I graduated from college in one of the toughest engineering fields, “Electronics Engineering with a Major in Automation and Process Control.” I used to work in the Oil and Gas field, and my job was very important to me even though I didn’t have time to take care of myself and felt burned out most of the time. However, quitting or doing something else never crossed my mind.
It wasn’t until I moved to the US when my passion for fitness also became my calling. Helping others has always been very fulfilling but I took it to a whole new level about five years ago when I realized that I could truly make a difference in people’s lives. That’s how everything started, that’s how Pao’s Fit World started.
I know this is not an easy job. What drives you?
My primary motivation is helping others; helping them to discover their full potential and to create a better version of themselves.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? What lesson did you learn from them?
My husband! He has been by my side since day one. He challenges me to try different things, to change my perspective and he’s always pushing me out of my comfort zone. Thanks to him, I’m a better person, coach, and entrepreneur. He taught me that trying is better than regretting and that barriers are there to be broken. So, Andres, if you’re reading this, I want to let you know that I’m grateful for you. I couldn’t have done it without you.
How do you push through your worst times?
Discipline. It’s very easy to lose perspective and motivation and it’s at that moment when discipline is essential. When my goals are important to me and I’m determined to reach them, then I’ll find the discipline necessary to accomplish them.