March 2025

Another amazing month has just passed. Each day was an adventure I tried to live with immense gratitude and to the fullest. Having settled in Merida, Mexico, for over two months has allowed me to really get immersed in the culture and appreciate it. Knowing my way around better, serving the community by teaching and coaching kids and teenagers, and going through the day-to-day more as a local would, rather than a tourist, have all served me to slowly build a sense of belonging to the place. Training for a marathon and a HYROX competition and enduring the process of building my physical capacity has been challenging but also gratifying and exciting. Furthermore, I got to write a new blog post about my experience with quitting alcohol. It was quite liberating and I’m happy to be able to share it.

TRAVEL

Last month I continued my quest of visiting different churches on Sundays and taking the opportunity to explore new parts of Merida, Mexico. I took a bus trip downtown for the first time, and it was a wonderful experience. I got to attend Mass at San Ildefonso Cathedral; a monumental church full of history located in the heart of the city. It is across from the old Plaza Grande – Merida’s main square surrounded by historical buildings and streets, usually crowded with locals, tourists and vendors. Every Sunday since, I went to spend the day at the center of Merida. I headed there early in the morning, joined Mass at a nearby church, walked around the streets and hung out at a coffee shop. This has been a unique way to get to know such a rich culture and I have been thoroughly enjoying it.

Teaching and coaching have indeed been humbling and a constant test of tolerance, especially in the aspect of discipline. I learned how easily kids lose their focus and persistently try to push boundaries; therefore, finding ways to keep them engaged in a certain activity and developing aptitudes to encourage them to improve their behaviors has been a daily challenge. For instance, I realized that simply warning students or athletes of a potential consequence for poor conduct could promote a positive response; however, it’s often not enough. Unless one is able follow through with duly punishment, it could only lead them to not trust one’s words, hinder the growth of a solid teacher-student or coach-athlete relationship and even make matters worse.

Lastly, after leaving my home in New Jersey on May of 2024, and taking off on an incredible journey around the U.S, and Mexico most recently, I purchased a flight to go back in mid-April. Receiving a summons for Jury Duty was my signal to make a return and I decided to embrace the opportunity to spend a decent amount of time with my family, as well as work on some personal goals while I’m there. Currently, these include running the Jersey City marathon, taking soccer coaching courses, and making a trip to Atlanta, Georgia, for a HYROX competition. My plan is to continue travelling after completing my Jury Duty service, and although I have some ideas, in the next weeks and months I will make more concrete decisions as to specific destinations.

TRAINING

In preparation for the Jersey City marathon coming up on April 13th, the past four weeks I have built up endurance by progressively increasing running volume by 10% each week. On the final week of March I peaked at 56 miles, with daily distances ranging between 8 and 12 miles. In addition, I stayed consistent with weight training three days a week, focusing mainly on compound movements such as deadlifts, barbell squats, bench press, and overhead shoulder press. The two weeks leading up to race day, my intent is to taper, meaning reduce running volume to between 25 and 30 miles per week and keep up with the same weightlifting regime.

Given the extreme heat and humidity that has persisted in Merida, especially in the last five to six weeks, I have had to adapt my daily running time to as early as sunrise, around 6am. Previously, there were days I was going on runs in the afternoon, during the hottest part of the day. This was partly because of my schedule of daily activities, as well as personal preference, since I decided to dedicate the early morning hours to writing, reading and working on projects. Besides the factor of temperature – typically hitting 80+ degrees by 7am – being on the run by the time the sun comes up has been an absolute joy, as always.

On another note, after setting an intention at the beginning of this year to compete in a HYROX event for the first time, I officially signed up for one in Atlanta, Georgia. It will take place on April 26th, and I registered for the Doubles division with my brother Fernando. This means we will work as a team by running together and splitting the workout stations. Although I had started incorporating HYROX specific exercises in my training, the past month I didn’t do any of it. Due to prioritizing running and increasing distances, I decided to maintain a moderate level of strength training and temporarily discontinue the intense metabolic conditioning workouts to prevent over-taxing my body. Depending on my recovery post-marathon and in the subsequent two weeks leading up to heading to Atlanta, I plan on resuming circuit-style training sessions and approach the competition as ready and fresh as possible. Regardless of any results, the process of preparing for both competitions and adapting to my body’s response is such an invaluable lesson and one that I truly cherish.

NUTRITION

In the last month I have stayed consistent with eating three meals containing real (whole) foods and fasting twelve hours a day. As I have been increasing running miles each week, and considering the intensely high temperatures, hydration has been a major focus. Since I tend to sweat significantly more under heat and humidity, I have learned I could get dehydrated quite easily. Besides ensuring I drink enough water throughout the day, I typically consume a serving of a powdered electrolyte supplement before training sessions, and I am also mindful to ingest plenty of sodium, magnesium, and potassium via dietary sources.

These include mainly sea salt of pink Himalayan salt, pumpkin seeds, raw nuts, pure cacao, bananas, avocados, sweet potatoes, Greek yogurt, beans, among other fruits and vegetables. A few weeks back, after not finding 100% natural almond butter or peanut butter at the local grocery store where I typically shop, I was pleasantly surprised to spot jars of all-natural tahini hiding in a corner of the deli department. This is a flavorful sauce made from ground sesame seeds, it is high in healthy fats, as well as rich in vitamins and minerals, especially magnesium. I have been adding it to the overnight oats I eat every morning to fuel my running sessions, and it sits well with my stomach.

READING

Jesus Calling – Enjoying Peace in His Presence – by Sarah Young

As it’s been a habit of mine, one of the first things I do every morning is read a page of this book. Although I find immense value in every single page, I was particularly moved by an extract I read last month. It prompted me to reflect on the profound life changes I have experienced by continually trying to surrender my plans, goals and ambitions to God’s will and allow Him to direct my actions and decisions. It reads as follows:

“Anything that you desire more than Me becomes an idol. When you are determined to get your own way, you blot Me out of your consciousness. Instead of single-mindedly pursuing some goal, talk with Me about it. Let the Light of My Presence shine on this pursuit so that you can see it from My perspective. If the goal fits into My plans for you, I will help you reach it. If it is contrary to My will for you, I will gradually change the desire of your heart. Seek Me first and foremost; then the rest of your life will fall into place, piece by piece.”

A prayer I listened to on the YouTube channel Grace for Purpose Prayers, titled God Is Saying 'Let Go of Control and Focus on Me’, alludes to the same perspective, and I found it quite relatable and encouraging. It sparked me to ponder on the great challenge of remaining focused, watching, listening and praying. In a world filled with temptations and constant distractions pulling one’s energy and attention in different directions, discerning empty (worldly) pursuits from meaningful (Godly) pursuits is incredibly difficult. Hence, I believe it’s imperative to make space and take time to constantly meditate on whether one’s goals and ambitions are aligned with living a life of purpose or not; and ask God for the wisdom, humility and courage required to act accordingly.

A Travel Guide To Life – Transforming Yourself from Head to Soul – by Anthony DeStefano.

During last month I finished reading this book and it’s certainly one I think could be useful for anyone seeking to grow as a human being, find more peace and joy, as well as live a more meaningful and fulfilling life. I appreciated the way the author presents the main ideas clearly, concisely, and with enough assertiveness about harsh realities that may challenge a reader’s views, values and beliefs. Furthermore, I think the practical suggestions offered in the book are simple yet incredibly difficult, and if they are taken into practice, they could be deeply transformative. For example, some of the calls to action include exercising regularly, decluttering personal spaces, simplifying and keeping things in order, controlling one’s speech, praying, repenting, forgiving, expressing gratitude, focusing on proper nutrition, organizing one’s finances and more.

Although this may seem to have the characteristics of a personal development book, the emphasis it places on spirituality gives it much deeper meaning than any helpful suggestions provided in the self-improvement space. As life changing as learning to form new habits and adopting healthier behaviors could be, I strongly agree with the notion that none of it could lead to true, lasting fulfillment without being anchored to a strong relationship with God and acknowledging that one’s life has purpose transcending self-actualization. In my opinion, the author does an excellent job conveying this fundamental reality, and I found reading the book very worthwhile.

PODCASTS

RECOVERY

Regularly sleeping around seven hours per night has helped me to perform my daily tasks with sustained energy. Although I haven’t been consistent with taking naps during the day, I have been trying to do it as much as possible, as I get a nice energy boost from it, and I feel it’s only beneficial since it has shown not to impact my night sleep. Also, caffeine consumption is a factor I have been increasingly aware of and making efforts to keep to a minimum, as well as restrict it to the earlier part of the day. Given the ways I have been stressing my body lately, mainly via a greater volume of exercise and working with kids, I have been taking Sundays off from all work and exercise. As hard as I find giving myself permission to do this, I feel it has certainly enhanced my recovery, because on Mondays I have been feeling recharged and excited to show up for my daily activities as best as possible during the week.