We were lucky to catch up with Chris Vega recently and have shared our conversation below.

Chris , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How’s you first get into your field – what was your first job in this field?

Here I was in 2017, working at the gate of a state park, charging entrance fees. It was a typical slow day, as weekdays usually were. I would only see a handful of cars pass through.

After becoming a certified Personal Trainer and experiencing failure in my attempt to make it in a commercial gym, I felt the need for a change. So there I was, on the verge of giving up and considering a career switch.

However, life has a funny way of reminding us that quitting or giving up is not an option. It happened on a Spring day in 2017 when I met David. He pulled up in his flashy blue car, and his curiosity was piqued by my Costa Rican accent. We struck up a conversation about life, during which I mentioned being a trainer but currently working as a gate attendant.

David, who was around 70 years old at the time, seemed to see potential in me when I couldn’t see it in myself. Having dropped out of college and searching for my path, I was trying to figure out how to navigate life. In our conversation, he revealed that he had been searching for a trainer to assist with his frozen shoulder but couldn’t find anyone in our small town. He handed me his card, and we arranged a meeting.

He ended up hiring me as his trainer, and we worked together for three years. During that time, his shoulder improved, his overall health thrived, and he felt better than he had in his 60s.

Thanks to David’s belief in me, I stand where I am today. Discovering my ability to help people improve and feel better, my love for the industry deepened, and I decided to go all-in. I returned to college, earning my bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology. Along the way, I obtained multiple certifications, including EXOS and CSCS (Strength and Conditioning). I’ve had the privilege of learning from industry experts and having mentors in various areas, such as breathing techniques, physiology, and biomechanics. I’ve been blessed to work with numerous individuals and make a positive impact on their lives.

It was all made possible because I discovered that sometimes all it takes is one person to believe in you.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Who am I? Allow me to introduce myself. I am Chris Vega, an Exercise Physiologist and Strength and Conditioning Coach, known as a Health & Performance Coach. Three years ago, I took my first steps into Evolve Health & Performance in Austin, TX and I have been working there ever since.

So, what exactly do I do? My mission is to ensure people’s holistic well-being. How do I achieve this? By providing a comprehensive range of services, including physiological testing, bodywork, strength and conditioning training, nutrition guidance, and personalized exercise programming.

When individuals come to see me at Evolve, I conduct an OmegaWave assessment which performs an in-depth evaluation of their cardiovascular and Central Nervous Systems. It’s similar to a thorough check-up on these vital functional systems. Through this assessment, I gain insights into various aspects such as tension levels, aerobic and anaerobic adaptations, readiness, heart rate variability, DC potential, and more.

Furthermore, I conduct biomechanical assessments that examine each joint individually, evaluating range of motion, as well as movement patterns to comprehend how the body functions as a cohesive unit during different tasks. This analysis allows me to understand movement, compensatory patterns, and limitations, all of which play a crucial role in tailoring an effective exercise program. My aim is to make individuals feel better, enhance their strength, and safeguard them against injuries.

For those driven by exercise performance, I offer physiological testing and performance programming. The goal is to delve into the unique physiology of each individual and identify performance limitations. I get to assess key functional systems such as the respiratory system, cardiovascular system, and muscles. Armed with this knowledge, I create personalized plans to optimize performance. This may involve techniques to enhance breathing technique and capacity, strengthen the heart’s ventricles, or improve oxygen utilization in the muscles.

Having gathered all this objective data, I can now help individuals achieve their health and performance goals in the most efficient manner possible.

Why do I do this? Simply put, I am driven by an unwavering passion for my craft. Since my initial encounter with David, whom I consider my first client back in 2017, I have never looked back. I discovered a career that allows me to make a profound impact on people’s lives every single day. It never feels like work—it’s simply what I have the privilege of doing.

My ultimate goal is to keep learning and growing, continuously refining my methods to provide the best possible service. Additionally, I aspire to contribute to the community by educating and sharing the importance of prioritizing health. The fitness industry has long been viewed through a narrow lens, and it is time for a change. Fitness and health should be accessible to everyone and become essential aspects of our lives.

In my eyes, life is a precious gift. I strive to embrace a high quality of life, maintaining longevity, vitality, and strength to face any challenge that comes my way. I yearn to be energized, offering my best to loved ones and anyone who crosses my path.

And perhaps, dear reader, you too desire to experience life in the same remarkable way.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When I searched for the definition of resilience, it revealed that it refers to the ability or capacity to bounce back from challenges. Personally, my greatest challenge was the process of immigrating to the United States.

To provide some context, I come from a small town in Costa Rica. Before coming to the US, I had never traveled elsewhere. Although I had some knowledge of English, I struggled initially to truly grasp the language. During my early years here, I often found myself repeating my words multiple times, hoping to be understood. Additionally, in my first few jobs, I made significant mistakes due to my limited language comprehension.

I faced frustration, anger, and even being ignored or marginalized by others due to my communication difficulties. In school, I had to invest more time studying than my peers because not only did I need to learn the material, but I also had to translate it. Google Translate became my loyal companion throughout my college years.

Nevertheless, these challenges never became obstacles for me. I didn’t concern myself with appearing foolish while attempting to converse with others, nor did I mind having an accent or coming from a different background. I always held a clear goal in my mind and firmly believed that nothing could hinder me from reaching my intended destination.

Indeed, language proved to be difficult, and there were countless instances where I felt inadequate. Adjusting to the culture and making friends posed challenges as well. However, I never saw these as unbeatable obstacles but rather as opportunities for growth.

In college, I graduated with honors. I chose a career where I interact with numerous individuals on a daily basis, needing to effectively communicate with them and influence them to prioritize their well-being. Each day, I have the privilege of engaging with people from diverse backgrounds, and rather than perceiving our differences as barriers, I view them as avenues for connection and mutual learning.

Despite having had numerous chances to return to Costa Rica, I made the decision to stay here, actively contribute to the local community, become an integral part of it, and positively impact people’s lives.

I stand here today because I never surrendered. From my perspective, this immigration journey stands as my most significant testament to resilience.

Other than training/knowledge, what do you think is most helpful for succeeding in your field?

When it comes to assisting individuals, it is crucial to recognize that this is not solely a “fitness business,” but rather a “People business.” Regardless of whether one is a trainer, nutritionist, chiropractor, therapist, or any other professional, it is vital to understand that a plan can only be effective if the person actually follows through.

Having the perfect exercise program for someone becomes inconsequential if they fail to take action. This highlights the importance of tailoring a plan to meet the individual’s needs while also ensuring it aligns with their realistic expectations when seeking assistance.

A similar dynamic applies to nutrition. Even if I have meticulously designed a plan with precise macronutrient details, the person will not see results unless they perceive it as realistic within their own reality.

Therefore, while it is essential to study, seek mentorship, connect with other professionals, expand one’s network, invest in ongoing education, and read relevant books, it can still be challenging to motivate others to take the necessary steps towards achieving results if they are not treated as unique individuals.

Always bear in mind that when developing a plan for someone else, you are operating within the realm of the people business. It is crucial to customize the plan according to the individual, rather than expecting the person to conform to a predetermined approach. This principle highlights the significance of tailoring the plan to suit the unique needs, preferences, and circumstances of each individual.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: chrisvega_ep
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChrisVegaQ
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-vega-55a3b2159/

Image Credits
Kat Bevel Photography