We recently connected with Luis Andarcia and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Luis, thanks for joining us today. Looking back, do you think you started your business at the right time? Do you wish you had started sooner or later
Yes, I would have liked to focus on my business earlier. I’ve been a USA Triathlon Coach since 2009, but only in the past 2 years I started to lean into it focusing on making it my main source of income. I became a Personal Trainer in 2007 and have had that as my main job since then, giving more importance to it. Starting sooner as a Triathlon Coach would have given me the opportunity to be in a different position right now. At the moment I want to grow the Team APX, make it a global brand. Where I can coach athletes worldwide, in different time zones. That’s where I want to be.
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?
I’m originally from Venezuela and have been in the US since 2004. I started participating in triathlons around the age of 22 in 1992. I wasn’t an athlete, I used to smoke and drink regularly, but all the “cool kids” were doing triathlons at that time and I wanted to be part of it as well. I grew up close to the beach, so swimming was easy for me. Riding a bike and running weren’t a problem.
I jumped into my first sprint triathlon and followed over the years until I decided to go into half-iron and full distances later.
Fast forward to 2007 I got certified as a personal trainer and through the years many friends always asked for my help in triathlon. I n 2009 I decided to get certified by USA Triathlon when I got my Level I triathlon coaching certification. Two years ago I became a LII Triathlon Coach.
I never kept track of how many races I’ve done throughout the years, but it is more that 30 years of racing. In 2023 I made it to the 70.3 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.
I’m the head coach/founder of Andarcia Performance Coaching or APX, I proud myself of having a close relationship with my athletes, making sure they stay accountable so that way we can achieve the goals they set for themselves. I work mostly online, since my athletes are busy individuals with limited time for “social workouts” and prefer the more personalized aspect of coaching.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
I’ve had a few health setbacks during my triathlon journey, but these haven’t stopped me from wanting to come back and at the same time show myself, my kids and my athletes that the obstacles are there to make you grow.
In 2011 I had a meniscus tear. I had two surgeries, the first one wasn’t successful, I went back in 2013 and this time it worked.
In 2019 I crashed on my bike at a triathlon in Oakland, CA. The previous year I had won my age group in that race and was ready to defend my title, but a pothole a few miles before the transition area had other plans. I lost control of the bike and landed hard breaking my pelvis. No surgery was needed but 6 months of a mix of rest and PT put my back on the road.
In 2023 I developed Atrial Fibrillation which sent me twice to the ER, in 2024 I decided to go for an ablation and at the end 0f 2024 I completed IM Arizona and 3 weeks later I crossed the finish line at the California International Marathon.
This year I’m signed up for Oceanside 70.3 and St. George 70.3
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
There’s a Japanese proverb “If you get on the wrong train, get off at the nearest station. The longer it takes you to get off, the more expensive the return trip will be.”
There’s always learning to be made and that’s something that I’m proud of, understanding that right or wrong we can always get the experience from the situation.
I recently divorced and through the years I forgave my professional growth and development. Which is why I’m finding myself in the moment that I am right now. Working to develop the business that I should have focused on many years ago. I am happier now and have met new people and have a stronger network that fire my intrinsic motivation to grow in pursuit of my new goals.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.andarciaperformancecoaching.com
- Instagram: @landarcia
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/luis.andarcia
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luisandarcia/
- Twitter: @landarcia
