We recently connected with Luis Vargas and have shared our conversation below.

Luis, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Is there a heartwarming story from your career that you look back on?

Certainly. When reflecting upon my career, a particularly heartwarming chapter hails from my tenure with the Mozambique LNG project. This endeavor entailed the construction of a $20 billion gas plant in one of the more secluded regions of Mozambique, Africa. My role required me to manage a team responsible for cultivating an organizational culture that emphasized high performance and encouraged synergy across various functions and geographies.

The beauty of this project was not solely in the technological marvel we were creating, but in the diverse tapestry of professionals from across the globe converging to achieve a shared vision. What amplified its significance was the broader socio-economic impact it promised to the local communities. Mozambique, particularly the region we were operating in, is among Africa’s most economically challenged areas. The juxtaposition was stark: the state-of-the-art facility we were erecting stood in sharp contrast to the rudimentary huts that dotted the landscape.

In alignment with our social development commitment to the local government, we embarked on projects that had an immediate positive impact. We established a school, inaugurated a hospital, provided potable water facilities, and constructed hundreds of homes tailored to the needs of families that required relocation during our project’s execution.

This direct involvement enabled the local populace to join our workforce, vastly reducing their daily commute. The healthcare and educational infrastructures meant that residents no longer faced arduous journeys to access basic medical care and that children could benefit from a structured educational environment. Witnessing the palpable transformation of a community that was traditionally reliant on fishing and modest agricultural practices was truly profound. It’s a testament to the power of collaborative enterprise and its potential to bring about tangible, positive change.

Luis, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I have spent over two decades as a corporate executive, witnessing firsthand the impact of daily job stresses on the health and wellness of my colleagues. Many, despite being in their prime years, were facing physical and mental challenges, leading to a decline in their quality of life, and their job performance. My personal enthusiasm for fitness and consistent well-being ensured I maintained above average health and vitality compared to my peers which helped me notice an opportunity to create a program to help others who were not aware of the potential they still had later in life for a better quality of life.

At a juncture in my late 40s, inspired by a playful challenge from my children and a desire to demonstrate the potential of older individuals, I embarked on a journey to achieve two Guinness World Records in push-ups. This mission was not just personal; it was to show that age need not be a barrier to phenomenal feats of strength and endurance. My hard work bore fruit when I achieved my first two records at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, eventually adding 18 more world records to my name over the subsequent five years.

Bridging Corporate Wellness and Fitness Entrepreneurship

Drawing from my unique experiences and a significant role at a leading Oil & Gas company—where I instituted a global fitness and wellness initiative during the COVID pandemic—I transitioned to entrepreneurship. I created a comprehensive wellness program that encapsulates all I’ve learned and practiced. Central to this program is the mobile app ‘World Record Fitness’, which is infused with the very bodyweight-only fitness regimen I adopted to clinch my world records. It also includes periodic newsletters, personal nutrition guidance, and webinars about related topics.

What Sets My Program Apart

Several features make my wellness solution stand out:

-Universality: It’s tailored for all, regardless of fitness levels.
-Flexibility: No need for vast spaces, weights, or machines. It’s designed for anywhere, anytime workouts.
-Efficiency: The sessions are concise yet effective, allowing users to adjust based on personal goals and fitness levels.
-Accessibility: Subscribers have direct interaction with a Guinness World Records holder and a certified Elite trainer—me—for motivation and advice.
-Simplicity: With an intuitive interface, users just need to initiate the daily workout, follow the built-in timers, and replicate the demonstrated exercises.
-Holistic Focus: Beyond the core exercises, there’s a dedicated segment for mobility and stretching, specially curated for older adults. Recognizing the necessity of comprehensive physical wellness, this ensures users benefit from strength, cardio, and flexibility training.
I emphasize this last point because younger trainers tend to focus solely on resistance (weights) and cardio training while often overlooking the importance of mobility and stretching—something I’ve come to deeply understand with age.

Certifications and More

Apart from being a certified elite fitness trainer, my credentials extend to life coaching, nutrition, career coaching, and a 3rd-degree black belt in Taekwondo. While ‘World Record Fitness’ is integral to my corporate wellness offerings, anyone can access and benefit from it. It’s available for download on both Apple and Google stores. For more information, please visit my website: www.worldrecordfitness.com.

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

Certainly. A pivotal moment that underscores my resilience was when I first set foot in this country 29 years ago, having relocated from Venezuela. I touched down in Fort Lauderdale with merely a bag of clothes, $2500 in hand, and an abundance of dreams. Despite holding a bachelor’s degree in business, opportunities eluded me, compelling me to take on roles like unloading trucks at a local Sears store and working evening shifts at a nearby restaurant. A year into this routine, recognizing the limited scope for professional growth, I resolved to pursue an MBA. This led me to Boston, where I juggled jobs at a CVS and another restaurant for another year, all while exploring MBA opportunities at local institutions. My determination bore fruit when I was accepted into Northeastern University’s Co-op program, financing it through federal student loans. This marked a turning point, propelling me into a corporate journey that spanned over two decades.

Do you think you’d choose a different profession or specialty if you were starting now?

Looking back, after completing my MBA, I believe I would have been more discerning in aligning my professional choices with my personal passions, such as the outdoors, fitness, and sports. This alignment might not only have offered greater professional satisfaction but also could have inspired me to venture into entrepreneurship sooner. While I did find professional fulfillment in my corporate journey, I realized I relegated what I was truly passionate about to the sidelines as hobbies when they could have been my primary career focus from the outset.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.wrcorporatewellness.com
• Instagram: @worldrecordcoaching @worldrecordsfitness
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luisavargas/
• Other: For the mobile app only: www.worldrecordfitness.com [email protected]

Image Credits
All images are my own