Luis Diaz

From a young age, I’ve always had a love for sports—Football (Raiders!), Hockey (Sharks!), Basketball (Warriors!), and Baseball (Giants!). You name it, I played it. While I dabbled in various sports, soccer became my true passion, and I played it well into my adult years. As a naturally competitive person, I couldn’t stay away from the fitness world after taking a break from sports. In 2011, I discovered CrossFit and, soon after, Olympic Weightlifting. I was instantly hooked! I fell in love with the technique, discipline, and challenge of the sport. My passion for weightlifting drove me to compete in several USA Weightlifting competitions, and along the way, I realized how fulfilling it was to help others achieve their fitness goals. This inspired me to pursue coaching. Today, I’m committed to helping others experience the same sense of accomplishment and joy that weightlifting has brought me. Every coach I’ve had, from soccer to weightlifting, has shaped the coach I am today.

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As a bigger guy, I’ve often heard comments like, 'You can’t do it,' or received other forms of negative feedback. This only fueled my desire to challenge myself, especially in an area I didn’t enjoy—running. I wanted to prove that our bodies are capable of anything if we set our minds to it. My goal was to run a half marathon without stopping, but I aimed even higher: I wanted to finish in under two hours. After a couple of months of dedicated training, the big day arrived. When I checked in for my pace group, I was again advised to reconsider my pacing, as they thought the 2-hour mark was too ambitious for me. But I stuck to my plan and joined the pace group that aligned with my goal. With three miles to go, the pace group leader told me to move ahead of the group. I crossed the finish line, having achieved my goal. The pace leader found me afterward to congratulate me and admitted he didn’t think I could do it. Setting a clear goal and staying focused on it was a pivotal moment in my fitness journey.

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Being a coach means helping others push past their limits, both physically and mentally. Weighting is not just about building strength; it’s also about fostering confidence, resilience and discipline.