Isra García: Marketing expert at Ultratriathlon Challenges
Isra Garcia He is a recognized professional from marketing and the advertising, but since 2010 he has found an unexpected passion that has changed his life: the Triathlon. What began as a meeting "by chance and a bit of unconsciousness" has evolved in a serious dedication to sport, leading him to face challenges of Ultratriathlon.
One of the biggest challenges he has faced was in 2014, when he completed the impressive Burning Man Quest, a 573 -kilometer route from Fairfield (California) to the desert of Black Rock City, place where the iconic festival is celebrated Burning Man. This extreme challenge combined bicycle, swimming and carrera On foot, all without rest.
The objective of this challenge was not only personal, but also supportive: raise funds for the construction of a Music School in South Africa. After successfully overcoming this ultra -funding challenge, Isra Garcia He continues to think of new challenges for 2024, motivated by his tireless spirit of overcoming.
In 2014, you completed the Burning Man Quest -573 kilometers on foot, swimming and with a bike without sleep-, do you have some other ultra -fund challenge for 2015? Definitely, yes. I had never done a test with the aim of raising funds, but that is the motivation that led me to make the burning Man Quest and I want to do it again for a beneficial cause. I will do two ultrafond tests: one in Colombia in June or July by the María José Foundation, which works with children suffering from cancer. The other will be in Chile in November thanks to Crepita for Chile, which is a foundation that fights against gender violence and abuse of minors.
How does someone who is not a professional athlete for leaving for the United States to try to become 573 kilometers from the pull? For a positive change, for continuing to live life in excess and to see how what you do has a positive impact on other people. We had a trip prepared to go to Burning Man and I said: "Why didn't we intertwine both?" This year I have grown a lot of sports, taking care of the food thanks to Dr. Juan Rubio. You don't know the machine that can become our body if you take care of it. I have gained a lot of awareness in sport and food and that has helped me a lot. But deep down I am a Mequetrefe, anyone can do it.
"Let's not fool ourselves: when you get an ultraman, and another, and another, what you have most is not overcoming, but ego"
You already did an ultraman, did you so short you wanted to do the burning Man Quest? When I finished the Ultraman I said "What do I do now?" I had no idea, I had no motivation, I wasn't really inspired. In 2010 I had not set up on a road bike in my life or swam more than 200 meters. And I got to complete an ultraman. When you get it is when you consider what is the following. Another ultraman? And then another one? You can always do more, but that is not overcoming, but ego. When you do this kind of thing what you have the most is ego, so you have to give the merit of success to the team and find a motivation. In July 2014, when they told me the idea of the NGO Bridges for Music, which were in a campaign Crowdfunding To raise funds to build the first school of children's music and innovation in South Africa, I said: "Let's go to it!" That was what motivated me to do it.
As for the challenge itself, how was the Burning experience Man Quest? What was the hardest thing? It was an unpredictable, disconcerting experience, sometimes stressful but at the same time stimulating, vibrant and incredible. We face something anyone had done. No one from the team had traveled the roads. There were no maps, plans, statistics, or profiles. We didn't know what we faced. There were crisping moments, encounters with the team because we never knew what was going to happen, it was a complete adventure. The hardest thing was that there was no goal, there were no people applauding you, or medals, or any title that said "I am Burning Man Quest". But it is not necessary. We did not do it for recognition, but for a positive change. The most rewarding is to know that what you are doing will help disadvantaged people with unfavorable situations.
"Doing ultra -defund sports has made me grow as a person and as a professional. I recommend it to everyone"
The collection was to finance the construction of a music school in South Africa. Is the triathlon a good source of financing for beneficial causes? I think it's the bomb. Sport is a magnificent tool for change, it is a great change channel because it inspires and transmits incredible human values: team spirit, leadership, respect, dignity ... Do you think that in the medium term we will see more ultrafond challenges with beneficial character? Yes, in fact there are. I know people like Víctor Cerdá, who is a Valencian who made the path of Imelsa, which consists of crowning all the peaks of the Valencian Community in support of the Spanish Federation of Rare Diseases. He has been one of the pioneers in the Valencian Community. Also to Josele Ferré, who competed and took his daughter by car to help the investigation of Rett syndrome. Ajram belt also made a trail To raise funds for people with little resources. Many great strangers have done it and continue to do it because it is a noble cause. Unfortunately there is also another face and a few do it for opportunism and to gain recognition.
How did you start practicing background sport? For unconsciousness. I remember in December 2010 a bet with Octavio Pérez, my friend and who has been my coach for years, who told me: "Hey," we make an Ironman medium? ". And with a degree of ignorance at the height of my illusion said Yes, but without knowing even what I was. The fault of what I have grown since 2011 have these adventures in which I get the biggest. Grow, with savoring the moment, with living an experience that you never forget with your best friends.
"Making ultrafond is more a mental issue than physical; it does not depend on whether you are physically prepared, but on whether you are willing to do it."
How do training and competitions with your work combine? Over the years I have been developing my own method, which I call it Ultraproductivity. Before Ironman worked an average of 12 or 13 hours a day and trained 3 hours. When I did the Ironman I realized that I couldn't work thirteen hours, train three and sleep only four or five hours. There was a moment that my body did not give more of itself, so I reduced my workday to 8 hours, eliminating a series of habits that were not productive. The next challenge came when I prepared for Ultraman, for which I needed many more training hours. I started creating specific habits and took advantage of the great distances of bike training or running to make clients calls. It is a matter of taking advantage of time. I have done in 4 hours what I used to take 12 or 13. I think people who say they have no 30 minutes to run. Everyone believes that for him it is more difficult than for the rest. But it is not so. It's sexy to be busy, it's cultural ... I'm never busy, I always have a place for what matters to me, and if I don't care I say no.
Is the ultra -fund athlete born or does it? Should we be made of a special paste to complete evidence of this type? It is done tenacity, with hard work. You apply the 10,000 -hour work formula and 500 tests and you already have ultra -site athlete. I am just the opposite of being made of a special paste, it could be said that I am an ultra -site anti -athlete, or it was. If you are Cabezón you can get practically what you intend. It does not depend on whether you are prepared, but if you are willing to do it. It is more a mental issue than physical, I do not have a great physique, I am Cabezón.
Is it necessary to spend a lot of money on sports equipment to practice triathlon and background sports? I think not. Here is another question: "How pretentious are you to do triathlon?" If you are very pretentious you will have to spend million. If what you want is to have fun, enjoy and compete, you don't need to have the best bike in the place. There are people who do not practice these sports because they do not have the money to buy equipment and supposes them an entry barrier. Platforms like Tuvalum put that privilege available to everyone. More democratized the possibility that everyone can do sports that are expensive. It seems fantastic.
What is the sports challenge that you would like to complete in your life? I don't know if it's sports challenge, but I would like to travel the entire world. I would love to go around the world without any hurry, without stress, without maps. Only with a first leg and letting me carry.
Isra Garcia: Inspiration for triathletes and ultrafondo athletes
The route of Isra Garcia In the world of Triathlon and the Ultrafond challenges It is a clear demonstration of how perseverance and passion can lead to overcome personal limits and contribute to solidarity causes. Whether you are starting in the triathlon as if you are already an experienced athlete, its history is a source of inspiration to find new challenges. In addition, as Isra mentions, it is not necessary to invest great sums in equipment to enjoy this sport.
If you are looking for a way to start or improve your team without spending excessively, Tuvalum You will find a selection of Triathlon bicycles and accessories that will allow you to train as a professional without breaking your budget. Make your next triathlon challenge even more accessible and your adventure begins today.