Empowered to Succeed: The Inspirational Rise of Minor Daniel Salas in Boxing

Daniel Salas arrived at our gym as a shy, overweight kid who was bullied at school. Despite his intelligence, he lacked confidence. From the beginning, we saw incredible potential in him and knew he had a lot of work ahead.

Initial Approach

Our initial approach with Daniel was to improve his physical condition and aerobic capacity so he could handle a 3x3 minute fight. As coaches, it’s crucial to recognize when an athlete isn't ready. Although Daniel wanted to compete, he was studying and only trained twice a week, while our preparation program for competition at that time required at least a year of training five days a week.

Building a Strong Foundation

Our gym focuses on building a solid foundation and strong fundamentals. When Daniel was ready for sparring, we recommended he join the cantonal team to train with other competitors and further hone his skills. Unfortunately, as we were preparing for a competition two years ago, a series of personal crises struck our team, leading to a temporary halt in classes.

Overcoming Setbacks

Despite these setbacks, we continued to support Daniel, offering him scholarships on several occasions to keep training. However, due to the distance, Daniel could no longer attend the gym regularly. Additionally, Daniel faced his own set of challenges. He was in the middle of exams where he also demonstrated to be a top student, navigating the developmental changes of adolescence, and dealing with the typical struggles of growing up. Throughout all of this, we made sure to empower Daniel to keep pushing and never give up on his dreams.

Commitment to Training

We often trained on national holidays, focusing more on our purpose than on showcasing our efforts. We never publicized everything we did, preferring to concentrate on our mission. Jairo played a crucial role in preparing Daniel by creating his strength training program, which completed our BOXING FITNESS formula. Daniel's mental health noticeably improved, along with his confidence and demeanor. He also became a great team member to Fredesman Talavera, who went on a journey to Nicaragua and came back a few months ago ready to take on the next challenge. Overall, Daniel was a joy to have around.

Our Boxing Fitness Formula

Our unique Boxing Fitness Formula combines:

• Box 'N' Burn: High-intensity boxing training that boosts cardio and burns calories, combining boxing and fitness. 
• Complex & Functional Bodybuilding: Integrates strength training with functional movements to enhance overall fitness and performance. 
• Integral Nutrition: Emphasizes the importance of a balanced diet to fuel training and recovery.
  
  We hold certifications from Box 'N' Burn Academy, The International Boxing Association (IBA), Complex School, IIN, CrossFit Level 1,  and others, assuring our knowledge and training methods are top-notch.

Achieving Success

Today, two years later, we are proud to share that Daniel Salas has been crowned national champion at 92 kgs. He recently contacted us to share his achievement and to thank us deeply, saying it was our guidance and support that helped him fall in love with the sport and appreciate the teachings we provided. Daniel’s success is entirely his own, but we are immensely proud to know that the time we spent working with him was a worthy journey.

Reflecting on the Journey

Coaching teens has been one of the most rewarding experiences for us, and we remain motivated to continue coaching boxing for life, even as we are deeply involved in other pursuits. Although it broke our hearts a bit not to be in his corner, we are incredibly proud of Daniel. His story is a testament to his incredible perseverance and dedication, and it underscores the importance of guidance and support on the path to success.

Conclusion

Sometimes challenges and difficulties can separate us, but the positive impact we leave on others' lives endures forever. We are incredibly proud of Daniel and his story will continue to inspire us all!

Written by: Kathy Mora 
Co-Founder & Coach at BEST803