Mario Mejia

Where are you from?

Richmond, Virginia

Website

https://www.heartsofempowerment.org/ironman

Instagram

rico.chico

Mario’s Childhood

Mario’s family sacrificed everything, as they migrated from Guatemala and Mexico, to seek better opportunity for their children in the United States. At first, the only roof over their heads was the tiny automobile shop that his father opened to support the family. Through hard work and dedication, they were finally able to accomplish their dream of buying a home, but many challenges still loomed ahead. 

A difficult family divorce left his father and brothers nearly homeless and constantly on the move to find a warm meal and a place to sleep. In order to support his father and younger brother, Mario enrolled in Virginia Commonwealth University, working tirelessly to further his education, establish a career and provide financial stability.

One September afternoon, Mario’s life would change forever. He received an unexpected and tragic phone call. His father was dying. Final moments at his side were spent recounting their memories, hopes and dreams. Mario promised he would become the man his father wanted him to be. 

Unfortunately, his father’s passing left a large hole in his heart and led to a downward spiral of drugs, alcohol, depression and jail. Eventually, he understood the gravity of his promise and decided to change his life – to be the man his father wanted him to be. 

How did you change your life?

It all started over a year ago when I was depressed and to combat my insecurities I signed up for my first marathon while being completely out of shape.
 
At this time I was casually getting blacked out drunk 3 times a week. I had just gotten out of jail for a DUI, I went to drug & alcohol rehab for 18 weeks, started seeing a mental health therapist, and experienced a heart breaking abandonment from my ex of nearly 3 years – all of this was experienced at the same time. I was living alone with no drivers license in a camper that was converted into a tiny home in the middle of no where. Let me be honest with you – I fucking hated my life. I felt like a loser, pathetic and alone.
 
 
The first picture was about 14 months ago and 30 pounds heavier. I had just gotten out of serving jail time for my DUI and was so stressed out. I had just started lifting and had not even signed up for my first marathon yet. I was so tempted to give in on my sobriety only after a couple of weeks of being on probation. I even cracked open a White Claw this same day and stared at it for a good 10 minutes while my friends tried convincing me to not give in. I was thinking of all the ways I could try to cheat out of my drug and alcohol test. Thank God I didn’t, I might have gone back to jail to serve the remaining year of my sentence that was suspended. If I had gone back to jail I wouldn’t be the athlete I am today.
 
What I’m saying here is that it all starts with one good decision. My decision that day happened to be to not take a sip of that alcohol. Day by day, decision after decision, you will start to carve out the best version of yourself out of your own marble sculpture. This is only after a year of working on myself diligently with the help of amazing friends, mental health therapy, and the will power that was slowly built over time.
 
Before the marathon even took place I still felt like I wasn’t good enough as a person in general. So I signed up for a half Ironman with zero swimming and cycling experience just 3 months before the race. I biked 18 miles every day to hit the gym to swim in a pool. I ran almost every other day. I dropped 30 pounds. I started reading books and listening to podcasts. I spent a lot of time reflecting on myself while being coached by my mental therapist to find my peace. My best friend Taylor flew out with me to California and drove us around so that I could compete in my first Ironman.
 
 
 
 
I almost didn’t complete the swim in time, but I still managed to complete the course. I finished strong and it was the best feeling I ever experienced. I felt like I reconquered myself as a person. I didn’t think I was going to sign up for full Ironman anytime soon after that, but I did. I wasn’t sure how it would transpire but I believed. I believed so much that I reached out to a charity and shared my vision and they wanted to back me up without a question.
 
 
 

Today I’m still sober and a sponsored Ironman athlete raising awareness for Hearts of Empowerment. By the grace of God I was given a second chance to live this life with purpose and meaning. I made a promise to myself from then on that I would help bring others to this light.

I share this story again and again because I hope to inspire someone who might be experiencing some hardships in their life. I want you to know it is possible to come out on top. Hold on for your life like your life depends on it because it really does. Be persistent. Stay consistent. Work diligently until your dreams begin to manifest. When you achieve your dreams be the light for others who are still in the dark so that they too can find their way.

Mario recently volunteered with Hearts of Empowerment to deliver groceries to families negatively affected by COVID-19. 

Endorphin Cycling and Triathlon heard about Mario’s life-changing story and made him a custom trisuit that he will wear when he represents Hearts of Empowerment at the 2020 IRONMAN Cozumel, Mexico. 

Mario says, “As I laid out my family name while finalizing the design of my trisuit for Ironman, I couldn’t help but think of how proud my father would be to see the man and athlete I am today.

He trained me for first 1 mile race when I was 8. Here I am almost 20 years later taking on a 140.6 mile triathlon. He taught me the importance of physical and mental strength. He always showed up to my track meets in high school to proudly cheer on for me and I would do anything to physically hear his voice as I take on one of the hardest races in the world.”