How did Hammer get started in your country?
At the end of 2014, through my former business partner, I was told about the opportunity to work with an American supplement brand. I decided to try it out during the 67K Trail Putaendo in the 5th Region of Chile, following Steve Born’s recommendations: 18 gels and 18 Endurolytes capsules during the race—without any stomach issues—and 3 scoops of Whey Protein after the race. Those were the only products we had available at the time. That’s when we recognized the quality of the products, especially since in Chile we had only been exposed to typical supplement brands.
Following a visit from Brian Frank to Chile in 2015, we decided to move forward with the brand under HAMMER NUTRITION CHILE. We leveraged the full reach of Pro-Runners to position the brand using ambassadors in rowing, cycling, and triathlon, along with a strong presence at in-person events.
What is your personal story?
My father was a boxer, and I grew up watching him train and fight from a very young age. By 1986, I was already participating in gym workouts and running outdoors. My first sports were soccer, basketball, and chess, and I discovered track and field in 1988 with events like the 400, 800, and 1500 meters. At first, I was juggling three sports at once, but by 1992, I decided to focus solely on running, which led to my first major athletic achievements.
Between 1986 and 1993, one of my goals was to promote running not just as a sport, but as a lifestyle that improves people's quality of life—especially in a society that lacked a strong sports culture.
What is your athletic background?
From 1993 to 1995, I competed throughout Chile representing the city of Constitución with the Atlético Rangers de Talca club.
In 1996, I joined the Chilean Navy, where I was a selected member of the athletics and cross country team for 24 years, up until my retirement in 2020. I represented the institution in races across Chile, and individually, I ran marathons and trail races. That same year, I requested my discharge to fully dedicate myself to my company, Pro-Runners (founded in 2010), and to Hammer Nutrition Chile Spa (founded in 2015).
I managed all this alongside my institutional studies in telecommunications electronics, with a subspecialty in naval aviation, and completed all the required training courses throughout my 24-year naval career. Independently, I also studied Computer Systems Engineering at Universidad Federico Santa María.
What are some of your proudest accomplishments?
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Two-time 1500m champion (1993–1994) – Ciudad Constitución
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Provincial Champion, 1500m (1994)
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3rd place, Regional Cross Country 5000m (1994)
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Two-time 1500m champion (1995–1996) – Escuela de Grumetes, Isla Quiriquina
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Two-time Interinstitutional Armed Forces Champion (1995–1996) – Santiago, Chile
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15-time winner of the “Corrida Albatros Dorado” of the Chilean Naval Aviation (2001–2019)
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2 hours 48 minutes in the Costa del Pacífico Marathon (route from Puchuncaví to Concón)
- And many more race wins :)
