Meet Anthony Angulo | Performance Trainer for APEC & Regional Coordinator for Adaptive Foundation

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anthony Angulo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anthony, looking back, what do you think was the most difficult decision you’ve had to make?
I made the decision to change careers to pursue my passion. I had a typical 9-5 job that evolved into a career at a luxury dealership in Fort Worth. My life was good, and I found satisfaction in assisting our clients with their service needs. However, I felt that I wasn’t fulfilling my purpose. I grew up as an athlete and missed being on the field. I played soccer from the age of five until college when, unfortunately, I tore my hamstring. Ultimately, I decided to drop out of college and enter the workforce. During that time, my identity as a soccer player became distorted as I couldn’t overcome the mental hurdle of performing at the same intensity I once had in soccer. It was at this moment I had to make a decision to take a big risk for a big reward.

I decided to reach out to a performance training facility called APEC, which specializes in working with athletes in different stages of performance. It was there that my heart felt at home, surrounded by a community that loved to move. Whether it was an adult fitness class or a sports-specific class, everyone was striving to improve. This was my first introduction to understanding what it took to become a strength and conditioning coach and physical therapist. I remember leaving the facility and seeing the prerequisites needed for this career. Once I had a plan in place, I decided to take the leap of faith with this opportunity.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am fortunate to have many roles here at APEC. I am one of the few performance trainers who have the great opportunity to train youth and professional athletes, adults working toward their fitness goals, and our adaptive population. Some view us as a gym or performace training facility. I love to tell people we are an environment that are here to transform lives.

Another role is being the Patient Liaison Coordinator for APEC Medical Services. It’s an opportunity to go into our communities and talk about the physical therapy, chiropractic, and massage therapy services we provide. APEC, being the multidisciplinary facility it is, specializes in movement within the human body. As an aspiring physical therapist, I admire the work our team does to optimize the best rehabilitation practices for our patients.

Additionally, I serve as the Regional Coordinator for the Adaptive Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping anyone facing challenges. We train and support kids, athletes, adults, and veterans affected by conditions but not limited to: spina bifida, amputation, brain injury, military injury, and poverty. Currently, we have an amputee group of up to twelve members who receive the same professional training we provide. Hosting events and fundraising is rewarding, as it demonstrates how our community loves to support those within it. This is where my purpose began to be fulfilled.

This journey wasn’t easy, as I shifted careers, returned to college with financial commitments, and made sacrifices in daily activities and relationships. At 24, I decided to become a full-time student at UTA while also working a part-time job and overnight job to live in my means. My schedule had to be carefully managed to meet all my commitments. This period strengthened my relationship with my wife, as it required us to communicate effectively despite limited time together. It was a constant grind, working overnight shifts, attending classes, and working in orthopedic outpatient physical therapy until I graduated.

There were times when I questioned whether it was worth it, but those moments built the resilience I have now. Once I set my mind to something, I commit fully. I became adaptable to any scenario and overcame many challenges, stay discipline to the plan, and conquering fears and self-sabotage. Now, I love what I do, as I get to express my passion and share my experiences with everyone I meet.

I enjoy discussing how movement is medicine with communities. I advocate that movement is the key to pursuing one’s dreams, whether through workouts, walks in the park, conversations with people in our community, or volunteering at different facilities. My goal is to share the wealth of knowledge I’ve gained through my journey, as I want everyone to experience the fulfillment I have. This is why I am passionate about bridging rehabilitation to performance through fitness.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love Fort Worth. It’s such a unique city where you can experience a bit of everything. If you want to see livestock and cattle, let’s go to the Stockyards. If you’re in the mood for nightlife, we can hang out at Sundance Square. If you prefer a quiet or subtle night, there are plenty of areas for that. As a foodie at heart, there’s one meal in the Clearfork area that I adore. It’s at a restaurant called Malai Kitchen, and the Chilean Sea Bass is my favorite, which is a big deal because I love food overall! I enjoy the Clearfork area because it offers various activities, including a variety of restaurants to choose from, trails for walking, and outdoor activities to participate in.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I had many mentors and a tremendous amount of support throughout my journey. First, my wife who believed in me when I was at my lowest, and now she sees me at the peak of my opportunities. Without her constant love, support, and care, I wouldn’t be able to do what I am doing now. It took a village to build me into the person I am today, and I’m grateful to everyone who believed in me, from family, especially Max and Will Campos who guided me through that phase of resiliency, to friends who continue to support me at every step. I’m also thankful for organizations such as Sports Rehab Specialist, where Clay, Sheila, and their team helped me hone the skills I have today, which I can now provide to our Fort Worth community.

But the biggest shout-out goes to APEC. From past and present performance trainers that coached me and taught me the skills to be a performance coach, to the people who work out here, and especially to Brandon, one of the hardest-working yet humble individuals I know, this environment made me believe that my life could transform. I’m now a testimony to it, working as a performance trainer for APEC and serving as the regional coordinator for the Adaptive Foundation. It’s more significant than me, as I witness our adaptive amputee athletes coming in to get their work done here at our facility.

Website: https://teamapec.com/ & https://www.apecadaptive.org/

Instagram: @angu10 , @apec_fortworth, and @adaptivefoundation

Linkedin: Anthony Angulo

Facebook: APEC Fort Worth

Youtube: Angulito10

Image Credits
Carrie C. Carrie T. Anthony O.