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Sportfishing and Running

Fishing: How it began

Fishing runs in my family. My great grandfather originally adopted this hobby and passed it on to later generations. I started fishing at the age of 5 with my dad, who is also an avid fishermen. Whether at the riverbanks or on a boat miles offshore, I have spent a great part of my free time behind the rod.

Throughout the years, I have gained expertise on different techniques and managed to catch quite a few trophy fish. But fishing is more than just reeling in the fish. There is a modus operandi behind fishing that contributes immensely to my personal and work life.

PANAMA: The place to fish!

I was, luckily, born in Panama—considered one the world’s top destinations for sport fishing. Legend has it that “Panama” is a native word that literally means “abundance of fish”.

600 pound Pacific Black Marlin, caught and released in 2007. Montuosa Island, Gulf of Chiriquí, Panama

Disconnecting from the outside world

Fishing provides an instant getaway from the bustle and the routine of city life. Nowadays we seem to be incessantly connected to cellphones, email, work and social networks. My first rule when going fishing is to leave my cellphone on the dock.

A fishing trip lets me connect with myself and disconnect from everyday problems. There are few moments where one can relax and simply enjoy life at its fullest. For me, fishing fills the thirst for adventure and pure repose.

While fishing, I can appreciate the earth’s gifts firsthand. Sometimes we take natural resources for granted as well as the planet’s wildlife. There is something mystical about tasting a wild caught fish that gave an epic battle—something that gives me a deep sense of respect, gratitude and union with nature. The oceans are an important source of food, and slowly we are depleting them. I have seen this through the decline in the amount of fish caught by recreational fishermen—mainly due to large commercial vessels that overfish and destroy the ecosystems.

As a result, I promote the practice of catch and release, by releasing the majority of the fish I catch and just keeping the minimum for a good meal.

Interacting with nature

TeamworkFishing has taught me to work in teams while doing something I like. A fishing crew has to be committed to pursuing a single goal. While fishing for a “grander”, a prized marlin, good communication is the first skill required.

Everyone from the captain to the mate and fisherman has to be constantly communicating to avoid lines breaking or hooks pulling off. This requires great attention to detail, as a single mistake can cost you the catch of a lifetime.

Fighting a big fish requires cooperation from the entire team. Although usually only one person fights a fish, every member has to be on the lookout.

Maintaining a positive, collaborative attitude and communication with your team provides the best results.

OrganizationPursuing a fishing trip requires a lot of planning and defining courses of action. Planning happens before leaving the dock:

1. One has to set a date and destination. 2. Next you need to prepare a budget, including:

a. The amount of fuel you’ll spend. b. The food to take on the trip. c. The other costs involving fishing licenses and

equipment. 3. The fishing equipment needs to be ready to use and in

proper conditions before departing. Once out in the ocean there is no going back if something was left behind.

Organization is a skill I used to struggle with, and it’s something

I pay close attention to, as it’s not my natural strength. When a

fishing trip comes up, I take full responsibility for the entireorganization, as I believe facing my weaknesses is the best

wayto overcome them.

Running : My new passion

How it beganIn February 2012, I made the best decision of my entire life.

I weighed 312 pounds and was in terrible physical and emotional condition. I realized if I didn’t make a drastic change, my life would be in jeopardy. As a result, I engaged in a dietary program and started exercising.

Exercising was foreign to me, since I was the furthest from athletic you could get. I tried different types of exercises, but none provided the satisfaction that running sparked in me. When I started my program, I could barely walk 100 meters without panting for breath.

After 14 months of intense dedication and training, I had lost 113 pounds and completed 10 races between 5 and 21km.

Becoming a runner introduced me to a new life—a life in which I take advantage of each day and apply my newfound energy to whatever task that I want to complete.

Me in 2011 The new me

Self ConfidenceRunning boosted my ability to be self confident. Completing a half marathon made me aware that in order to succeed you need to believe in yourself.

Just two years ago, I thought running and being in shape was impossible for me. As soon as I started having confidence in myself, though, I started seeing results.

In my everyday job I try to be as confident as possible in every assignment I engage in. This has proven to be an excellent tool for success.

PreparationRunning a half marathon requires great preparation and planning. In order to complete longer races, I needed to plan how to get there, one run at a time. This planning required scheduling long runs, cross training as well as following a special diet. I started my running plan by covering shorter distances from 3 km, 5 km,8 km, 10 km,16 km and finally 21km.

Following a plan is indisputable for me, as it is the customized conduit to completing a goal. Running taught me that sticking to a strategy is the best way to get to the finish line.

Setting GoalsBy running, I discovered there is always room for improvement.

When I started running, my only desire was to cross the finish line. It didn’t matter if I had to stop for rest or finish in last place. As I progressed in losing weight, however, I longed for new goals. Now I wanted to arrive in a better position, to beat my personal records and to cover races with longer distances. All of these added to a personal bucket list that compelled me to achieve excellence.

Setting specific goals has helped me focus on the final product from the beginning, therefore allowing me to master the process along the journey.

THE END

Roberto Linares Guinard – International MBA applicant – IE Business School