For almost two years, Julio remained virtually confined to his room, bedridden and relying even on a machine to breathe while he slept. The most routine tasks, such as showering or walking a few meters, had become real challenges. “I had become a hostage to my own body and to food,” he recalls.
Although he had been trying to lose weight for some time, there was one date that marked a before and after: January 11, 2025. The trigger had arrived months earlier, with the birth of his nephew. Julio wanted to go meet him and bring him a gift, but his physical condition prevented him. He couldn’t reach him. That sense of impotence made him understand that he needed to change. He wanted to be present in his family’s life and regain something that seemed to have been lost forever: his freedom.
His first step wasn’t to run. It was to dive into a pool. Swimming became his great ally, and gradually he began to recover mobility and confidence. Of the more than 120 kilos he has lost so far, a large part came thanks to exercising in the water. Afterwards he added the gym and, when his body allowed it, he started to run.
His first major experience came with the San Silvestre, a race he completed after many hours of effort and that opened the doors to a new world. Since then, he has participated in international races, turning each finish line into a small personal victory.
The latest one has been very special: the 10 kilometers of the Cursa Bombers in Barcelona, his first race in Spain. Julio completed the route in 2 hours and 5 minutes. A time that says very little about what he has actually achieved.
Today, every stride represents much more than physical exercise. It is a way to reclaim lost time, fulfill promises, and prove that you can always start again. Moreover, for every kilo he loses, he multiplies it into kilos of food for the Food Bank, and he has already managed to distribute more than two tons.
His next objective remains to drop below 100 kilos. “I think my weight should be around 85-90 kilos.” But while he continues to fight with the scale, Julio has already reached a much more important goal: to feel alive again.
