From the classroom to the elite of professional football

By: Alejandro García Suárez – Advisory Office of Communications

John Meza Cárdenas graduated in 2016 from the Sports Science program at the University of Cundinamarca, Soacha extension, and today he is a key part of the technical team of Independiente Santa Fe as the physical trainer of the professional squad.

His work goes beyond directing training sessions; Meza Cárdenas applies a scientific approach that he learned in university classrooms, where the Transmodern Digital Educational Model (MEDIT) taught him to see the sport from a comprehensive perspective.

“MEDIT allowed me to understand training from a holistic perspective, analyzing qualitative and quantitative variables that are correlated with each other,” explains the physical trainer, who recognizes his university education as the starting point of his successful career.

The difference in their training was made by the Knowledge and Learning Managers. Meza Cárdenas recalls with admiration having classes with figures such as Fredy Amazo Velasco, a prominent Olympic athlete, Judy Jaramillo as program coordinator, and Olympic coach Jaime Martínez.

“They were people who knew what it was like, what it took to prepare for those sporting events,” Meza emphasizes, valuing the experience of learning from those who had been at the elite level of the sport. For John, there are three essential pillars for those starting down this path: reflecting on daily practice, having effective communication with athletes, and deepening their specific knowledge of the discipline. “Performance is in the details,” he asserted.

Meza Cárdenas has managed to establish himself as a key figure in the technical team of Independiente Santa Fe, combining discipline, knowledge and passion for the sport.

University pride

Today, while physically training the players of one of the most emblematic clubs in Colombian football, Meza Cárdenas hasn't forgotten his roots. His story exemplifies the impact of an education connected to the realities of high-performance sports.

“I carry the University of Cundinamarca in my heart,” says the proud player who represents both Santa Fe on the field and his alma mater off it.

Their story inspires new generations of students who dream of going far from a local level, demonstrating that with effort, passion and quality training, dreams do come true.

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