Today we’d like to introduce you to Dario.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
If I had to describe my journey in one sentence, I would say it has been a life of constant reinvention, guided by faith, family, and a passion for serving others.
I was born and raised in Colombia, where my love for soccer began at a very young age. Soccer taught me discipline, resilience, teamwork, and the belief that every challenge is an opportunity to grow. Along the way, I also built a career in hospitality, which allowed me to work in different countries and cultures. Those experiences shaped me personally and professionally, teaching me the importance of connecting with people and making them feel valued.
When my family and I moved to the United States, we had to start over. Like many immigrants, I took on different jobs, including construction, while continuing to pursue my dream of playing competitive soccer. It wasn’t always easy, but every experience taught me humility, perseverance, and the value of hard work.
The greatest turning point in my life came when my son, Leo, was diagnosed with cancer. Everything changed in an instant. Our family’s priorities shifted, and we learned lessons about courage, hope, and unconditional love that no one can truly prepare you for. Watching him fight with such strength transformed the way I see life. It reminded me that success isn’t measured by trophies or titles, but by the impact we have on the people around us.
Today, I’m grateful to continue playing competitive soccer, but my greatest passion is coaching young athletes. I love helping children develop not only their technical skills but also their confidence, discipline, and character. Every child I coach reminds me that sports have the power to shape lives far beyond the field.
Above all, I consider my greatest accomplishment to be my family. My wife, our four children, and everything we’ve experienced together have made me the person I am today. Every challenge has strengthened our bond and reinforced my belief that even in life’s hardest moments, there is always hope, purpose, and an opportunity to inspire others.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all. Like many people, my journey has been filled with unexpected challenges, setbacks, and moments that completely changed the direction of my life.
Starting over in the United States was one of the biggest adjustments. Leaving behind everything familiar meant rebuilding my career from the ground up. I worked in construction, took on different opportunities, and learned that there is dignity in every honest job. Those experiences taught me resilience and reminded me that success is built one step at a time.
The greatest challenge my family has ever faced came when our son, Leo, was diagnosed with cancer. No parent is ever prepared to hear those words. There were countless hospital visits, long treatments, uncertainty, and emotional highs and lows. During that time, my wife and I made it our mission to fill the hospital with hope and joy for our children, even on the hardest days. Looking back, I believe that experience changed all of us forever. It taught us to celebrate every small victory, to appreciate every moment together, and never to take life for granted.
Balancing family, work, competitive soccer, and coaching has also required sacrifice. There have been moments when I questioned whether I could keep pursuing my dreams while being the father and husband my family needed. But every challenge reinforced the same lesson: perseverance, faith, and the support of the people you love can carry you through even the most difficult seasons.
Today, I don’t see those struggles as obstacles that held me back. I see them as the experiences that shaped my character, strengthened my family, and gave me a deeper purpose. They remind me every day why I coach, why I keep playing, and why I try to encourage others to never give up.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about DHS Training ?
DHS Training was created with a simple mission: to help young athletes become better soccer players while also growing into confident, disciplined, and resilient individuals. Soccer is the tool, but character is the goal.
I provide personalized soccer training for players of all ages and skill levels, with sessions designed to improve technical ability, speed, decision-making, agility, and game intelligence. Every training plan is tailored to the individual because I believe every player learns differently and deserves personal attention.
What truly sets DHS Training apart is the environment we create. I don’t believe in simply running drills or chasing quick results. I focus on building confidence, developing a strong mindset, and helping players fall in love with the process of improving. Parents often tell me that they notice changes not only in their children’s soccer skills, but also in their work ethic, attitude, and self-belief.
My own journey has shaped the way I coach. As a lifelong soccer player, an immigrant, a father of four, and the parent of a childhood cancer survivor, I understand the value of perseverance, gratitude, and resilience. Those experiences remind me that every child has a different story, and I strive to coach each one with patience, empathy, and high standards.
The achievement I’m most proud of isn’t measured by trophies or wins. It’s seeing young players become more confident, watching families trust me with their children’s development, and knowing that I’ve made a positive impact on their lives both on and off the field. My goal is for every athlete who trains with DHS Training to leave not only as a better player, but as a better person.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I’m always looking for ways to grow, both as a coach and as a person. One book that has had a lasting impact on me is The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey because it reminds me that leadership begins with character and personal discipline.
I also enjoy reading Atomic Habits by James Clear. It reinforces something I teach my players every day: success doesn’t come from one great performance—it comes from small, consistent improvements over time.
For soccer, I regularly watch professional matches, coaching clinics, and training sessions from top academies around the world. I’m always studying the game because I believe the best coaches never stop learning.
On a daily basis, I rely on apps like WhatsApp to stay connected with families and players, Google Calendar to organize my schedule, and Hudl to analyze matches and continue learning from the game.
More than anything, my greatest source of inspiration comes from the families I work with and from my own children. They remind me every day why I love what I do and why it’s important to keep growing—not only as a coach, but as a human being.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dhs.training10/
