Manny De Guzman Owner Contact Manny

 

About Manny

I was born in Manila Philippines and moved to the US at the age of 2 and grew up in the S.F. Bay Area. After graduating from H.S. I enlisted in the USARMY, and served with the 82nd Airborne Division, the 2nd Infantry Division (South Korea), and with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). Having completed my contract, I was honorably discharged and immediately enrolled in college at SFSU. I eventually transferred to California State University Hayward and earned a BS degree. Shortly after graduation I married my college girlfriend Cynthia and after 3 years of marriage we had our one and only child Garin who is now 9 years old and our love and joy.

Although my original goal upon graduation was to become a Police Officer, I instead opted for a career in Information Technology during the height of the Dot Com era. After 8 years in the industry I still had the itch to give law enforcement a shot and in 2002 left the high-tech world and embarked on my original plans to become a Police Officer. In 2003 I completed training and was employed as a full-time Peace Officer for a small municipal agency in the East Bay.

Although I enjoyed my experience in law enforcement, due to family issues I left the department as a full-time peace office (remaining as a level 1 reservist) and became an independent contractor for a leading parcel delivery/pickup company where I've learned many valuable lessons on how to run a small business. Although this current venture has been very successful, I've always wanted to pursue something that I can truly be passionate about.

As I began my research into franchises I formulated certain criteria's that I thought to be important in selecting the right business for me to pursue. I drew upon my many past experiences as well as my hobbies, competing in triathlons and adventure races, working out, and playing competitive tennis and realized that throughout my life, regardless of whatever I was doing, the one constant is my love of fitness. As I continued to refine my search many family and friends suggested that I look into Personal Training as I had trained people part-time back in college and continued to train people at my home for free.

This key point led me to Athletic Nation. Immediately upon visiting the website, I signed up for the free one week training session where I met Manny Peterson, Operations Director. I was so impressed with his knowledge and professionalism I mentioned my interest in franchising opportunities with AN. He quickly introduced me to Dennis Mulgannon, the Founder and President and we hit it off like two college pals catching up on life. Fitness has always been a strong foundation in my life and I've always sought to help others achieve their goals and can think of no better platform than Athletic Nation to pursue this honorable endeavor.

I like to tell people that life's an adventure and we've only got one life to live so why not have a blast and try as many things as you can. Having said this, I look forward to this new journey and am very excited to be a part of a franchise that's new in its existence, unique in its concept, and is truly trying to help others find their way back to a healthier active athletic lifestyle.