Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexander Mendoza.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
It all started when my brother showed me a video of a Freestyler named Soufiane Touzani doing some soccer tricks on the internet. I was mind blown by the skills he was demonstrating, I wanted to do the same tricks! That was about 16 years ago; I was 12-13 years old. I went out and practiced for hours at a time, sometimes 8 hrs, ah, how it feels to be young, haha. After 3-4 years practicing in my backyard, I got contacted by Nike to do some performances and travel, I was still too young to do any type of work, so I got dismissed. Instead of making me feel disappointed, this gave me more energy and got me motivated. I told myself, I will be the best in the city, best I can be. Few years later, I got chosen to be in a team called “Futboleros” in where I was instantly hooked on performing and doing shoots. I was in that Freestyle team for eight years. We traveled almost the entire United States for various companies, halftime shows, etc. I will set up meetings/training with people who had/have the same interest in Freestyle and we developed a community. I got invited to compete in every national competition in the United States and World, in which I been able to win the first three national championships. It’s been almost 16 years now in the sport of freestyle, but I will not change it for anything.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It’s been a super tough road, many doubts from friends, coaches and family. In the beginning stages, I was always told that Freestyle is nothing, I wouldn’t get anywhere with it, that I was a clown, that I am wasting my time, etc. I never saw it from their eyes, I might have hurt a lot of my family with some of my decisions while pursuing my dreams, but sometimes is hard to make everyone happy when they don’t see what your own eyes see, they don’t know the feeling of how I feel when I juggle a ball.
Alex17 – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I am a professional soccer freestyler, along with other freestylers in the local area of LA, we specialize in entertainment, coaching kids skills they can use inside and outside the field. We love teaching the importance of self-discipline and importance of creativity, when you look at an object, some people might see on way of using it, but we try to encourage various ways of creativity. Our proudest moments are when kids learn a trick or create a trick, their smile is what really makes us feel accomplished, nothing beats a kids smile.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I personally define success by levels of happiness. If you’re happy with your situation, then why should you feel put down and stressed. I believe success is how you look at it, in reality, there are people out there with “success” which driven by money as an outcome, however; I believe success is when you create a movement, a community, you help your community, your peers, when you spent time with the people that love you and care about you. Of course, money does matter, but being rich is just one factor of success.
Pricing:
- Private sessions are about $100/Hr
- Performance and Appearances: Email: [email protected]
Contact Info:
- Address: 13728 Judith St La Puente CA 91746
- Phone: 3237679415
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @alexfs17
- Facebook: @alex17freestyle
Image Credit:
Adrian Krog
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