Today we’d like to introduce you to Christian Marin Diaz.
Christian, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
1. Can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today?
Soccer has been a part of my life since I was five years old. I played for the second team of Málaga CF in Spain, and in 2007, my life took a major turn when I was offered a full-ride scholarship to play soccer at California Baptist University (CBU) in Riverside, California. It covered tuition, housing, books, and two meals a day—but being from Spain, where we eat 4 to 5 times a day, I needed to find a way to cover the rest of my expenses.
That’s when I got my coaching license and began working with youth soccer teams while being a full-time student-athlete. I started as an assistant for two Gold Level teams and later became a head coach. I noticed a lack of skill development and deeper understanding of the game, so I took the top five players and began small group and individual sessions to work on those details. The improvement was incredible, and it opened my eyes to the real power of tailored training.
In 2008, I launched Elite Soccer Personal Training and worked with a wide variety of players—those with learning disabilities, medical conditions, recreational players, college athletes, and even my own university teammates. In 2015, I expanded and founded Elite Soccer PK, where we now offer private clinics, team practices, and seasonal training clinics. Over the last 15+ years, I’ve grown as a trainer and mentor, developing a philosophy that focuses on long-term growth, not just short-term results.
At Elite Soccer PK, our sessions are built around the four pillars of development: Physical, Technical, Tactical, and Psychological, and we follow a progression through the stages of learning: Cognitive, Associative, and Autonomous. For our long-term players, we implement a full development path, from Fundamentals to Active for Life.
What started as a way to support myself through college turned into a lifelong calling. Today, I’m proud to say that Elite Soccer PK helps young athletes unlock their highest potential—not just as players, but as people.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
2. Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Far from smooth—but I wouldn’t change a thing.
When I first came to the U.S., I didn’t speak any English, and CBU didn’t have an ESL program at the time. Although I had the athletic scholarship, I wasn’t academically accepted. I enrolled at Los Angeles City College and completed all ESL courses, but it wasn’t enough. CBU required me to complete a semester of General Education, so I went to Santa Monica College for another year. It took me almost a year and a half to finally gain admission to CBU.
That experience taught me resilience, discipline, and humility—qualities I still carry into my work today.
Professionally, I’ve also faced challenges. At the beginning of my coaching journey, I realized that many players lacked basic fundamentals, and that traditional team training wasn’t always enough. Instead of being discouraged, I used it as motivation to develop a different kind of program—one where we focus on individual needs, player psychology, and personalized progress plans.
Time is one of the most valuable resources we have. Whether in a 90-minute personal session or a seasonal clinic, I make sure every player walks away with skills they can continue working on at home.
The road hasn’t been easy, but every struggle has shaped the values and training philosophy that define Elite Soccer PK today.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Soccer training academy
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
3. Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
For me, mentorship has come less from traditional networking and more from building genuine relationships with players, parents, and fellow coaches. My advice is simple: be authentic, be open, and never stop learning.
As a mentor myself, I don’t just focus on helping kids improve their game—I help them build confidence, develop a winning attitude, and find motivation within themselves. Parents, players, and coaches all have to be aligned in their commitment. I work closely with families to help them understand the pathway from recreational to competitive soccer, and the time, discipline, and mindset required to get there.
One thing I’m proud of is that I don’t do “maintenance training.” My goal isn’t to just keep kids busy. I want them to walk away with tools that help them become better athletes and better people. I teach them to work hard, train with intention, and stay humble. When they call or message me years later to say they got a college scholarship, signed a pro contract, or made the team they dreamed of—I know I did more than just train them. I mentored them.
Whether you’re looking for a mentor or hoping to become one, my best advice is to lead with integrity, stay passionate, and be consistent. The right people will recognize your energy and want to be a part of what you’re building.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.elitesoccerpk.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elitesoccerpk/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EliteSoccerPK/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ8HmXAlXCaecRnmRgVE68g
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/elite-soccer-pk-encino-5
