About Me
Hey there! Thanks for stopping by and getting to know me.
My name is Andres Vargas and I’m the owner and head coach of The Strength Cave.
If you’re serious about being the fittest, strongest version of yourself and learning what it takes to reach your peak in life, then you’re in the right place!
You see, I wasn’t always the go-getter, fitness fanatic that I am today. In fact, I spent a large portion of my life slacking off, avoiding exercise, and eating a mostly fast food diet. The only things these behaviors did for me was help me to pack on some serious pounds, jeopardize my health, and lead me down the path of nearly flunking out of school…
But one day I realized that I’d had enough. The habits and lifestyle choices I was making were not acceptable. I knew I needed to change my ways and I dedicated myself to doing just that.
What I didn’t know is that those lifestyle changes would spark a burning passion that would lead me to dedicate myself to not only being the peak version of myself, but helping others do the same!
I began my transformation by losing 120 pounds and along the way I fell in love with pushing the limits of what my body could achieve.
I competed in powerlifting meets, fitness competitions, and pushed myself to the limits of how much strength and muscle I could build.
But then I learned the hard way that my strong work ethic could be a double-edged sword. Although I had all the right intentions, my lopsided training habits, and grind at all cost mentality lead me down a dark road of injury, health issues, and frustration.
This made me realize that working hard is only half the battle. In order to have remarkable AND sustainable results, I had to figure out how to work hard while also working efficiently.
I dedicated myself to learning even more about proper training and nutrition so I could heal my body. But, I also spent time improving my habits and mentality so I could continue achieving my goals inside and outside of the gym.
Balancing a stressful work/life schedule while crushing your fitness goals is not easy. But I’ve figured out how to be a high achiever in all areas of life without sacrificing health or happiness and I can help you do the exact same thing.
Naturally, my passion for fitness makes me a bit of a health and fitness nerd. And that nerdiness compels me to learn as much as I can about nutrition, training, health, etc.
Over the years, I’ve racked up countless health and fitness certifications including being a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and Certified Sports Nutritionist (CISSN). I also completed B.S. and M.S. degrees in exercise and nutritional sciences from Arizona State University and the University of South Florida and even taught courses at both colleges.
And the learning continues to this day. Whether it be browsing through scientific journals, taking new courses, reading books, or attending seminars, I’m always looking to upgrade my knowledge base.
Transforming myself from a lazy, obese kid into the athlete I am today wasn’t easy. It took years of hard work, guts, and consistent action. Now, I draw on that experience to help people like you uncover your maximum potential too!
If you’re willing to put in the work, I will help you crush every goal you set your mind to. And most importantly, I will help you do it while instilling the work ethic, habits, and knowledge you need to maintain your results and build upon them for years to come!
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Core Values
Honesty & Integrity
A trusting environment in which all parties can thrive.
Discipline & Diligence
Being willing to commit and trusting the process.
Constant Improvement
Never settling for less than you deserve. Always looking for ways to improve.
Leadership & Courage
Blazing your own trail and setting an example for those around you.
Curiosity & Open-Mindedness
Eager to learn and open to the opinion of others.