{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/632498166f582400138c0fa7/685ca1477cd58072a5b2466c?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"#68 Charlie Sarmiento, Co-Founder of VTX","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/632498166f582400138c0fa7/1750900917035-ebd8b551-72d2-4bdc-b71b-e8e9389f3184.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>Jose Carlos \"Charlie\" Sarmiento went from corporate finance executive in Guatemala to extreme triathlete competing on the world stage, ultimately building VTX Athlete - a platform that connects endurance athletes with funding and brand sponsorships. In this episode, he shares his incredible journey from losing his father at 14, overcoming depression through ultramarathons, and creating a revolutionary algorithm that ranks athletes based on performance data rather than social media followers.</p><p><strong>What You'll Learn:</strong></p><ul><li>How to transition from corporate executive to sports entrepreneur</li><li>Why endurance sports funding is a $100 billion untapped market</li><li>The real costs of competing internationally ($15K per race, $100K annually)</li><li>How performance data can revolutionize athlete sponsorships</li><li>The mindset system that took Charlie from depression to world championships</li><li>Immigration strategies: From O1A visa to green card in 3 months</li></ul><p>⏰ <strong>KEY TIMESTAMPS:</strong></p><p><strong>00:00</strong> - Introduction: Meet Charlie Sarmiento, Ultra-Athlete &amp; Entrepreneur <strong>03:23</strong> - Losing His Father at 14: The Gift That Shaped His Character <strong>07:14</strong> - Building VTX Athlete: The \"NASDAQ for Athletes\" Concept <strong>08:47</strong> - Why Endurance Sports? The Untapped 100 Million Athlete Market <strong>09:44</strong> - The Real Cost Breakdown: $15K Per Race, $100K Annual Budget <strong>12:07</strong> - The VTX Algorithm: Performance Data vs. Social Media Metrics <strong>14:29</strong> - Three-Index System: Training, Social Impact, Athletic Results <strong>16:36</strong> - Market Size: 100M Athletes Worldwide, 60M Target Market <strong>17:24</strong> - Beyond Gear: Airlines, Hotels, and Real Sponsorship Needs <strong>19:51</strong> - \"The Real Ultraman\" Book: System to Rewire Your Brain <strong>21:43</strong> - From Zero to 50 Miles: Using Ultra Running to Beat Depression <strong>23:02</strong> - Immigration Journey: O1A Visa Through Athletic Excellence <strong>27:40</strong> - Why Entrepreneurship is Harder Than Ultramarathons <strong>31:49</strong> - Favorite Race: Lavaredo Dolomites, Italy (Family Heritage) <strong>32:55</strong> - Living in Gratitude: What Charlie is Optimistic About</p><p>🔗 <strong>Connect with Charlie:</strong></p><p>Instagram: <a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/ultrasarmiento/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.instagram.com/ultrasarmiento/</a></p><p>LinkedIn: <a href=\"https://www.linkedin.com/in/charliesarmiento/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://www.linkedin.com/in/charliesarmiento/</a></p><p>Company: <a href=\"https://www.vtxathlete.com/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">www.vtxathlete.com</a></p><p>Book: <a href=\"https://a.co/d/33SuRkQ\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://a.co/d/33SuRkQ</a></p><p><br></p><p>🎯 <strong>About VTX Athlete:</strong> VTX Athlete is revolutionizing endurance sports by creating the first performance-based marketplace connecting athletes with funding and brand sponsorships through data-driven algorithms.</p><p><br></p><p>#Entrepreneurship #EnduranceSports #UltraMarathon #Immigration #PerformanceData #SportsSponsorship #Guatemala #Austin #StartupStory</p><p>Enjoy the episode!</p><p>If you love this episode, please share and review the podcast! It will help more immigrant and international founders find these content.</p><p>You can find us here: <a href=\"https://linktr.ee/foreignfounders\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://linktr.ee/foreignfounders</a></p>","author_name":"Chibit"}