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Meet Duda Bueno of Duda Bueno fitness

Today we’d like to introduce you to Duda Bueno.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started working out when I was 15 years old back in Brazil. I was a very skinny kid and was inspired to get bigger because loved watching Arnold Schwarzenegger movies. By the age of 19, I started working in 2 gyms as a gym instructor while going to school and taking physical education and some different fitness courses at the same time.

In the mornings I went to school, then the afternoons I worked in my hometown, Novo Hamburgo, at a big gym as a gym instructor, which in Brazil is the first step before becoming a trainer. In the evenings, I worked in another gym in a neighboring town, Sao Leopoldo, which I worked till midnight Monday through Saturday.

At the age of 19, I started doing personal training and had some private clients on the side while still being a gym instructor at both gyms. I worked hard and all was going great with my jobs and personal training but then I decided to move to the USA at the age of 23 years old. I came here with $1500 in my pocket and did not speak any English. that was fun!! (LOL)

Since I didn’t speak any English yet, I had to go to English classes at night and worked during the day in many different jobs. I was doing a little personal training here and there on the side to only Brazilians since I only spoke Portuguese in the beginning.

Finally, after learning and feeling comfortable enough with English, I was able to train anyone and I also learned Spanish along the way too. In 2007 I ended up competing in my first bodybuilding show and had learned about a gym in San Diego called World Gym.

I went to check it out and realized it was my new home and was totally inspired to create my personal training business and grow my clientele there. I competed from 2007 until 2015 as a bodybuilder and achieved a higher level of knowledge by doing so. In 2015 I made the tough decision to retire and focus on my business because I wanted to be able to give my full self not only to my clients but to my wife and 2 daughters.

I now am 44 years old and have 29 years of training! I currently do nutrition and train all types of people from competitors to your regular everyday people that just want to look and feel good and learn how to have a healthier lifestyle. I have many online clients as well as one on one focused personal training and even group trainings too.

You can check out my Instagram to see all my client transformations @dudabuenofitness.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
My biggest challenge was learning English when I arrived and gaining the courage and confidence to take the leap to become fully self-employed and never give up even when my business used to have slow times. I kept the faith that I was doing my passion and what I loved and it really was my calling in life.

Please tell us about Duda Bueno fitness.
I do one on one personal training, group sessions, online nutrition and workout plans, competition prep for bodybuilders, classic physique, physique, bikini and figure competitors, healthy lifestyle coaching.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Nothing, I believe my path has gone the way its supposed to.

Contact Info:

  • Phone: 858-952-4252
  • Email: duda_munaia@hotmail.com
  • Instagram: @dudabuenofitness
  • Facebook: Duda Bueno
  • Other: @dudabuenofitness

Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

1 Comment

  1. Elsa Buck

    December 9, 2020 at 11:05 pm

    Hello. My friend revered me to you. I have a question do you think I can still participate, compete in any competition? I am 52 years old and not in shape at all. I am 5,0 and weight approx 140 lbs

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