Santiago "Doc" Rios Story

First thing, I must wake up before the sun is up. Never in a rush, always in a tactical and healthy way to start my day, I repeat the mantra "Not Dead Can't Quit" since 2009, my day starts early, with enough time to look my best before leaving the house, always with a solid and healthy diet as breakfast is the most important meal of the day, well informed via internet and TV, day planned, and enough time to reach my destination easy while avoiding driving like a mad man and putting myself or others in harms way.

 

I feel proud, stronger, fortunate and honored. I had the opportunity to meet Mack in person, spent one of the most amazing and powerful days in my life talking to him, showing him the student I am about NDCQ and Unleashing the Warrior Within me. I feel tactical...cool...and of course great looking with my NDCQ gear. Everytime I wear it, no matter where, people ask me what is it, and I share the story.

 

My biggest moment came and has been when I moved to Texas back in 2012 to start a new life, a huge shift in my career and married at that time. I left everything behind and learn from the ground up how to be a Clinical Researcher, a scientist, to contribute to society one patient at the time. I have never done any Clinical Research before in my life as a doctor. I had to learn it all. Work longer, harder and under more pressure. I had a house hold to support. My loved ones were miles and miles away. New town, new people, recently married. I questioned my destiny every single day, my decision, I second guessed my choices a thousand times. Until I re-read Mack's book again, two times. I had the NDCQ Thermal, and the challenge coin I carry with me everywhere. Every time I wanted to run away from this new life, I remembered what NDCQ means. I repeated it in my mind and heart day and night. I applied to my daily work and learning process. I applied the theory about setting targets: Target, dictates the weapon, weapon dictates the movement. I started as a research trainee, I was kept as such for months. Fast forward 6 years, and now I am an expert, the best version of myself as a clinical research professional, I have traveled the country teaching and training new generations of researchers and doctors, I manage the operations of the company that one day hired me. I have a wonderful life. At 43 I do not work a day in my life. I love what I do. I never gave up. I hit rock bottom, I kept moving, I had breath, and heart beat, I was never dead, I could not quit. I am in the best shape of my life. Crossfit and bootcamp training are my addiction, and when the workouts are taking me to the edge and about to blow chow or my muscles to collapse, my Coach yields in my ear "N D C Q "...he knows my story, so I can be ahead other class members that are in their 20's. NDCQ and Mack through his book and philosophy changed my life, forever! From here to heaven I will always be thankful in my heart for that.

 

What is your next personal target? Do you feel that having an NDCQ mindset and using the Not Dead Can’t Quit mantra will help you in achieving that target? If no, how can we improve our message?

My next personal Target is to be the number #1 Clinical Research Professional in America! I know I can be. We are winning the war against Alzheimer Disease, battles have been conquered...now is time for the final showdown and beat this degenerative disease. Complete an obstacle course, ruck sack event or challenge at 43 at national level. For sure this summer do a sub 1 hour Murph!

Having an NDCQ mind set...is everything!