Cancún, Mexico, like many other cities with surf, sand and sun has long been a popular vacation destination. Tourist go there to get away, take a break, have some fun, enjoy the warmer temperatures and experience a different culture. But, Cancún and other leisure hot spots are much more than just a place to visit on holiday. It is home for many. And for those who call Cancún home, Mario Escobar has a fitness ministry called Dare You To Move that helps them in many ways. Physically members build strength, recover from injuries and become more active. Spiritually they overcome challenges, experience fellowship, gain Godly vision and move into new realms of potential.
Watch and then share this video conversation that Faith & Fitness Magazine Publisher Brad Bloom had with Mario.
THE STRATEGY OF STARTING A SUCCESSFUL FITNESS BUSINESS
There are different ways to start and grow a fitness ministry. Mario’s story beautifully illustrates how God is always guiding the process. Around age 18 he was living a life apart from God and he knew that was wearing on him.
Some U.S. based mission workers brought a sports outreach to Cancún and invited him to attend. It turned out to be the tool God used to reach Mario. He accepted Christ, began to be discipled and in a relatively short period of time found himself working with the same mission organization in Cuba and eventually India. It was his initial season of training to be led by God and to pursue a greater purpose.
But, as it is for everyone following Christ’s voice, it wasn’t some magical season in life without challenges. Deep down he was hurting as he struggled with some deep family issues. To address mental wellness needs his doctor/counselor recommended he become active in a physical fitness community. He took the doctor’s advice and enjoyed that so much that vocationally he decide to get some certifications so that he could help others physically.
His interest in fitness and his passion for Christ then gradually came together and led to the fitness ministry he does today. Some would say this was just a natural and logical progression of events and opportunities. But Mario will be the first to tell you that this was God at work to accomplish His purpose in the lives of people in Cancún. It wasn’t a “strategic plan”, that Mario crafted, it was a divine evolution into a beautiful and powerful work where God is still aggressively leading today in big ways. Want to see the evidence of that? Mario doesn’t just have a garage gym. He has a parking garage gym!
THE MINISTRY OF MOVEMENT
Today, Mario leads residents from youth to adult and even seniors in Crossfit, TRX and other wellness programming. The youth he serves are often at risk whether it be poverty, challenging family life situations, drugs or alcohol or other circumstances. The ministry of DY2M gives these youth the opportunity to regularly move, build better health and grow physically active. But this fitness ministry also gives them the leadership, fellowship and hope in Christ to move into opportunities they never would have had otherwise. It puts them on a trajectory where they can know the distinct qualities of God at work in their life.
For adults and seniors the physical workouts are much the same. And, as Mario ministers in practical ways to them he is finding that the adults are naturally asking for more discipleship – the Bible, prayer, wisdom for life and more.
That’s what’s really exciting to see: Mario isn’t holding back – and God isn’t either.
A daring lifestyle committed to Christ means that God can move at a God pace and in BIG God ways. Mario and his community aren’t just doing fitness they are …
DOING FITNESS MINISTRY WELL
Faith & Fitness Magazine is pleased to recognize Dare You To Move and Mario Escobar as one of our 2025 Fitness Ministry Award recipients. This award is given to those demonstrating the following 5 qualities:
- attentiveness and innovation
- humility
- clarity of purpose and mission
- all-in commitment
- deliver big-as-God results
Go to our 2025 Fitness Ministry Awards page to learn more and nominate a candidate.
GET TO CANCUN – GET A GOOD WORKOUT – GET DOING MINISTRY TOO!
Now there is an even better reason to travel to Cancún. Mario and his wife Paola extend to you an open invitation to the gym. Go for a good workout but plan ahead with Mario to be part of the growing Christian ministry opportunities there.
