My Story
Andy Farina, President & Founder of Fearless Health, LLC. Bachelor in Science in Electrical Engineering; Hardware Designer and Consultant; Certified Personal Trainer – The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM-CPT); Certified Nutrition Coach – Precision Nutrition (Pn1); Two-Time Finisher of The Navigators Two-year Leadership Development Process; Published Technical Author.
On November 22, 1962, I was born seven weeks premature. The doctors told my mom I’d never walk, a predication that devastated her and my father. After spending most of my younger childhood in bulky leg braces and castes, I was finally able to saunter through my family’s neighborhood unassisted. Despite this remarkable achievement, I was still considered the chubby musician. Never the athlete.
In high school, I played basketball and football competitively, yet only entering the game at times. Typically, I sat on the bench, longing to inspire the zealous fans with a dazzling array of athletic feats.
As a student at the University of South Florida, I took up running, but only for a season. A back injury, that grew progressively worse, led medical doctors to advise me to avoid running and other impact sports.
Finishing My First 100-Miler
“I’m too young to give up!” I reminded myself. I was eager to do the unthinkable.
From age 30 to age 48, I couldn’t run, so I focused my training on injury prevention through increased muscular balance, massage and mental endurance.
I experienced constant pain in my back for 23 years. Although demoralizing at times, this deficiency forged toughness, grit, and resilience. I became comfortable with the uncomfortable, a skill that has easily translated into other areas of my life.
In 2009, I chose to risk running again. I ran one mile, yet my back was terribly sore the next day. It took me a week to recover. However, I did not quit.
Since 2009, I’ve achieved numerous milestones with two of my spinal discs more than 50 percent degraded:
• 2011-2015, I finished Top 10% in multiple Obstacle Races, including Tough Mudder, Swamp Dash, Spartan Race, Rugged Maniac, among others.
• 2012-2016, I was a Top 10 finisher in seven 50K (31 mile) or longer Trail Races. I placed 2nd Overall in two of the seven.
• 2012, I was the oldest finisher of America’s first 24-hour GORUCK Heavy. It was an event meant to emulate “A Day in the life of a Special Forces Operator.”
• 2015, I finished the Georgia Death Race (GDR) and qualified for the Western States Endurance Run lottery. The GDR course was 68-miles with 40,000 feet of elevation change.
• 2016, I finished The Spartan Ultra Beast and The BattleFrog Xtreme, two obstacle races known for their length and grueling nature.
• 2016, I ran 69 miles of The Pinhoti 100-mile Mountain Race after badly injuring my right ankle during the first mile. I was disqualified at mile 69 after barely missing the time cutoff.
• In 2017, only three months later, I finished my first 100-mile race, placing in the top ten at The Iron Horse 100 Mile Endurance Run.
My success is due mainly to the realities guiding Fearless Health and my family’s unwavering devotion. Their support, along with the support of my fellow fitness junkies, have allowed me to thrive while coping with disappointing setbacks. I want to be stronger for each of you…and for my friends, clients, and The One, an individual whose tenderness and devotion continues to bring me to new heights.
My Wife of over 30 Years & Our 5 Children
Client Success
• A young manager who conquered his “people-pleasing ways” in order to successfully lead his employees as well as his loved ones!
• A marketing executive who overcame conflict with a supervisor so they could function more effectively as a team!
• A middle-aged man who triumphed over resentment in order to forgive his ex-girlfriend and experience greater internal peace!
• A grieving brother who discovered the strength to comfort his family after tragedy struck their sister!
• A couple on the verge of divorce who joyously reconciled!
• A first-time marathoner who hit her Boston Qualifier…and then ran Boston this year!
• A rookie triathlete who finished her first Ironman!
• A seasoned father who rekindled his enthusiasm for his career and his family after teetering on the verge of burnout!
• An executive who feels better equipped to handle the demands of family life because of improved energy levels!
• A busy office manager, wife, and mother who is enjoying being told, “You look great!”
• A once timid young professional who now lives with greater confidence after realizing her talents are making a difference among her coworkers, friends, and family!
• A Tech Startup who supported eight of its employees as they completed their second Ragnar, a 200-mile relay race, and deepened their appreciation for teamwork and perseverance!
• Six busy professionals who completed one or more Spartan Ultra Beasts, a 31-mile and 70-plus obstacle endurance race in the mountains!
• A strained IT professional who safely lost 20 pounds in less than three months!
• A father of four who no longer struggles to fit into his clothes!
• A client who has happily been buying new, smaller-sized shirts and pants!
• A working professional who no longer overeats when feeling bored!
• A group of eight employees who are quickly adopting healthier eating habits as they encourage one another!
• An office manager at a famed international software company who learned how to eat more nutritiously while attending company functions… and is helping others do the same!
Everyone has a story to tell. Let Fearless Health help you tell yours.
