While most of us struggle to get out of bed, Carlos soars and flips through the air straight onto the podium with gold medals and championships. A 14 year old gymnast that only started three years ago shows us what can be accomplished with talent, courage, and a wonderfully supportive mother. So wear that Salvi flag as a cape, get a running start, and stick the landing with Carlos and his mother Erica.

Carlos Deleon Vivar is a vivacious 14 year old boy with dreams of Olympic gold. He’s currently a level 8 junior gymnast slated to represent El Salvador in the Pan American and in the Central American games. Initially considered a troublemaker, his mom put her faith in him and enrolled him in gymnastics. Three years later he won state and regional championships which caught the eye of the community and el Instituto Nacional de Deportes de El Salvador. 

Erica Vivar is Carlos’s mother and his number one supporter. She’s a single mom, an immigrant and home owner. She works multiple jobs to keep Carlos’ career going. While gymnastics is not cheap or a necessity she does whatever she can to keep Carlos on that pommel horse.

• Seeking a better life in the US
• Getting mistaken for Mexican
• Acquiring the Mexican accent
• Learning about the struggle of Salvadorans back home
• Learning about the struggles of immigrant life
• Teaching the beauty and warmth of our country and its people
• Challenges of raising a Salvadoran child in the US
• Kolashampan 
• Rellenos de guisquil
• Traveling to El Salvador during the war
• Chilate
• Learning backflips on your mattress
• Starting gymnastics
• Training and conditioning 
• Junior Olympics Levels System
• Regional Champ for Age 12 category
• State Champ for Level 6
• Dreams of Olympic gold
• Parenting gold medal
• The cost of competing
• Official recognition from INDES (Instituto Nacional de los Deportes De El Salvador)
• Pan Am Games 
• Central American Games
• Raising money for your dreams

Show resources:

• https://www.instagram.com/carlos_deleon_vivar/
• https://www.instagram.com/erica_erika123/
• http://www.genesisgymnastics.com/
• Carlos's YouTube Channel
• Road to Junior Pan-American games 2020 GoFundMe
• https://indes.gob.sv/web/
• 2019 Pan American Games Wiki
• Central American Games Wiki

Music:

Salvi Nacion by Crooked Stilo

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