Growing up, Tiago often found himself participating in many different sports and engaging in physical activities, mainly focusing on soccer. He was always open and curious about various sports, from shot put to long jump to basketball, among many others. From a young age, without even realizing it, he enjoyed constantly varying his fitness and trying to learn new disciplines, which applies to this day.

At some point throughout high school, Tiago found himself becoming more intrigued by the science, the functions, and adaptations of the human body, becoming fascinated with how living an active lifestyle could help prevent health risks. From there, his fitness journey began.

Starting out, as many do, Tiago began training at a globo gym with friends. As time went on, his friends began to fall off, but his passion to grow healthier, stronger, and fitter did not. After a period of time, he was introduced to a friend,HerNani Ourique, the owner of a CrossFit gym, who invited Tiago out for a CrossFit class.

Going into his very first class, Tiago knew very little about CrossFit and what to expect in a class. Little did he know that for his first workout, Tiago was walking into "FRAN." During the workout, he recalls thinking to himself how painful it was and taking a few breaks to breathe. As he was one of the last few to finish up in class, he remembers being on his last few reps and having the coaches and classmates behind him, people he had never met, cheering him on and wanting nothing but to see him do his best.

It was then, lying on his back, covered in sweat, struggling to breathe, that Tiago realized two things. One, he wants to give every person who walks through the door, no matter who they are, where they come from, or what their fitness level is, the most supportive, caring, and purposeful hour of their day. And two, he wasn't as in shape as he thought.