Alfredo Zapata: 5 Great Secrets to Mind-Body Mastery

Alfredo Zapata is a nutritionist, fitness coach, speaker, and author from Mexico City. With over 30 years of expertise and his program Connect Mind and Body, he helps people understand the connection between physical and mental performance. He has worked with executives at companies like FOX and Platinum Studios, collaborated with Francesco Quinn (son of Anthony Quinn), and coached professional athletes and entrepreneurs across Latin America, Europe, and the USA. He is a co-author of the bestselling Descubre Tu Grandeza and Repair of the Black Family Anthology.

Host: Richard Lowe | Guest: Alfredo Zapata

Interview Transcript

Richard: You said you’re an author. What have you written?

Alfredo: I’ve been a co-author in two books. One became a bestseller. The first one was an incredible introduction into the Spanish market — about self-development and how people went through different trials and finally saw the light at the end of the tunnel. Don Miguel Ruiz, the one who wrote The Four Agreements, was our godfather. He spoke highly about the book. From there, we went to do some speaking engagements in the Spanish community.

Richard: When I read the book, what does it do for me?

Alfredo: It shows 13 different walks of life. It was made with non-writers — a chef, someone in investments, a hypnotherapist, a housewife, a real estate woman. Very diverse. It shows that no matter what country or background, people have stories. Sometimes we don’t feel like we can relate or find relief for what we’re going through. It helps us analyze and make better choices.

Growing Up in Mexico City

Richard: Tell me about growing up.

Alfredo: I was born and raised in Mexico City. The only child from a single mom, growing up in the 60s — that wasn’t common in Latin families. I grew up with my grandparents, aunts, and uncles, but I always felt a little void. At an early age, I tried to find a way to feel secure, to feel accepted. I grew up in the downtown area. On weekends, not many people were around, so I’d ask permission to go by myself and run the blocks around city hall. Moving my body and feeling in control gave me a kind of power, like a superhero. From there I started doing sports, martial arts, and it gave me so much support for my self-esteem.

From Nutrition to Writing

Richard: Why did you start writing?

Alfredo: After I graduated in nutrition, I moved to LA — to Venice, California, the Mecca of bodybuilding — because that was my passion. I started doing personal training. Then I went to a Hispanic network mixer to promote my services. I met a woman who had a self-development show on Spanish television. She said I needed to talk to the Spanish community, so I went on her show for five episodes.

She then invited me to an event where I met a guy from Mexico living in LA who had become a self-development writer — a man who grew up with polio, three kids, legally blind, with kidney failure. He invited me to meet a group of Hispanic people finishing a book. He called me at midnight and said, “Five people in our group are quitting. I want you to be in it. You have one week to write a chapter.”

I said, “I never wrote anything. What am I going to write about?” He said, “Everybody has a story. Write something meaningful, something from your heart.” I spent three or four days and couldn’t make sense of anything. But I finally came out with a chapter and a title. That’s how I started my writing career. It wasn’t just a personal trainer or nutritionist anymore — it was a speaker and a writer.

Richard: And the second book?

Alfredo: I saw a woman on Facebook who was writing a book about overcoming traumas and becoming a healer and coach. She asked anyone interested to send a DM. I sent one, and she said yes. We had a writing coach, editorial people — it was amazing. The book was released last year and became a bestseller on Amazon. There were 33 authors. The book is called Repair of the Black Family. I’m the only Mexican in it. It was another calling to share with the world.

Connect Mind and Body

Richard: What is your mission as a writer?

Alfredo: My mission is for people to be more aware of their health — not just physically but mentally. In the 21st century, we’ve been living from the neck up. Seeing, hearing, speaking. From the neck down, we only pay attention when we feel discomfort or pain. You have a shoulder pain, you put on a cream. Your lower back or knees hurt, you try to find something. But you never look for the origin of the problem.

My program, Connect Mind and Body, is based on three points. First, analyzing people’s stress based on posture — the posture of our bodies reflects a lot of stress and discomfort. Once we’re aware of that, we can fix it. Second, if you have a good mood, you’re going to eat healthy. But in a bad mood, even though you know what to eat, you’ll say, “I want cake, I want wine — give me something that gives me peace.” Third, physical activity works as a dynamo — an enhancement of your energy.

Some of my clients are in their 70s and 80s. They say, “I don’t care about age. I feel good mentally and physically. I’m not a six-pack guy, but I’m functional. I feel good.” That’s the whole thing.

Marketing Yourself Authentically

Richard: How do you handle marketing yourself?

Alfredo: I always wanted to look for answers about marketing that fit myself, so I don’t sound like someone else. I used to compare myself — that person is taller, speaks louder. I’m quieter. Then I learned you have to be yourself. But you have to like yourself first. Then you can present yourself as you are and not pretend. With that enthusiasm and positive energy, people start resonating with you. That’s attraction marketing — not with a hidden agenda, but just being you.

When I trained teenagers, the dads came to me. One said his 14-year-old son was going to Germany for camp. The kid only had four pounds to lose, but mainly needed self-confidence. What I did was build rapport, connect with him, have empathy. When he felt comfortable, I was able to help both the kid and the dad. It wasn’t a hidden agenda of “sign up now.” It was a human connection.

Richard: Anything else you’d like to add?

Alfredo: I want to thank you for the opportunity. I help people become healthy from the inside out, and I’m happy to connect with anyone looking to improve their lives.

Learn more about Alfredo Zapata on Instagram.

Find Richard Lowe at TheWritingKing.com.