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Launching the Conference Center in Aguascalientes with Failures

Failure stories of Zague, Héctor Troncoso and Francisco Navarro at the Conference Center in Aguascalientes.Inspiration, vulnerability and learning.

By:
Pepe Villatoro
July 3, 2025
Fail to Succeed: Inspiring Stories

Fuckup Nights Aguascalientes at the opening of the Conference Center & CineTop 

we celebrated a double milestone in Aguascalientes: the opening of the new Conference Center at Meridiam Park and the revival of the  local chapter of Fuckup Nights led by  Luis Cabrera  Director of Expansion at Inadaptados. 

We hosted an event that broke with traditional speeches and instead shared real stories of failure and growth. Three powerful speakers took the stage to share the moments that transformed their careers: Héctor Troncoso, founder of FITSI; Luis Roberto Alves Zague,  icon of Mexican football; and Francisco Navarro,  investor at the DTL fund.

Voices that Inspire: When Failure Becomes the Starting Line 

Each story told on stage offered a clear example of how failure can spark growth. From business and sports failures to personal lows, our speakers showed that every setback can be the beginning of something greater.

Héctor Troncoso: Losing Everything and Starting Again

Héctor Troncoso began his story at age 17, when he dropped out of school to support his family after they lost almost everything in the stock market. His first business attempt was a gym in the Bosque de Tarango in Mexico City. Shortly after, he moved to Tijuana to invest in real estate, but the project failed. During that time, he crossed daily into San Diego to train at a gym that deeply inspired him.

Back in México, broke but determined, he decided to replicate that concept and launched Sports World. He secured investment—including from Zague—but they ran out of funds before opening. Despite this, they continued expanding until, during a funding round, they gave up more than 50% of the company and lost control. Overwhelmed by debt, and following the first IPO of its kind in the region, the bank took over the company.

Amid this crisis, Héctor was diagnosed with prostate cancer. After overcoming it, he launched FITSI, aiming for a $100 million valuation in under four years. Today, with 18 locations and a $70 million valuation, his story is one of resilience. 

"The faster you fail, the better you're going to" he said. 

He also shared: 

“Ego is a gigantic monster that's hard to control. But once you do, you start surrounding yourself with people better than you—because you accept you can learn from those right beside you. That’s when you become the kind of entrepreneur and leader who grows thanks to their team.”

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Zague: The Unforgettable Mistake That Shaped His Career

Luis Roberto Alves Zague, former Club América player and media figure, surprised the audience by skipping the trophies and talking about one of the most painful moments of his career: missing a critical goal during a World Cup match against Norway in 1994. 

What seemed like just another missed shot to many, became a turning point for him. 

“More than ten years after retiring, people still bring it up on the street,” he shared. 

He also recalled a match against Canada at the Azteca Stadium where he missed another clear chance in the 10th minute—prompting 120,000 people to boo him.

“Footballers are constantly exposed to criticism; we go from hero to villain in seconds,” he reflected. 

 Despite being Club América’s all-time top scorer, Zague is often remembered for missing what many considered an “impossible-to-miss” goal. His story was a powerful reminder that in the right environment, sharing failures can lead to healing and deep learning.

A Night That Redefines Success and Ego

This event didn’t just mark the opening of the Conference Center—it also sparked a new way of thinking about success, grounded in honesty and vulnerability.

The insights shared showed how failure can be a starting point instead of an end:

“Failures are the beginning of great success. Sports World is a success built on failures,” said Héctor Troncoso.

Can you imagine your team learning from real failures to drive growth?

If you're looking for a fresh, powerful, and deeply human way to create connection, reflection, and inspiration within your team or conference—this is the perfect place to start.

👉 Learn more about our private events and book a call with our global team here.

Edited by

Karla Ferreira

Launching the Conference Center in Aguascalientes with Failures
Pepe Villatoro
Co-Founder
Pepe Villatoro is a globally awarded serial entrepreneur. He has created 5 companies and was the Regional Head of Expansion, in Southern Europe and North Latam. Currently, he collaborates with governments and companies to help create a shift in mindset. He loves traveling, having a good meal, and having good conversations.
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