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Toti Fernández

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Mónica Toti Fernández
Personal information
Native nameMónica Fernández Robles
NicknameToti Fernández
Nationality Guatemala, Guatemala
Born18 de marzo de 1968
Weight1.74
Websitewww.totifernandez.com
Sport
CountryGuatemala
SportTriatlón y Ultramaratón
Updated on 17 August 2016

Mónica Fernández, better known as Toti Fernández (born in Guatemala City on March 18, 1968) is a triathlete and ultramarathon runner, lecturer, author, entrepreneur and mother. She won the 2000 and 2001 Ultraman events.

Biography

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Birth and childhood

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Toti Fernández was born in Guatemala City on March 18, 1968, the youngest of 6 siblings. When she was only ten years old, both her parents died of lung cancer: first her mother, and eight months later, her father.

Early years

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Toti Fernández at the Marathon Des Sables in the Sahara Desert.

Toti’s life changed drastically when she had to move to Mexico City to live with her father’s sister, who became her tutor. Having to live in 17 different houses and invaded by rebelliousness, she started smoking when she was only 16 and became a heavy smoker of two packs a day. At age 22, she took up swimming to counter for the harmful effects of tobacco and quit smoking when she found her true passion: triathlon.

Sports career

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Mónica "Toti" Fernández at the finish line, Badwater Ultramarathon, 2008.

After participating in several triathlon races, both sprint and Olympic, Toti participated in her first Ironman, becoming the first Guatemalan female to finish this race (Hawaii, 1997).

Seeking further challenges and longer distances, Toti registered for an Ultraman competition,[1] a three-day triathlon that circles the island of Kona, the largest island in Hawaii. After becoming a two-time Ultraman world champion in 2000 y 2001, Toti decided to train for ultra marathons.

She has participated in three of the ten toughest races in the world, as classified by National Geographic: the Marathon des Sables,[2] Badwater[3] and Furnace Creek 508, now called Silver State 508.[4]

Toti was the second placed woman and twelfth overall at the Death Valley Cup,[5] a double race consisting of Badwater and Furnace Creek 508 during the same calendar year.

Present

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Mónica "Toti" Fernández and her autobiography: 130,000 Miles.

Toti Fernández is based in Guatemala City. In 2024, she was awarded the prestigious Quetzal Prize for completing the ascent of Guatemala’s 37 highest summits, a remarkable achievement that reflects her lifelong dedication to resilience, adventure, and personal challenge.

She is the founder and coach of ReActivate, a transformational program designed for women over 45 who want to rebuild strength, energy, and self-worth. ReActivate integrates structured physical training, mindset development, and emotional empowerment. The program includes personalized workout plans, guidance on nutrition and supplements, community support, and monthly group hikes—culminating in a moderately challenging climb as a symbol of personal growth and commitment.

Toti is also the author of the autobiographical book “210,000 kilómetros” (130,000 Miles), in which she recounts her participation in three of the ten toughest endurance events in the world, as ranked by National Geographic. Interweaving her athletic journey with deeply personal life experiences, the book offers a powerful message about overcoming adversity and staying true to one’s goals. Her guiding motto:

“In life, when facing an obstacle, one can choose to be a victim or a warrior. I chose to be a warrior.”

As a speaker, Toti delivers workshops and conferences across a range of settings—from corporate teams and women’s groups to athletic communities and educational spaces. Her topics include leadership, resilience, teamwork, motivation, strategic planning, personal growth, and overcoming fear. Her mission is to inspire meaningful transformation, guiding others to turn dreams into goals and action.

“If each of us becomes a better version of ourselves, we elevate not only our own lives but also our communities and the world around us.”

Awards

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Competition Put Place Year
Death Valley Cup Second Woman  United States 2008
Furnace Creek 508, 819 km of cycling non-stop Second  United States 2008
Badwater Ultramarathon, 217 km non-stop Seventh  United States 2008
Ironman Western Australia Second  Australia 2007
Marathon Des Sables Seventh  Morocco 2003
Leadville Ultramarathon Seventh  United States 2002
Marathon Des Sables Tenth  Morocco 2002
World-wide Ultraman World Championship First  United States 2001
Ironman Canada  Canada 2001
World-wide Ultraman World Championship First  United States 2000
Ironman Lake Placid  United States 2000
World-wide Ironman World Championship  United States 1998
Quelle Ironman Roth  Germany 1998
World-wide Ironman World Championship  United States 1997
Triathlon National Champion in olympic distance  Guatemala 1995
First Sprint Triathlon  Guatemala 1991

Bibliography

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Fernández, Mónica Toti (2015). 210,000 kilómetros. Autobiografía. ISBN 9789929644267.

Fernández, Mónica Toti (2015). 130,000 Miles. Autobiografía.

References

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  1. ^ "Ultra Man World Championship". 2000–2001.
  2. ^ "Marathon des Sables". 2003.
  3. ^ "Badwater Ultramarathon". 2008.
  4. ^ "Silver State 508". 2008.
  5. ^ "Death Valley Cup". 2008. Archived from the original on 2016-05-11.
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