Podcast & media
From Athlete to Entrepreneur: How Taekwondo Led to Health Tech Innovation
Rob Finkelstein talks with ROOK CEO Marco Benítez on Athletes to Entrepreneurs about moving from national taekwondo champion to health tech founder.
In this episode of Athletes to Entrepreneurs, Rob Finkelstein talks with Marco Benítez, former national taekwondo champion, biomedical engineer, and CEO of ROOK. Marco explains how discipline from martial arts shaped his move into business, why the athlete-to-founder transition is hard, and how ROOK standardizes fitness and health data from wearables through an API so products can use it.
What are the key takeaways?
- Sports build the foundation: discipline and consistency drive success in any field.
- Martial arts molded the entrepreneur: taekwondo taught Marco resilience, humility, and focus.
- Transitioning is tough but powerful: identity shifts are real, and they open new doors.
- ROOK in health tech: ROOK connects wearables through a health data API.
- Data is useful when it is accessible: standardizing fitness and health data helps users.
- Start networking early: build your network while still competing.
- NIL gaps still exist: especially in sports like taekwondo, more awareness is needed.
- Tech plus purpose: Marco presents ROOK as mission-driven innovation.
- Athletes are built for business: the mindset translates with the right tools.
- Never stop building: the journey evolves after sports.
Next step: Create a ROOK account in the portal.
Written byDaniel MasDigital Marketing Lead
