Every year, Thrive Challenge participants share their inspiring stories of resilience, perseverance, connection, and joy. Andres Guedez is one of this year’s Thrive Challenge Grand Champs, and as his story shows, small changes can have a big impact on our lives — and the lives of others. Download the Thrive app to start your own Thrive Challenge. After 21 days of making better choices, share your story for a chance to win part of the $1 million prize pool!
I was born and raised in Maracaibo, a city in northwestern Venezuela. I love my country and always thought I’d live my whole life there. I went to college and got a law degree, but when I was 21, the country was in turmoil politically; there was financial hardship and a humanitarian crisis. Because of my political views, it would have been dangerous for me to remain in Venezuela, and in 2017, my dad, Eduardo, and I moved to Mexico to stay with my uncle who lived there. My mother and younger brother Miguel stayed behind because it was too expensive for us all to go.
Our dream was to eventually live in the United States.
We knew some people in Nashville, Tennessee, and three years ago, my dad and I moved here seeking political asylum, with a goal of bringing the rest of the family over later. We found work at Walmart — I’m a lift driver and my dad works in inventory control. We were grateful to have jobs, but I felt a lot of stress. I didn’t speak English well, and I missed my mom and brother. It was heartbreaking knowing I wouldn’t see them for a long time.
As you might expect, I didn’t always have the healthiest habits.
I was so worried about paying the $24,000 we owed to the immigration lawyer helping us navigate the asylum process, I wasn’t taking care of myself. I felt depressed and couldn’t sleep. I’d eat McDonald’s or Chick-fil-A because it was fast and cheap.
At work, I felt lonely and isolated.
I was self-conscious about my English around my co-workers. I’m 28, and I didn’t have friends my own age. One day, a young Venezuelan co-worker, Veronica Campins, and I were chatting and she told me how the Thrive Challenge had helped her lower her stress, and I decided to download the app.
My dad and I live together, and I encouraged him to join me on the Challenge.
We cut down on fast food and began cooking, which helped us save money and eat better. We make arepas, traditional Venezuelan cornmeal pancakes filled with ham, egg, and cheese, and pabellón, a mix of beef, rice, beans, and plantains. Eating food I grew up with connects me to my roots and culture. My dad and I also started taking movement Microsteps, like going for short walks. Then we began going for hikes on the weekend, which helped us bond. In the evening, we like watching soccer together, which we used to do when I was a kid.
Andres and his father Eduardo
I speak to my family back home every other day.
It makes me happy to hear their voices and see their faces, even though I’m sad that I haven’t seen them for seven years. I feel a big part of me is still with them. But I love connecting and getting news from Miguel, who’s just started college.
At work, I took steps toward building deeper relationships.
I enrolled in a free Walmart course to improve my English. I focused on Microsteps like saying hello to people and smiling, which took courage, and I found that everyone was friendly. Another Microstep was having meaningful conversations instead of superficial chats. I listen more, and we learn about each other’s cultures and points of view. I started getting to know people and now we get together in the break room for lunch. My friend Juan and I enjoy going bowling. We have cookouts at Juan’s house, and I got to know people with similar interests to me, like music, reading, and soccer.
A few co-workers invited me to join their Sunday soccer league.
Soccer is my passion. I’ve played since I was 4-years-old, and getting back on the soccer field changed my life. It connects me to my childhood and positive memories of my home country. We’re competitive, but it’s more about friendship and fun. I don’t play as well as I did when I was younger, but I get good exercise, and it’s exciting. When we win a match it feels like we’ve won the World Cup. After the game we hang out with our families. Gradually, through soccer, I began to feel a sense of community like I had in my hometown.
Andres supporting the Venezuela national soccer team in Dallas
I met my girlfriend, Megan, at a soccer game.
I was invited to go and watch Nashville Soccer Club with a group of friends. Megan was also invited by mutual friends, and we started talking. I asked her out on a date and we got on really well. She likes soccer as much as I do, and I like cooking for her. She loves my arepas! She’s learning Spanish and she’s teaching me to speak better English.
Andres and Megan
When I won the Thrive Challenge, I was shocked and thrilled.
I continued with it to help manage my stress. I’ve been taking money Microsteps to ease our financial worries. My dad and I made a budget and split the household bills. We worked out a plan with our lawyer to pay him in monthly installments. I’m also managing to send $400 a month to my family in Venezuela, and I’m paying for my brother Miguel’s college tuition.
Megan and I are growing as a couple and getting better at communicating.
I’m learning how to be open and express my feelings. I’m listening to her and letting her know that I’m always there for her. We enjoy doing simple things together, like swimming or going to drive-in horror movies. I have two cats and a Chihuahua, and Megan has two cats, so we play with our pets, which brings a lot of joy and blessings. I feel that we’ll have our own family one day — I’m thinking about proposing!
I became happier at home and at work, and I’m excited about my career at Walmart.
I’ve been taking part in a mentorship program and applying for jobs as a team lead. I’m also doing a management course through Walmart’s Live Better U program. I’m hoping my law degree and academic qualifications will help me make a positive contribution to Walmart as my career progresses.
I’m no longer depressed and now I’m focusing on gratitude.
I’ve applied for humanitarian parole for my mom and my brother so they can join us here in Nashville, and I’m hopeful that will happen in 2025. I’m grateful for my dad, I’m grateful that my family and I are healthy, and I’m grateful I had the opportunity to leave my country and start a new life here. My friends and I inspire each other, and I feel settled in my community.
Andres with his Aunt Noris, Uncle Alberto, cousins Valerie and Gabriel, and Thumper the dog.
— Andres Guedez, Walmart Fulfillment Center #4124, Lebanon, TN; $15K Winner