Today we’d like to introduce you to Jovanna Santamaria.
Hi Jovanna , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My journey really started during a challenging time for my family. In 2017, my father lost his job after his firm downsized, and as a civil engineer, he struggled to find a new role because he was overqualified. Around that same time, I had just graduated from Florida International University, where I played Division I volleyball, my brother was overseas playing professional soccer, and my mom was going through a serious health issue—we almost lost her.
Everything shifted for me in that moment. I was pursuing my dream of playing professional volleyball, but I had to make a decision. I chose to step up for my family. It wasn’t easy, but I believe that was part of a bigger plan.
During that time, I leaned heavily into my faith and asked for guidance on what my purpose was beyond playing. That’s when I got my first coaching opportunity—and I fell in love with it immediately. I realized I had a passion not just for the sport, but for developing people. Parents connected with my energy, my patience, and the way I genuinely cared about each athlete’s growth on and off the court.
From there, everything started to come together. I had a vision to use the game to impact the next generation in a deeper way. In 2021, I officially launched Alpha Performance Group, which became the first volleyball skill development and performance academy of its kind in South Florida.
Today, my mission is bigger than volleyball. It’s about building confidence, discipline, and opportunities for athletes to reach the next level—whether that’s college or beyond. I truly believe I’m walking in my purpose, and I’m committed to continuing to grow something that changes lives through sports.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. There have been a lot of challenges, and I’ve had to grow a lot—personally and professionally—to get to where I am today.
In the beginning, finances were one of the biggest struggles. Alpha Performance Group wasn’t generating enough income to fully support me or my family, so I had to take on other jobs just to make ends meet. That made it really difficult to give 100% to the business at times.
There were moments where I doubted everything—I actually stepped away from APG three different times. But something always pulled me back. I knew there was a bigger purpose behind it.
Early on, I was training athletes anywhere I could—outside in the heat, dealing with weather, getting bitten by mosquitoes, even getting kicked out of parks. I was driving all over South Florida just to train one or two athletes at a time. It was exhausting, and there were a lot of unknowns.
One of the turning points was when a family, the Palmers and Galindos, opened their home to me and allowed me to train athletes there. That gave me a sense of stability and helped me keep going during a really uncertain time.
Eventually, I was able to secure my first location in Kendall, and that’s when things started to grow. But even then, it wasn’t easy. I didn’t have the resources for proper equipment, flooring, or build-out—those are major investments. It took a lot of faith, persistence, and reinvesting everything back into the business.
Looking back, none of it was smooth—but every challenge shaped me, strengthened me, and prepared me to lead what APG is today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Alpha Performance Group is the first volleyball skill development and performance academy of its kind in South Florida. We are solely focused on developing athletes—of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels—through a highly intentional and personalized approach.
What sets us apart is that we don’t operate as a traditional club. We specialize in skill development. Every athlete that comes through our doors goes through an evaluation process and receives a customized development plan tailored to their goals—whether that’s making their first team, earning a starting position, getting into a top club, or reaching the collegiate level.
We’ve built a system that focuses on the complete athlete—technical skills, discipline, confidence, mindset, and performance habits that translate directly to the next level. Our training is detailed, high-level, and held to professional standards, which is why athletes travel from across the country—and even internationally—to train with us.
A big part of what we’re proud of is the impact we’ve had on athletes’ futures. We’ve helped place countless athletes at the collegiate level across Division I, Division II, Division III, NAIA, and junior college programs. Many of those athletes have earned scholarship opportunities through the preparation, structure, and development they received with us.
From a brand standpoint, what I’m most proud of is the environment we’ve created. At APG, athletes are pushed to be their best, but they’re also supported. It’s a place where they can be themselves, where failure is part of the process, and where real confidence is built through growth.
At the end of the day, we’re not just training volleyball players—we’re developing individuals. Our mission is to change lives through the world of sports, and everything we do is centered around helping athletes unlock their full potential.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My biggest advice is to stay grounded in your faith, trust the process, and don’t give up—no matter how hard it gets.
Whatever you’re pursuing, you have to truly believe in it before anyone else does. There will be moments of doubt, setbacks, and times where it feels like nothing is working—but that’s part of the journey. If you can see the vision, believe in it, and consistently put in the work, it will come to life.
I also wish I understood earlier that success doesn’t happen overnight. It takes patience, discipline, and a lot of resilience. You’re going to face challenges that test you, but those moments are what shape you and prepare you for what you’re building.
Stay focused, stay consistent, and keep going—because if you don’t quit, you give yourself a real chance to succeed.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.alphaperformance.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alphaperformancegroup?igsh=dWJtcnczNzBrMnEw
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18P4MgJcvA/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@alphaperformancegroup?_r=1&_t=ZT-961hcMR3t5Z
