Continuing my journey in air conditioning, I’ll share how I was inspired to enter the field and what comes next.

I was worried about whether I would be able to do an internship after studying air conditioning. The issue was that my schedule conflicted with the companies looking for full-time interns, which was impossible for me. Just when I thought everything would end there, a friend mentioned that Victor had his own air conditioning business.

I met him before moving to the U.S., but I didn’t know he worked in air conditioning, and he lives quite close. The best part was that he had his own business, so I showed up at his house the next day. Victor is a cheerful guy with tons of charm, a typical friendly Limeño, and there I met his wife Rosa. 

After chatting for a few minutes about our interests, I had secured an internship at his company.”

Tackling My First Hurdle

From there, we talked about our mutual friends, and as Kiki would say, “Lima is a small world.” I explained him that my interest in air conditioning came from a desire to learn and start my own business. I also mentioned that this wouldn’t be my main source of income, so I couldn’t work every day.

I was surprised when he understood my dilemma and asked which days I planned to work at the company. I told him three days a week. After chatting for a few minutes about our interests, I had secured an internship at his company. I’ll never forget that same night when I started working installing a new air conditioning unit at a medical center.

The work can be tough, but it’s a blast and keeps me on my toes.”

El ritmo de trabajo.

They say there’s a big difference between theory and getting your hands dirty in the field. I got a bit impatient and ended up “burning” myself with nitrogen while cleaning a pipe. That was just the first of many lessons this job would teach me, but I’ve learned to watch my step.

I’ve pulled plenty of all-nighters, and I know there are more to come. The work can be tough, but it’s a blast and keeps me on my toes. The vibe at Full Ice has been pretty chill; from day one, Victor made me feel right at home. Learning hasn’t been a walk in the park; even with great teachers, nothing beats diving into the trade.

He wanted me to take charge of that area in his company and had already discussed it with his partners.”

A Surprise Offer

I had a blast working and learning, to the point where I preferred being there over my day job. An old classmate from my air conditioning school even invited me to join his company. This happened shortly after I started my internship, stretching my already limited time even thinner.

He wanted me to take charge of that area in his company and had already discussed it with his partners. The idea intrigued me, but I told him I was already working. He suggested I could come in a few days and give it a shot. The pay wasn’t bad, but my main goal was to learn, and I needed to take things step by step.

It was probably a rookie mistake; I lifted a condenser from the heavier side where the motor was located.”

The Day Everything Changed

Tanto me exigí que corrí con la mala suerte de lesionarme la zona lumbar de mi espalda en una instalación. Fue una novatada quizás, levanté sin precaución un condensador por el lado más pesado que es donde estaba el motor. No lo levanté solo pero acotaré que imaginaba era un equipo de menor capacidad y, por ende, mucho más ligero.

Since I had accepted the offer, I started going in a few days, but I quickly realized it wouldn’t be as simple as I thought. I tried to juggle my time between my job and the other two, but my schedule got complicated. When you have so much on your plate, it’s easy to make mistakes, and that’s exactly what happened.

I pushed myself so hard that I ended up injuring my lower back during an installation. It was probably a rookie mistake; I lifted a condenser from the heavier side where the motor was located. I wasn’t lifting it alone, but I thought it was a smaller unit and, therefore, much lighter. 

Twenty years ago, it might not have been an issue, but in my forties, my body couldn’t handle it.”

An Unexpected Twist in My Journey

My direct boss at the time told me it was a 12,000 BTU unit. He was the lead technician, so I trusted him and didn’t double-check the capacity. However, it turned out to be a 24,000 BTU unit with a heavier compressor motor, which caused all my trouble.

Twenty years ago, it might not have been an issue, but in my forties, my body couldn’t handle it. When I felt the pull in my back, I knew something was off; I had lifted several 12,000 BTU units before. After a short break, I felt better and we continued lifting the same unit.

I had never been injured like that before; it was definitely the biggest challenge I’ve faced in my life.”

When Things Took a Turn

That’s why I didn’t take enough precautions, thinking I could handle the weight, and ended up injuring myself. To make matters worse, I didn’t think much of it, believing the pain would fade away in a few days. Instead of taking anti-inflammatories and seeing a doctor, I just took painkillers and kept working as if nothing was wrong.

So instead of easing the pain, it only got worse. Because I didn’t address it in time, that strain turned into lower back pain. I eventually had to stop working because I couldn’t handle the pain, and my phone broke too—everything was going downhill. I had never been injured like that before; it was definitely the biggest challenge I’ve faced in my life.

I had to spend a few more weeks doing therapy, but with enough care, I managed to overcome that setback.”

Trying to Get Back on Track

It wasn’t until a few weeks later that I could walk again without feeling that sharp pain. Only then could I reconnect with the outside world during what had been a very tough time for me. With the lower back being the center of everything, I couldn’t stand, sit, or kneel for long periods.

Thinking I was better, I moved up my discharge date by a week, only to feel the injury again. I had to spend a few more weeks doing therapy, but with enough care, I managed to overcome that setback. However, I didn’t feel ready to start a business because I lacked the experience to run it efficiently.

I’m not just talking about the technical aspects of the job, but also about the necessary safety precautions.”

Playing Catch-Up

I also had to stop going to the other company because I needed time to fully recover. Injuring my back was a mistake driven by my eagerness to take on too much without enough experience. I took a step back to think positively and calmly, which is why I decided to continue only with Victor’s company.

He has the practical experience in this business that I need to keep gaining knowledge by his side. I’m not just talking about the technical aspects of the job, but also about the necessary safety precautions. Since then, except for a few months when I focused more on my own business, I’ve continued practicing and learning. 

It’s an area I’m comfortable with, and I can’t complain; I have people under me while I keep gaining experience.”

A New Vibe

Recently, there was a major shake-up in the company; all the staff left, and it was just the two of us. The restructuring has been positive; now we have a good technician who adapted well to the company’s policies. There’s still some turnover, but that will continue until we find the right team we need.

Personally, this has helped me learn to develop in another important area of the business: administration. It’s an area I’m comfortable with, and I can’t complain; I have people under me while I keep gaining experience. I almost threw in the towel after my back injury, but that would have meant tossing all my hard work aside.

So, I learned something important: it’s better not to over-plan because unexpected things can always come up.”

Back to Square One

Two months ago I injured myself again despite my precautions; now I’m dealing with both sciatica and lower back pain. I haven’t been able to finish 2015 as well as I did in 2014, but I’m still moving forward. I’m working patiently on my rehab, hoping to get stronger while continuing to work and learn at the company.

If I want to start my own adventure, I need to gain enough knowledge. I’m still building experience, and I’m in no rush. So, I learned something important: it’s better not to over-plan because unexpected things can always come up. I know what my goal is; it hasn’t changed. I’m taking it easy—first, I’ll heal properly before getting back into the physical side.

What I’ve learned from all this is that I’m not afraid to take on new challenges anymore.”

Perseverance

If I’ll start my company, it’ll be when I feel it’s the right time, and how to do it well. What I’ve learned from all this is that I’m not afraid to take on new challenges anymore. I won’t let setbacks derail my goals, and if I don’t succeed, maybe I’ll take a step back.

Maybe, for health reasons, there will come a time when I let go of this wild idea. But at least I’ll have peace of mind knowing I gave it my all and didn’t back down. Sure, I’m scared of failing, but if that happens, I’ll keep moving forward and adapt. I’m truly happy with what I do and who I am as a person every day.

But just as I’ve faced difficulties, there will also be joys, and I’m ready to embrace them.”

What’s on the Horizon

Despite everything, there’s no one who can kick me down or stop me from being who I am. As long as I feel good being myself and have the strength to pursue what I want to achieve, I’m good. I’m not perfect, and honestly, I don’t seek perfection or want to be. I know there will be many problems ahead in my world.

But just as I’ve faced difficulties, there will also be joys, and I’m ready to embrace them. Whatever happens, I’m proud of myself; I haven’t stopped over the years, and I won’t start now. More than ever, I love what I do, accept myself as I am, and feel like I’m in the right place. 

Meet you at the next entry.