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For most UF students, an indoor cycling session is just an hour-long sweat and a break from the stresses of school. For Venezuelan-born Camila Almandoz, it’s much more — a way to share her Hispanic culture and create a welcoming environment for teaching, learning and community.
Almandoz, a 20-year-old UF dietetics junior, has always felt drawn to cycling. As a freshman, she auditioned to begin the process of becoming a RecSports cycle instructor — which came with obstacles.
After completing a 10-week certification course, she applied to teach but was denied. Determined, she tried again the following semester and was accepted in Spring 2025. Today, she teaches cycle and total body RecSports classes every week and shares her love for exercise as vice president of athletics for the Venezuelan Student Organization, or VENSA.
“She's probably one of the most dedicated people I know,” said Maria Aliaga, a 20-year-old UF finance junior who works with Almandoz on VENSA. “It’s been really, really nice to see her get involved on campus and accomplish everything that she's done.”
As a RecSports instructor, Almandoz makes a point of showcasing her culture. From playing Hispanic music to teaching in both Spanish and English, she puts a spin on the typical cycle classes offered on campus.
“Every participant that is Hispanic that shows up to my classes has a little chat with me after saying, ‘Oh, we are missing so many Hispanic instructors, and I just love your class … it's so different to what there normally is offered at RecSports,’” Almandoz said.
Her involvement doesn’t stop at RecSports. In VENSA, Almandoz combines her passions for fitness and her roots, creating an environment rich in wellness and Hispanic culture.
In her position, Almandoz has planned volleyball tournaments, handled permits for RecSports and helped host an annual World Cup league in collaboration with other UF student organizations.
“I am someone that is very tied to her culture, very tied to her roots,” Almandoz said. “I really embrace it with the people that I surround myself with a lot, so I was like, ‘This is honestly the perfect opportunity to get involved on campus.’”
Almandoz has shared her love of cycling with VENSA members and partnered with other groups to promote fitness.
One such group is the Pace Project, a run club created by fellow Hispanic students at UF. What started as a small collaboration with the group slowly developed into a new outlet for companionship and wellness.
Together, the run club and VENSA have hosted events to bring the community together, including a 5K race. Almandoz hopes the collaboration continues growing, she said.
Those who know her say it’s not just the opportunities she creates, but the way she carries herself that draws people in.
“Not only is she a really good teacher … she's a good friend,” said Ana Calleja, a 20-year-old UF general psychology junior who is on VENSA’s executive board with Almandoz. “She prioritizes her friendships and her relationships with people and always makes sure to create a bond — even with those students that go to her class that she doesn’t know, that she has never met before.”
For Almandoz, however, it’s more than forming bonds — it’s an opportunity to grow and make an impact on others.
“It makes me feel proud of all the work I'm doing,” Almandoz said. “Seeing that hard work pay off is very, very satisfying. It makes me feel super, super accomplished. Every time I feel like I'm not doing enough, always seeing the feedback that I get from the participants … makes me feel like I'm doing something right.”
Contact Victoria Riccobono at vriccobono@alligator.org. Follow her on X @vickyriccobono.
Victoria is a junior sports journalism student and an El Caimán reporter in her first semester with The Alligator. In her spare time, she enjoys sports photography, reading, spending time with her friends and family, and trying new restaurants.
