Rising Stars: Meet Julian Herrera of Denver

Today we’d like to introduce you to Julian Herrera

Hi Julian, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My story… I started playing football at a young age, as well as swimming at the harvey park rec center. With other sports baseball, basketball, karate. All of which I tried, but nothing like football, and wrestling attracted me the most. I stayed local in the Denver area between federal, and yale. Growing up I wanted to make my family proud, I wanted to be proud of who I am, and at a very young age I was different, different either having buck teeth, huge glasses, big ear, and to make the matters worse a speech impediment problem (can’t roll my R’s).

All which at a young age a lot of people go through, however what made me even more different from everyone else was my personality, charisma, vibe, or energy. Being the kid who grew up, and did the opposite of everyone else, from wearing my wrestling to school, dying my hair different colors for reaching playoffs in my sports.

From there I went to John F Kennedy high school, and went to a DPS school, excelling in the classroom, because I never wanted to be ineligible for a football game or wrestling tournament, being my drive and motivation.
I loved football, and wreslting being torn between both sports I went back to state in wrestling my senior year, and needed to make a decision soon. I prayed to God before my tournament and made a deal with God. I said verbatim “If I place in this state tournament I will go to college for wrestling, and if I don’t I will go play football.”

I placed 7th in the tournament while breaking my hand in the process, my family was proud of my accomplishments in high school for sports and academics. Next was one of the biggest decisions in my life. I made a deal with God and as a man and who I wanted to be. I Kept my word, I spent the next 4 1/2 years at Ripon college in Ripon Wisconsin, and I thank God for taking me out there.
Because of it Iam now first generation Mexican in my family to graduate College. I made my entire familia proud, not to mention I made life long memories, lessons, friends, and a football career I can now call my job.

After graduating College I came to another end of a chapter in my book, and into opening a new chapter called
LIFE.
I prayed to God on me wanting to continue to play football, but where and how so I prayed, contacted coaches and my prayer was answered I got contacted with a German football team who has Americans come over and play American football for their club.

I can now call myself a professional football player overseas…

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
the path to greatness its never a smooth road. Hell sometimes it is a road you can’t even see ten feet in front of you, but the only thing you can do is keep walking the path step. by step. Theres going to be bumps along the way, stops, setbacks, reroutes at time.
No matter what tho as long as you keep your eye on the light at the end of the path you can get through whatever it is you truly desire.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My job title varies, In season it is known as “Professional football player” going on 2 pro-seasons in Germany. I turned pro after coming off my 2022 football championship at Ripon College. When I was done at school in December that year, my major was in Exercise science-sports management, with a minor in Strength and conditioning, coaching, and entrepreneurship. With all that being my background as well as of last year 2023, I became certified as a personal trainer.
With all that being my background as I said in season I’am a professional football player in Germany. I am also known for my TikToks as I could call my self a influencer, but I view it more of a positive role model. I share my story to tell other people, other kids out there to be different, its okay to be different. to be unique, TO BE YOU.

I share my story of facing injuries, victories, defeats, setbacks, people holding me back, and comebacks. To no mater what always follow your dreams and the pursuit of excellence, to work for what you want, but most importantly to keep your faith to believe, if you want something bad enough you will work for it, and the universe will give it to you not because you deserve it, but because you earned it.
I earned the right to be called a professional athlete from the long hours I put in, and the hard work ethic I kept in myself, and no matter what always believing. I signed with the Straubing Spiders in January 2023, I went out in Germany March 15, and I was a pro-baller across seas, traveling Europe playing the sport I love. I made many connections in Germany, many experiences, learning so much about the culture, and history of Germany as well as teaching German kids or should I say Bavarian kids (if you know you know) American Football. The love and passion I had for the game growing up, i’m passing on the feeling of what hard work can accomplish you, what it feels like to be a team player not just do it for yourself, but for everyone, I became the player I’am today because of my passion, and drive for the game.

What I am most proud of is when I have kids come up to me, and tell me “hey you made me want to play football”, “you inspire me to keep going”, “I want to be like you, when I grow up”. Things that is more important than money, or the spotlight, but moments I can cherish because I helped them believe in themselves, and know that it is possible to follow your dreams, and don’t let anyone kill your dreams. Because I didn’t…

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People follow my social media accounts
TikTok: DinosAdventures5,
Instagram: DinosAdventures5,
Youtube: Julian Dionisio Herrera

We can collaborate on videos online.
I am open to many new opportunities, and professional collaboration, we can brainstorm ideas, co-create, and execute shared goals, and ideas. Networking connect me with mutual party’s that can be beneficial for the both of us. Supporting my work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/d_exotic5
• Instagram: Dinosadventures5
• Youtube: Julian Dionisio Herrera