Chula Vista’s Dante Longo thriving after near-fatal car crash
Defying assessments by his physicians, Longo is now crushing goals on and off the soccer field
Beating the odds — it’s an often-used phrase, but Dante Longo is living, walking and breathing proof of this — and he didn’t just beat the odds, he defied them and is now thriving.
Life completely changed two years ago for Longo. On April 7, 2018, Dante, a seasoned and decorated soccer player for California State University San Marcos, was with his father, Charlie, on their way to a game when they were struck on the northbound Interstate 15. After initially hitting barrels, their car was also hit by an oncoming vehicle going at approximately 80 miles per hour.
Longo’s injuries were serious — he was put on full life support. If not life-threatening, they were potentially life-altering, including a broken elbow, collapsed lung, torn ligaments, torn ureter, fractured femur, hip, neck and pelvis. Severe injuries to his liver and kidneys were also included — and top of that, he lost eight pints of blood.
He was in a coma for six days, where he also battled respiratory failure while he was hooked up to feeding tubes and a trachea. His family members, aside his father, including mother Kimberly, sister Brie and brother Chris were by his side around the clock. Doctors at Scripps La Jolla’s intensive care unit told his family that there was a possibility he would never awaken from his coma.
Longo proved doctors wrong.
He woke up. Today, the 22-year-old from Chula Vista is now a personal trainer and stronger than ever.
“For Dante, his discipline and lifetime love of soccer prepared his body to overcome what was needed. He was in the best physical shape of his life and it was obvious,” said Kimberly. “But for me, the most inspiring character traits about my son are his resiliency, determination and perseverance.”
It’s that perseverance that has allowed Longo to thrive. Now training others, Longo believes that “people are capable of a lot more than they think they are.” Aside his budding new personal training business, he’s also on full force to conquer his other dreams — after being cleared in 2019 to play soccer again, he’s also on the path to finishing his degree in communications from CSUSM to graduate in spring 2021 and go on to become a firefighter. “I’m just enjoying the process,” said Longo. Prior to transferring to CSUSM, Longo was at Florida Gulf Coast University as a Division 1 player on their soccer team as their center-mid position.
Charlie also acknowledges that Dante has become stronger, making him the ideal trainer to lead by example. “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,” said Charlie. “Dante has also become a lot more mature because he’s experienced things that most people won’t their entire lives.”
With that experience, Longo wants to inspire others, noting, “Appreciate the body and your physical ability. I really love being able to help others do that.” He also reflects on his time when he was recovering. “I had to learn how to walk and talk again. They told me it would be years before I could do either again, but now I’m back to being active and want to help others achieve their physical fitness goals,” he added.
His determination and persistence has helped catapult his newfound success, which will surely carry on to his other goals. For more information on Dante’s personal training, please visit Longo Strong Fit.
