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For most football fans, the FIFA World Cup is the pinnacle of sporting achievement—an arena where dreams are forged, legends are made and national pride soars. For alumna Dulce María Segalés Gill, dedicated exercise physiologist for team Paraguay, the World Cup became much more than a sporting spectacle: it was the stage where she helped guide the men’s national team to its best performance in history.

The team reached the final eight and stunned the world by eliminating powerhouse Germany before bowing out to France 1-0 by a single penalty goal. Paraguay’s remarkable run was made even more extraordinary since the team’s last World Cup appearance was 16 years ago.

“It was a dream come true to help my county’s team make history this summer,” expressed Segalés Gill.

Since 2018, Segalés Gill has held the position of the team’s head exercise physiologist. In her role, she performs tests to evaluate athletes’ fatigue and recovery levels. Segalés Gill also oversees athlete performance analysis using GPS data, and she collaborates closely with the strength and conditioning coach to optimize training plans.

Her list of outstanding accomplishments doesn’t stop there. Segalés Gill, who received a master’s degree in exercise science from Florida Atlantic in 2016, is considered a pioneer in the field of exercise physiology in Paraguay.

“The exceptional training, knowledge and preparation I received at Florida Atlantic were highly comprehensive,” stated Segalés Gill. “Returning to Paraguay, I felt fully equipped to launch the Exercise Physiology Department for the Paraguayan Olympic Committee, where I served as its director for two years before joining the men’s national football team staff.”

Segalés Gill chose Florida Atlantic because she was impressed by its professors and the numerous hands-on opportunities it offered. B. Sue Graves, Ed. D., FACSM, FISSN, associate professor in the Schmidt College of Science’s Department of Exercise Science and Health Promotion (ESHP), was an inspiring mentor to her.

“Dr. Graves always encouraged me to pursue research, attend conferences and network,” noted Segalés Gill. “I’m happy to share that we still stay in touch.”

Off the pitch, Segalés Gill owns and operates her own clinic, Ciencia y Deporte. Several professionals such as sports dietitians, doctors, psychologists and physiotherapists work with more than 100 athletes and is comprised of an exercise physiology lab, a gym and dedicated physiotherapy spaces.

She also found time to write her first book. Published in 2025, “Exercise Physiology Applied to Soccer” is currently only available in Latin America.

For current exercise science students, Segalés Gill shared this parting advice:

“Always give your best effort every day and always dream the biggest dream you can, even if you don’t know how to achieve it just yet,” she remarked. “Just think – my current profession didn’t even exist in my country 10 years ago, and now I’ve just returned from a World Cup!”