Meet Marcus Canillas

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Marcus Canillas. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Marcus, thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.

It comes from my family; that’s my team. Every day, they remind me what I’m working for and who I want to show up for. I stay active, on and off the paddle courts, because movement keeps me grounded and focused. But really, it’s love that fuels me. When you’re surrounded by people who believe in you, it’s hard not to believe in yourself too.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m a professional paddle tennis player and coach. I and the man behind the brand: Hit with Marcus.

I was born and raised in L.A., and coaching on the paddle courts in Venice has been one of the greatest joys of my life. I get to meet people from all over the world, and through teaching them the game. I get to see my hometown through their eyes. It’s a beautiful thing — sharing the sport I love, in the place I love, and best of all, with my family.

I also love to see shy first-timers walk off the court grinning. Whether you’re here for a workout, to learn something new, or just to have a good time, I keep it fun, real, and welcoming.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, the three most impactful things in my journey have been patience, consistency, and belief — not just in myself, but in others.

Patience has shaped everything I do, from learning the game to coaching it. My wife always says I have a lot of it. But watching her, I realize she does too. She’s a new immigrant, a martial artist, and a pilot — and she’s starting over here. That takes real patience and courage to start something, anything new. When she first started with paddle, every ball went over the fence. But she showed up even when she got frustrated, and sure enough, one ball, one point at a time, she got better and keeps getting better.

Which makes me think of consistency. You have to keep showing up even when it’s hard — on the court and in life. It’s not about failing; it’s about returning to do the work. Each time you come out, I give you a few tips—adding more gradually, not to overwhelm but to help you grow.

And the third one is belief in your potential. You’ve got to believe in yourself first, and then others will too. My advice to anyone starting out? Be patient and show up. The rest will take care of itself.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

In the past 12 months, my biggest area of growth has been learning to step outside my comfort zone, especially socially.

I’ve always been a little shy, but I’ve been pushing myself to get out more, sharing in interviews like this, telling my story, and expressing my love of the game. I’m also actively promoting my work and passion through my website: hitwithmarcus.com.

It’s all about connecting and building community.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.hitwithmarcus.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hitwithmarcus/?hl=en
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/hit-with-marcus-los-angeles