Garcia began his skating career as inline speed skater, winning his first national title in 2004.

In 2007, he represented the United States at the Pan American Games before transitioning to short track speed skating on the ice.

In 2010, Garcia made the short track World Cup team, won a national title.

Garcia won a second national title in 2011 before transitioning to long track speed skating.

Jonathan Garcia was born December 14, 1986, and grew up in Katy, Texas, in the Houston metropolitan area.

[5] In 2006, Garcia watched fellow Texan and former inline skater Chad Hedrick win three gold medals at the Olympics.

[2] To pursue his dream, Garcia moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, in 2007 to begin training on the ice.

[6] As the United States Olympic Trials in December 2013, Garcia turned in time of 34.85s, 0.29 better than his personal best, in his second 500-meter race.

His combined time from two skates placed him fourth, and Garcia appeared to qualify for the 2014 Winter Olympics.

"[7] After qualifying, he skated a celebratory lap holding the timing transponders above his head "[you] might as well be able to make fun of yourself," he commented.