There are no secrets here and, admittedly, Federico Peña’s formula for success is about as complicated as the instructions on the back of a shampoo bottle.

Valour FC’s versatile defender puts his head down and grinds every day, takes care of his body and dedicates himself to his craft with a passion.

Lather. Rinse and repeat.

“A lot of people just see us in games, but there’s just so much that goes into it,” began Peña as Valour began its fourth week of training before heading to Victoria, B.C. next Monday for preseason matches. “It’s the everyday things from how you’re eating and sleeping and how you prepare to be your best. Every high-end athlete does this. There’s so much science behind it and the great staff here really work at helping you.

“It’s the little things that matter from when you first wake up in the morning: what am I doing before training, how am I getting prepared for training, how am I recovering after.

“All those little things add up and step by step I’ll become the player I want to be. I feel like I’m learning a lot under Phil (Dos Santos, GM and head coach) and I’ve just got to keep taking it step by step.”

Peña, who turns 23 later this month, is entering his fourth season with Valour. Born in Port of Spain in Trinidad and Tobago, but a product of Winnipeg’s soccer system, he has made 40 appearances with Valour since 2019  — second only in club history to teammate Raphael Ohin.

His ’21 season was his most complete, as he appeared in 26 matches, including a pair of Canadian Championship games, for a total of 1,421 minutes.

This offseason he added an estimated 5-10 pounds of muscle while further throwing himself at his training, including sessions with local speed-training coach Glenn Bruce.

“I feel good. I feel fit. I just can’t wait to get out and play outdoors in some fresh air,” said Peña with a grin. “Hopefully this snow will melt because the snowbanks are more than a little high right now.

“I concentrated on my fitness this winter because I’m not the biggest guy and wanted to work on my overall strength and upper body and hopefully that transfers onto the field when I come into duels and 50-50s I’m more equipped to take on those hits and challenges.

“I’m always trying to level up my game and there were a few times last year when I just wasn’t strong enough to battle with guys. I just thought if I want to take my game up to the next level, I need to be stronger in those duels.

“I’m definitely more complete than when I first came into the year. This is my fourth year here in the CPL. I’m grateful I’ve been here for so long and I just take things step by step and focus on the process.”

Peña’s approach and his objectives, in many ways, mirror that of his own side. This club has taken steps to improve in each year of its existence and now wants to take that next jump into consistent contender status.

“This team, it feels like it’s on the cusp of greatness,” said Peña. “It’s the same for us as a team as it is for each individual player. We have to focus on the details and the process and not so much the end goal.

“Again, focus on the daily details and hopefully that adds up to us winning games and playing consistently – that’s the most-important thing for us. We have all kinds of talent, but we need to be more consistent. That’s the next step in our growing process.”