She loses her sister at the age of 25 and the decision she makes two years later directly affects her parents.

On October 5, 2021, Ángel Gómez Merino's life took a 360-degree turn when his sister Paloma passed away "without warning" at just 23 years old. This sparked the idea for 'La Lista', a project of 510 challenges that he explained in an emotional interview on 'Herrera en COPE ' .

Gómez Merino explained why there are 510 challenges: " The total number of dreams refers to that October 5th, which is the day he passed away." He shared with Alberto Herrera that "it was very hard" because out of nowhere one night they went to the hospital, and in the waiting room, "unfortunately, he suffered multiple organ failure."

He worked at an investment fund, decided to quit his job, change his life, and tell his parents his plan: "At first, they were really scared, but from the first minute, they've supported me and are super proud."

What is 'The List'?

The list consists of 510 challenges, of which he has already completed 71 in almost two years. Ángel Gómez explains that they are divided into three categories: "adrenaline-pumping experiences," others with "social impact," and those he classifies as "nonsense."

The challenges range from the more unusual, such as calling 10 people from all over the world with the same name as him, to speaking with leaders of all religions, as he explains: "Ask them the same questions and compare answers." He does this with the goal of "achieving unification of religions and bringing positions closer together to prevent them from clashing."

The first challenge he took on was at home, Madrid. It was a ride in a classic car, "I wanted to cross off one point of home before leaving for six months." Another type of challenge he wants to complete is learning different contact sports, but with one condition: it has to be in the country where he was born : "I want to fight in a boxing ring in England , where he was born."

Gómez Merino amplified the initiative thanks to social media. He now has more than 260,000 followers across all his social networks and has managed to get the message he wanted to convey across to thousands of people. However , he believes Paloma would have done a better job than him : "She had to be the influencer," and he even believes she's following "her shadow."

Are there impossible challenges?

Some dreams can be more difficult to achieve. When asked if there are any he knows for sure are impossible, he says, " I have some difficult ones, like flying in a jet fighter, diving under the Arctic ice, or dining with the presidents of some country."

But he has never said that anything is impossible; rather, he reaffirms that everything can be achieved: "I'm already showing that I've done things that I didn't even think I could cross off."

What was Paloma like? Gómez Merino responded with a smile in his eyes: " She was a very pretty girl, she didn't drink, she was super athletic, a "healthy" girl.

When asked what challenges he would have taken on with her, he said plenty, but he would have liked some that were more emotionally significant rather than adrenaline-fueled: "I would have liked to do something equally important, like getting married, becoming a father, or seeing sunrises and sunsets."

the key to life?

Gómez Merino closes his interview in ' Herrera on COPE with a reflection for all listeners on his outlook on life following this experience: "First, I'd like to make it clear that even though you see me doing spectacular things, you don't have to pursue that kind of life to be happy."

For him, the secret is "being grateful for what you have," and he emphasizes one thing above all: "Happiness is found in the little things. You don't have to be addicted to social media or watching influencers live the life you aspire to. Often, you have everything you need, you just don't see it."