October Athlete of the Month: Vince Senia

Congratulations Vince, you are the October NoCoast Athlete of the Month!

Vince has been a part of our NoCoast community for well over a year and has not only made some big health improvements in that time but he has committed himself to the process and shows up every day ready to work hard. Vince’s lifestyle changes have also helped improve his family and work life as well and his daughter, Evie even decided to join him at NoCoast last June. We are so appreciative of Vince and Evie and all of the hard work they put in at the gym. 

Quotes from Vince:

“In May of 2024, I determined that being nearly 100 pounds overweight and struggling with all of my commitments due to fatigue and weakness was not where I wanted to be; I needed to make a significant change. By July, I had dropped a considerable amount of weight, but this was something that I had done before: committed to dropping and then just reverting to my old ways and eating unhealthy again. I decided to give NoCoast a try, which has been undoubtedly the best health investment I have EVER made.”

“For one, staying active is now my preference, which is so foreign to who I have been my whole life that it's hard to really grasp how different my world is now. I enjoy finding time to take a walk or go for a hike, or simply ride my bike around the area when I have a spare moment. My energy levels are so much higher than before, which helps me better fill my roles at work and at home, and also provides an environment for my family that puts us on a much healthier trajectory for the future.

A second improvement to my wellness has been my discipline and commitment. Something about starting my day with a physical challenge and being able to accomplish it has trickled over into my daily routines. It has aided me in setting goals and tasks at a micro and macro level and tracking my progress in achieving them.”

Age: 45

Athletic/Sports history/highlights: 

I went to a small school in need of bodies to fill out sports teams. I played football, basketball and baseball throughout high school and enjoyed each of them, but wasn't particularly exceptional in any of them. Since college, I haven't participated in any organized sports at any level. From college up until about a year ago, sports and fitness have been mostly not a part of my life, save a failed "rededication" here and there.

How long have you been at NoCoast? 

My Crossfit journey began at the end of July/beginning of August last year at Nocoast. 

How did you get into fitness and exercise? 

One of my coworkers (Corey) had visited NoCoast for a week in 2023 and had talked it up at work. I was familiar with the program, having had some friends who have run their own gym, so the gym and its location (around the corner from where I work) intrigued me. In May of 2024, I determined that being nearly 100 pounds overweight and struggling with all of my commitments due to fatigue and weakness was not where I wanted to be; I needed to make a significant change. By July, I had dropped a considerable amount of weight, but this was something that I had done before: committed to dropping and then just reverting to my old ways and eating unhealthy again. I decided to give NoCoast a try, which has been undoubtedly the best health investment I have EVER made.

What is your favorite workout or movement? 

Finding an answer to this is fascinating considering my lazy, unhealthy past, but there are so many that I enjoy, it's kind of hard to pinpoint which is my favorite! However, if I had to choose one, I think I would go with the push press. There's something about jumping that barbell overhead that feels so empowering.

What is your least favorite workout or movement? 

This may be a bit ironic considering my favorite movement, but thrusters. The combination of squat to overhead drains my tank faster than any other activity we do!

What is your most memorable NoCoast moment? 

There are a few, but I would have to say doing my first pull up. This was something I always wanted to do, but never had the strength to. Last fall, I set a goal to get a pullup by a certain date, but failed. I was pretty disappointed, and took a few days off of training to just rest. The next workout I attended, I hopped on the rig and did one!

How does nutrition play a role in your fitness and recovery? 

Nutrition has been no small part of my progress over the past year. From the advice of coaches, classmates, and friends, I have implemented a pretty regimented daily supplement routine that I am confident has greatly aided in my recovery and muscle development.

How has NoCoast improved your overall wellness? 

For one, staying active is now my preference, which is so foreign to who I have been my whole life that it's hard to really grasp how different my world is now. I enjoy finding time to take a walk or go for a hike, or simply ride my bike around the area when I have a spare moment. My energy levels are so much higher than before, which helps me better fill my roles at work and at home, and also provides an environment for my family that puts us on a much healthier trajectory for the future.

A second improvement to my wellness has been my discipline and commitment. Something about starting my day with a physical challenge and being able to accomplish it has trickled over into my daily routines. It has aided me in setting goals and tasks at a micro and macro level and tracking my progress in achieving them.

How has NoCoast changed your family?  

Evie, my daughter, started at NoCoast in June, and the two of us have committed to a healthier lifestyle together. Her progress and dedication have been so encouraging to me. The both of us, as well as my wife and son, have committed to a healthier diet and more active lifestyle, which has been very rewarding in the enjoyment of the beauty of Colorado and the spending time with one another doing things we've never done before. 

Advice to new people: 

For anyone starting their fitness journey at NoCoast, I would say: make a plan, stick to it, then step it up as you see fit. If you think that your body can only handle a certain amount of workouts a week, then commit to that. Check the schedule, pick the workouts in which you want to participate, and commit. After a designated period of time, reassess. If your strength and endurance have developed, and you are able, add an additional workout per week. Or not! The schedule and the program modifiers that NoCoast offer make it manageable to listen to your body and implement a fitness strategy that supports your goals!