Tell us about yourself: What do you do for a living, where do you live, what do you do outside of work for personal passion projects, fun or anything else.
I am the founder and owner of United Endurance Sports Coaching Academy (UESCA), a science-based endurance sports education company. I live in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Outside of work, I try in vain to keep up with my 6-year-old, nap, eat Cheez-Its, ride, run, and fantasize about opening up a BBQ shack!
What role does health and wellness play in your life?
Cycling and running used to be competitive for me, but now it’s all about maintaining my health (and hopefully getting healthier), and it allows me to reduce my stress. I’ve also found that my best ideas come when I’m not in front of my computer, but while I’m riding or running. So I’d say that it has also enhanced my work life.
Tell us about your health protocol. What do you do to invest in your own health and wellness - be it your fitness and nutrition protocols, supplements, mental health, or other initiatives that you employ to achieve your best self?
Mostly, my protocol revolves around working out (cardiovascular and strength training), both for physical and mental health. I more or less eat in moderation—nothing too crazy on either end of the spectrum. I have mostly cut out alcohol within the last year or so as well.
What piece of advice would you offer someone just starting out on their health journey?
As a former personal trainer of over 20 years, this is the biggest issue I see—people starting off too fast and/or expecting results too fast. My best advice is to start slow, have realistic expectations, and most importantly, do something that you enjoy because if you don’t enjoy it, the chances are much greater that you’ll stop. So whether it be a walk, Pickleball, yoga... just make sure that you enjoy it!
What is a fun fact about yourself that might not be evident?
I used to be a bike shop mechanic during summers in high school and college, and I recently purchased a vintage Pinarello bike frame and am building it up with time-period-correct parts. So I guess you could say that is a hobby of mine, but I mostly just curse and throw wrenches around when things don’t go right… which seems to be more often than not ;)
Anything else you’d like to share?
I’m really competitive when it comes to sports and business. So it’s very hard for me to just do a hobby or enter a race for ‘fun.’ I’m sort of the person that is either all in or not at all. So my goal is to find a sport that I can do competitively to satisfy my competitive desires, but not be obsessed about it. And also find a non-sport activity that I can just do for fun that doesn’t involve throwing wrenches across the room!
Rick’s story is a testament to the importance of finding balance between work, wellness, and personal passions. Whether you’re just starting your fitness journey or looking to rekindle your competitive spark, his insights remind us that progress begins with enjoyment and consistency. Follow Rick’s journey on his social channels to stay inspired!
