From Hoops to Weights: UNC Rec Helps Former Athlete Pursue Fitness Goals

It is commonplace for former athletes to come to college looking to fill the void their athletic career left. The rec center at the University of Northern Colorado offers a variety of sporting options for students to enjoy.

Seyna Gbaguidi, a senior in sports and exercise science, takes full advantage of the opportunity and has become a regular at the campus rec center.

From as early as he can remember, Gbaguidi was obsessed with athletics. Despite trying other sports, he quickly fell in love when he picked up a basketball. His love for basketball continued all the way to this day, becoming a huge fan of the NBA and in particular, the Denver Nuggets. Starting at age six and continuing to play through high school, Gbaguidi bled basketball and devoted hours of each day to getting better.

“Basketball really made me who I am today," Gbaguidi said. "The way the team becomes family and the way everything turns into a culture just can't be found outside of sports."

Despite his love for basketball, Gbaguidi set it aside to focus on school and his true passion of being an athletic trainer. He is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in exercise science with plans to attend grad school after this year.

“I’ll never not love basketball, but I knew what I wanted for my future so it was really an easy choice,” Gbaguidi said. “Unless an NBA team wants me off the couch, I’m more than good where I'm at.”

While his competitive basketball career is over, Gbaguidi remains far from inactive. He continues to play basketball for fun at the rec center and has even picked up a new hobby.

Near the beginning of his junior year in college, he was determined to make a change and challenged himself to be consistent in the gym. What started as an act of determination and accountability, soon became something he enjoyed doing.

With the goal in mind of gaining weight, Gbaguidi created a weekly schedule to follow and began properly eating. The schedule includes five days of lifting and two days of rest. Since the beginning of his journey, Gbaguidi has put on 20 pounds.

Gbaguidi credits his discipline and determination to his weight-gaining journey. When facing a lack of motivation, Gbaguidi leans on his friends. Generally, he works out by himself, but sometimes he mixes in workouts with friends.

Caitlin Belcher, a friend of Gbaguidi's, is a nursing student who goes to the gym with him but also has a class with him.

“He really locked in and committed to it and I think it’s cool he found something he loves to do,” Belcher said. “It's motivating to see too, it makes you want to go for it yourself.”

Belcher drew parallels between Gbaguidi in the gym compared to outside of the gym.

“I’d say his determination is clear both in the gym and in class,” Belcher said. “He is just always focused and tuned in so it’s very clear he's driven to accomplish his goals.”

Much of Gbaguidi’s life outside of the gym also involves his goals. This comes in the form of reaching caloric goals daily, tracking protein intake, as well as eliminating high-sugar foods.

“There's things to improve no matter where you are in the journey,” Gbaguidi said. “My biggest thing to work on is sugar. I love soda too much to get rid of it but I also know it stands in the way to a degree.”

Gbaguidi plans on continuing the same workout split he’s been using since the first month of his two-year journey. Looking forward, Gbaguidi hopes to hit 190 by the end of the year, with the end goal of hitting 200.

To get involved at the rec center or for inquiries about sports on campus, please stop by the center or visit www.unco.edu/campus-recreation/.