How Fitness Fueled Me 

By: Nico Belasco, Thames International Undergraduate Student    

Like many others, I started out the year with a clear vision of what I wanted to do and the steps I’d take to achieve them.  However, that all went down the drain when the pandemic went into full swing, strict lockdown was implemented, and I was forced to stay home for my own safety and wellbeing.  I found myself at a loss, reassessing my plans and wondering how I would ever achieve them with the circumstances at hand.  One of the most important things I did was elevating my fitness routine. 

I had spiralled into a bit of a funk.  My life had turned upside down with all of my plans put on hold, with photoshoots, work meetings, hangouts with friends, an entire semester of classes, and many mornings I planned to spend in the gym no longer being options due to the risk of infection.  I struggled to find motivation to do anything, staying frozen in a nostalgic state for weeks.

All this changed once Thames announced the start of online classes.  I was relieved to see my friends again and even excited to hop back onto the learning train.  As the activities and classes started up again I found myself more and more genuinely happy, despite the cloud of sadness I was feeling before.  I was even more excited when the Thames Sports & Fitness organization kickstarted their weekly online workouts. 

 I was able to resume my goal of becoming a healthier and more fit version of myself.  Sure, gyms were closed and we couldn’t leave our homes.  Yet there we were, sweating in our bedrooms and living rooms – separated physically, but connected digitally. 

These workouts gave me something outside of work and school to look forward to – time to bond with my friends over a great workout.  Every Monday I’d push myself to my limits and motivate others to do the same.  This newfound fitness group helped me continue to elevate myself to become the best version of me I could be, physically and mentally.  Through these workouts, a strong bond was formed between us.

As a working student, I am constantly juggling responsibilities, assignments, and tasks.  In my line of work as a digital marketer, the pandemic didn’t play a detrimental role; companies and brands needed to get the word out about their products and services now more than ever to stay afloat.  I wear many hats on any given day.  I work as a digital marketer, copywriter, and photographer, I have school, I am a scholar fulfilling my duties to Thames, a volunteer at an organization that aims to provide PWDs with meaningful relationships and friends, a head at my high school alumni association, and host of my own podcast.  With all of this going on, my days are filled and my to-do list can look pretty scary at times.  One of the things that helps me stay grounded with my hectic schedule are the online workouts I’d attend with the Thames Sports & Fitness group. 

On February 8, 2021, I had the pleasure of leading my own workout with the group.  I decided to go with core, as it is, admittedly, what I need to work on the most.  I had a great time putting together the poster and plan for the exercises, strategically planning breaks, and compiling workouts that targeted different movements and ab areas.  The plan consisted of 11 one minute workouts (to be repeated twice), two five minute breaks, and a five minute cool down at the end. 

What was even more rewarding was seeing everyone in the workout tired and out of breath.  This proved as a sign that my workout was effective and that everyone in attendance was actually feeling it.  This is where I motivated them all, telling them to keep pushing, reminding them to engage their core, and counting down the amount of time that was left for each exercise. 

In the end, even I was drained and out of breath.  But seeing everyone else happy and sweaty made all of the planning and coaching worth it.  I enjoyed myself, and can definitely see myself doing it again in the future.

In conclusion, Thames Sports & Fitness has helped play a big role not only in my physical health, but in my mental health too.  I never in a million years would have pictured this pandemic coming over the world, and I would have never thought that despite the distance imposed to the lockdown, I would still feel so connected with my friends and get to hang out with them over online workouts like this.  I am grateful for all that it’s brought me and excited for all that’s in store in the workouts to come.

Thames International is committed to building a new order for the world by giving talented students and entrepreneurs the tools to thrive and lead the way in a world beset by rapid change. If you’re interested in augmenting your skills and making connections with some of the biggest minds in business education today, please take a look at our future-proof undergraduate programs.