We all love us some Neno - even if that means getting up at 6 am! :)

Learn more about one of the nicest people who ever walked the planet. This planet. Any planet.

Neno, Gerianna and their two boys.

 

1.  Where are you originally from?

West Suburbs of Chicago

2. When, where and why did you start doing CrossFit?

I started following CF as it grew in popularity throughout the military community. Then, after I got laid out by my first workout in 2010 there was no turning back...it’s been a big part of my fitness journey since.

3. When did you start coaching CrossFit?

I have been certified to coach for well over a year now and have been using CF methodology with my student-athletes at UCSC ever since.

4. Favorite movement/skill to coach?

I like the Olympic lifts but anything with a barbell in my hand will do.

5. Is there one CrossFit movement/skill that you either can’t do or suck at?

The dreaded Muscle-Up...it’s been my goal since I began but hopefully not for long. Handstands are a close second. I can always use some work developing my “gymnastiness”…that’s a word, right?

6. What’s your “jam”?

Barbells, bear crawls, and lifting/moving heavy shit. I’m a fan of the grunt work.

 

Speaking of grunt work...

 

7. Weirdest or most surprising fact about yourself.

In a previous life, I was a tech geek in the military and worked on top secret stuff. I am the hardware to my wife’s software. We make a pretty good tech team.

 

Proof.

8. Favorite cheat meal.

Anything that doesn’t include roughage. The greasier the better…no regrets. Well, maybe some regret.

9. What story does your family always tell about you?

Now that I have children of my own, my mom never misses an opportunity to remind me of my childhood habits. I think the flavor of the month is how I would whine when told to put clothes on thinking we were leaving the house...I liked hanging out in my underoos and still do to this day, what can I say?

10. Name something on your bucket list.

To head across the pond and see my favorite soccer team, the Tottenham Hotspur, play anyone. COYS!

11. What chore do you absolutely hate doing?

It’s a toss-up between the dishes and laundry. But laundry is only in the conversation if it contains silly things that cannot be thrown immediately in the dryer and/or folding little people clothes.

12. If you were immortal for a day, what would you do?

This sounds dismal and legit, crazy but I think it would be neat to experience death in as many forms as possible (without harming anyone else, of course). Car crash, jumping from a building, getting shot or stabbed, drowning, suffocation. Why not, right?

13. If you could meet anybody, living or dead, who would you meet?

I’m not too impressed by celebrities… but I have a soft spot for great leaders. What makes people follow other people regardless of the setting fascinates me. If it’s someone who leads...I’ll be the one standing close trying to soak it all in. 

14. If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would do?

As per the usual...take care of family first, no surprise there. Set it up to last me a lifetime...then get a sweet RV/camper van coupled with a bitchin boat and set out on a kick ass world tour involving all the wonders of the world, national monuments, live musical experiences, outdoor adventures, food...food...food, etc. Family fun times until I die or the money runs out. That’s what rich people do, right?

15. What’s the hardest thing you have ever done?

Raising children, hands down! It’s well worth it but there is no amount of prep that will get you ready for the journey. In the end, you have to trust your gut and roll with the punches. Parenthood makes you think about how cool your mom and dad used to be before you came along.

16. What did you do growing up that got you into trouble?

Not enough room to write it all down…we’d be here for a while.

17. What’s the worst gift you have ever given or received?

Not a big fan of greeting cards…I feel like it’s a waste. I mean, what do you do with those things afterwards anyway? I will always appreciate receiving one but will defer to something else when returning the sentiment.

18. When was the last time you were nervous?

Contrary to popular belief, I get nervous more often than not. It’s like a duck in the water...calm and collected above the surface but moving those webbed feet 100 miles a minute below the surface. Anytime I need to coach, present, perform or address a small group I get a little bit nervous but in a good way.