Embracing the Athlete Within: A Journey from Skater to Fitness Enthusiast

Alan J Titone
Oct 12, 2025
4 min read

Updated: Dec 21, 2025

A Nostalgic Look Back at My Childhood

Growing up in the early 90s, I loved all sports. I spent my childhood in Queens, NY, where I played football, baseball, hockey, and basketball. I was a huge fan of the NY Knicks, especially John Starks. My Uncle often took me to Yankee Stadium to see my favorite player, Don Mattingly. We also attended the Old Timers Games, where I witnessed legends like “The Yankee Clipper” Mickey Mantle play.

As I got older, I remember watching the first X-Games in 1995. I convinced my grandmother to buy me my first pair of rollerblades, K2 Fattys! I would skate around town, looking for anything to jump off of and any rail or curb to lay some wax on to grind. My friends and I had our favorite spots. Sadly, the sport wasn’t as accepted as it is today. We often had run-ins with the police (or should I say we ran away from them). 90s skaters were the hoodlums of our generation. We weren’t welcome at local businesses, and parents didn’t want us around their kids. No one wanted to hear the racket of the music we loved—Nirvana, Biggie, Soundgarden, Live, Nas, Offspring, RATM, Less Than Jake, and so many more artists. The 90s seriously had the best music.

High School Days: Balancing Sports and Skating

I played high school football during my freshman year while retaining my skater mentality. I showed up to practice with a bleach blonde mohawk. As you can imagine, I wasn’t an instant friend magnet.

Spending my high school years as the only child left in the house and a latchkey kid, I lacked guidance and direction. It was too easy to stay up late, hang out with friends, and call ourselves “skaters” simply by name.

Through all the athletics of my childhood, I never saw myself as an athlete. I was never told I was an athlete. To me, athletes were the ones we watched on TV. They lived the rich and famous lifestyles we only heard about through news and media.

The Shift: From Skater to Fitness Enthusiast

Fast forward a few decades, and I find myself using the resort gym on vacation. I religiously eat the same meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and I prioritize quality sleep.

I faced the question again: “Am I an athlete?” This question led me to ask more questions. Why did I quit smoking cigarettes after 16 years? Why was I so focused on nutrition, exercise, and sleep? What was it all for?

It was for my future children. It was for my desire to move and explore the world. I wanted to reach some of the highest mountain tops and successfully use primitive hunting techniques (like bow and arrow) to chase elk around the Rocky Mountains. It was to prove that my genetic makeup played little role in my body’s appearance and abilities. Most importantly, it was a salute to my younger self—the little boy who knew there was an incredible athlete inside him.

A New Identity: I Am an Athlete

So there we have it. I am an athlete. I am an athlete because I choose to be one. I focus on three key pillars that dictate my future success in all aspects of life: chasing my kids on the playground, running through splash pads in the summer heat, and being the trophy husband Raechel has always wanted. Most importantly, I want to be an example to all the kids and adults out there questioning if they themselves are athletes.

That same athlete is in all of us. It is fueled by exercise, nutrition, and sleep. It’s never too late to tap into our inner athletes and help our children become the best athletes they can be.

The Three Pillars of Athleticism

Exercise: The Foundation of Fitness

Exercise is crucial for everyone. It helps maintain physical health and boosts mental well-being. Regular physical activity can improve mood, reduce anxiety, and enhance overall quality of life. Whether it’s running, swimming, or practicing yoga, finding an activity you enjoy is key.

Nutrition: Fueling the Body

Nutrition plays a vital role in athletic performance. What we eat directly impacts our energy levels and recovery. A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains provides the necessary nutrients for optimal performance. Remember, you can’t expect to be a Ferrari when you’re only giving Ford Pinto effort.

Sleep: The Unsung Hero

Quality sleep is often overlooked but is essential for recovery and performance. Sleep allows the body to repair itself and recharge for the next day. Prioritizing sleep can lead to improved focus, better mood, and enhanced athletic performance.

Conclusion: The Journey Continues

I’ll delve deeper into these three pillars in future blogs. For now, let’s understand that, like a high-performance race car, the performance of that car is strictly dictated by what is put into it and the care given to it.