COLIN COOPER
My name is Colin Cooper and I’ve been on my fitness journey for almost 14 total years. I am 27 years old and graduated from the University at Albany ‘16, where I was a Division 1 Football player.
My first experience with strength training and fitness came at the age of 13. I was introduced to the weight room to begin training for Football. At the time, I was a 3-sport athlete but following my freshman year, I really shifted gears and focused my time and energy on football. Lifting weights, running, and working on my overall athletic ability became an obsession. I went from 185lbs to 215lbs from my sophomore to junior season. I knew that in order to stand out on the gridiron, I had to gain weight and strength by eating more and lifting more. Looking back, I was consuming well over 3,000 calories which included consuming 2-peanut butter & jelly sandwiches before bed almost every night. This is where my mindset of “get as big as possible” began…
Fast Forward a few years…
Going into my senior year season, I had four division 1 scholarships and was looking to add to that list before committing. During the last regular season game, my life took a turn and I lost my coach, best friend, mentor, and my biggest supporter, my Dad.
In the final 5 minutes of the game, my father collapsed on the sideline and passed away from a heart attack. My family has always had issues with weight, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc. My dad was always a the “big guy” and endured the negative effects that come with being overweight. From that moment, I knew I would have to find ways to live healthier to beat the cycle.
I went on to attend & play two seasons at Monmouth University and my final three at the University at Albany. I had a successful college career despite an injury riddled campaign.
Following college, I knew I had to focus on my nutrition due to my family’s history. This is where my love for Fitness & Health truly began. I went from being a 255lb linebacker, eating everything in sight to dropping to a much healthier 220lbs. I found that focusing more on my nutrition and changing the way I trained, I could continue to have fun, never miss out, and enjoy life while maintaining my physique.
Balance to me is being able to keep your diet & training in check so you can enjoy your weekends, holidays, & social events. I am a firm believer in WORK HARD, PLAY HARD. Moderation is key and I will never say no to having a good time because of my physique. I train and keep my nutrition on point so I can ENJOY LIFE.
You’ll find that working with me, we will change your training habits and the way you look at “dieting”. Your happiness in everyday life is the most important aspect and we will strive to make that a reality while living a healthier life!
