Overcome all obstacles with Yann Senjaric

It was late in life and somewhat by chance, thanks to the baccalaureate sports exam, that Yann Senjaric took up athletics in Saint-Julien-en-Genevois and then, with the best coaches in Aix-les-Bains. From his beginnings as a footballer to his victory at the 2017 Balkan Games in the 400m hurdles, this hyperactive Franco-Croatian reveals his career as an athlete but also as a sports coach in Geneva.

A: When and where did you start athletics?

Y: It was only at the age of 19 that I really started athletics following excellent results obtained on the day of the athletics option exams for the Baccalaureate. My teachers strongly advised me to take out a license. I first registered with Athlé Saint Julien 74, then I progressed to AS Aix-les-Bains to seek the expertise of the very renowned sprint group, led by Pierrot Carraz. Since 2017, I have been guided by a new coach: Frédéric Gazeau. He is very strong and I like his vision of things.

A: Did you play any other sports when you were younger?

Y: Yes, I've always been very active and daredevil with my friends: a skateboarding fanatic, snowboarder in the winter, in the football club since I was 5, then tennis at 15.

A: When did you discover your talent for hurdling? Why did you choose this discipline?

Y: The 400m hurdles was my ^first athletics race without any real training, without even choosing to do so, just with the aim of running for the club and earning points for the team. I tried other disciplines but the one where I expressed myself best was the low hurdles (400m hurdles: 1 lap of the track with 10 hurdles raised to 91cm). I progressed very quickly, which encouraged me to persevere. It is a very complete discipline that combines speed, endurance, flexibility, crossing technique, stride pattern and adapting the pace obstacle after obstacle.

A: Do you compete in other disciplines?

Y: Yes, the 400m flat to be part of the 4x400m relay.

A: What is the best memory of your athletic career?

Y: A race on 13/07/14 in Varazdin, Croatia, which gave me a lot: my ^first Croatian champion title, a personal best, the minimums for the European championships... and so much euphoria! And then every race where I put on the Croatian national kit is indescribable, it helps me transcend myself.

A: What do you think are the most important personality traits or physical strengths for a top athlete?

Y: I think humility is the ^first because no matter how hard we surpass ourselves, win victories, break records, appear on TV... we will always remain human, vulnerable and ephemeral on Earth.

The ^second is respect for your opponents because we draw our strength from them to win.

The ^3rd is listening to yourself . Knowing yourself is essential for progress.

The ^4th is determination which, through work, allows you to achieve your goals or even your dream.

The ^5th is creativity because very often, we need to know how to open our eyes, be attentive to what is offered to us and use our imagination to create new opportunities.

A: You're not just an elite athlete. Tell us about your career as a sports coach!

Y: I've been a self-employed personal trainer/sports coach in Geneva for five years now. I've also worked at a wellness and fitness center. I draw a lot of inspiration from my favorite sport, athletics, to train my clients. I collaborate with the Efficium clinic in Les Acacias, and I work at home, outdoors, and in a Personal Training studio called Funcwork in Les Eaux-Vives. I'm also an ambassador for Algorigin and Five Sport Management, holding the dual role of athlete and coach.

A: What are the main reasons people come to see you as a Coach?

Y: Each person has their own goal, and I offer personalized training accordingly. There may be a competition involved or rehabilitation following an injury. Some will focus on flexibility and joint mobility to combat back or neck pain, while others will focus on weight loss and general muscle strengthening. Overall, people want to escape, relieve stress, and feel good about their bodies. My daily life is incredibly varied and exciting!

A: How do you assess a client's needs?

Y: Most of the time, things happen naturally during the sessions: we communicate, we laugh, I observe, I analyze and at the same time... we train hard! There's no need to do test sessions or evaluation questionnaires. I base myself on communication, I listen to my clients and I ask them questions, I do research, I come up with something new and sometimes with a surprise objective to motivate them!

A: How does a session with you as a coach go?

Y: A session lasts 1 hour. Systematically, 10 minutes of warm-up and 10 minutes of cool-down and stretching. We have 40 minutes left in the middle of the session to work and sweat! I try to develop all the physical qualities in anyone, namely endurance, strength, speed, flexibility, balance, coordination, etc. Of course, all this is spread over several sessions with the aim of having a balanced body.

A: Do you have a favorite exercise? If so, which one?

Y: Yes, jumping and crossing all kinds of obstacles. But it's not for everyone... you have to accept the fall sometimes!

A: What is your tip for motivating people?

Y: When the feeling is right, then we don't look at the clock and we don't hold back. I often remind them of their journey and their personal goal. All the accumulated sessions and the efforts made go through difficult moments and times outside their comfort zone. The goal is simply good health and the ability to move by discovering new sports like mountain walking, climbing, boxing, swimming, running, cycling, board sports, the list is long. And inevitably, enjoyment will come from it.

A: What do you like best about your job?

Y: I love the diversity of the people I meet: their backgrounds, their experiences, their personalities, their confidence. Sports are part of my profession, but relationships are another dimension that enriches our daily lives even more. Being a coach is about boosting people! Sometimes a conversation is more effective than an exercise.

A: Tell us a little about your upcoming projects!

Y: I have loads of them, and some really great ones! I have a short-term project, by this spring, to start one or two small group sports classes with the Efficium clinic, focusing on joint mobility, flexibility, and muscle strengthening. The second class would be focused more on cardio and developing outdoor endurance.

A: Do you follow a specific nutritional plan?

Y: Yes, with Virginie Terrier at the Efficium clinic. An annual blood test allows her to assess my general condition, then we set up a dietary supplement and treatment plan. We adjust and assess my condition every month. All of this is accompanied by a healthy and varied diet.

A: Which Algorigin products have you already tried?

Y: I have already tried spirulina .

A: What are the benefits of algae in your opinion?

Y: It's difficult for me to feel the benefits of algae in particular because I often have several treatments at the same time. The results for me are good and the scientific studies on algae are positive, so I trust Algorigin.

A: How do you prefer to take seaweed?

Y: I only take them as a tablet on an empty stomach in the morning.

A: Do you have a recipe to share with us?

Y: My best meals are those where I cook vegetables from my garden, whatever the recipe, the cooking, it's a pure joy to work the land, to harvest and to eat fresh!