Alumni Spotlight: Nick Brown 

Nick Brown B’19 grew up playing many different sports, and during his time at Bellarmine participated in Football, Basketball and wrestling. According to Brown after high school he drifted away from his healthy habits for a while, and realized he needed to make a change. This is when he became involved in Ironman Triathlons in college as a way to get back into shape. This led to more triathlons around the country and ultimately to teaching CrossFit classes. He now has a love of sharing his passion for health and wellness with others. As this month we focus on alumni with a commitment to health and wellness, we caught up with Nick to learn more about him and his fitness journey. 

Bellarmine pushes its students and expects a lot out of them. Being challenged and pushed everyday as a student, it taught me fundamentals of diligence, worth-ethic, and drive. There is no doubt I was pushed at Bellarmine, but it’s helped me in many ways as I navigate through life today. 

Being a man or woman for others is deeply important, as is embracing servant leadership and living a life of service. As a man of faith, I strive to honor the Lord and glorify Him in all that I do. One of the most rewarding aspects of attending Bellarmine was having Jesuit values instilled in us. I often reflect on experiences like Encounter or Senior Pilgrimage, where those values were taught and reinforced.

Mr. Garcia and Mr. Peterson were great role models for me in high school. They expect a lot out of their students and hold everyone to a high standard, but it is all with proper intention. They made fitness and health enjoyable and instilled into me that fitness and health can be so rewarding. One of the things I greatly respect about them is that not only did they teach about health/fitness, but they live their lives in a way that demonstrates what they teach. They were great role models and backed up what they taught with how they lived their lives.

First, I realized I needed to turn my health around and get in better shape. Secondly, my family had a huge influence on me. My parents set the tone for our family by modeling what a strong work ethic looks like. My sister was a pro golfer, and my brother played college football, so I didn’t want to grow older and regret how I spent my early years. For some reason, I feel it would haunt me later in life if I didn’t give my all in everything I do. The last thing I want is to look back and say, “I wish I had worked harder when I was younger.”

The most enjoyable part of training is the sense of accomplishment. While the race is the pinnacle that everyone sees, it’s the unseen efforts that make it truly rewarding. Waking up early to train, lifting weights when you're sore, and staying disciplined with your diet all contribute to building the mental fortitude we strive for—or at least, that I’m striving for.

The most rewarding aspect is the community of alumni that you engage with throughout life. You share a common experience with someone, and a great experience I might add. I had such a wonderful time at Bellarmine, and created friendships that will last a lifetime. Every time we all visit home, we make it a point to get together and reconnect.

What advice would you give to students/young alumni who are interested in running a marathon/Iron Man? 

Step out of your comfort zone and take the challenge head on. What’s the worst that can happen? I lived too long in my bubble and never wanted to push myself both physically and mentally. But, by doing so, it’s allowed me to create such amazing memories and meet like-minded people in the process. You also learn a lot about yourself in the process, and develop healthy habits that you carry into your day-to-day life. You create a sense of self-respect, and with that comes confidence. On the outside, it may just seem like a long race and that’s it, but you will grow and develop great habits that you can carry on in life.

There is such a strong community amongst Bellarmine alums. Whether it is on social media, or in-person, it is always nice to hear words of encouragement from your peers. A lot of times, especially when you are tired and fatigued, it is those uplifting conversations you have with alums that give you that extra push.

 

My favorite memory was playing football for Coach Jensen. Whether it was the spring workouts, summer practices, or Friday nights on Memorial Field, it is without a doubt one of my fondest memories at Bellarmine. I still think about the memories I made with my peers playing football, and it was a time in my life that I didn’t cherish enough.

Coach Larsen had such a positive impact on my experience at Bellarmine. As both my teacher and football coach, he constantly pushed and challenged me to be better. He had high expectations for his students and athletes, but it was always clear that he had our best interests at heart throughout the process. What I respect most about Coach Larsen is that he genuinely lives out what he teaches. He is a man of faith, and it’s evident in the way he carries himself and cares for others.

I really had no idea what I wanted to do with my career when I graduated from Bellarmine. I considered moving home after college, but also liked the idea of living somewhere else before making the final move back home. I went to college at Point Loma Nazarene in San Diego, and recently moved to Houston, Texas. I joined a financial firm in San Diego after college, and that was what prompted the move to Houston where I am Associate Regional Director for LPL Financial.