In a few short days, Nick Mills will be leaving South Dakota to embark on a trip of a lifetime.
“I’m going to Turin, Italy, as a part of Special Olympics USA! I will be competing in the sport of Alpine Skiing at the 2025 World Winter Games,” said Mills with a smile on his face and excitement in his voice. According to Mills, “It has been quite the journey getting here.”
The scheduling of the Games in itself has been a journey. Originally slated for 2020, multiple factors forced the postponement and a change in locations.
The other journey Nick refers to has been his fitness journey.
“Soon after learning I was selected for the Games,” said Mills, “I had a Team meeting with my co-workers at the Special Olympics South Dakota state office and my family. This was November 29, 2023, and my 31st birthday. Honestly, we talked about a subject that was a little uncomfortable for me, my fitness and my health. At the time, I was experiencing issues with my feet and now I can admit I had gotten a little chunky. After some brainstorming, we developed a plan I was on-board with. I would focus the most to increase my physical activity. I wouldn’t be on a specific diet plan, but I would consciously think about making healthier food choices.”
Right after this meeting, Mills’s co-worker constructed a fitness tracking sheet. This was a Friday, and by Monday, Mills had completely revamped it. “The tracking tool they gave me was OK, but it was important to me to build my own plan and customize it to what motivates me,” he stated. Today, over 2 years into his fitness journey, Mills still documents his fitness minutes, distance walked, number of steps, number of calories burned, and weigh-in every Thursday.
“My starting weight was 219. During our Team meeting, we agreed on a goal of 210. I wasn’t sure I could do it, I remember that.”
In the beginning, Mills walked on the treadmill at the end of his work days. “I was walking for an hour, but it was boring. Next to our office, there is a full gym. I asked if it was OK for me to walk laps here instead. This was way better and two years later I’m still pounding those laps.”
Six months into his journey, Mills reached his goal of 210 pounds. “By this time, working out was just a part of my day. I felt better, I could move easier, so it was a no-brainer to make a new goal: 200 pounds.”
About a year ago, Mills was given a fitness program by his Special Olympics USA ski coach. “Twice a week, I now work out with Izzy [Mattecheck] from my office,” said Mills. “We follow the program, but we’ve also added some things, including strength training and stretching through dynamic yoga poses.”
After the Special Olympics USA Team Trials in April 2024, his ski coach assigned a monthly fitness test. “The first couple of months I struggled,” said Mills. “The planks and wall sit were the hardest. But since working with Izzy on the tests, my numbers have improved drastically!”
When asked why the improvement was so significant, both Mills and Mattecheck agree that frequency, intensity, and consistency were the keys. Mills added, “The wall sit was always a hard one for me. What gets me through it is an old Shania Twain song… don’t judge!”
According to Mills, “My flexibility work has made me a better skier and a better athlete in general. I’m less sore. It’s easier to bend over to get my boots on for skiing and my tennis shoes on for my other sports.”
When asked about his diet, Mills said he consciously avoids pigging out. He added, “When I’m full, I stop. I now pay attention to what I put into my body.”
A few months ago, Mills reached another milestone. “The day I stepped on the scale, and it was under 200 pounds, I cried tears of joy! Since then my goal has been to maintain, and so far, so good,” said Mills with pride.
When asked what advice he would give his fellow athletes who are thinking about their own fitness journey, Mills wisely stated “Set goals… keep working… then make a new goal. The payoff is feeling better physically and mentally!”
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