Yann Senjaric came to athletics late and somewhat by chance, thanks to the sport exam in his baccalaureate. He started out in Saint-Julien-en-Genevois before joining some of the best coaches in Aix-les-Bains. From his beginnings as a footballer to his victory in the 400 m hurdles at the 2017 Balkan Games, this hyperactive Franco-Croatian tells us about his journey as an athlete and as a personal trainer in Geneva.
A: When and where did you start athletics?
Y: I only really started athletics at 19, after getting excellent results on the day of my baccalaureate sport exam, where I’d chosen athletics as my option. My teachers strongly advised me to join a club. I first signed up with Athlé Saint Julien 74, then moved to AS Aix-les-Bains to benefit from the expertise of its highly regarded sprint group, led by Pierrot Carraz. Since 2017 I’ve been coached by Frédéric Gazeau. He’s excellent and I like the way he sees things.
A: Did you do other sports when you were younger?
Y: Yes, I’ve always been very active and a bit of a daredevil with my friends: mad about skateboarding, snowboarding in winter, at a football club from the age of 5, then tennis at 15.
A: When did you discover your talent for hurdling? Why did you choose this discipline?
Y: The 400 m hurdles was my 1st ever athletics race, with no real training and not even a choice – just to run for the club and score points for the team. I tried other events, but the one where I performed best was the low hurdles (400 m hurdles: 1 lap of the track with 10 hurdles set at 91 cm). I improved very quickly, which encouraged me to keep going. It’s a very complete discipline that combines speed, speed endurance, flexibility, hurdling technique, stride pattern and adjusting your rhythm from one hurdle to the next.
A: Do you compete in other events?
Y: Yes, the flat 400 m, so I can hold a place in the 4x400 m relay team.
A: What is your best memory from your athletics career?
Y: A race on 13/07/14 in Varaždin, Croatia, which gave me so much: my 1st Croatian championship title, a personal best, the qualifying standard for the European Championships… and so much euphoria! And every race where I put on the Croatian national kit is indescribable – it helps me surpass myself.
A: In your view, what are the most important personality traits or physical strengths for an elite athlete?
Y: I think humility comes 1st, because however much you push your limits, win, break records or appear on TV… you will always be human, vulnerable and only passing through this Earth.
The 2nd is respect for your opponents, because they are where we draw our strength to win.
The 3rd is listening to yourself. Knowing yourself is essential if you want to progress.
The 4th is determination, which, combined with hard work, allows you to reach your goals and even your dreams.
The 5th is creativity, because very often you need to open your eyes, pay attention to what comes your way and use your imagination to create new opportunities.
A: You’re not just an elite athlete. Tell us about your career as a personal trainer!
Y: I’ve been a self-employed trainer and coach in Geneva for 5 years now. I’ve also worked at a wellness and fitness centre. I draw heavily on my favourite sport, athletics, to train my clients. I work with the Efficium clinic in Les Acacias, and I train people at home, outdoors and at a personal training studio called Funcwork in Les Eaux-Vives. I’m also an ambassador for Algorigin and for Five Sport Management, in my dual role as athlete and coach.
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A: What are the main reasons people come to you as a coach?
Y: Everyone has their own goal, and I offer personalised training to match. There might be a competition coming up, or rehabilitation after an injury. Some will mainly work on flexibility and joint mobility to combat back or neck pain; others are looking to lose weight and build overall strength. Broadly speaking, people want to escape, let off steam and feel good in their bodies. My days are 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 talk, we laugh, I observe, I analyse and at the same time… we train hard! There’s no need for test sessions or assessment questionnaires. I rely on communication: I listen to my clients and ask them questions, I read up, I come with new ideas and sometimes with a surprise goal to motivate them!
A: What does a session with you as a coach look like?
Y: A session lasts 1 hour. There are always 10 minutes of warm-up and 10 minutes of cool-down and stretching. That leaves 40 minutes in the middle for the main part of the session, to work hard and sweat! I try to develop every physical quality in everyone, namely endurance, strength, speed, flexibility, balance, coordination and so on. All of this is of course spread over several sessions, with the aim of building a balanced body.
A: Do you have a favourite exercise? If so, what is it?
Y: Yes, jumps and clearing obstacles of all kinds. But it’s not for everyone… you have to accept the occasional fall!
A: What’s your secret for motivating people?
Y: When the chemistry is right, nobody watches the clock and nobody holds back. I often remind clients of how far they’ve come and of their personal goal. All the sessions and effort they put in involve tough moments outside their comfort zone. The end goal is simply good health and the ability to move, while discovering new sports such as mountain walking, climbing, boxing, swimming, running, cycling, board sports – the list goes on. And enjoyment inevitably follows.
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A: What do you enjoy most about your job?
Y: I love the diversity of the people I work with – their backgrounds, their experiences, their personalities, their trust. Sport is one part of my job, but the human relationship is another dimension altogether, and it enriches our daily lives far more. Being a coach means giving people a boost! Sometimes a conversation does more good than an exercise.
A: Tell us a bit about your upcoming projects!
Y: I’ve got loads, and some brilliant ones! In the short term, by this spring, I plan to launch one or even two small-group exercise classes with the Efficium clinic, focusing on joint mobility, flexibility and strength training. The 2nd class would focus more on cardio and building endurance outdoors.
A: Do you follow a particular nutrition plan?
Y: Yes, with Virginie Terrier at the Efficium clinic. An annual blood test lets her check my overall health, then we put in place food supplements and courses. We adjust things and review them every month. All of this goes hand in hand with a healthy, varied diet.
A: Which Algorigin products have you tried?
Y: I’ve tried the spirulina.
A: In your view, what are the benefits of algae?
Y: It’s hard for me to pinpoint the benefits of the algae specifically, because I’m often taking several courses at once. 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 your algae?
Y: I only take them as tablets, on an empty stomach in the morning.
A: Do you have a recipe to share with us?
Y: My best meals are the ones where I cook vegetables from my own garden, whatever the recipe or cooking method – it’s pure joy to work the soil, harvest and eat fresh produce!
MORE ABOUT YANN SENJARIC:
– Age: 28
– Nationality: French and Croatian
– Sport: athletics, 400 m hurdles
– Job: personal trainer in Geneva
– Achievements:
- Winner of the 400 m hurdles at the 2017 Balkan Games
- 2014 European Championships in Zurich (400 m hurdles and 4x400 m relay)
- Croatian 400 m hurdles champion since 2014
- Selected for the national team since 2014
– Personal bests:
- 400 m hurdles: 50.88 sec
- 400 m: 47.83 sec
- 800 m: 1 min 52.82 sec
– You in 3 words: patient, positive, determined
