About Us
My Story:
Hello! I am Jose Piña, a former student-athlete who graduated from San Jose State University with a major in Public Health and a minor in Child and Adolescent Development. I competed in track and cross country during my time there.
I have been intimately involved in the running world for approximately seventeen years. I currently hold my high school’s 1600m and 3200m records. I accepted a full-ride scholarship to run for San Jose State’s Division I Cross Country and Track & Field programs. As a student-athlete at SJSU I had significant achievements. I was the first Spartan in 32 years to qualify to the NCAA Cross Country Championships and was named the Mountain West Cross-Country Athlete of the Week in 2016. In Track & Field, I qualified for the NCAA West Preliminary Championship in the 10,000 meter twice in 2018 and 2019 and received the All-Academic Award four years in a row (2015-2019) for maintaining a competitive grade point average while competing at the highest level. I currently hold SJSU’s 5,000-meter indoor track record, and my 5,000 meter and 10,000 meter personal records currently sit fourth in the all-time list.
My personal records (PRs) are:
- 5,000 m (track) - 14:06 in 2019 at the Stanford Cardinal Outdoor Classic
- 10,000 m (track) - 29:12 in 2019 at the Stanford Invitational
- 1,500 m (track) - 3:50 in 2017 at the West Coast Last Chance Open
- 10 km (Cross Country) - 29:54 in 2016 at the NCAA West Regional Cross Country Championship
- 8 km (Cross Country) - 23:47 in 2016 at the Santa Clara Bronco Cross Country Invitational
- High school PR's - 1600 m (4:17) & 3200 m (9:11) both still current school records
Post-graduation, I worked as a clinical assistant for a company called iHealth Labs. I got to work with patients who suffered from diabetes, hyperlipidemia, obesity, high blood pressure and other chronic diseases. I worked alongside certified nutritionists whose goal was to reduce the amount of medication patients took by prescribing personally modified nutrition plans and exercise. I am currently working as a track and field head coach for a private middle and lower school.
This life experience (my student-athlete achievements, knowledge obtained from school, and post-grad work) so far has motivated me to attempt a big, lasting change and give back to my community. This is the reason I decided to create the Dia De Los Muertos Piña 5k Run/ Kids Race event; to give back to my community, unify families, help people change lifestyle habits (through on the Transtheoretical Model), and inspire the younger generations.
(Transtheoretical Model of Change)
https://www.futurelearn.com/info/courses/eduweight/0/steps/256186
Why the Transtheoretical Model of Change?
I believe every person undergoes their own journey of personal growth. That growth includes a health and wellness aspect. The transtheoretical model categorizes people’s level of growth and allows people to see where they are at.
The precontemplation level encompasses those who know they need to grow in a certain area of their life, but do not want to make that change or might be reluctant to seeing the benefits of making a change.
The contemplation level are those who see a light at the end of a tunnel, but still are reluctant to take that first step towards change. They are aware that some sort of lifestyle change needs to happen, but are not ready to take initiative. (Slight progress has been made)
The preparation level represents those who are aware of the benefits of making that lifestyle change, yet are still not ready or motivated to take the first step. This group of people might have also learned about the risks of remaining in certain negative lifestyle habits which has motivated them to want to make a change. However, that motivation still remains as a feeling and not an action. (Some progress has been made)
The action level are those who begin to take the first step and continue to take small yet significant steps towards healthier lifestyle choices. They begin to adopt certain positive behaviors and choices (example: signing up and participating in the Dia De Los Muertos Piña 5k/Kids Run). This level is the ideal level for actually beginning to make a difference in your life. Notice: there is still a risk of relapse since motivation or discipline are at stake. (More progress has been made)
The maintenance level is the level everyone should aspire to be in. This group of people are those who not only have taken the right steps towards change, but have done certain things to maintain a positive growth. These people might have found the right group or community who consistently motivates them to stay disciplined in their growth with their healthy lifestyle choices. However, there is still a risk of relapse especially with life’s inconveniences that could happen, but it is lessened due to the level of commitment to change the person has.
I am hoping this race event will not only motivate people to move from the “precontemplation" level to the “maintenance” level, but will also support them along the process to minimize the risk of relapse. Together we can help make our community and this world a better place by helping more people reach the maintenance level and lead a healthier lifestyle!
(Photo from 2017)
