Paralympian Steve Serio Shares the #1 Thing He Does Before Every Game

The Summer Paralympic Games are starting up in Paris next week and will run from August 28th through September 8th. Around 4,400 athletes are expected to participate this year. The games will feature competitions such as blind football, Para-cycling and wheelchair basketball. 

Paralympian Steve Serio is a decorated wheelchair basketball athlete. In his four Paralympic appearances, he’s won two gold medals and a bronze medal. Serio has also won five World Championship medals, including a 2022 gold. In 2017, he was honored at the ESPYs, winning the award for Best Male Athlete with a Disability. As he heads to Paris for the 2024 Paralympics this month, we asked him about his morning routine, his favorite part of training and how he feels about his final season.

EatingWell: What does your typical morning routine look like?

Serio: A typical morning routine for me is very simple. I live a very slow life in the morning. There’s only one thing I need and that is my black coffee. I am kind of a coffee snob, so as long as I have that cup of coffee, I like to get a chance to sit down and relax. Occasionally, I’ll do some mental training associated with my high-performance activities, but it’s a slow and simple morning with me and my coffee. 

EatingWell: What drew you to partnering with GoGo squeeZ?

Serio: I was so honored and proud to partner with GoGo squeeZ as a part of their FUN-damentals campaign, which focuses on putting the fun back in sports. I’m a passionate advocate for young athletes, and I understand how important it is for sports to be fun, especially early on in our careers. One of the things that is always by my side is this GoGo squeeZ Active with Electrolytes. It’s always in my gym bag. As a high-performance athlete, I train extremely hard and this does a fantastic job of replenishing electrolytes and minerals that I sweat out during training.

EatingWell: How are you feeling ahead of your final season with the Men’s National Wheelchair Basketball team?

Serio: I am so pumped to be headed over in a couple of days and honestly, I’m just trying to live in the moment as much as I can. This life has been a part of who I am for the last 20 years. I’ve competed in the last four Paralympic Games. This will be number five. So I’m just trying to take it all in, not only for myself but for my teammates and my loved ones as well. I’m just really looking forward to having another positive experience. 

EatingWell: What have you found to be the most rewarding aspect of participating in the Paralympics?

Serio: The most rewarding part of being a Paralympic athlete is that it’s our opportunity to show the world that we are athletes first. The day I found this sport, I went from being very sad about the things that I didn’t have in this world to shattering any limitations and expectations anyone placed upon me because of my disability. The Paralympic Games is our opportunity to show the world that although we have disabilities and live life a little bit differently, we don’t have to live life any less than our able-bodied counterparts. And we are just as badass of athletes as our Olympic counterparts. 

EatingWell: What part of your training do you find most enjoyable? Least enjoyable?

Serio: The most exciting part of my training is seeing the growth in myself and the teams that I’ve been on. Getting a chance to watch young athletes as they grow and progress in their athletic careers has been very rewarding for me. I would say the least enjoyable part is the day-to-day grind. Any high-performance athlete will tell you that you don’t train for an Olympic or Paralympic Games. It is a lifestyle, it is something that you have to do day in and day out. 

EatingWell: What is your favorite way to unwind after training or while traveling?

Serio: I am a pretty classic introvert. When I need to unwind, I am surrounded by a very small group of friends and family who I love and adore. I like to come home to my place in Brooklyn, get a good meal and spend time relaxing with the people I love most in this world. 

EatingWell: Do you listen to music while training? If not, what’s your go-to habit to get into the right mindset before a game or training session?

Serio: I actually don’t listen to music before a game. It’s one of the things that kind of spikes my arousal level and it doesn’t lead to the best performance. I’m somebody who likes to talk to my teammates as we get ready to compete. One of the things that I do before every single game that you’ll see when I step onto the court, is I just try to smile. That allows me to stay focused and stay present. It takes a lot of the pressure off every time I step onto the field of play and allows me to appreciate the moment a little bit more. 

EatingWell: What does “eating well” mean to you?

Serio: To me, “eating well” is a very holistic approach to what your body needs at that moment. Any high-performance athlete will tell you that. Yes, you have to train on the field of play, but your mental health has to be in line. Your nutrition plan has to be in line with what you and your body need. It’s never about one meal. It’s never about one drink, but it’s the entirety of what you put into your body. It’s a lifestyle and every aspect of your day has to go to improving your performance and improving yourself so that you are ready to compete on the world stage.

Editor’s Note: This interview has been edited for clarity and length.