We're thrilled to bring you an interview with Vito, our recent first-place finisher at the Melting Miles run. In this conversation, he shares insights into his journey, the philosophies that drive him, and his love for the running communities that keep him inspired. Dive in to learn more about the man behind the medal and the mindset that propels him forward.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
V: I'm a Brooklyn, NYC native, raised by my southern Italian immigrant grandparents, and I'm still based in New York City. In my professional life, I wear a few different hats. By day, I work as an Importer/Buyer in the textile industry, dealing with tiles, marble, and other materials for construction projects across NYC and the United States. While it might sound "cut & paste," I actually get to be creative in deciding what to purchase and what might look good in various projects.
I also serve as an Advisor to Forte Athletics (@withforte.co), a fitness-based social platform founded by a great friend of mine. Lastly, I'm a fitness model!
I'm particularly proud of my Brooklyn upbringing, especially since my grandparents always emphasized the importance of finding success in "the greatest city in the world" after arriving here with practically nothing. When I'm not running or working, I love people-watching—whether it's sipping espresso at a local coffee shop, strolling through NYC neighborhoods with my wife and dog, or enjoying a nice dinner out. The idea of people coming from all over the world to experience this tiny yet incredible city has always fascinated me. I’m also a (self-proclaimed) pizza aficionado in NYC and might start spreading the good word one day!
"I’m lucky to have found running communities that are in it for the love of the sport and bringing people together—it’s about more than just miles."
Photo captured by Michael Ken Stewart
I’m married to my high school sweetheart, Ana, and we live with our dachshund, Romeo, who has completely taken over our lives (our home is filled with weenie dog-related trinkets). As for running communities, I frequent several that I believe are in it for the love of the sport and for bringing people together, which can be rare in this newly popular running market. Some of my go-tos are NYC Sprint Collective, No Bad Days Run Club, POINT B, Brooklyn Track Club, Orchard Street Runners, and Dirty Bird.
How did you get into running?
V: My journey into running is tied to my overall evolution in fitness. In high school, I started working out to get healthier, lose weight, and gain muscle—pretty typical stuff. While I got fitter, I struggled to find real purpose in what I was doing. Was it all just vanity?
During college, I took an "Intro to Philosophy" course, and we discussed how Greek philosophers like Plato and Socrates viewed physical fitness. Plato said, "Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it." Socrates believed, "It is a disgrace to grow old through sheer carelessness before seeing what manner of man you may become by developing your bodily strength and beauty to their highest limit." These ideas helped me find purpose in my own fitness journey—I realized that our bodies are a gift, and we shouldn’t take them for granted.
I then got deeply into Olympic weightlifting and CrossFit, training multiple hours daily with hopes of one day qualifying for the CrossFit Games. However, after a back injury in late 2018, I started jogging lightly as part of my rehab. Before I knew it, I was researching how to run a sub-3-hour marathon and qualify for the Boston Marathon. By 2019, I was running every day and eventually achieved that sub-3-hour marathon goal!
Photo captured by Aramis Alvarez.
What is Forte? What made you interested in building a community for runners and athletes?
Vito: In 2022, I went for a morning run with my good friend Conor Buckley (@conorbuck), the Founder of Forte. We talked about his vision for the platform, which was to create a space where athletes could come together without having to juggle multiple other platforms. I was super motivated by his idea and wanted to help in any way I could.
Since then, we've refined Forte's vision to support athletes in their pursuit of achieving their next personal best. This year, we launched a successful events page, where users can create event links—free or ticketed—and others can sign up. It's the first step in bringing the community together under one roof.
Our future goals include launching community pages that offer information specific to each community, like chats, event links, workouts, etc., and relaunching the training side of the platform. Users will be able to create step-by-step audio-guided workouts, access them through their profiles, and follow each other if they like what they see. You can check out a past event we powered for a great friend here.
Any goals in sight for this year or 2025?
V: I've spent the last year not competing as a runner. I was tired, injured, and doing all the wrong things that kept me from loving the sport. So, I decided my #1 goal would be to prioritize wellness over everything else. Forget the idea of running a marathon every fall and spring, forget hitting paces when you're exhausted, forget losing sleep to get that early morning run in. I’ve learned to surround myself with more positive influences—people who uplift me and make me feel confident.
I've never felt fitter or happier, and I want to stick to this mindset for as long as it feels right in 2025. And if it doesn't, I’ll have the confidence to go back to the drawing board.
Photo captured by Aramis Alvarez.
How did the Pruzan kit feel during Melting Miles?
Vito: If you know me, you know I LOVE a good sleeveless shirt (I’m from South Brooklyn, so I was basically born wearing a ribbed Hanes undershirt). When I first saw the Pruzan Meshed Singlet, I literally screamed, "What the f*** is this, and how can I get one?!"
"Wearing the Pruzan Mesh Singlet on a hot day was a pleasure—the aerated mesh kept me from feeling suffocated, and the wind flowed right through it."
Wearing the singlet on such a hot day was a pleasure. I knew the course would be hot and windy, but the aerated mesh kept me from feeling suffocated, and the wind flowed right through it. The outfit might have seemed like a stretch, but I felt confident wearing the entire set. I’ve already got multiple other outfits preplanned in my mind—running and non-running!
Photo captured by Michael Ken Stewart
Any go-to brands for training, racing, and recovery?
V: I've been fortunate to be involved with several brands in the running space, and they've all been super helpful in reaching my goals. Here are a few I always recommend:
- Saucony: My favorite running sneakers
- Spoonful: My favorite pre-run meal
- Bandit Running: One of my favorite running clothing brands
- Receipts: My favorite fitness-based app
- R.A.D: One of my favorite workout clothing and sneakers brands
- Pruzan: <333
- Sweetfeet: A new clothing brand on the scene
- Smearcase: A redefined ice cream brand
- Cadence: A new recovery sports drink
- Alaise: A new high-style running clothing brand
Words to live by?
V: One mantra I've always lived by is "Romanticize your life." Growing up in New York City, it's easy to feel small in such a big city. But I’ve always told myself to make my life feel important—tell stories about your life, make them sound interesting to others, listen to music while you walk and let it be the soundtrack to your life. I hope this mindset helps others in their own journeys.
"Tell your friends that you love them. Life is too short not to share the appreciation with those who make it better."
Another mantra is, "Tell your friends that you love them." This one is simple—I appreciate you, and I want you to always know that. This goes for anyone who makes your life more positive. My eccentric Italian family could get into a blowout fight at the drop of a hat, but none of us would ever part ways without saying "I love you." Get over yourself and don't be afraid to share the love!