Altius Staff Member Profile: Bill Wall

Coach Bill is an upper-level team coach at Altius and has worked here for 8 years. Back when man first landed on the moon, Bill became involved in formal gymnastics. “If you were to count my youthful years of climbing from tree to tree in the backyard and flipping into the haystacks in the hay mow you would have to go all the way back to when our president was named Kennedy,” he says. Growing up with 10 brothers and sisters, Bill reports that his favorite food was “whatever was in front of me.” When it comes to the top gymnasts of all time, he rates Vladimir Artemov most artistic and Mitch Gaylord most exciting and innovative.

When he has some free time, Coach Bill favors exciting outdoor activities. “Although I don't get out as much as I used to I still love sailing, windsurfing, whitewater rafting and skiing (downhill and x-country),” he says. “Also, I am now very interested in permaculture and sustainable living which conflicts a bit with other interests so that keeps life interesting!” One of Bill’s favorite books is Nelson Mandela's “A Long Walk to Freedom.” When at the gym working with his students, Bill doesn’t favor any particular apparatus. The best moments, he shares, are the ones when big challenges are finally achieved. That makes sense since Bill’s favorite quote, from Vince Lombardi, is: "If you will not settle for anything less than your best, you will be amazed at what you can accomplish in your lives."