Welcome to the Seneca One Deep Dive! The team at Seneca One identifies exciting up-and-coming people, projects, and companies to dive into and share with our community. This week we caught up with Courtney Walsh, Operations Coordinator for Serendipity Labs and Boxing Instructor for Boxstar Express!
It’s 6:45 AM on Tuesday, and deep inside the 1970’s bank vaults located in the basement of Seneca One, before anyone has had a cup of coffee, Courtney Walsh is wide awake.
To the sound of Meek Mill’s “Wins and Losses,” she attacks the white punching bag suspended from the ceiling.
Pow! Snap! BOOM!
The sound of her 14 ounce boxing gloves cuts through the music’s bass as she demonstrates her power to the ten people looking on.
She loads up another haymaker.
Pow! Snap! Snap!
A kick, jab, and uppercut combo are thrown at the bag with so much force one person steps back and mouths “Wow,” to the rest of the group.
No, she’s not training for a title bout or a professional boxer. She’s just doing what she loves: helping people.
Walsh is the Operations Coordinator for Serendipity Labs by day and a Boxing Instructor for Boxstar Express at when she isn’t assisting small to medium-sized businesses on the 29th floor here at Seneca One.
“I’ve been a member of Boxstar Training for years, so to be teaching classes here at Boxstar Express is a really fun new way for me to experience boxing,” Walsh said. “We’ve only just started classes, so my main focus is sharing this incredible workout with everyone and growing our boxing community here at Seneca One.”
Walsh is no stranger to the city of good neighbors.
After growing up in the suburbs of Buffalo, Walsh spent a few years in Chicago, a city that she says she “absolutely loved.” In 2013 she returned to Buffalo. For eight years, Walsh lived in various neighborhoods and watched downtown transform and set itself up for success.
She knew that somehow and someway that she had to be a part of the comeback that was happening right before her eyes.
“I’m an event planner by trade, and throughout my career, I’ve been lucky enough to expand those skills in a variety of industries,” Walsh said. “After almost a year out of work due to covid, I landed my current role as Operations Coordinator for Serendipity Labs on the 29th floor here at Seneca One. Buffalo is home, and Seneca One is just making home better. I’m excited about the future for this building and the entire city.”
Since arriving at Serendipity labs, Walsh has immersed herself in the community by taking advantage of the live, work, eat, play, grow, build an initiative that Seneca One has spent years building.
She started by joining The Clubhouse with Revolution, a cycling studio that called Seneca One home this summer when space was limited at their home studio. It was a great addition to the menu of health and wellness options at Seneca One. With this amenity right outside the doors of Buffalo’s tallest building, it increased her commitment to fitness and saved her a lot of time.
Her passion and commitment to fitness grew even more when Boxstar Training launched Boxstar Express at Seneca One in November. Being a member of Boxstar Training’s Elmwood location for years, she was a natural fit to teach classes here at Seneca One.
Walsh knows it can be difficult to stay committed to a fitness program. She wanted to enhance the community of the giant brutalist building in downtown Buffalo by providing an amenity that allows tenants to let off a little steam after a hard workday.
“Having an outlet is so important for your physical and mental health, and boxing is a great way to take care of both. Seneca One has an amazing work culture, but we have to remember that balance is key,” Walsh said. “Boxstar offers the perfect way to mentally and physically punch out of “work mode” and tap into “life mode.” It also doesn’t hurt to know how to throw a good punch!”
Boxstar Express offers a 10-round, 35-minute hybrid class that incorporates boxing, kickboxing, and functional bodyweight movements. The current classes take place Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 6:45 AM and 5:15 PM and are open to the general public. Walsh would love to have you and doesn’t want anyone to shy away from her class.
“Boxing can seem intimidating, but taking the leap to learn is the hardest part! All levels are welcome in class, and we have all of the gear you need if you are trying it for the first time. At Boxstar, we’re all about bringing something different, so come ready to work hard and leave class better every time.”
If you are looking for a fun way to get in shape and learn how to throw a great punch, click here!
