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Boris does a little dynamic stretching before a St. Francis House morning run

When Boris moved from California to Boston in his early 20s, he came with the goal of earning a college degree. He moved in with his sister, who was already living in the city, and enrolled in school. After one year though, his sister moved from Boston and Boris — unable to afford rent on his own while juggling school and work — suddenly found himself scared and homeless.

Eager to get back on track, Boris entered the Moving Ahead Program (MAP) at St. Francis House, which helped him find an apartment and a full time job. Before long though, a family emergency pulled Boris back to California. For the next eight months, Boris devoted his life to caring for his ailing mother.

When he returned to Boston, he once again found himself without a place to live or a way to earn a living. During his time away, he had lost his job and couldn’t afford to pay rent for an apartment he wasn’t even living in. Additionally, a serious football injury he had sustained years earlier made staying physically active almost impossible. Boris was used to an active lifestyle, but the nagging injury opened the floodgates for a sedentary lifestyle.

Boris’ health became a major issue, and before he knew it, he tipped the scales around 500 pounds. Without a home or a job, Boris found himself back at St. Francis House. There, he was placed with a counselor and nutritionist. That’s when he found Back on My Feet.

Boris walks with his Back on My Feet team every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 5:45 a.m.

“For me, Back on My Feet is much more than running; it’s about personal growth,” Boris says. “I haven’t been involved for that long, but I can already feel the change. I can feel it physically and I can feel it emotionally.”

And no wonder! Since Boris has started his healthy new routine, he’s lost over 40 pounds! Yes, 40 pounds!

Boris’ Back on My Feet teammates have no shortage of words for the man they consider an inspiration. Francis House Team Leader Gael Henville said: “When asked about Back on My Feet, I often reply that, ‘we enable the under-served to literally get back on their feet through the disciplines of running (i.e. physical and mental tenacity, commitment, dedication and the willpower to endure the ride).’ Everyone in our group epitomizes these things, BUT, I think we particularly are admirable of Boris because no matter what he is faced with, he is NEVER discouraged.

In addition, he tackles everything with a wicked sense of humor. Sometimes runners are so serious about the game, that we often overlook the inner-child within; Boris brings it out of me every time. I find that life is better handled when you add a dash of humor. Congratulations Boris and thank you for being such a great teacher and inspiration!”

Boris now has goals of going back to college and finishing his degree. And today, when walks down the street, he walks prouder than he could before. Because when Boris walks down that street, he knows he’s not alone.