I believe in giving someone meaningful gifts. Generic gifts that aren't going to mean anything to the person is just not my thing. So what better present from me (besides the shirt) for Paulie Calafiore's birthday than a blog about why I appreciate him?
In life, many people just aren't as genuine as they used to be anymore. Everyone is always looking out for themselves, taking, needing praise but never truly appreciating it from a place that's not ego centered. That is the polar opposite of Paulie. He puts a positive spin to everything, including the Maya Angelou quote: "When people show you who they are... believe them."
I've met a lot of "well known" people in my life. It comes with living just a short train ride from NYC. Most were nice enough, many were extremely nice and there were a few who thought their shit smelled like roses. I've never met someone who has gone so above and beyond for me and everyone he meets the way Paulie has. The meet & greet was an amazing experience and it didn't stop there. I asked him that night (10/8) if he'd want to work out with someone in a wheelchair and just 3 days later (10/11) I was in his gym with him in NJ.
I know I've said it in my blog about my day at SWEAT working out with Paulie and meeting him at his homecoming party, but to be pushed and encouraged the way he did when he trained me and his extremely heartfelt gratitude toward me at his homecoming party for basically doing nothing, only supporting him like I would have anyway, really meant a lot to me.
In life, many people just aren't as genuine as they used to be anymore. Everyone is always looking out for themselves, taking, needing praise but never truly appreciating it from a place that's not ego centered. That is the polar opposite of Paulie. He puts a positive spin to everything, including the Maya Angelou quote: "When people show you who they are... believe them."
I've met a lot of "well known" people in my life. It comes with living just a short train ride from NYC. Most were nice enough, many were extremely nice and there were a few who thought their shit smelled like roses. I've never met someone who has gone so above and beyond for me and everyone he meets the way Paulie has. The meet & greet was an amazing experience and it didn't stop there. I asked him that night (10/8) if he'd want to work out with someone in a wheelchair and just 3 days later (10/11) I was in his gym with him in NJ.
I know I've said it in my blog about my day at SWEAT working out with Paulie and meeting him at his homecoming party, but to be pushed and encouraged the way he did when he trained me and his extremely heartfelt gratitude toward me at his homecoming party for basically doing nothing, only supporting him like I would have anyway, really meant a lot to me.
I'm a strong person. Sometimes, I'm too strong. I usually brush off compliments and gratitude. I never ask for help. I guess I feel like I have something to prove because a lot of people just stereotype and assume you need help with everything when you're in a wheelchair. I encourage myself and never ask for it of someone else. When I get any of the things I mentioned, I'm always listening for the undertone of condescension, as if people think I can't do it for myself. With Paulie, he's genuine and means everything he says in the most heartfelt way (except, ya know, in the Big Brother house when he had to lie LMFAO.) He brings out the best in everyone just by exuding positive and loving energy for life and for everyone around him. He exemplifies selflessness and shows that by doing for others, it only adds to our own lives. He pushes you to be better through his own passion and determination. He has done that for me every time I'm in his presence and I've watched others' faces light up in the same ways.
People have said that the videos of me working out with Paulie sound familiar to their physical therapy and training. Believe me, I've been through more PT than I can count and to gyms long term before. I've never been trained so relentlessly but encouragingly before. His passion for fitness and life and his genuine heart shown through the entire time.
Happy birthday, Paulie. I hope you have the best day filled with nothing but love! You deserve it! I had this idea to create a video of the encouragement and push you gave me when you trained me at SWEAT. I laughed when I went through the video to find highlights. The entire video is 8:30 long and this highlight video is 4:30 long. That goes to show just how much encouragement you get from someone with a heart of gold, determination, drive and optimism like no other. And that isn't even close to half of our time together! That, in itself, is a testament to the amazing person you are.
To Paul and Linda, thank you for raising such an incredible son (and another amazing son and daughter too).
Thanks to Mo (Zauliebaby) for condensing the highlights of the original video for me!
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