Interview

• Tell us what you consider to be your greatest life experience.
  My time as an undergraduate student at a small college in Massachusetts was really great. I played soccer for the team and did really well, I worked in the off season at two great restaurants, and although I don’t believe that money made me happy, because I made a lot of money doing what I was doing, the job and my success in the classroom and the freedom from financial stress that I became accustomed to made life serene. I had good friends and I have a great routine that last for four years. At the age of 30 is when life became almost unmanageable. And at 34 I was finally struck with the harsh reality of what it’s like to be poor and tontrukybstruggle to survive without the safety net that my parents always kept underneath me. Now I wouldn’t necessarily starve if it got horrible here in nyc. But purposefully dostanceig myself from my family to gain true independence has been harder than living in a shelter for instance. It sucks trying to survive on ones own. Hopefully I’m learning. Time will tell
• What are your greatest personal traits?
  I highly value my intellect, which I believe drives a large part of my personality. I think that my unwavering belief in the positivity of the human spirit is something that I value highly. People are not bad people on purpose. Very rarely is someone just flat out bad. More often than not people are just reacting to life circumstances the best way they can, and sometimes that reaction isn’t the greatest choice. However, that doesn’t mean someone is bad. So I try to look at everything from perspectives that account for more than just my viewpoint.
• How often do you travel? Do you prefer to travel or you are more of a homebody?
  Unfortunately, my ability to travel has always been hindered by certain life circumstances. I was in school for so long completing the requirements for my degrees that I never had the time, nor the money, to travel more than once maybe twice a year if I was lucky. Since graduating it’s been challenging to travel m, again because of financial constraints. Paying back loans and the other bills required to live independently has kept me living paycheck to paycheck. Even with supplemental income from the hospitality industry, I’ve always found it hard to find the time and the money to go places. Which I’d love to do. I love watching people and the best way to do so is when traveling. Hopefully one day soon I’ll be able to take some time and travel more often.
• What makes you stand out from the crowd?
  My intensity and passion are distinguishing features. Some may find it overwhelming, but even those that do are better able to understand that it’s a part of my personality and is usually a great feature because it is contagious and fosters a force thirst for life in those I meet.
• How do you go that ‘extra mile' in your life?
  I’m naturally inclined to do everything I do to the best of my abilities. I feel that giving anything less is pointless. But I’m not upset if I’m not the best.
• What are your hobbies? What do you like to do in your spare time?
  In addition to researching and educating myself I’m an avid soccer player, alpine skier, and outdoorsman. The latter being a slightly less passionate activity, but anything to do outdoors is cool with me. Also, I love food and eating is something that excites me.
• What do you do for fun?
  I’m a geek. So education and educating myself about an ever-expanding array of topics is my favorite pleasurable activity.
• What’s your lifestyle? What makes you who you are?
  I think the single most important truth by which I try to guide my life is something a great professor emphasized daily in his classroom: “Don’t sweat the small stuff, and it’s all small stuff”. He would add that only then can one manage the “big stuff” that life inevitably throws your way. It’s an ethos that has shaped my personality development positively, I believe.
• What would you like your followers to know about you that is unique and even a bit personal?
  As many people do, I find it difficult to take compliments...however, I’m very much self-actualized and have a greater than normal understanding of the best version of myself when compared to the population at large. I’m self-confident and have a greatly resilient self esteem. But I’m still susceptible to Self-depreciation, usually when responding to a compliment though.
• If you and I were on the beach having some wine and great food, what would you tell me about yourself.
  I would most likely talk a lot about my family, in particular my eldest nephew with whom I bonded more deeply than the other Nieces and nephew, only because it was necessary. Also my education and career have been an important focus up to this point in my life, and an integral factor in my sense of accomplishment, so I’m sure that would weave its way in and out.
• What kind of diet and fitness regiment do you follow?
  I don’t have either. I was fortunate to develop physiologically the way I am today. Thus far no working out has been necessary. Thankfully, I was an elite gymnast for 14 years growing up. I worked out 40-50 hours a week at my toughest training times. I don’t want to work out anymore.
• If you have to pick one thing that everyone else should absolutely know about you, what would it be?
  I have a complex personality. I never intend to make someone feel bad. I’m always trying to help people. And I have an unwavering hope that people are generally good natured.
• What is your ‘niche’?
  I have a natural ability to sense what people want and know how to make them happy.
• What should others absolutely know about you?
  I will always accept constructive feedback and modify my behavior accordingly.
• What do you enjoy most about yourself?
  My inner monologue is absolutely hilarious. I crack myself up.
• Name 5 things that you can’t live without.
  My family, including my Rottweiler, Mollie are truly the only things that I can honestly list here. Oh yea and well prepared food. I love food. And wine. Love wine