HEALTH & FITNESS - PERSONAL BACKGROUND

Growing up, Greg played sports like basketball and baseball all throughout the year...

As a teenager, he continued to participate in sports and fitness-related activities -- including baseball, basketball, football, running and weightlifting. He continued to work out regularly in the years after college. His workouts usually consisted of weightlifting four days a week, running two or three times a week, and doing sit-ups most every day. He also did his best to have a healthy diet. It included: Cheerios, hard-boiled egg whites, protein milkshakes, pasta, turkey, chicken and fish. (He also chose to live completely free of drugs, alcohol and cigarettes).

For some time, he was slowed down by a series of operations on his feet - landing him in a wheelchair for a couple days each time -- but he refused to let the obstacles slow him down for good.

He continued to try his best to eat right, work out regularly and make health & fitness a focal point of his weekly routine.

In October 2008, Greg entered (and completed) his first triathlon -- on just two weeks notice and no formal training. His sponsors for the race included NIKE.

In 2009, he was given the chance to 'try out' for the Rochester Red Wings (AAA affiliate of the Minnesota Twins)

MENTORING

When Greg started The Brunch Bunch Mentoring Program, he knew from experience that athletics can help people find common ground -- so he began to use sports as a way to bring diverse people together.

PHILANTHROPY

Greg's nonprofit organization, The 11-10-02 Foundation, has played a role in reinforcing the importance of health & fitness as well. For instance, 11-10-02 has funded scholarships for students who are studying agriculture, nursing and medicine. 11-10-02 also has funded scholarships for students who are overcoming physical obstacles. And in a number of cases, 11-10-02 has funded scholarships in honor of someone with cancer. In turn, 11-10-02 has received generous support from a number of prominent leaders in health and fitness -- including Gale Landers & FFC, Dr. Fortunee Massada & FACA (Foot & Ankle Clinics of America), and Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine

BOOKS

The books based on Greg's story - The First Thirty by Jillip Naysinthe Paxson, and expanded version The Silhouette Man - highlight positive lessons we learn from sports and lessons that are relevant to those who play sports -- including leadership, teamwork, work ethic, perseverance and diversity. The First Thirty was honored in 2007 as NSDLC Multicultural Relations Book of the Year.

Major sports teams, F&B, and health & fitness related organizations have ordered copies of the books for their own staff, clients and/or local students in their respective communities and/or sponsored contests based on them. Examples include: Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants, Foot Associates of New York, Wellbridge Athletic Club, and branches of places like GNC Live Well and Jamba Juice.

In a number of instances, groups or individuals have bought copies of the books for sports teams. For example, Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport ordered copies of The First Thirty for all the players and coaches on the Rochester Red Wings (AAA affiliate of the Minnesota Twins)

Michael Volpatti, Director of Community Relations, Toronto Blue Jays (after attending an event where it was announced the Blue Jays had ordered extra copies of the book for the students in attendance): "It was a pleasure listening to Greg speak to students in Toronto. He delivered a positive message to the students about building their legacy. No action is too small and we all have the ability to make a positive difference in our community. I also just finished "The First Thirty" and must say, I really enjoyed it."

BOOK FEEDBACK

"For anyone who's been knocked down or told, "you can't do it," The First Thirty is an uplifting read that will make you want to get up, dust yourself off, have a milkshake, and get back to work" - Fresno Famous

EVENTS

Greg has been invited to speak to health & fitness-related groups like: a college basketball team, a college football team, an event for high school athetes, an event for the staff of a center in Canada that works with people affected by cancer, an event for staffers at General Mills, and a conference for nurses.

In some cases, Greg has been one of several speakers at an event. For instance, one event for a health-related audience, was the 66th Annual Volunteer Banquet at UCHospitals. Michelle Obama was among the other speakers. Another example is the Young Professionals Summit. Legendary Nebraska football coach (and current athletic director) Tom Osborne was among the others speaking at the event.

EVENT FEEDBACK

Bryan, Collegiate athlete & cancer survivor: "Greg's speech opened up my mind to a lot of things...I am a cancer survivor now 3 months into my remission... I've started training for the first time in ten months, and I will be competing [in a few weeks]. Now Greg inspired this thought...win or lose, the fact that I overcame such an hurdle in life and bounced back from it with hardly any fear [is an accomplishment to be proud of]...without Greg coming [to our school] and speaking, I would have never seen my cancer as a chance of hope and positive reinforcement."

Todd, a father of two in Missouri (after hearing about Greg's opportunity to 'try out' for pro baseball at age 36): "...upon hearing of [Greg's story]...my mind turned back to those days of little league. As he goes out for his tryout, I feel I will be with him in spirit. He takes my dreams with him and I am so very pleased to have learned of this story. He may not make the team, in fact failure is almost certain. The message is that shooting for your dreams requires one to accept the fact that they might not come true.... and the real dream is to have no fear in their pursuance. Thank you for bringing my mind back to the days of glory that every child should be so lucky to experience. I shall share this story with my little boys when they are old enough to take the field."