Influences

This section is dedicated to the people who have influenced me in the RIGHT way.

I want to start off with my sister, Denise. She is the younger of my two siblings and I want to state that the lack of mentioning her in the site is no refection of her lacking in my life. Denise is as much a part of my life as each breath that I take. My sister is a very private person and I respect, admire and love her very deeply. Before being locked up, I was not the “family brother” that she needed. I was selfish and blind to her, as I felt rejected from my family. Getting locked up reintroduced me to my sister, without hesitation she stepped right into my life to take an active role in my well being. She showed me what love is all about. I was chasing love and it was right in front of me the whole time. Every day the first thing I do is thank God that I have her in my life. I love you Denise and your work ethic, morals and values helped me find the RIGHT road back. She is the biggest influence in my life.

The man who introduced me to weights (and Metallica) is Richard Gafter. He and his wonderful wife Amanda had two dogs named Bowder and Kayla. They were wonderful pets just like there owners were wonderful people. At the time, my wife and my self had a Rottweiler that we would take to the dog run. This is where we met Rich and Amanda. Rich was a trainer and I always wanted to be in shape. A friendship blossomed and the two of us became partners. With Rich I learned a lot, not just about lifting but about relationships. His and Amanda's relationship was incredible. These two are probably the most put together people I have ever come across. Rich gave me super powers, similar to what I talked about in the Before Prison section. I dropped a lot of weight and became a new person. Rich and Amanda tried to steer me in the right direction but as my marriage failed I couldn't see straight. Right before I went away, around the same time Rich and Amanda has their first child, I fell out of contact with them. I was always thinking of them and recently I have reached out for my friend on the phone. He knew who I was at hello.

Another person who was an influence in my life is a retired correctional officer named Tab Filipowski (aka Flip). Even though he was on the other side of the fence per say, he became my closest friend. My friend was a major influence on my road back. He is a loyal family man with a wife and three kids. Super dad is an understatement. He was a role model for me and continues to be. Tab wrote a letter to the parole board, which they read at my hearing. He, I believe, was the pivotal role in my release. A debt that can never be repaid is how I feel towards him. His friendship towards me never wavered even though he was on the other side of the fence. He showed me that whatever is going on around you a friend is a friend.

The last person but definitely not the least is my friend, my brother and mentor Juan Carlos Santana. Juan Carlos was and is a major influence in my life. It's funny from the first time that I picked up one of his books I knew we would be friends. I thought to my self this guy is great. He is a father and family man first and foremost. His passion for his work and beliefs are unparallel. The more I read about him the more convinced I am that he is a perfect role model for me. He owns and runs numerous businesses. He personal trains, writes and puts out DVD's. He still is able to find time to workout, like the warrior that he is. He finds that 25th hour in the day and has a smile on his face while doing it. He practices what he preaches. He has taught me so much that I would have to start another web page to tell about it. J.C. you're my boy and I'm blessed to have you as an influence in my life.