Tête-à-Tête Tuesdays with Molly

I met Steve Garufi about a year ago through the wonderful world of Twitter. I was drawn to his infectious energy and intrigued by his daily biking adventures. According to his website, he's a counselor by day, mountain climber, photographer, road bicyclist, adventurer, and most recently, writer living in Buena Vista, Colorado.In 2008 and 2011 you rode your bike across the country. What compelled you to take these trips?

I took on cycling in my 30s, and was really impressed with the cardiovascular workout it gave me. I’m not a guy who races others. In fact, I’m known as a “tour biker” – a guy who takes his time and goes long distance.

In 2003, I spent a week vacation biking across my state of Colorado, and the seed was planted in me to go cross-country. I figured if I can go across my large and mountainous state of Colorado, why not do a series of states across the nation?

Were there times that you were ready to give up? If so, how did you motivate yourself to get back on track?

Only once on my 2008 did I have a really bad day when I considered packing it in. I continued to have flat tires and mechanical problems in the Arizona desert and wasn’t sure I could keep going if I had all those problems. Thankfully, that one awful day was an aberration.

My short answer, as to how I motivated myself, was to constantly remind myself to “take one day at a time.” I know that is often used as a cliché, but it worked for me. Truly, I told myself everyday that I simply needed to focus on the day’s task at hand. Get from Point A to Point B … period.

I also told myself that bad days would inevitably happen, and that I shouldn’t be surprised or alarmed by them. To the contrary, I should expect them.

What did the trip teach you about America? Were there places and people you met that particularly stood out?

I learned much of America is a whole lot of nothing. Much of it is rural with a large amount of people living in cities. As for people, I met so many along the way. On my 2011 ride, I met three people who were also crossing the country – two were biking like me, and the other guy was walking!

You recently completed the trip again. How was your experience different from 3 years ago.

On this trip, I was fully involved with communicating with friends and sharing updates via social media websites, namely Twitter and Facebook. It made my ride feel much more as though people were right there with me. I took many pictures with my camera, posted it online within 24 hours and had numerous comments from friends and family. The immediate feedback helped me feel not so alone.

You're in the process of writing a book about your first bike trip. How is the process of writing similar to biking across the country?

Well, I don’t have a writing background so I’m learning as I go. The main similarity I see in both book writing and a long-distance bike trip is one must be patient. Never stopping believing in yourself. And never give up!

The plan is to complete and publish my memoir about my first bike ride by the end of 2011. It has become the biggest goal.

In some ways, life in general can be compared to a marathon bike ride; requiring strength, involving uphill climbs with the occasional easy ride and beautiful view. How have your trips helped you in your own life?

You are indeed correct. What a person might experience on a marathon bike ride is quite similar to the things we face in life.

Personally, I feel stronger and more confident in myself. I have less “self-talk” that shoots down big and wild ideas that come to mind. I’m also very grateful. Among my cycling friends, many would love to do a cross-country ride but don’t have the time and money (at the same time) to do it. And I have done it twice!

What kind of wisdom can you impart about not giving up to those of us pedaling towards our goals?

1)     Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

2)      Be willing to take risks (although easier said than done).

3)     Surround yourself with caring friends who will encourage you as you take things on.

Tête-à-Tête Tuesdays with Molly

From my other blog Curiosity Matters

August 10, 2010 Hello! Today I’d like to pretend I’m not sitting in my New York apartment while the temperature approaches 90 degrees. So I invite you all to take a trip with me around the world as I interview Paulyn, a flight attendant for an international airlines. Good timing? This girl is calm and collected and the only exit she is inclined to make is through an actual door.I met her a few weeks ago through a good friend over copious amounts of Indian food. So please, sit back, and enjoy the ride.

Tell me a little bit about your background. How long have you worked as a flight attendant? And have you always lived in Singapore?
I love traveling. Will never get enough of it. I have been flying for almost 10 years. I have lived in Singapore all my life. I almost joined Emirates in 2004, but the thought of having to live in Dubai all by myself changed my mind. I prefer to live with my family.

What made you want to be a flight attendant and what about it has made you want to stay in the industry for all these years?
I have always wanted to travel around the world.  I didn’t come from a rich family and I never got to travel much when I was younger. I met my ex-boyfriend 10 years ago who was a flight attendant. He always showed me pictures of his travels, so I decided that upon graduation, I would like to join the airline too – to travel for free and get paid at the same time!

What’s a misconception about being a flight attendant that most people have? Is it glamorous? Does traveling to interesting places ever get boring?
The common misconception would be that they sleep around among themselves or with the pilots, which is totally NOT true. More misconceptions are that we are very materialistic. The female flight attendants only want to go for the rich guys, buy branded goods, etc. And worst of all, that we are Bimbos or Himbos – that we do not know the current affairs, except for shopping and eating!!! Some of us, including myself, are University Graduates. Some are working towards Masters degrees. I must say there are some black sheeps, but NOT everyone is like that.
The only glamorous part about the job is that you get to travel around the world every other day. But it is in fact NOT that glamorous when you have to clean the toilet, wipe the vomit, get scolded by unreasonable passengers and have to deal with jetlag ALL the time.
Traveling to the same places over and over again, without exploring newer places of interest, can get really boring. I used to be in a German speaking crew, and I flew to Frankfurt, Zurich and sometimes New York, once or twice every month. But I didn’t even bother to go out. I only went out when I was hungry or I had something to buy. And the layover at the station can be very short, so I would not be able to explore other parts of Germany.

You fly with people from all over the world. Do Americans stand out? How are they different from other nationalities?
Hmmmm… How should I answer this question? I must say the Americans are just another passengers onboard. To me, I would say the Singaporeans are the hardest to please.  Though this is NOT always true, but at least 80% accurate. I would think that this is because the airline I work for is their national carrier. They expect a lot for the price they paid to fly with us. I love the Swiss. I think they are the most polite and they do not need to be told repeatedly about the safety regulations they have to follow, like fasten seatbelt during turbulence, etc.  And they only ask for water during the lull period (in between meal services)!!

What is your favorite route to fly?
To Europe. The Europeans are usually quite well behaved and they often listen to your instructions regarding to safety issues onboard.  Also, I love the rich history in Europe.  I love the castles, the old buildings etc.

Who is the most interesting person you’ve met on your travels and why?
Hmmm… another difficult question.  The ONLY famous person I ever met was Richard Quest from CNN. He is quite a famous person, yet he is so humble. He actually allowed the set of crew to take not just one, but a few pictures with him.  As for interesting person…. I can’t think of any at this point of time.

Is there a country you haven’t been to but would like to visit?
I would love to visit South America one day. Especially Chile and Argentina. I am learning about wines, and heard so much about the perfect weather conditions for wine-growing in Chile.  I would also like to know more about their culture and history, etc.

You have to pack light when you’re traveling. What are some beauty products you never leave home without? How do you keep your skin looking fresh and moisturized during the long flights?
I will never leave home without my moisturizer, serum, eye gel, and my sun block. I’ve gone for a facial once a month, since I was 22. I also do my own mini facial at home or overseas. I bring along my facial masks, etc. It is important, no matter how tired you are, to remove your makeup before you sleep. Otherwise, that is the end of your skin in the long run.  Since I already have slightly dry-skin due to flying, I apply a moisture-sleeping mask, before I sleep.  Your skin absorbs the moisture, while you are sleeping.
The cabin is very dry, so it is important that one have proper skincare, before any makeup. I also carry along my body cream so that I can apply them as often as time permits during the flight, to keep my skin moisturized.

What country makes the best beauty products? Hair products?
I found out that many products that I used are made in California, USA, but are patented in Europe. I.e. Sothys.  I think probably the best beauty products are from Europe. As for hair products, maybe from France and the USA.

And is there anything else you’d like to share with my readers about your experiences and beauty advice?
I think most people forget about their necks. You can do a face-lift, but can’t do a neck-lift?? Don’t forget to take care of your neck as well. One can still tell your age, no matter how good your face looks, if you don’t look after your neck. Apply some moisturizer over it and mask it as well.
Never leave your house without Sunblock!! Even if your office is just across the street!!  Sunblock is one anti-aging skin care you should never forget to apply!!!
Looking beautiful is not just about looking after your skin. What about your hair? Being properly groomed like going for a manicure and pedicure, dressing well, like color co-ordination, etc, having simple makeup whenever you are leaving your house, especially if you are going to meet someone, are just as important. It is the whole package. You can have the greatest skin, but if you are dressed terribly, or your hair is in a mess or your nails are all chipped, you still looked TERRIBLE.  Agree??

From Curiosity - Matters

Tête-à-Tête Tuesdays with Molly

Introducing Karen Nuccio. I’ve taken a few of her classes at Crunch over the years and we’ve become friends. I’ll never forgot her funniest line in spin classes 3 years ago when she played Nine Inch Nails, “Closer” and claimed they played this at her wedding. Everyone had a look of shock on their face until she admitted she was kidding, but that her mother said if she got married, she could play whatever she wanted. She yeah, she approaches fitness instruction with humor and delights her students with her vibrant personality. Check out her new classes at SPiN NYC on 23rd and Park Avenue South. They’re in the mornings and don’t involve ping pong but do involve exercising while in a fun environment. 

What initially attracted you to the fitness industry?
I have been teaching fitness-based classes for 14 years, but I can’t say I was attracted to fitness from the very start. What I mean by that is – I grew to love teaching before I grew to love fitness. The exercising was an afterthought for me. I loved connecting with people, loved getting to know them, loved watching them become more confident, become happier and healthier. I think I started to take the fitness part more seriously 7 years ago. I had found a lump on my thyroid gland and had to have it removed. To make a long story short, I now have a hypoactive thyroid gland. That’s the “slow one” and roughly what that translates to mean is that fitness is now a challenge for me. My metabolism is now slower, my energy levels not always perfect, my hair and skin are sometimes even glitchy – but keeping active and being healthy consistently helps keep my thyroid in check. So now fitness is not just a social medium to me, it’s a necessity!  It sounds cliché but you don’t know what being healthy really means until your health is in jeopardy! Getting “sick” made me have a really profound respect for what it means to be well! Teaching is still my first love, but teaching people to respect their bodies and be healthy, that is a definite focal point. Fitness is an amazing tool that helped me to be well and healthy again!

With regard to the fitness industry within itself, I think in many ways it’s lacking. I think there should be a focus within the industry on teaching people to listen to their bodies and finding their right path rather than offering up countless “answers.” I think the industry needs to teach people to ask more questions, teach people to be responsible for themselves so that they can take better care of themselves and lead healthier lives. The industry, at times, focuses too much and what is wrong with people and on what they are not doing rather than focusing on what they are doing right and on how they can build on that.
But that’s just my opinion.

You’ve worked with people who have been successful in getting in shape or losing weight and people who have yet to reach their goals. What qualities and habits have the successful people developed that has enabled them to achieve their goals? Is there a commonality or trend?

I think when it comes to success, a goal and drive is key. Some people want to be that much more fit for their wedding, some want to train for a marathon, some are actors getting ready for a part. The goal usually drives the behavior; the end point.
I think the end point will automatically fuel the success…or at least short-term success. But when it comes to long term success, long term health and fitness – I think the goal needs to be secondary to the realization that exercising and eating well are a way of life -not a path to a goal. If you maintain a regular exercise program and eat well, you reach a level of healthiness that your goals just fall into place and they become icing rather than the cake.
I think anyone can reach a goal with the right motivation, but continually being healthy and fit – that is the mark of true success to me.

Recently, you founded LITA Integrated Fitness, where you design custom fitness programs for individuals and companies – a holistic approach combining fitness expertise and physical therapy. In your experience working in the fitness industry, what did you feel was missing?
My big complaint with the fitness industry was that the industry itself many times failed to “walk the line.” A prime example of this would be having less than fit instructors teach classes, or having trainers sit behind the desk at a gym eating McDonalds!! NOT COOL!!  I mean, if your prime candidates of fitness are not setting the example, how motivated can the students be!?
My other gripe with the industry is that the industry had more performers than it has teachers. I think the fitness industry needs to focus more on teaching people to be healthy and fit and less on finding new ways to keep people entertained. The industry obsesses over the new entertaining trend but fails to effectively teach what actually works! I created LITA to bridge the gap between teaching and entertaining. Classes are meant to be fun and entertaining, but they are also meant to teach people correct form, correct alignment and teach people how to lead a more healthy balanced life – for that matter.

Can you give any sort of overall advice for achieving a more effective workout that you find most of your clients don’t initially know.
I think the best advice I can give is to do activities that you like. Just because a class is the hot new trend and because Madonna loves it does not mean it’s right for you. Fitness programs are very personal and finding the right one, the most effective one, like any relationship, takes time to figure out. But once you find the right one, it flows and if you really hit it right. It’s love! I can honestly say that my fitness routine that I do for myself is hard work, but I am absolutely in love with it! And that love is what keeps me motivated.

You’ve worked as personal trainer and group instructor for years, often going from one class to another. How do you maintain your energy? Any secrets?
You know I gave up crack years ago…just kidding. My espresso in the morning is a must! But that’s an Italian thing rather than a fitness thing.
I guess I maintain energy by eating well throughout the day, hydrating and most importantly by respecting my body’s limits. By that I mean, if I have three more classes to go and I just feel shot, I take time to regroup rather than pound a Redbull. I give my body recovery time if needed. On those tired days when I teach, those are the days I spin a little slower or use lighter weights. Your body has a “when” point and it needs to be respected otherwise when you need it to be there for you, it will cop out – I assure you!

Can you give me a short story of someone you’ve helped achieve a major goal; success story?
Years ago I had a client who I describe as my favorite “fitness addict.” I remember meeting her at Macy’s and she asked me how I got my “Madonna” arms. I told her it was part genetics, part free weights. She asked me to be her trainer, but I don’t take on strangers as clients. I only work on referral, so I declined but told her where I taught and asked her to come take a class one day. She became my stalker!  Came to every class!! Front row, did everything. And after I got to know her, she asked me again to train her personally and I did. When we met for the first time, she told me – I want to be this weight, have this percentage of body fat, be this flexible, this strong, etc. etc.
So I responded to that by saying, “so what you’re telling me is you want to be a machine?  I don’t work with machines. I work with people – so you’re shit out of luck!” She laughed and said, seriously, I want this and that…and the other thing…etc. etc.

And I said, “Seriously, I think the best service I can give you is to train you to not be so driven, to train you to have a little balance. I told her “I’m not going to be your trainer, instead, I’ll be your friend.” I took her to brunch. We had wine in the afternoon and we didn’t count calories, and laughed a lot. I told her that working out should not be your life. It adds to the quality of life and what would be the point of being super fit if all that exercise took up the whole day and left no time to enjoy the day and enjoy the body you worked so hard to get?? I have to say; it was more work getting this “client” to not feel guilty about wine or bread than it would have been to get her to look like Madonna. But ten years later, she is one of the healthiest, most balanced people I know. I consider her to be a great success story:)

And finally, is there anything else you’d like to share about fitness or your company LITA?
I created LITA because I wanted to create a fitness company that really took responsibility for its students and clients, a company that actually cared about teaching people how to be healthy. In fitness, from a business standpoint, you always want your client to need you. Then they keep buying sessions! But the goal of LITA is to teach people how to not need us, so to speak. To teach people to learn their bodies and teach people effective ways to be healthy.
For the past 14 years, I have fallen in love with what I do and fallen in love with my students. That love is what has made me want to see them succeed – made me want to see them thrive in my class and outside of it. LITA is an acronym for Love Is The Answer. And I believe that to be true. When placed in an environment where you are truly cared for, how can one not succeed at anything?