
ABOUT TONY

A message from Tony
4 of the biggest challenges of my life!
Autism.
Sugar Addiction.
Living with 1 Kidney.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
Being overweight, disruptive sleep, dysfunctional mornings, feeling lethargic, and on multiple medications by 35 years of age were just a few of the repercussions of the above stated issues.
I would say this to you, if I can make a change to a healthier lifestyle, so can YOU! Growing up in an Italian household with so many savory foods like pasta, bread, sausage, & of course…those sweets. Oh those sweets! My life was not just about eating a lot of unhealthy food (although tasty!), but the biggest issues were PORTIONS & SUGAR.
I began a healthier lifestyle with exercise and making better choices with food in my late 20’s, but that is when life totally turned crazy for my wife and I. Our son was diagnosed with Autism when he was 4 years old. Frustration, anger, confusion & a diminished lack of faith encompassed our lives. That led to a multitude of bad choices. My nutrition was primarily processed food, increasing amounts of caffeine, sugar intake was out of control, was on medications for my heart & acid reflux, was at a pre-diabetic state, and hearing the news I had a dead kidney.
THE DAY I WILL NEVER FORGET
Life priorities totally change when a developmental pediatrician tells you bluntly that your son needs to be at “Communication Play Level 6” by the age of 6, otherwise he may not be able to fully speak and function independently moving forward. A 6 year period of uncertainty began. Day after day was consumed with working with our son on play and communication techniques.
LESSON LEARNED FROM AUTISM
Little did I realize how this relates in making positive changes in any area of your life. YOUR WHY needs to be meaningful and powerful, with keeping the long term goals in mind. In this case, the goal was to have a conversation with my son and help him achieve an opportunity to live life to the fullest. The daily grind of doing what’s right, not doing what’s easy was in full effect. I also realized that it had to start with me.
Same is true for achieving goals with your physical activity, nutrition, time management, morning routine, sleep or whatever else is important to you. You may not notice a lot of change each day during the process, but you’ll reap the rewards of positive change in the long run. Honestly, these changes transition into effortless healthy habits that become a part of your everyday life…quicker than you think.
TURNING POINT with my personal journey (& pride) was a date on the calendar marked on January 2nd, 2009. That’s when I vowed to start…JUST START, with no overthinking, toward a better lifestyle.
I began to not only get active, but to actually learn how to workout. Managing food portions and sugar intake, “crowding out” bad food choices while “crowding in” better ones enhanced my energy and mood. Incorporating meditation, affirmations and rock solid MORNING, EVENING, and WEEKEND routines has been a game changer mentally, spiritually, and professionally
Due to these changes and creating simplified DAILY HABITS, the results are 50 pounds lighter, off medications, Acid Reflux is managed with healthy food, my one beautiful kidney is functioning at an optimal level, improved sleep, more patience, bolstered confidence levels, waking up with PURPOSE, and feel a ton younger. Basically I can be a better father & husband for my family now.
Today, our son is doing fantastic. He just graduated high school and started college in the fall of 2021, is doing wonderful academically and runs cross country. I’m more than open to share my story now. I never used to because of the flood of emotions that flowed out of me, but was told my experience can be a tremendous help to others in varying capacities. The full version of my story is a key component in many of my speaking engagements and presentations to bridge the gap to better serve you, and help achieve your personal and professional goals. Please say hello if you happen to be in the audience.
Let me assist you in taking back control of your overall health. Aim for BETTER,
not perfection. Let’s enjoy the journey together, 1 tiny habit at a time. I’m grateful you are here, and looking forward to working with you soon!
Just Start!
Tony
Credentials
Tony earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcasting from the University of Toledo & a degree from The Specs Howard School of Media Arts. He worked in the television & radio field, which included production, on air news reporting, sports anchoring & producing. However, Tony decided to follow his passion for health, fitness, holistic nutrition and the opportunity to help educate others to a healthier way of living.
Tony earned his Personal Fitness Trainer certification through the World Instructor Training Schools (W.I.T.S.), is an ACE Behavior Change Specialist, studied at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition based out of New York City to become a Holistic Health & Wellness Coach, is a certified Tiny Habits Coach, and currently works as a Success Coach at The University of Toledo. In addition to health & fitness coaching, Tony hosts workshops, public speaking events, 1:1 and online groups focusing on building consistent habits in very simple ways while empowering you to create structure into your daily routine (especially mornings & evenings) in order to make health a habit.
Are you curious about how health coaching can help you? Let’s talk. Schedule an initial consultation with me today.
