If you’re willing to blindly trust humanity, you never know whose life you might impact and who might impact yours.
At the tail end of 2013, I had thousands of ideas related to the manifestation of supreme health and well being floating around my head. I knew I wanted to share them with you, but I don’t have an ounce of experience building and managing a website, nor the desire to spend countless hours combing through articles on grammar.
I knew I needed a partner that could both edit and code.
There are three things I know about myself: I’m impulsive, resourceful and trusting that things will turn out well. I also generally trust in the goodness of human kind. Armed with those attributes, I took to Twitter.
With 2014 right around the bend, I'm starting a fitness/lifestyle blog. Anybody w editing and or website experience care to partner?
— gabe kapler (@gabekapler) December 29, 2013
Nearly instantaneously, I met the current editor of Kaplifestyle, Stephanie. With a reckless bravado that immediately separated her from a host of candidates who followed with replies of their own, she essentially stated “I’m in.” In the span of a couple of tweets, a truly unique partnership took its first health-inducing breath.
The net result, of course, is I’m totally off the hook. If you see a spelling error going forward, blame her.
Since this blog’s inception at the end of December, we’ve published a post every day. Stephanie, it turns out, has a work ethic to match (exceed, really) mine and sleeping habits enabling me to write a post at midnight in Los Angeles (she’s in DC) and wake up to a coherent piece of material.
So now that you know and love Steph, you’ll be rooting for her.
Stephanie has never lifted weights in her life. About ten days ago she began, with my support, our 5 X 5 weight-training program. She’s starting with a broomstick in place of a barbell and is devoted to a long term, marathon-like process. She’s seen her doctor and received his blessing to begin.
I’m guessing you’re wondering about the doctor’s visit.
Steph has a set of unique general health challenges that will make this program especially difficult for her, and I will be sharing them with you in the days, weeks and months ahead. Additionally, I’ll be keeping you up to speed on her workouts, nutrition habits, and what she’s accomplishing along the way. Despite her unique set of circumstances and an unlimited supply of ingrained fear to contend with, she leaped, trusting that a net would indeed appear.
It’s been three months since I met Stephanie, and she’s already changed my life through her character and unreasonably blind devotion to our project. It’s only fair that her’s is about to change, too.
Please send her your supportive energy,
Kap
PS: She has to edit this particular post. Imagine the horror.
Dino Pioli says
Good Luck Steph. Without ever meeting Gabe personally, I think you are in the best of hands!
Stephanie St Amour (@sstamour) says
Thank you very much, Dino!
Jules Dewing says
Hi Steph! Congrats and good luck! Gabe is super dear to me; you’re clearly BOTH in good hands!!!
Stephanie St Amour (@sstamour) says
Appreciated, Jules. Couldn’t ask for a better training “coach”!
Ben Ryan says
Best of Luck Steph! You’re in good hands and maybe one day you can share your “edits,” like in a blooper reel fashion
Stephanie St Amour (@sstamour) says
Thanks, Ben. A behind the scenes look, hmm?
Bill Roberts says
Steph: This association can only mean good things! A long time ago (not that long, really), I adopted Gabe as my cult Sox fave. (Don’t get too big-headed… once it was Mark Bellhorn…) Nonetheless, Perfesser Kapler’s daily notes are more meaningful (and practical) than I could’ve imagined. And I’m a 54-year-old who is fit and eager to get better.
Stephanie St Amour (@sstamour) says
Thanks, Bill. I certainly hope my journey can be useful to others along the way.
luckygirlie says
That’s awesome!! Congrats and good luck on your journey, Stephanie. I wish you all the best!
Stephanie St Amour (@sstamour) says
Thank you! It will be an exciting journey.
Manda says
Such exciting changes ahead!! Steph, you’re brave for sharing with us, thank you!
Stephanie St Amour (@sstamour) says
I hope it will be a useful story for everyone. Thanks Manda.
Scott Snow says
Awesome! Excited to hear about your journey Stephanie! I trust that with Kap’s help you’ll dominate it. Best wishes. 🙂
Stephanie St Amour (@sstamour) says
I hope so, Scott!
Susan altman says
Stephanie, you are in beautiful hands. Gabe has a way of impacting every person he comes in contact with. I am grateful each and everyday for our friendship and the impact he has made on myself and my family. There is no doubt he will work with you to achieve whatever goal you seek. Go get it. As Gabe would say, luck has nothing to do with it.
Stephanie St Amour (@sstamour) says
I’ve definitely noticed that, Susan. He’s impacted my life in a lot of ways, and I’m grateful to him for that.
Mike says
Atta girl !!!!
Stephanie St Amour (@sstamour) says
Working hard, Mike!
Todd Rice (@tdrice) says
best of luck Stephanie… I will be rooting for you!
Stephanie St Amour (@sstamour) says
Always nice to hear, Todd. I’m determined!
Chris says
Good luck! Both you and Kap keep up the great work!
Stephanie St Amour (@sstamour) says
Thanks, Chris
Brandon d says
You got it Steph. Not trying to sound corny but the last few weeks I think. What would gabe do. With a lot of hard work and healthy habits I’m getting into kapler beast mode
Stephanie St Amour (@sstamour) says
Brandon – you and me both! Keep at it.
dbreer23 says
“I’m in.”
Never were truer words of encouragement ever spoken – give ’em hell, Steph!
– Dan
Stephanie St Amour (@sstamour) says
I’ll do my best, Dan.
Maria says
Wishing you every success on your journey, Gabe was lucky to find someone with such an excellent work ethic as yourself.
Stephanie St Amour (@sstamour) says
Thank you for your kind words, Maria. He always inspires me to keep at it.
Tobey Fierst (@tobeygeorge) says
Way to go Steph! You are awesome!!
Angie says
Stephanie, good luck to you. I know that you will be a success at this and can’t wait to follow your journey.