Ok. So I have done about 75 podcast's now. This was the one that finally broke me down. And I couldn't be any more grateful. I specifically cut this picture for the headline because it was at this moment I kind of lost my shit. The look on everyone's face says it all. We were speaking with a young man named Dante Sousa. I went to school with his mother, so there's the South High tie. Now when me and Tiff hung out in school it would usually literally be while I was skipping a class in the school store where we found solace. I'll never forget it. Sara Petrozzi of 4Seasons Nutrition was always there as well. Now we weren't angels by any means. I can honestly say these two girls were about as close to my character as any one in that school. None of us took any shit, we had our issues, but were overall about as respectful as a teenager could get. There was just something that got me about this circle that never left me. The heart these two had? Let's just say we were all pretty similar. Now they both went on and had families. When I say I couldn't be prouder than I was at this moment, not only of Tiffany for how far she has come, and how much she has overcome, but how she is passing this on to her children...Amazing. Congratulations to Tiffany and her husband Donny who I have never met, but I'm always seeing him chime in with words of support, and it takes two, much respect Donny.
So I've tried to tell people how this all came to be and why I write. Well it started here on Facebook with some really long posts. I figured, start a blog and write the same stuff I'm trying to get off my chest. It seemed to bother some to see my raw feelings so this was a way to not subject the people who were 'bothered' by it and let the real ones view if they wanted. Must be working because yesterdays blog about South High's success got 400 views in one day and climbing. All my videos are getting views and you know what the main ingredient has been. Heart. It all comes from the heart. I make mistakes, my video production is horrible. My writing is far from good by grammatical standards lol I post the rough draft first, then edit as I Go. I add, delete, whatever...The genuineness. I strategically invite guests who align with my heart and my beliefs, my mission. To make this community a more positive place. Last night, I was flawless in that retrospect. I never give myself credit, but because of my guests, it would be an injustice to myself and them if I didn't.
I've gotten super interested in boxing as a whole this year. I think I have told everyone involved my stance at one point or another, but I couldn't ever say that I was a true boxing fan. Fighting? Yes I was more than a fan. Boxing, I didn't understand what it was about. I'm bringing on guests who are in the sport or have some heavy knowledge and that path lead me to my first guest last night, Kevin Hope. My right hand man Dave has told me about Kevin since I started this boxing coverage. As I went on Kevin fit this podcast to a T. Along the way doing my homework for the interview, I didn't hear anything but respect from people's mouth when they spoke about this guy. Retired Lt. with the State Police. Retired Army Veteran, Professional Boxing Referee and also...a South High Colonel. Talked to him for a few days to prepare for this interview and understood pretty quick why people speak very highly of him and with nothing but respect. He had me from the minute he was telling me that he had been playing football for Doherty and a few weeks later had transferred back home to South High...."Home" was his word not mine. That hit me. Right off the bat, he said he always considered himself "Columbus Park". Now we know about respect here, but on all the Shamrock merch we make sure two things are displayed. Respect...and Loyalty. My gripe with the generalization that Worcester is a negative place, here is a man with some serious accolades professionally, and here he is, not forgetting or spouting negativity, he's claiming proudly to be from Columbus Park. That's what I'm talking about. And that's what this project has always been about. That is what Shamrock Sports is about. Kevin dropped some phenomenal stories about some local legends...Sean Fitzgerald, Tony Piskator, and Bobby Benoit. Watch here and see the whole episode. Now, I probably could have talked to Kevin for hours, and will eventually in time, but I wanted to bring on Dante this week and what better man to have sit with us than a man like him.
I quickly realized that I didn't think this through. I know I'm usually a very emotional person. My tears have always flowed. When my Dad passed, I stopped holding them back. It doesn't help because they just build up and the whole bubble bursts. But when it's time, it's time. I didn't realize what this conversation would do to me or I may have strayed away. But after the conversation I had with Kevin, looking at a 14yr old kid in front of me with the same values and mission of grown men, and the heart of a champion, it got me a little. Now, cancer has effected almost everyone I assume. Maybe some deeper than others, and that's ok. I watched my father pass away from Pancreatic Cancer and probably won't ever recover but what I will do, is fight back. My cousin Mathew DiTullio passed away in August, he succumbed to complications after a courageous battle with Leukemia. When I say I want to fight back it's for these two especially. Neither of them deserved anything like this for an ending. Both would give you the shirts off their back's. Hearts of Gold, and they would have done the same in my honor, so when I say I want to fight back...this is what it means. Gone but not forgotten...EVER.
Rest Easy My Man! RIP Mathew DiTullio!
Love and Miss Ya Dad!
Watch the Podcast. To say it got emotional is a huge understatement. And do me a huge favor. I haven't taken a dime for this. Anything I have made from sponsorships have gone right back into the community. I always say that this isn't about money, but to fight Cancer we need to keep people like Dante Sousa leading the charge. Show Shamrock Sports what this means to you and blow this kid's fundraiser through the roof! If you can't help, share his cause and do this. A 14yr old kid isn't just talking about it, he's doing something about it, humbly and with is heart! I don't think I need to say anymore. His link is below and also in the bio on the YouTube channel. We here at Shamrock Sports 508 stand with you young man, stay on this path! Lead with your heart as you have been and great things will lie in front of you from here on out. Be Safe everyone!
Click here to help! Forever Grateful!
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