Sam Maniatis believes in the benefits of physical fitness. A former college football player, he has taken it upon himself to spread the word: fitness makes you feel a whole lot better in a whole lot of ways.
After setting up–and running–a successful business as a personal trainer, he decided three years ago that he wanted to do more to help those in need: the homeless in Montreal–a lot of people that not a lot of people care particularly about.
On the face of it, it would appear a fool’s errand.
Many homeless people suffer from mental health issues. About 80 per cent smoke. Most have heart rates well above normal.
How many times have you seen the words “picture of health” and “the homeless” in the same sentence?
These are not the people you see at your local gym in fancy sweats riding the stationary bike or doing aerobics.
None of this could dissuade Mr. Maniatis when a client told him that Nazareth House, a residence for homeless men, wanted to set up a fitness program.
He jumped at the chance. And make no mistake, Sam Maniatis is a very determined guy, a man who believes in helping others feel a whole lot better about themselves.
I spoke to him by phone about his passion and his program for homeless people.
Listen
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