25 Things You Might NOT Know About Me

April 5th, 2011

Believe it of not, I have not discussed some of these….so here it goes:

First and foremost, I am a proud daddy of two beautiful girls, and blessed with the best wife one can ask for…
Started ice skating at 3 years old, started playing ice hockey at 5. Played in college, had a chance to play professionally in Germany since I had duel citizenship due to my father escaping from East Germany.
It’s been years since I have skied, but did ski (crashed) down two Olympic Mountains: White Face, Lake Placid and Lillehamma, Norway.
Left home at age 13, went to prep school from freshman to senior year. We had school 6 days a week and beside hockey, I played soccer and lacrosse.
Left college with a few credits left . I was bored and pretty much partaking in some “spirits” all the time. Read “Upside Down” for more details.(yes, shameless plug….it’s ok, you’ll enjoy the book). I eventually finished up a couple years ago. I eventually finished college… ..getting my Psychology degree a couple of years ago.
I had broken my nose and collar bone (yes, from hockey).
I was in trouble all the time as a kid. A call from the principle’s office to pick me up from another fight was a weekly occurrence. Thus, being thrown out of some hockey games followed…..
Grew up on Long Island, went to prep school in Connecticut, on to college in upstate NY (right on Lake Ontario…coldest place on the planet), down to Florida for 16 years, and in TN for 3 + years. Honorable mentions: a lot of travel time in Massachusetts and Canada.
I like playing tickle monster with the girls.
I am HUGE N.Y Jets fan….even though they rip out my heart every year.
Started my first business in 1993.
Was there when the N.Y. Islanders won their 4th straight Stanley Cup (dad had season tickets….ever feel concrete shake from loudness?)
I don’t watch TV. (Seriously, cancelled it over a year ago…..only watch Jets games on the computer and dvd movies with Sharon)
My fear: not being able to provide for my family.
Made $750,000/year in the mortgage business , owned $6 million in property, lost it all , bounced back to make 6 figures again, only to walk away from it to start helping others avoid the same mistakes.
Sleep an average of 4 hours a night.
Workaholic. …..not proud of it, not a badge of honor, constantly working on changing. Keep failing at it.
Can easily blow 16 hours a day on social media, had to put up the guardrails.
In a 2 year Bible study every Wednesday morning from 6-8 AM
Took a 13 week course on the U.S Constitution last year. Man, are we screwed!?!
Have a problem with authority, thus the problems from #14 and #7
Love politics. If you can take a stand publicly , you need to get a backbone or move over. (there are certain things that are black and white….stop using that as an excuse)
Been married for 10 years.
Turn 40 this month….on Easter. Go figure.
Follower of Christ. What?………. with this kind of history, I knew I needed some serious help!

There you have it. Fire away….

http://www.levittcoaching.com Josh Levitt

Love this idea for the transparency. Just imagine if more people/businesses acted like this!

Part-time political junkie here too. What was the Constitution course you took? link?
Anonymous

Great point Josh. here’s the link: http://www.iotconline.com/content.php
http://www.levittcoaching.com Josh Levitt

Awesome. Thanks!
http://coachradio.tv/ Justin Lukasavige

Wow, I thought I knew you, Gregg. Lots of hidden stuff here. I bet you and Christine could put together a skating routine. You said not to ask, but I want to know what you were arrested for. I’m guessing you won’t ever get voted into office.
Anonymous

Hah! Didn’t know Christine ice skated. Let’s put it this way. I was arrested twice in college, both had to do with drinking, one time was in a vehicle, the other time was on a beach……..and no, I will never be voted into office. I have a feeling there would be mass riots!
Anonymous

you bet
Tim

Great blog Gregg!
Anonymous

Thank Tim…..tried to be real as possible
Cindy

Absolutely love your transparency Gregg. That is just one of the awesome things about you!
Anonymous

I appreciate that Cindy, means a lot…I figured that is the only way to go
Anonymous

This is so great. I am honored to get to know you better and learn what makes you tick. And I *love* that you are a hockey fan. Thanks so much for sharing.
Anonymous

Hockey fans are a special breed , for sure. I remember my mom going insane while i was playing……glad you like the post, Kristina
http://bluecollarradionetwork.com James Dibben

6: That explains your appearance, Sharon is a saint :p
10: No body is perfect
15: Dude, you are singing my song! I have the same fear, my friend
20: There is an example we can all follow
21: I’m afraid to do that!
24: Again, Sharon is a saint!
26: Amen!
22, 14, 7: Hmm, I’m going to have to stop hanging out with you! You’re such a bad influence! :p
http://www.accountant-finder.com Chris Ensey

I echo the same comments by the folks here. I think that’s a great thing to be as open you are about all of this, and not just all of the positive accomplishments. (Although I guess you can frame the arrest thing as a positive… “I’ve ONLY been arrested twice!”)

Still, thanks for being willing to take a stand and talk about the real Gregg!
Anonymous

That’s a great way to look at it, Chris…..because Lord knows, it could have a lot more then twice!
Anonymous

You are correct…..Sharon is the true saint…… #10 hurts brother, you are cutting deep now!
http://www.InnerResourceCenter.com Linda Pucci

I love this, Gregg! All of us have “life stories” to tell about what makes us tick, where our baggage came from, and how we overcame it (hopefully). Thanks for sharing!
Anonymous

Life stories and baggage, sounds like those 2 go together…..thanks Linda
http://www.exconsumer.com Jenny @ exconsumer

I love this Gregg! It’s great getting to know you a little better through this post. Do you seriously only sleep four hours each night? I have to have eight and a half hours of sleep most nights or I’m foggy all day!
Anonymous

Unfortunately, yes…..it is something i have battled my whole life. Thanks for the kind feedback , Jenny
Bill Thompson

I love you brother! You’re my kind of real person. This is what we are…..real people with real warts and scars. I’ll tell you about my night in the “clinker” some time. Here’s to those of us who left viable jobs to go out on the proverbial limb and make a difference with other real people with warts and scars. 2 Samual 7:18-29 is David’s prayer. Check it out…powerful stuff. May God just bless you and your family with abudance “with no trouble added to it.”
Anonymous

Warts and scars…..great way to put it my friend! Going to the clinker might be the “new” right of passage for us “not so perfect” humans ..Thanks Bill for the kind words…..love the prayer btw-
Royce Harrell

Gregg, what a way to tell a life story! And who you are. I enjoyed reading the list and I feel like I know so much more about your life. and you blew me away with the US Constitution course. You are special. Keep up to the work you’re doing. You are a huge benefit to many, many people.
Anonymous

Thanks Royce, I think that class should be mandatory for every citizen..
http://www.fightingbackfinancially.com/8-ways-to-kick-the-crap-out-of-your-budget-fighting-back-financially 8 Ways to Kick The Crap Out of Your Budget | Fighting Back Financially

[...] I was in many fights growing up as a kid (see: 26 Things You Might NOT Know About Me). Not proud of it but it is what it [...]
Sue Painter

Love getting to know more about you, Greg.
Maryellen

Gregg, this is fantastic! Thanks so much for sharing your life with us. It’s been a fascinating 40 year ride. May the next 40 be as adventuresome (minus the arrests.)
Anonymous

Thanks Sue, right back at you!
Anonymous

YES! Minus the arrests would be a good thing! Thanks Mary Ellen….
Jason Etters

Gregg, I like your post. I can relate! Thanks for being “Real”!
Anonymous

you bet, thanks Jason!
Brittany Williams

it’s good to get to know the man behind the legend a bit even though you have never met me, I know all about you…my husband, Jared, loves your stuff and we are always talking about something you said/posted etc.
Brittany Williams

it’s good to get to know the man behind the legend a bit even though you have never met me, I know all about you…my husband, Jared, loves your stuff and we are always talking about something you said/posted etc.
Anonymous

Legend! wow, i am humbled Brittany. Thanks for following and the feedback….REALLY appreciate it!
Barbhubbs

Obie

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