0:02

At the age of 32,

0:04

a friend suggested: Sitting in the nude and Staring into a mirror.

0:11

So for 10 minutes, I did exactly that. And after staring at my face,

0:19

arms, stomach, eyes,

0:21

feet and legs, I realized the mirror reflection did not match up with the words pouring out of my mouth.

0:34

I realized that there was more to life than guzzling alcohol,

0:41

snorting cocaine, ingesting ecstasy,

0:46

speaking of what others need to work on, and bathing and self-pity.

0:54

Therefore, I stopped hanging out at The End Up.

0:58

I put down the cocaine. And, I searched out a healthier community of friends.

1:08

Days later while walking the streets of San Francisco,

1:14

I viewed a flyer for California AIDS Ride #2 [now titled: AIDS/Lifecycle],

1:20

a 540-mile, 7-day bike event sponsored by Tangeray.

1:30

Immediately I thought: I can cycle from San Francisco to Los Angeles,

1:37

I can improve my physical health & I can support the programs of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation.

1:49

In the following weeks, I began my first training ride.

1:54

I rode my Trek Antelope bike for one mile,

2:00

[which nearly killed me].

2:03

Yet with perseverance and fortitude,

2:06

after four weeks, I pedaled seven miles.

2:11

After eight weeks I pedaled 21 miles to Sausalito and back. After which, my self-confidence grew. And then I began to participate in group rides offered by the California AIDS Ride community.

2:36

Over time, I was able to cycle 45 miles,

2:41

then 60 miles,

2:44

then 75 miles. And finally, I was able to endure 100-mile bike rides,

2:59

At which point, I felt I was physically ready for my ride.

3:07

However, financially,

3:10

I was not, You see;

3:14

In order to participate in the California AIDS ride;

3:21

cyclists were required to fundraise an approximate $1,500 minimum.

3:30

If one failed to raise the fundraising minimum,

3:35

one could not participate in the event.

3:40

Now, some participants possessed wealth. Therefore easily they themselves could donate $1,500. While other participants [like myself] lived paycheck to paycheck.

4:03

Therefore, I had to rely on donations from others.

4:10

I organized several bake sales and flower sales.

4:14

I sold 8 x 10 nude images of myself.

4:20

I auctioned off donated material. And, I humbly accepted contributions from friends,

4:31

family and strangers. And thanks to a large contribution from Susan Foord Catering,

4:42

I successfully raised the 1500 minimum to participate.

4:52

In May 1994, I arrived at the start line of the California AIDS Ride #2. And as I navigated my way through Pier #3,

5:06

a big smile stretched across my face.

5:11

I realized: I did it.

5:15

I gave up cocaine.

5:18

I immersed myself in a community of healthy individuals.

5:23

I persevered through physical pain & psychological doubt.

5:32

I raised $1500 in the support of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. And, I changed the "impossible" to the "I'm Possible."

5:50

Yet another challenge appeared.

5:55

You see; being that I lived paycheck to paycheck,

6:00

I arrived at the start line with only $3 in my pocket.

6:06

I had no hotel accommodations awaiting my arrival in Los Angeles. ,

6:17

And I had no plane, train, or bus ticket for my return to San Francisco.

6:24

Yet, I remember the story from the book "Autobiography of A Yogi."

6:37

In the story, Paramahansa Yogananda's guru sent him on a journey.

6:42

His guru insisted he traveled with no money,

6:48

His guru insisted he asked no one for assistance.

6:55

Paramahansa Yogananda was instructed to rely on his faith of a greater power. And therefore, I followed suit. 63 00:07:17,100 --> 00:07:18,780 With the faith that things would work out; I began my journey.

7:20

Day#1, envisioning the tour de France,

7:25

I cycled from Fort Mason to Harvey West Park Santa cruz 88.1 miles.

7:39

Day #2, feeling sore as fuck.I cycled from Santa Cruz to San Lorenzo Park,

7:44

King City 101.9 miles.

7:50

Day #3, although pumped up on 1200g Ibproben,

8:00

I cycled from King City to Mid State Fairgrounds Paso Robles 74.9 mi.

8:12

Day #4, with fortitude, I cycled from Paso Robles to Oceano Airport, Oceano

8:22

69.8 miles.

8:28

Day #5, like a gazelle,

8:32

I cycled from Oceano to River Park, Lompoc 54.4 miles.

8:42

Day #6. Anticipating the end of this journey,

8:48

I cycled from Lompoc to San Buenaventura State Beach, Ventura 77.2 miles.

9:08

Day #7, enduring five flat tires, I cycled from Ventura to Exposition Park, Los Angeles.

9:12

And

9:18

after receiving the finisher T-shirt,

9:22

I sat on the curb and witnessed fellow cyclists greeting friends and family.

9:26

And then, I began to cry.

9:34

After all, I had $3 in my pocket & no place to go.

9:43

Minutes later I heard someone call out my name.

9:51

And as I turned to look, I noticed a friend, The friend offered me a place to rest my head & sponsored my plane flight home.

10:07

Days later in san Francisco, I understood the objective of the California AIDS ride founder, Dan Pallotta.

10:17

You see the vision of Dan Pallota & Pallota Team Works

10:21

Was to change the world.

10:25

First; by helping people see beyond the limits they had placed on themselves.

10:34

Second; by helping people see beyond the limits they have placed on the world And third; by spreading the simple power of human kindness.

10:52

Thank you Dan Pallota! Mission accomplished