I had the opportunity to spend an afternoon with Janet Cantwell-Papale recently. She impressed me as someone who has the priorities of family and career properly balanced. She also exhibited a zest for life and a belief in renewable goals that were dually inspiring.
Janet
Cantwell's natural athletic talent and drive led to a birth on the
United States National Gymnastics team long before she met and
married Vince Papale.
Her
married name should sound familiar. Her husband, Vince Papale,
achieved fame twice. Once for making the Philadelphia Eagles
football team as a 30-year-old rookie in 1976 and secondly for being
the subject of the 2006 Hollywood blockbuster movie 'Invincible'.
Learn
more about Vince through my exclusive Yahoo Sports series: Part
1, Part
2 and Part
3.
You can also visit vincepapale.com to
read about the positive efforts that the Papale's are currently
involved in.
Success
in today's economy
Cantwell-Papale
believes in refining her skills and staying up-to-date with the
latest technology. Her philosophy has allowed her to become a
multiple-year member of the Million Dollar Sales Club at the agency
she represents.
"I'm
an agent for Long
and Foster Real Estate.
I sell in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. I also manage Vince Papale
Promotions as well as our own personal real estate investments,"
Cantwell-Papale said.
"Anyone
can show you a house. My strength is negotiating a deal. I try to
create a win-win for everyone involved."
She
also utilized her business skills when booking her husband's
motivational speaking engagements and negotiating his endorsement
agreements.
"You
have to constantly encourage people by telling them that they are
allowed to fail. There are many people who are afraid to step
outside of the box. When people are rigid they can snap and spiral
downward. You have to be willing to take a risk."
Growing
up
Cantwell-Papale
grew up in the Northeast section of Philadelphia. She attended St.
Celia's Catholic School and graduated from Northeast High School.
"We
had the typical large family. "I'm the oldest of nine. There
were six girls, then two boys and finally one girl. We had two sets
of bunk beds and our own signing group and I was the worst singer.
My Mom had us in the Easter parade and on the Al Albert's Show."
(The Al Albert's Show was a popular children's talent show that was
televised in Philadelphia television for many decades.)
Athletics
were also important in the Cantwell home.
"My
first five younger sisters and I were all nationally ranked
gymnasts. I was the only one who made it to the United States
National team, even though I was the last one to become involved in
gymnastics.
"I
felt like I was Cinderella when I went to the gym. It was a magical
place for me."
After
rupturing her spleen when she was nine, she was given the last rites
as part of her Catholic upbringing. Her mental toughness and
physical strength helped her to recover from that incident, as well
as from rheumatic fever and a heart murmur.
A
world-class gymnast emerges
When
fully healthy, Cantwell-Papale began to pursue her gymnastic career.
After many years of work she made the National team and toured with
them throughout the United States, England, France and Yugoslavia.
She
destroyed her knee in 1973, during an International gymnastics
competition against the Hungarian Gymnastics team. Her injury was
similar to former New York Jet's Quarterback Joe Namath, in that she
tore her Medial Meniscus, Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) and
Medial Collateral Ligament.
As
she was working towards her Bachelor of Science degree in Physical
Education at Penn State in the mid-1970s, Cantwell-Papale remained
involved in athletics. She was a 1 meter and 3 meter diver and also
spent one year as the Director of the Nittany Gymnastics school.
After
graduating in 1977, the condition of her knee caused her to redirect
her athletic interests into coaching. While living in the State
College area of Pennsylvania, she accepted an offer to become Head
Gymnastics Coach at State College High School.
University
of Pennsylvania
Cantwell-Papale
went on to become the Head Gymnastics Coach at the University of
Pennsylvania, a position she held from 1976 through 1988.
"When
I became head coach at the University of Pennsylvania, I taught in
South Africa, Malaysia, and Bermuda. So, I did different things with
my gymnastics background."
Because
the University of Penn was an Ivy League school, Papale recruited
kids who had untapped potential.
"One
thing about gymnasts is that they are driven and self-motivated.
Some can flounder, because they have been coached their whole life
and are not free thinkers. They have always been pleasers and have
never developed any outside interests.
When
I was a coach, I wanted to have a successful team. I liked working
with those types of people, because I helped them to realize their
dreams."
Meeting
Vince
Janet
Cantwell's natural athletic talent and drive led to a birth on the
United States National Gymnastics team long before she met and
married Vince Papale.
Her
married name should sound familiar. Her husband, Vince Papale,
achieved fame twice. Once for making the Philadelphia Eagles
football team as a 30-year-old rookie in 1976 and secondly for being
the subject of the 2006 Hollywood blockbuster movie 'Invincible'.
Learn
more about Vince through my exclusive Yahoo Sports series: Part
1, Part
2 and Part
3.
You can also visit vincepapale.com to
read about the positive efforts that the Papale's are currently
involved in.
Success
in today's economy
Cantwell-Papale
believes in refining her skills and staying up-to-date with the
latest technology. Her philosophy has allowed her to become a
multiple-year member of the Million Dollar Sales Club at the agency
she represents.
"I'm
an agent for Long
and Foster Real Estate.
I sell in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. I also manage Vince Papale
Promotions as well as our own personal real estate investments,"
Cantwell-Papale said.
"Anyone
can show you a house. My strength is negotiating a deal. I try to
create a win-win for everyone involved."
She
also utilized her business skills when booking her husband's
motivational speaking engagements and negotiating his endorsement
agreements.
"You
have to constantly encourage people by telling them that they are
allowed to fail. There are many people who are afraid to step
outside of the box. When people are rigid they can snap and spiral
downward. You have to be willing to take a risk."
Growing
up
Cantwell-Papale
grew up in the Northeast section of Philadelphia. She attended St.
Celia's Catholic School and graduated from Northeast High School.
"We
had the typical large family. "I'm the oldest of nine. There
were six girls, then two boys and finally one girl. We had two sets
of bunk beds and our own signing group and I was the worst singer.
My Mom had us in the Easter parade and on the Al Albert's Show."
(The Al Albert's Show was a popular children's talent show that was
televised in Philadelphia television for many decades.)
Athletics
were also important in the Cantwell home.
"My
first five younger sisters and I were all nationally ranked
gymnasts. I was the only one who made it to the United States
National team, even though I was the last one to become involved in
gymnastics.
"I
felt like I was Cinderella when I went to the gym. It was a magical
place for me."
After
rupturing her spleen when she was nine, she was given the last rites
as part of her Catholic upbringing. Her mental toughness and
physical strength helped her to recover from that incident, as well
as from rheumatic fever and a heart murmur.
A
world-class gymnast emerges
When
fully healthy, Cantwell-Papale began to pursue her gymnastic career.
After many years of work she made the National team and toured with
them throughout the United States, England, France and Yugoslavia.
She
destroyed her knee in 1973, during an International gymnastics
competition against the Hungarian Gymnastics team. Her injury was
similar to former New York Jet's Quarterback Joe Namath, in that she
tore her Medial Meniscus, Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) and
Medial Collateral Ligament.
As
she was working towards her Bachelor of Science degree in Physical
Education at Penn State in the mid-1970s, Cantwell-Papale remained
involved in athletics. She was a 1 meter and 3 meter diver and also
spent one year as the Director of the Nittany Gymnastics school.
After
graduating in 1977, the condition of her knee caused her to redirect
her athletic interests into coaching. While living in the State
College area of Pennsylvania, she accepted an offer to become Head
Gymnastics Coach at State College High School.
University
of Pennsylvania
Cantwell-Papale
went on to become the Head Gymnastics Coach at the University of
Pennsylvania, a position she held from 1976 through 1988.
"When
I became head coach at the University of Pennsylvania, I taught in
South Africa, Malaysia, and Bermuda. So, I did different things with
my gymnastics background."
Because
the University of Penn was an Ivy League school, Papale recruited
kids who had untapped potential.
"One
thing about gymnasts is that they are driven and self-motivated.
Some can flounder, because they have been coached their whole life
and are not free thinkers. They have always been pleasers and have
never developed any outside interests.
When
I was a coach, I wanted to have a successful team. I liked working
with those types of people, because I helped them to realize their
dreams."
Meeting
Vince
Cantwell-Papale
told me that Invincible's depiction of how she and her husband met is
different than the real life version of what actually happened.
"We
met at Jack Kelly's house in 1976. Vince was with Harold Carmichael."
(Kelly was a four-time Olympic oarsman and an Olympic medal winner.
He was also the brother of movie-star Grace Kelly, who later became
Princess Grace of Monaco. Carmichael was a star Wide receiver for the
Philadelphia Eagles at the time.)
She
lightheartedly noted that she wasn't impressed by Vince that day. Her
sister was dating the quarterback from Penn State, so being around
football players was no big deal to her.
After
not seeing each other again for many years, they happened to be on a
Board together in 1992. The Board was involved in providing after
school activities for children.
"I
went off to Europe and then to Barcelona for the Olympics. A friend
told me that Vince was a really nice guy. I knew that he was smart as
well, so we started talking and became friends.
"Within
two months of going out, Vince said that I had to marry him. He said
that in February, 1993. By August we were married."
A
parent and a spouse
Janet
and Vince have two children. Gabriella, 17 and Vincent Joseph, 14.
"I
waited until I was 40 to get married. I wasn't going to do it until
it was right. Vince believed in me and saw my strengths.
"We
are parents first. We are out there trying to do good, to give back,
and leave a mark on the world."
Cantwell-Papale
has drawn from her own childhood and her experience in raising two
children when it comes to parenting.
"I
don't know if there is a formula. A good parent supports their
children, lets them take risks and also lets them fail. Sometimes
kids turn out better when they haven't been coddled."
In
addition to caring for their children, Janet and Vince look out for
each other. It was through his wife's urging that Vince had a cancer
checkup in 2001.
It
was good that she urged him to do so, because Doctor Tony Infantolino
found that he had colorectal cancer during Vince's checkup.
Fortunately, it was detected early enough to allow him to beat the
disease.
"I'm
like Vince's life coach. I help him to redefine what his goals are
and what needs to be done."
Invincible
The
Disney movie Invincible and
Papale's first book, Invincible
- My Journey From Fan to Team Captain were
both released in 2006.
"We
don't think of ourselves as famous. We haven't changed. There are
more challenges for our kids, than for us."
Current
pursuits
"I
wasn't happy with just having the movie come out. That is why Vince
and I have worked on other projects, including a new book. It's about
the principals people should live by."
Papale's
Playbook: You Can Be Invincible In Tough Times...Analyze, Adapt and
Achieve, is scheduled to come out this summer. They also have a
vitamin line that is set to be introduced later this year as well.
"People
have to go back to the basics. Like Vince says, everyone has their
Invincible moments."
Final
thoughts
"I
was 40 when I had a baby and that was good. Our life has been like a
whirlwind, but it feels like we are newlyweds. Everything is always
new and exciting."
Cantwell-Papale's
final thoughts were encouraging and also reflective of her positive,
can-do nature, "It's easy to give up. Be proactive and take
control of your life. If you have to start over, then start over.
Keep going and pursue your dreams."
(I hold all copyrights to this article which originally appeared on Yahoo's Voices platform in 2011.)
Cantwell-Papale
told me that Invincible's depiction of how she and her husband met is
different than the real life version of what actually happened.
"We
met at Jack Kelly's house in 1976. Vince was with Harold Carmichael."
(Kelly was a four-time Olympic oarsman and an Olympic medal winner.
He was also the brother of movie-star Grace Kelly, who later became
Princess Grace of Monaco. Carmichael was a star Wide receiver for the
Philadelphia Eagles at the time.)
She
lightheartedly noted that she wasn't impressed by Vince that day. Her
sister was dating the quarterback from Penn State, so being around
football players was no big deal to her.
After
not seeing each other again for many years, they happened to be on a
Board together in 1992. The Board was involved in providing after
school activities for children.
"I
went off to Europe and then to Barcelona for the Olympics. A friend
told me that Vince was a really nice guy. I knew that he was smart as
well, so we started talking and became friends.
"Within
two months of going out, Vince said that I had to marry him. He said
that in February, 1993. By August we were married."
A
parent and a spouse
Janet
and Vince have two children. Gabriella, 17 and Vincent Joseph, 14.
"I
waited until I was 40 to get married. I wasn't going to do it until
it was right. Vince believed in me and saw my strengths.
"We
are parents first. We are out there trying to do good, to give back,
and leave a mark on the world."
Cantwell-Papale
has drawn from her own childhood and her experience in raising two
children when it comes to parenting.
"I
don't know if there is a formula. A good parent supports their
children, lets them take risks and also lets them fail. Sometimes
kids turn out better when they haven't been coddled."
In
addition to caring for their children, Janet and Vince look out for
each other. It was through his wife's urging that Vince had a cancer
checkup in 2001.
It
was good that she urged him to do so, because Doctor Tony Infantolino
found that he had colorectal cancer during Vince's checkup.
Fortunately, it was detected early enough to allow him to beat the
disease.
"I'm
like Vince's life coach. I help him to redefine what his goals are
and what needs to be done."
Invincible
The
Disney movie Invincible and
Papale's first book, Invincible
- My Journey From Fan to Team Captain were
both released in 2006.
"We
don't think of ourselves as famous. We haven't changed. There are
more challenges for our kids, than for us."
Current
pursuits
"I
wasn't happy with just having the movie come out. That is why Vince
and I have worked on other projects, including a new book. It's about
the principals people should live by."
Papale's
Playbook: You Can Be Invincible In Tough Times...Analyze, Adapt and
Achieve, is scheduled to come out this summer. They also have a
vitamin line that is set to be introduced later this year as well.
"People
have to go back to the basics. Like Vince says, everyone has their
Invincible moments."
Final
thoughts
"I
was 40 when I had a baby and that was good. Our life has been like a
whirlwind, but it feels like we are newlyweds. Everything is always
new and exciting."
Cantwell-Papale's
final thoughts were encouraging and also reflective of her positive,
can-do nature, "It's easy to give up. Be proactive and take
control of your life. If you have to start over, then start over.
Keep going and pursue your dreams."
(I hold all copyrights to this article which originally appeared on Yahoo's Voices platform in 2011.)
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50% of all proceeds from the sale of our book (in both print and ebook forms) are being donated to the Children's Alopecia Project (CAP).
Use, or share, this link --->>Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile to see a 'free-view' of the special ebook edition. I've included extra bonus features in this version that provide background information, extra photos, and illustrations. Each item helps to tell the complete story of this book's birth.
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My illustrated children's book: Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile officially became a Top 10 Amazon best-seller as of January 29, 2014. The print and ebook editions were initially released in August, 2014.
Children's Alopecia Project
What a ride
This incredible and unexpected ride began in the spring of 2011. By August 2013, the book was published by the Children's Alopecia Project in print form. We have been very pleased with sales of that edition. Use, or share, this link --->>Maddie: Teaching Tolerance with a Smile to purchase the printed book directly from CAP.
I published a special ebook edition within weeks of the print book release. After starting in the tens of thousands (in terms of Amazon's children's book rankings), Maddie broke into the Top 50 just prior to Christmas. It climbed through the 30s and settled in the upper 20s before breaking into the Top 10.
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Thank you to Stacey Stauffer (Fox 29 Philadelphia). She interviewed Madison Woytovich, her parents (Jeff and Betsy Woytovich) and me about the latest chapter in this inspiring story. Here's a video link to Stacey's wonderful feature.
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Amazon.com is the number 1 online publishing platform in the world. That's why I used it to publish my first ebook: Fast Fiction and Other Stuff.
This mini-tome is a collection of stories and poems for readers who don't take themselves too seriously. I hope that you enjoy it and am always interested in your feedback.
