"Like a feather in the wind, I was living a life that was not directed. I reflected on my own life and my battle with Myasthenia Gravis. It reminded me that I am blessed to perform athletically. All athletes are truly blessed2play." - Ron Meyer
Blessed2Play is
a weekly sports talk show that is unlike any other. Founder and host
Ron Meyer has interviewed famous athletes like All-Pro wide receiver
Danny Abramowicz, World Series Champion Sal Bando, and
Olympian Kirsten
Holum.
Holum
was a speed skater at the 1998 Olympics in Nagano, Japan. She later
chose to leave competitive skating and become a Catholic nun. Sister
Catherine Mary's faith is the common bond between Meyer's guests.
Each has a sports connection and is also Catholic.
I've
had the occasion at various stages of my writing career to interview
those who interview others. I have found that these individuals are
more than strong conversationalists, they also have a deep insight
into human psychology.
The
true quality of any conversation with another person can be somewhat
measured as you are having it. But my interview was recorded. So, I
had the opportunity to analyze our conversation as I prepared this
feature during digital replays. While doing so, Ron Meyer's depth of
intelligence and the sincerity in his character was even more fully
recognized.
The
Pitch
It
took time for Meyer, now 44, to achieve the lasting personal and
career success that he has. His life was not always as directed as it
is now. Along his path, the idea for Blessed2Play developed.
"I
always thought it would be a great opportunity to have a show like
this. There wasn't a radio show interviewing Catholic athletes. So, I
pitched the idea to Barbara Gaskell who is the General Manager at
WILB in July, 2010. She liked it and we began developing the show
later in the year," Meyer said.
Blessed2Play,
which is produced by Dan Clark, is broadcast live Saturday's at
1130AM (with an encore Saturday at 930pm. A "Best Of"
segment also airs Sunday at 1230pm) on WILB 1060 AM in Canton, Ohio.
The show can also be accessed through the station website:
www.livingbreadradio.com and through archived podcasts. Listeners can
connect with the show by email: info@blessed2play.com.
"One
of the things that I try to do is put myself in the seat of the
listener. I try to draw out the story of the person I'm interviewing.
During the first half of the show we talk about their career and in
the second half we talk about their faith life."
"When
athletes are interviewed, it's often about what they do, not who they
are. Our talents don't define who we are, they define what we do. One
of the outlets where the athletes get to talk about who they are is
on my show. The best witness that we can give is about our faith and
our life."
Formative
Years
Meyer's
father once set a New York state record by scoring 68 points in a
high school basketball game. He credits that athletic example and his
coaching with helping him to excel in sports at both the high school
and college levels. After high school, he played baseball for a
nationally ranked Junior College team and for the Manalapan Braves in
the Jersey Shore semi-professional baseball league.
After
moving to Florida, while working at a hotel resort on the beach, the
bright lights of Hollywood shined on him. Meyer was approached about
a casting call for a movie. He was intrigued, went to audition, and
was chosen for a small part in a major motion picture. It was during
the two weeks before shooting was set to begin that an unexpected
development changed the course of his life.
Myasthenia
Gravis - "Grave Weakness"
The
following is an excerpt from "A Journey to Faith" that
Meyer wrote for Catholic
Men's Quarterly in
2006.
Shortly
after receiving this inspiring news my life would hit the proverbial
brick wall. Just days before my acting debut a friend recognized my
right eye was drooping and made me take notice. I ran to the nearest
mirror to confirm this anomaly. A visit to a local eye doctor was in
order. The doctor conveyed he believed this to be more serious than
an eye ailment and encouraged me to see a neurologist. My plans for
motion picture stardom were now stymied and I decided to head back
north to seek further medical opinions.
I
entered Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY where doctors
commenced a battery of tests. The tests confirmed the doctor's
suspicions and I was diagnosed w/ Myasthenia Gravis (Grave Weakness
in the vernacular) one of the forty muscular dystrophy diseases with
severe implications that could change my life.
My
world was rocked and overcome with fear and uncertainty. Myasthenia
who? Doctors conveyed the condition would likely cause weakness in my
limbs and at its' worse stage my breathing, which can result in
death. On top of this harsh and frightful news the guys in the white
coats disclosed there was no known cure for this disabling condition.
During the next two months my conditioned worsened to the point where
both eyelids became significantly weaker and drooped so badly it
became hard to see. Ordinary activities such as driving, reading,
playing sports, and communicating through my eyes became challenging
and sometimes impossible.
Depression
set in and the fear of the disease progressing further ruled my
thoughts every waking moment. One Sunday, needing a peaceful refuge,
I decided to visit the local Catholic church after not being there
for many years. I walked in and proceeded to take my seat in the pews
located on the side of the altar before the start of Mass, a perfect
place for a skeptical young man that might have to dash out if need
be. I followed the congregation as their bodily postures changed
during the progression ofthe liturgy. I looked the part but didn't
quite know the reasoning behind the sit and stands.
As
the priest commenced the Eucharistic Prayer everyone dropped to their
knees, eyes fixed toward the altar. I recalled from my days attending
Mass in grammar school that before communion was the time everyone
was conscientiously quiet and bells would ring from the altar boys
shake. The priest went through the words of consecration and at the
elevation of the Sacred Host; Our Lord infused in me a love and
belief in his real presence contained but not trapped in the
Eucharist. My droopy eyes gained full strength as the host was raised
and the scales of unbelief were no longer.
Although
my eyes returned to their weakened state after the Mass I recognized
for the first time there is a God who loves me and is willing to
guide me on a journey to him. These events repeated themselves during
the following Sunday's liturgy. This was the start of my pursuit of
God or better stated the hound of heaven was on my tail.
My
condition was a struggle, although it never progressed as the doctors
anticipated, I did feel its sobering effects. Finally, I was
regulated on a medicine that alleviated most symptoms and allowed me
to function without some of the disease's serious disabling
applications. I was able, once again, to pursue my competitive
athletic inclinations. (End of excerpt.)
(While
the disease did continue to affect his eyes, it never spread to his
limbs.)
"The
doctors told me that the disease probably would go into my limbs,
could eventually affect my breathing, and I could succumb to it. For
one month, I was waiting for the inevitable to happen. So, I didn't
go to church because of that. I went because it was a peaceful
refuge. I would have given myself fully to that life and who knows
how it would have turned out. When I chose the alternate path that I
did, it led to a solid foundation."
At
21, Meyer moved to Arizona and was put on a medication that allowed
him to maintain a fully functioning life and also to achieve
significant athletic accomplishments.
He
played baseball for two years while attending Franciscan University
in Steubenville, Ohio and was the team MVP in 1993. He played in the
US National Singles Championships and the US National Doubles
Championships. He also played in the International US Open
Racquetball Championships. He won two state divisional racquetball
titles in West Virginia and two in Ohio. At the 2011 West Virginia
State Racquetball
Championships,
he and his partner Gary Gross were crowned State Doubles champions.
Beyond
sports, he also went on to earn both a Bachelors Degree in
Communications from Franciscan University and an MBA from Point Park
University, Pittsburgh in 2002.
Awakening
Meyer
was present at the 8th
World Youth Day in
Denver, 1993. He was inspired by a speaker who was a skier, swimmer,
and a competitive kayaker. That man was Karol Wojtyla.
"There
were a million people present and Pope John Paul II connected with
each one of us. When he would talk, the crowd would hush. He was
calling us to something greater and told us that we didn't have to
sell out. Be not afraid."
While
in Arizona, Meyer was affected by Mother Angelica's shows on the
global television network she founded, EWTN.
He eventually went to work for the network and has spent the last
eleven years as their Mid-Atlantic Regional Marketing Manager.
Meyer
is also married with three daughters. He referred to his wife Julie,
his daughters Anna, Angelica (who was named after EWTN's founder),
and Maria as his gifts from God.
More
Than Statistics
"Sports
is etched into the fabric of Catholicism throughout history. If you
are an athlete, you are called to give your best. When you step onto
the field you have to give your all. John Paul II (who was a
competitive athlete himself) had the philosophy of self donation,
giving oneself to whatever you do. This not only applies to sports,
but to other areas of life as well."
"Athletes
are under so much pressure today. Everyone says they are making so
much money. But, there is also a lot of hardship. Often times
reporters have the obligation to learn about the story behind the
talent. It is something that the audience wants to absorb."
Meyer
cited the ESPN show, Outside
the Lines,
as one that offers a positive example of how the full picture of an
athlete is properly presented.
World
Famous Guests
Guests
on Blessed2Play have sports backgrounds that are as varied as their
personal lives, but common threads are sewn between them all. Recent
interviews have included those with:
Rich
Donnelly, who was a major league baseball coach for 25 years. He
tells a haunting story, called "The Chicken Runs At Midnight",
that ties the battle his daughter lost to cancer with the 1997
Florida Marlins World Series victory clinching event.
NFL
ALL-Pro wide receiver Danny Abramowicz. He discussed his career, how
he overcame alcoholism, and how his current television show "Crossing
the Goal", is one that men can connect with.
Three-time
World Series Champion Sal Bando, who was captain of the A's and a
conduit between legendary owner Charley Finley and his teammates.
Father Burke Masters' Mississippi State Bulldog team was ranked
number 2 in the United States. He went 6-6 in the Super Regionals
game against Florida State. His performance included a grand slam,
known as "the shot heard 'round Mississippi ", that vaulted
his team into the College World Series. Sister Joan of Arc, a former
Notre Dame Women's basketball player. Chris Godfrey, a Super Bowl
Champion guard with the 1987 New York Giants.
"The
common links between these individuals are faith and the pursuit of
virtue. Life is filled with many quagmires. Some of the athletes I've
interviewed have been on the other side of the fence. They found out
that they were still unfulfilled even though they had money, fame,
and glory. They were forced to redirect their lives. They were all
searchers and seekers of truth."
Upcoming
guests include: Antonio Soave, creator and host of the television
show "Soccer Academy", who is also a former All-American
high school and professional soccer player. Kerry Fraser, former NHL
referee. Pat McCaskey, co-owner of the Chicago Bears. Father Kevin
Lixey, who heads the Department of Church and Sport at the Vatican.
Diane Holum, mother of the previously referenced Sister Catherine
Mary (Kirsten Holum), who won a gold medal at the 1972 Olympics and
also mentored Olympian Eric Heiden. Ryan Lefebvre, who is the
play-by-play voice of the Kansas City Royals.
"There
has been a steady stream of guests, because athletes want to talk
about more than just their numbers. It is a blessing for them to play
and for me to talk with them," Meyer concluded.
(I hold all copyrights to this article which originally appeared on Yahoo's Voices platform in 2011.)
Blessed2Play is
a weekly sports talk show that is unlike any other. Founder and host
Ron Meyer has interviewed famous athletes like All-Pro wide receiver
Danny Abramowicz, World Series Champion Sal Bando, and
Olympian Kirsten
Holum.
Holum
was a speed skater at the 1998 Olympics in Nagano, Japan. She later
chose to leave competitive skating and become a Catholic nun. Sister
Catherine Mary's faith is the common bond between Meyer's guests.
Each has a sports connection and is also Catholic.
I've
had the occasion at various stages of my writing career to interview
those who interview others. I have found that these individuals are
more than strong conversationalists, they also have a deep insight
into human psychology.
The
true quality of any conversation with another person can be somewhat
measured as you are having it. But my interview was recorded. So, I
had the opportunity to analyze our conversation as I prepared this
feature during digital replays. While doing so, Ron Meyer's depth of
intelligence and the sincerity in his character was even more fully
recognized.
The
Pitch
It
took time for Meyer, now 44, to achieve the lasting personal and
career success that he has. His life was not always as directed as it
is now. Along his path, the idea for Blessed2Play developed.
"I
always thought it would be a great opportunity to have a show like
this. There wasn't a radio show interviewing Catholic athletes. So, I
pitched the idea to Barbara Gaskell who is the General Manager at
WILB in July, 2010. She liked it and we began developing the show
later in the year," Meyer said.
Blessed2Play,
which is produced by Dan Clark, is broadcast live Saturday's at
1130AM (with an encore Saturday at 930pm. A "Best Of"
segment also airs Sunday at 1230pm) on WILB 1060 AM in Canton, Ohio.
The show can also be accessed through the station website:
www.livingbreadradio.com and through archived podcasts. Listeners can
connect with the show by email: info@blessed2play.com.
"One
of the things that I try to do is put myself in the seat of the
listener. I try to draw out the story of the person I'm interviewing.
During the first half of the show we talk about their career and in
the second half we talk about their faith life."
"When
athletes are interviewed, it's often about what they do, not who they
are. Our talents don't define who we are, they define what we do. One
of the outlets where the athletes get to talk about who they are is
on my show. The best witness that we can give is about our faith and
our life."
Formative
Years
Meyer's
father once set a New York state record by scoring 68 points in a
high school basketball game. He credits that athletic example and his
coaching with helping him to excel in sports at both the high school
and college levels. After high school, he played baseball for a
nationally ranked Junior College team and for the Manalapan Braves in
the Jersey Shore semi-professional baseball league.
After
moving to Florida, while working at a hotel resort on the beach, the
bright lights of Hollywood shined on him. Meyer was approached about
a casting call for a movie. He was intrigued, went to audition, and
was chosen for a small part in a major motion picture. It was during
the two weeks before shooting was set to begin that an unexpected
development changed the course of his life.
Myasthenia
Gravis - "Grave Weakness"
The
following is an excerpt from "A Journey to Faith" that
Meyer wrote for Catholic
Men's Quarterly in
2006.
Shortly
after receiving this inspiring news my life would hit the proverbial
brick wall. Just days before my acting debut a friend recognized my
right eye was drooping and made me take notice. I ran to the nearest
mirror to confirm this anomaly. A visit to a local eye doctor was in
order. The doctor conveyed he believed this to be more serious than
an eye ailment and encouraged me to see a neurologist. My plans for
motion picture stardom were now stymied and I decided to head back
north to seek further medical opinions.
I
entered Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY where doctors
commenced a battery of tests. The tests confirmed the doctor's
suspicions and I was diagnosed w/ Myasthenia Gravis (Grave Weakness
in the vernacular) one of the forty muscular dystrophy diseases with
severe implications that could change my life.
My
world was rocked and overcome with fear and uncertainty. Myasthenia
who? Doctors conveyed the condition would likely cause weakness in my
limbs and at its' worse stage my breathing, which can result in
death. On top of this harsh and frightful news the guys in the white
coats disclosed there was no known cure for this disabling condition.
During the next two months my conditioned worsened to the point where
both eyelids became significantly weaker and drooped so badly it
became hard to see. Ordinary activities such as driving, reading,
playing sports, and communicating through my eyes became challenging
and sometimes impossible.
Depression
set in and the fear of the disease progressing further ruled my
thoughts every waking moment. One Sunday, needing a peaceful refuge,
I decided to visit the local Catholic church after not being there
for many years. I walked in and proceeded to take my seat in the pews
located on the side of the altar before the start of Mass, a perfect
place for a skeptical young man that might have to dash out if need
be. I followed the congregation as their bodily postures changed
during the progression ofthe liturgy. I looked the part but didn't
quite know the reasoning behind the sit and stands.
As
the priest commenced the Eucharistic Prayer everyone dropped to their
knees, eyes fixed toward the altar. I recalled from my days attending
Mass in grammar school that before communion was the time everyone
was conscientiously quiet and bells would ring from the altar boys
shake. The priest went through the words of consecration and at the
elevation of the Sacred Host; Our Lord infused in me a love and
belief in his real presence contained but not trapped in the
Eucharist. My droopy eyes gained full strength as the host was raised
and the scales of unbelief were no longer.
Although
my eyes returned to their weakened state after the Mass I recognized
for the first time there is a God who loves me and is willing to
guide me on a journey to him. These events repeated themselves during
the following Sunday's liturgy. This was the start of my pursuit of
God or better stated the hound of heaven was on my tail.
My
condition was a struggle, although it never progressed as the doctors
anticipated, I did feel its sobering effects. Finally, I was
regulated on a medicine that alleviated most symptoms and allowed me
to function without some of the disease's serious disabling
applications. I was able, once again, to pursue my competitive
athletic inclinations. (End of excerpt.)
(While
the disease did continue to affect his eyes, it never spread to his
limbs.)
"The
doctors told me that the disease probably would go into my limbs,
could eventually affect my breathing, and I could succumb to it. For
one month, I was waiting for the inevitable to happen. So, I didn't
go to church because of that. I went because it was a peaceful
refuge. I would have given myself fully to that life and who knows
how it would have turned out. When I chose the alternate path that I
did, it led to a solid foundation."
At
21, Meyer moved to Arizona and was put on a medication that allowed
him to maintain a fully functioning life and also to achieve
significant athletic accomplishments.
He
played baseball for two years while attending Franciscan University
in Steubenville, Ohio and was the team MVP in 1993. He played in the
US National Singles Championships and the US National Doubles
Championships. He also played in the International US Open
Racquetball Championships. He won two state divisional racquetball
titles in West Virginia and two in Ohio. At the 2011 West Virginia
State Racquetball
Championships,
he and his partner Gary Gross were crowned State Doubles champions.
Beyond
sports, he also went on to earn both a Bachelors Degree in
Communications from Franciscan University and an MBA from Point Park
University, Pittsburgh in 2002.
Awakening
Meyer
was present at the 8th
World Youth Day in
Denver, 1993. He was inspired by a speaker who was a skier, swimmer,
and a competitive kayaker. That man was Karol Wojtyla.
"There
were a million people present and Pope John Paul II connected with
each one of us. When he would talk, the crowd would hush. He was
calling us to something greater and told us that we didn't have to
sell out. Be not afraid."
While
in Arizona, Meyer was affected by Mother Angelica's shows on the
global television network she founded, EWTN.
He eventually went to work for the network and has spent the last
eleven years as their Mid-Atlantic Regional Marketing Manager.
Meyer
is also married with three daughters. He referred to his wife Julie,
his daughters Anna, Angelica (who was named after EWTN's founder),
and Maria as his gifts from God.
More
Than Statistics
"Sports
is etched into the fabric of Catholicism throughout history. If you
are an athlete, you are called to give your best. When you step onto
the field you have to give your all. John Paul II (who was a
competitive athlete himself) had the philosophy of self donation,
giving oneself to whatever you do. This not only applies to sports,
but to other areas of life as well."
"Athletes
are under so much pressure today. Everyone says they are making so
much money. But, there is also a lot of hardship. Often times
reporters have the obligation to learn about the story behind the
talent. It is something that the audience wants to absorb."
Meyer
cited the ESPN show, Outside
the Lines,
as one that offers a positive example of how the full picture of an
athlete is properly presented.
World
Famous Guests
Guests
on Blessed2Play have sports backgrounds that are as varied as their
personal lives, but common threads are sewn between them all. Recent
interviews have included those with:
Rich
Donnelly, who was a major league baseball coach for 25 years. He
tells a haunting story, called "The Chicken Runs At Midnight",
that ties the battle his daughter lost to cancer with the 1997
Florida Marlins World Series victory clinching event.
NFL
ALL-Pro wide receiver Danny Abramowicz. He discussed his career, how
he overcame alcoholism, and how his current television show "Crossing
the Goal", is one that men can connect with.
Three-time
World Series Champion Sal Bando, who was captain of the A's and a
conduit between legendary owner Charley Finley and his teammates.
Father Burke Masters' Mississippi State Bulldog team was ranked
number 2 in the United States. He went 6-6 in the Super Regionals
game against Florida State. His performance included a grand slam,
known as "the shot heard 'round Mississippi ", that vaulted
his team into the College World Series. Sister Joan of Arc, a former
Notre Dame Women's basketball player. Chris Godfrey, a Super Bowl
Champion guard with the 1987 New York Giants.
"The
common links between these individuals are faith and the pursuit of
virtue. Life is filled with many quagmires. Some of the athletes I've
interviewed have been on the other side of the fence. They found out
that they were still unfulfilled even though they had money, fame,
and glory. They were forced to redirect their lives. They were all
searchers and seekers of truth."
Upcoming
guests include: Antonio Soave, creator and host of the television
show "Soccer Academy", who is also a former All-American
high school and professional soccer player. Kerry Fraser, former NHL
referee. Pat McCaskey, co-owner of the Chicago Bears. Father Kevin
Lixey, who heads the Department of Church and Sport at the Vatican.
Diane Holum, mother of the previously referenced Sister Catherine
Mary (Kirsten Holum), who won a gold medal at the 1972 Olympics and
also mentored Olympian Eric Heiden. Ryan Lefebvre, who is the
play-by-play voice of the Kansas City Royals.
"There
has been a steady stream of guests, because athletes want to talk
about more than just their numbers. It is a blessing for them to play
and for me to talk with them," Meyer concluded.
(I hold all copyrights to this article which originally appeared on Yahoo's Voices platform in 2011.)
