Surviving Covid-19

About the Author

Dan Venezia lay in a hospital in New Jersey on Palm Sunday, 2020, not knowing if he would ever leave that bed to see his wife and two teenaged sons again. The coronavirus’s death toll was mounting all around him. Himself a fitness trainer, a coach and mentor to young boys, as well as being a popular motivational speaker, he experienced weeks of needing others to offer him what he had provided professionally for years.

The youngest of four children growing up in several of Brooklyn’s rougher neighborhoods, when Dan’s father deserted the family life became even tougher. His mother served as his first role model of how hard work, mental toughness, and faith-filled resiliency can empower one to overcome life’s greatest obstacles. His passion for and exceptional proficiency at baseball led to a full scholarship, his being drafted by the Minnesota Twins after college, and a professional career as a player in that organization.

Dan’s faith in Christ has been strengthened by unique and powerful interventions God has made in his work, his family life, and his interactions with those less fortunate. He has had the opportunity to share his story in his parish, his community, and on local, regional, and national radio and television programs.

Not only is Dan a survivor of COVID-19. He is a survivor who took hydroxychloroquine, the controversial drug that saved his life. Dan has a unique story to tell as a former professional baseball player, a successful fitness trainer and coach, a loving husband and father, and a passionate follower of Christ committed to share with others the power of faith, hope, and love.

Caroline’s Testimonial

Coach Dan has been an inspiration and guiding mentor for my son Matthew since he was 6 years old.

The words that come to mind when we think of Coach Dan are a true gentleman, sportman like, extremely civil, polite and reliable. More than anything, he is a fantastic role model for young boys and teenagers and an excellent Coach.  There is something from another time and era in the essence of Coach Dan Venezia.  His values and demeanor seem to be from a simpler, more civil time in American History. The kind of values Jimmy Stewart (It’s A Wonderful Life) and Ronald Regan conveyed in films and in life.

Not only does Coach Dan know the game of baseball in depth and as a former professional, he understands the value of having the sport provide a metaphor for the grand scheme of life. The good old fashioned values of kindness, sportsmanlike conduct, team spirit, hard work and hustle permeat every clinic. The boys could just not get enough of Coach Dan.

Dan rewards kind gestures, unselfish ways and  hard work. He is an ideal mentor for young boys and men. The boys listen eagerly to him and model his behavior.

I cannot say enough good things about Coach Dan Venezia.