advertisement

Neighborhood Conversation with Lanny Poffo

<strong>Lanny Poffo, known as "Leaping Lanny" and "The Genius" is a world-renowned professional wrestler. He also is well-known on the motivational/inspirational speaking circuit, and is a poet. He will be a special guest referee on Friday, May 5 as USA Championship Wrestling brings "Leaping Lanny Homecoming" to Harrisburg Middle School Gym. </strong>

&#160;

<ol>

<li>If you could have a super power, what would it be&#160;and why?</li>

</ol>

&#160;I would like to have the power to heal, like the character John Coffey in "The Green Mile." I would go to children's hospitals and work with boys and girls with leukemia, and all other kinds of diseases and never leave.

<ol start="2">

<li>What's your favorite outdoor activity in the spring?</li>

</ol>

&#160;I like to start every day playing basketball, just shooting baskests. Then after I get all warmed up, I do wind sprints. Once I've got my heart rate up, I go to the gym. I'm 62 years old and in 38 years I'm going to be 100. I'm also a very big baseball fan. I'm a huge fan of the Chicago Cubs. But, there's a thing in Chicago, that if you're a Cubs fan you can't be a White Sox fan. Well, in 2004 when the White Sox won, I was just as happy for them as I was the Cubbies.

&#160;

<ol start="3">

<li>Do you believe&#160;your life is&#160;better today than it was five years ago, and why or why not?</li>

</ol>

&#160;It's better today because my grandson has been born. It'll be 7 years ago my brother "Macho Man" Randy Savage died and 7 years ago our father Angelo Poffo died. After saying goodbye to so many family members, it's time I said hello. My grandson is the joy of my life. His name is Harrison Louis Jaquith and he was born March 18. I don't know if he's going to be a macho baby or a leaper or a genius, but I'm happy to have him.

&#160;

<ol>

<li>What is the best concert you ever attended and why?</li>

</ol>

I brought my daughter to a Roger Whittaker concert. We had already seen the Backstreet Boys, NSYNC and Matchbox 20. I said next time I choose. We went to see Roger whittaker and I got us backstage. He was very, very charming. It exposed daughter to different kind of music.

&#160;

<ol>

<li>What message would you give to young men and women about being successful?</li>

</ol>

Do your best and forget the rest. Compare yourself to nobody. My brother was "Macho Man" Randy Savage, and I was never jealous of him. I was happy just being me. A rose doesn't try to become a tulip. They do their own thing and then become fertilizer for the other flower. Be yourself, or be by yourself. That's my motto, because too many kids hang around people who smoke and drink. Don't get caught up in peer pressure or groups going the wrong way.