L'Italo-Americano

months - go by and the light- bulb goes off. And you'll be messaging Robert: 'Ohhhh, I get it now!'" That's how their friend- ship, and now partnership, began. Two healing souls connecting and wanting to give back. Robert with his l i f e c o a c h i n g s k i l l s , a n d Steven with a beautiful villa to host: it seems like it was meant to be. "I definitely think Desiree and Paul put us together," says Robert. "Steven and I now live as Possibility in Action™. The retreats came about so naturally. It's just the perfect way for someone to immerse themselves in the external beauty of Italy w h i l e e m b a r k i n g o n a n inward journey of self-dis- covery. We recognized the t r e m e n d o u s p o t e n t i a l i n combining the elements of travel, cultural immersion, and personal growth to cre- ate a truly impactful experi- ence." "I want to jump in here within us to respond to life's circumstances, make con- s c i o u s c h o i c e s , a n d t a k e intentional action. These s k i l l s a n d m i n d s e t w e r e invaluable as I walked along- side my beloved wife in her journey toward the end of h e r l i f e . P o s s i b i l i t y i n Action™ became my com- pass. After Desiree's passing, I embarked on a process of reimagining and recreating my own life. It was during this period that Possibility in Action™ took its definitive form. I named this guiding philosophy that had shaped my existence, and it became the foundation of my coach- ing methodology." Steven jumps in, "To be honest, this stuff can sound a little mumbo jumbo to me sometimes. But that's the b e a u t y o f w o r k i n g w i t h Robert. He'll ask you some questions, throw out some quotes or advice, and you're all: 'What? What does that mean?' Then it sits in your brain. And hours - or even and explain a bit more what we mean by all this," says S t e v e n . " S o , f i r s t o f f , t h e retreats are all-inclusive and technology-free. We don't want you worried about pay- ing for anything or being dis- tracted by email or social media. You're here to work on you. But, as we like to s a y , i t ' s a v a c a t i o n t h a t ' s more than just a vacation. You see all the same sights you normally would when s t a y i n g a t t h e v i l l a , b u t Robert just uses those out- ings to ask questions and create group discussions. You start to shift your per- spective and start living in the moment. For example, one day we head to a castle that features stories about the Holy Grail. Robert asks you what you think is your H o l y G r a i l . W h a t d o y o u want out of your life? What are you doing to accomplish this? That sort of thing." " B u t w e d o n ' t s t o p a t i n s p i r a t i o n a l o n e , " s a y s R o b e r t . " I r e a l l y w a n t t o equip participants with prac- tical tools and strategies to take action. Intentional liv- i n g r e q u i r e s s u s t a i n e d action. It's through contin- u e d a p p l i c a t i o n o f t h e s e tools and strategies that they w i l l r e a l i z e t h e l i m i t l e s s o p p o r t u n i t i e s a l l a r o u n d them and lean into the pure joy of life." Hearing these two talk about those possibilities is really inspiring and conta- gious. It sounds like no other e x p e r i e n c e o r r e t r e a t o u t there. "I remember the end o f o u r f i r s t r e t r e a t , " s a y s Steven. "We were all stand- ing on top of this hill with a seemingly endless view and ' e n d l e s s p o s s i b i l i t i e s , ' a s Robert would say. Every- thing had come full circle. R o b e r t s t a r t e d c r y i n g . I s t a r t e d c r y i n g . E v e r y o n e started crying. Happy tears. Great tears. Tears of under- standing and new-found joy. I don't know how to describe it, except as a profound con- n e c t i o n . T h i s i s w h a t w e were meant to be doing, and we are so happy we can use our experience to help oth- ers." "Through a mutual friend, I heard about what Steven h a d e x p e r i e n c e d , s o I r e a c h e d o u t t o s e e i f h e needed anything. Even just a sympathetic ear, as I also had experience with losing a spouse," Robert explains. "I know I wouldn't be where I am today without Robert and Possibility in Action™," adds Steven. "So, after see- ing how he helped me as my coach, it just sort of natural- l y p r o g r e s s e d t o ' H e y Robert, you want to help people and have been talk- ing about retreats for forev- er... you know I have a place, right?' And the Possibility in A c t i o n ™ R e t r e a t s w e r e born." Possibility in Action™ is the personal life philosophy and coaching methodology developed by Robert. He can explain more. "It all began with my tumultuous rela- tionship with my abusive alcoholic father. In that tur- bulent environment, I dis- covered the power that lies THURSDAY, JULY 13, 2023 www.italoamericano.org 18 L'Italo-Americano I f you happen to find y o u r s e l f w a l k i n g along the ancient Via A p p i a i n t h e h e a r t of Puglia, you may come across a centuries-old villa. If you listen closely, you may hear a discussion n o t j u s t a b o u t p a s t a a n d wine but about life choices a n d e m p o w e r m e n t . I f s o , y o u ' v e s t u m b l e d a c r o s s t h e P o s s i b i l i t y i n Action™ Retreats hosted b y L i f e C o a c h R o b e r t Pardi and Villa Cappel- l i , o w n e d b y S t e v e n Crutchfield. But we are getting a little ahead of ourselves. First, you m a y a s k w h a t t h e s e t w o expat Americans are doing in Italy in the first place. " A f t e r D e s i r e e , m y w i f e , passed away following an 11- year journey with breast can- cer, I started to reassess my priorities," says Robert. "I needed to reimagine my life, and Italy raised its hand. I asked myself a key question: 'What is the story I want to look back on when I die?' The answer was to be the adventurer in my life. It was here in Italy that I embraced my shifted life perspective by c h a n g i n g e v e r y t h i n g a n d pursuing a new passion for helping others. So, I became a life coach." Steven's story is similar to R o b e r t ' s , b u t h e w a s n ' t e x a c t l y t h e a u t h o r o f h i s story at this point. "Paul, my late husband, was originally I t a l i a n . B o r n i n P i s a , h e moved stateside when he was very young, but Italy was always in his heart. So, many years ago, we found t h i s a b a n d o n e d v i l l a . I n time, we brought it back to life and named it Villa Cap- pelli, using his last name. We then moved to Italy, but in 2 0 2 0 , I l o s t P a u l a f t e r a short battle with cancer. So here I am, running a villa in Puglia." A n d t h e n t h e s e t w o expats, after both experienc- ing great losses, found each other. STAFF Possibility in Action: when an Italian vacation can change your life The mysteriously beautiful Castel Del Monte is one of the places usually visited during the retreats. Right, Robert with his late wife, Desiree (Photos courtesy of Robert Pardi) LIFE PEOPLE REVIEWS ADVICE TRADITIONS

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