Benefit by clients, colleagues is fundraiser for their trainer
'Bidding war' set
By Shari Kaplan
For Gian Carlo "G.C." Paquiz of Los Gatos' Body Firm, a personal training and nutritional counseling studio at 51 University Ave., personal training is not just a job that brings home the bacon. It's also a personal love that brings him satisfaction--not only because physical fitness is an important part of his life, but because he enjoys getting to know the clients for whom this is also a high priority.
Now those clients are making Paquiz their priority and, with the help of Body Firm owner Tammy Winter and the studio's 12 other trainers, have put together a fundraiser to give 29-year-old Paquiz moral and financial support in his battle against pancreatic cancer, with which he was recently diagnosed.
According to Winter, the fundraiser is called "A Bidding War to Train a Trainer," an idea thought up by two of Paquiz's trainees, Linda Kane and Ron Helm. Now through Aug. 31, Body Firm clients are bidding on the opportunity to do a fun role-reversal: the clients become the trainers and gain the privilege of putting the real trainers through whatever rigorous regimens they wish.
"It's a chance for our clients to get back at us for all the torture our trainers put them through," Winter says with a chuckle. For example, if a particular trainer is known for pushing clients to do a lot of stomach crunches, the winning bidder in turn might order the trainer through similar paces. All proceeds go to a fund established for Paquiz in care of his church, San Jose's 1st Emmanuel Lutheran Church.
"We're trying to bring a light-hearted touch to a pretty somber topic. It's a good cause and it's uplifting," Winter says. "Gian Carlo is kind, thoughtful and unselfish. He would never ask anybody for a dime. The idea [of the fundraiser] is not just to give him money, but also to raise his morale and let him know how much he's loved."
Along with the trainer workouts, which begin at 6 or 7 p.m. on Aug. 31 Body Firm's certified massage therapist Laurie Boyle and reflexologist Larry Kaneshiro will set up shop in the courtyard at 4 p.m. to give shoulder and foot massages, respectively, at the rate of $1 per minute. They too will donate their proceeds to benefit Paquiz.
For those who wish to help but cannot attend the Aug. 31 event, donations in Paquiz's name may be sent in care of Robert Newton, Pastor, First Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 374 S. Third St., San Jose, 95112, or in care of Body Firm at 51 University Ave., Los Gatos, 95030.
For more information, call Winter at 408.395.3519.
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Los Gatos, California Since 1881
