Smile Solution
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Laughter was medicine when I battled with cancer. Now I share this opportunity with other “Laughter is the best medicine”.
For me, in my fight against cancer: it made all the difference. I dedicate my life to making audiences laugh and enjoy a busy career as a comedic performer. When I became sick laughter became a source of healing. This project shares my experience with others struggling through health challenges, depression and physical or emotional pain.
05/19/2026
Today I’m reflecting on one of the biggest opportunities I’ve had so far in 2026: bringing my keynote and team bonding session to .
And honestly… if you had shown this picture to the Stefano of 10 or 20 years ago, he probably would’ve said:
“Me? At Nike? Are you sure they didn’t confuse me with an actual athlete?” 😄
Life is funny like that.
Sometimes the things you do don’t make sense in the moment.
The jobs.
The setbacks.
The weird little chapters.
The skills you pick up along the way.
The doors that close.
The doors you knock on anyway.
And then one day, you find yourself standing somewhere you never imagined…
…and suddenly, the dots start connecting.
The comedy.
The performing around the world.
The learning how to read a room.
The laughter.
The pressure.
The people.
All of it was preparing me for the next chapter.
So here’s my reminder today:
Keep going.
You may not know why this season matters yet.
But one day, it might become the exact experience that opens the next door.
And sometimes… that door has a swoosh on it. 👟
Grateful. 🙏
Nike
05/15/2026
Just wrapped up a virtual workshop with the **Mid-Atlantic Facilitator Network** on one of my favorite topics:
**The power of laughter.** 😄
And what a wonderful group.
We explored how laughter can help facilitators create connection, build trust, energize a room, and make learning more memorable.
Because laughter is not just “fun.”
It can be a tool.
A tool to open the room.
A tool to reduce tension.
A tool to help people feel safe.
A tool to make learning stick.
A big thank you to Linda Howard and the Mid-Atlantic Facilitator Network for the opportunity — and to everyone who participated and shared such thoughtful ideas.
I left the session smiling… which, considering the topic, feels like a pretty good sign. 😄
A new study on humor and leadership found that successful workplace humor depends on 5 things:
✅ Reading the context
✅ Knowing your intention
✅ Using good judgment
✅ Delivering it well
✅ Watching how people react
Translation?
You don’t need to be the office comedian.
Please don’t become “that guy” with 47 dad jokes before 9 a.m.
But you can use humor to reduce tension, build trust, and help people feel more connected.
The best leaders don’t use humor to impress.
They use it to include.
Because sometimes, a little laughter is not a distraction from the work.
It’s what helps people come back to the work with more energy, trust, and perspective.
It wasn’t funny when it happened.
But now I can laugh about it.
That’s the power of laughter.
It doesn’t change the past.
But it can change how we carry it.
Laughter gives us distance.
Enough to say:
“This is stress.”
“This is fear.”
“This is my brain panicking in Italian.”
Then we get a choice:
React to fear…
or respond to reality.
There’s something magical about storytelling nights 😄
A room full of people who were strangers 20 minutes earlier… suddenly laughing together like cousins at an Italian dinner.
That’s the real beauty of live storytelling.
Not perfection.
Not performance.
Just people connecting through funny, awkward, emotional, beautifully human moments.
Very grateful for everyone who came and brought their energy to the room ❤️
Also… hearing a whole crowd laugh at the same moment?
Still one of my favorite sounds on earth.
Before emails.
Before meetings.
Before the “quick call” that won’t be quick…
Pause.
Take a breath.
Drop your shoulders.
Maybe even… smile a little (don’t worry, no one’s watching… yet).
Because most of the stress you feel right now?
It’s not reality.
It’s anticipation.
And the fastest way to reset your week
is not working harder…
It’s creating a moment of awareness.
👉 This week, don’t just react.
Reset.
Last night = laughter + purpose ❤️
I got invited to perform at a fundraiser for the Washougal Library… and I loved every second of it.
Because libraries aren’t just about books.
They’re about people.
About curiosity.
About giving everyone a chance to learn and grow.
That’s something I care about a lot.
If I can bring a little laughter to a room that’s supporting something this meaningful… I’m in. Every time.
Also… yes, we had fun 😄
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