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Nakita. Welcome to another episode, QA with Coloff, The Devil's Nightmare. Welcome back to another episode, QA with Cole Off, and I got a special call with me today, all the way from Reno, Nevada, Lee Perrizo. Did I say that right, Lee? I hope.
Yes, sir.
Okay, I didn't butch you the last name too bad. Nope. Good.
Well, good.
Well, Reno, Nevada, man, all the way out west. And you're no stranger, though, to the East Coast because, I mean, we've been friends. How long we know? Any idea how long, Lee? We have trying to rack my brain how long we've known each other now.
Almost five years. Almost five years, and and help me out.
Well, how how did we first meet?
So, um I had been a fan of yours as a child. And uh I was on Instagram one day in 2020. And I ran across you on Instagram and I commented on one of your posts. And uh you had responded you know saying thank you and all that stuff and asked me if I had ever considered Main Camp and I was like, what's Main Camp?
Okay. And so you you had to explain that to me and From that point on, I was on board. I ended up going. Uh Spring of 2021. Spring of twenty twenty one.
So social media was was the catalyst that that crossed our paths. That's that's pretty cool. I you know, obviously I've had so many different stories over the years and just try and keep them all straight is is a challenge for me at this stage. But but that said, so it's kind of cool that that we met through social media and began to just build a friendship. And then, as you learned more about the camp, so you came out.
In spring of 2021. Let's first talk about what that experience was like in spring of 2021. Did you come in with any certain expectations or not really? Like, what was your approach? And I mean, you flew all the way from Reno, Nevada, you know, over here to the East Coast.
What was that experience like for you?
Well Um I was having a particularly rough time. And uh I when you explained what it was to me, I love camping, so that sold me right there, being out in the woods for a week away from everything. Um I had I mean I knew we would learn about the Lord. And um I I had no expectations. I just I wanted to go out there with an open mind.
And I wanted to see what the Lord could do in my life.
Now, at that point, Lee, I mean, did you have a relationship with the Lord, or you just, or how would you view that? Like, Well, let me just ask you that first. Did at that point feel like you had a relationship with Lord at that point and you were just looking to strengthen the relationship, or what was that like?
So at the time I was just going to church, reading the Bible, praying. I thought I had a relationship with the Lord.
Okay. And then when I went out to camp, Here It just elevated everything I believed, and it took me to a whole new level.
Okay. So i you would say it it really deepened your relationship and en enhanced a relationship that you had, but it just enhanced what you had already had. Yeah, that'd be fair to say. Yeah. All right.
And um, were there any anything in particular? I mean, like, you know, obviously guys will go, Wow, it really really leaving there really not only enhanced my own personal relationship, but it enhanced my relationship with my wife or wow, it really helped, you know, helped with my relationship with my kids or a any of that experience out of curiosity? Oh yeah. Uh As soon as I got off the plane, my kids, my wife, My grandkids, my mother-in-law, they all noticed a completely different person.
So it was noticeable. It was noticeable. It wasn't anything you had to say per se. It was just noticeable. Yep, it was it was just noticeable.
I came back. hugging on everybody, loving on everybody, serving everybody. And everybody's just like, who is this? What happened to you? You know, what happened to you back there?
I'm like, oh, it was an experience. Wow. That's amazing. Serving, hugging, loving on people. And they're like, wait, who is this person?
So, okay, so, well, let's fast forward for, let's fast forward here. And so you had that experience, but you reached out and you were like, which I've had a number of guys do. They go, hey, can I come back again?
Now, we have a lot of guys that come back and want to serve and be a part of the staff, but you're like, no, no, no. I want to walk through the process again.
So did you feel like there were either some more layers that needed to be peeled away or you were just in a posture of, no, I just want to go deeper with God. What led to that decision to come back again? Um A little bit of both. I needed to go deeper, but there were still some layers that I needed to peel back and face.
Okay. And and and so so and and was that so when in making that decision, you fly back out to the East Coast, you go through it a second time and Again, certain expectations, but were, if I said, were your expectations met, or did God exceed your expectations, or what was the second encounter like, you know, kind of. In comparison to the first, you might say. Oh, God exceeded my expectations. You know, going out there, I knew the process somewhat.
Yeah. I know you like to call audibles and stuff like that, but I knew the process.
So I kind of had some expectations of going out there, but it was like. the Lord just said, okay, whatever you learned then, Is great, but we got more for you.
Okay. You got more. More lord, right? More lord. Yep.
Okay, and and so the and there was more that of the Lord that you encountered in in that second man camp. Yep.
Okay. And and and and you weren't done there, were you? Yeah. So so the second camp was w was when was the second when did you attend the second camp? Uh October of 21.
Okay, wow.
So j okay, so just six months later we do we do one every spring for the listeners out there. We do one every spring in April, one every fall, and that's it. And small groups of men, like usually fifteen, twenty, maybe twenty-five max is kind of where we try to really cap it off and because we just want it to be a more of a personable experience, especially with our incredible staff that we have.
So, okay, so you weren't done in October twenty twenty one. What happened then?
So, um I remember reaching out to you and telling you that I wanted to staff.
Okay. And and you were you You know, prayed on it and everything and got back to me, I think, a couple of weeks later or something like that. And uh We were good to go. I came out staffing April of 22. And was that a different experience for you than obviously attending the camp itself?
Because now you're on the other side and now you're able to see things really with a different set of eyes, right? Because when you're at camp, it's kind of like you're meeting other guys, building new friendships and building relationships, but more focused on your relationship with the Lord. But now you're coming out with a servant's heart and you're like, hey, I just want to serve other guys and see firsthand how they experience God. And so was that. d a different view for you, point of view?
Oh yeah. Oh yeah. Um I staffing was just amazing. Like seeing the guys go through everything that I had gone through. And then, um everything we went through as a staff.
It was just it was amazing watching all the guys, um Go through what I went through and being able to serve them and help them. and you know give them advice from what I had learned. And uh then everything you know that we did as a staff It's like, I like to call that like advanced man camp because I learned even more. Mm. Being able to bond with o other staff guys.
Yeah. Oh man, that's awesome. And then more recently, you got back on a plane and flew out for the reunion. Was that good for you as well? Oh yeah.
Oh yeah. I I loved it. I enjoyed it. Uh little more relaxed than main camp, but um You know, I got a lot out of it. Which was the intention?
The intent of the reunion was bringing guys together from all every camp over all the years and meeting new guys that you didn't know guys you didn't know, but went through the very same experience, be able to have that kind of bond and create some d were you able to create some new friendships? Yeah. Oh yeah. Yeah, I connected with three or four guys through Instagram, Facebook. Um I got a couple of phone numbers.
Awesome.
So real t real time a bond.
So this whole camp experience has been it sounds like a great, incredible journey for you. Oh yeah. It's definitely changed my life. And something else I want to touch on before we get. Get to you, I want to give you an opportunity to ask me a couple of questions as well.
Is your health? You've gone through some health challenges, so you've been growing spiritually, but in the midst of growing spiritually, and that's the emphasis for camp, right? Spirit, soul, and body. You know, we try to emphasize when the guys come: hey, we want you to strengthen your walk with Christ and grow spiritually. You know, we want you to be healthy mentally and emotionally.
We also want you to be healthy physically. physically.
So we we touch on that. Lex Luger will will teach on that and and what that looks like to you know to be to be physically healthy. And you recently went through some so like a major back surgery, yeah? Yes, sir.
and just a matter of months ago, but you were still got on the plane and made your way to the East Coast. And give us a quick update on how the recovery is coming from the major back surgery.
So I'm at five months now post-surgery. Um All the imaging looks good. Um I still have like tingling and pain in my lower back, but my doctor said it's because of the nerves. The nerves can take up to a year to heal. Or, you know, if Jesus wants to, he'll heal me tomorrow.
Um But Uh Everything is going good. I was having an issue with my weight before the surgery. Since the surgery, I've lost almost thirty pounds now. Come on, congratulations. Yeah.
That's awesome. It's still losing weight. Do you have kind of a target number that you're you're shooting for? Yeah, I'm right now I'm looking at 200 pounds.
Okay. I want to see how I feel at 200 pounds. I know my healthiest weight. I was at like one seventy five, but I'm a lot bigger and stockier now than I was at that point.
So I'm thinking 200 would probably be a good number. Awesome.
And I want to encourage our listeners out there, if you go to mancamp.info, Go to the website. You're going to see some pretty cool before and after photos of other guys who, you know, God convicted them. They need to take care of their bodies. They need to take care of their health. And you're going to see a number of transformations, physical transformations.
Now, again, we're going to talk about the spiritual life, you know, the spiritual walk with Christ at our camps. We're going to talk about that. And we're going to talk about being mentally, emotionally healthy, but physically healthy. And go check out those before and after photos. You'll be blown away.
And we'll might even you might even see Lee up there on the website. I'm just saying, gonna throw that out there. You might even see a before and after of Lee Parizzo. Did I say that right, Lee? I hope.
Come on. Parazo. Parazo. It's okay. But, all right.
So on the road to recovery in Jesus' name. And Lee, I'm so grateful that you are not only a part of the camp. But I can call you a friend. And who would have known? Did you ever think, Lee, reaching out on social media all those years ago that you and I would become friends?
Oh, gosh, no, this is uh this is like a childhood dream come true. I mean, I was a big Nikita Koloff fan as a kid, teenager. And like when I met you four years ago, I was like Like a kid in a candy store, I was like, this is just amazing. Yeah, like, pitch yourself, lay out there. Yeah, and I mean, even to this day, it's like when you call me, it's like, I'm like.
Oh my gosh, he's calling me.
Well, I'm flattered by that. I really am. And I'm glad that we are friends. But God, right? But God.
Yep.
We'll give God the credit, right? But God. Oh, definitely. You're listening to the Truth Network and TruthNetwork.com. Nikita Koloff here, and I am excited.
Did you hear the huge announcement, the big announcement?
Well, maybe it's a minor announcement. Anyway, Facebook, go look up my new fan page, Nikita Koloff Fans, and like it. and follow today. Yeah. If you are a business owner and would like to advertise your company or product on the Man Up Show and/or QA with Koloff, contact me directly, Nakita Koloff at Koloff.net.
The Man Up Show is honored to have Dr. Johnny Gayton as one of our longest-running supportive sponsors. Dr. Gayton is regarded as one of the world's leading elite eye surgeons. He is motivated by his faith in doing all things heartily as unto the Lord.
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So, all right, well, let's take a few minutes here and segue on that note. Having been a big fan growing up, what's your first question you have for me? Um Not to be somber or anything, but I was just thinking about this the other day. Did you ever meet Hulk Hogan and What what are your thoughts on his passing?
So two two things come to mind. Great question. Two things come to mind. Fir is first answer to the first question, short answer, yes. We had met over the years.
I mean, in that profession, we'd never stepped in the ring against each other or side by side as partners, but you meet each other. And, you know, I met him actually at you said not to be somber, some of the funerals for some of the other guys. But, you know, they were in Charlotte after I had retired in 1995, December of 95. They had a big show in Charlotte. Went down and said hi to all the guys, got an opportunity to, you know, just talk with them briefly there and say hi.
And so in passing, we had met each other. As far as part two to the question, you know, my thoughts on his passing, you know, the first thing anymore, whether it's a professional wrestler or really anybody else, Lee, that kind of pops in my head is the quote: There is no promise of tomorrow.
So no matter how you know, even talking about you losing weight and being in good physical health or being healthy spiritually or emotionally, mentally, these other aspects of life's journey. You know, doing, we can do all the right things, all the right things. Work out five days a week or whatever, eat healthy. But there's still no guarantees, right? From day to day.
We don't know. In fact, Hebrews 9:27, 28 talks about and says there is an appointed day for each and every one of us to pass on from this life, to die. And then the question is, where will you go? You know, if you've made that decision to genuinely receive Christ into your life, well, then you'll be walking, you know, streets of gold with Jesus one day, forever in eternity. And if not, If you hadn't made that decision, I hope that you have.
Man, I hope after this call, you'll make that decision to surrender your life to Christ because there is. No promise of tomorrow. And it's not a complicated thing. It's just God sees your heart and He just wants you from the sincerity of your heart. There's no perfect prayer, there's no prayer in the Bible.
It's just you repenting and asking for forgiveness and asking Jesus to come into your life. And that I'll end this series of answers to those questions on this note. I saw where. Hogan, Terry Bolea, Lee, at the latter part of his life, came out publicly that he had made that profession of faith. and had surrendered.
His heart to Christ, and saw a quote where something to the effect where he said, That's the only real thing in my life has been that decision. I forget how he said it. Like, that belief in Jesus Christ pretty much is the only. Real thing that is real to me, I think, is the actual quote. Was that personal, you know, that decision to receive Christ?
And then, and then followed that with water baptism. And so I was thrilled to see that he made that decision. And that he got baptized, and that based on that decision, that one day, you know, I'll get the privilege of seeing him in heaven one day.
So I'm looking forward to that.
So. Yeah. Absolutely.
So yeah, unfortunate timing of his passing, but that's not something you can really, really time out, right? It just great. It just happens, right? And in this case, took the the wrestling world by surprise.
So So great question. You got one more for me? You got time for one more? Have you got one more for me? Um So it's funny.
I was thinking about this back at the reunion. I was like. You have your hands in so many different things. How do you do it? How do I spin all the different plates?
Yeah. That's a great question. I don't think I've ever been asked that. And you, along with many others, have pondered that same question: like, how on earth does he do it? I guess the short answer would be: but God, I mean, without God's help and God giving me the strength.
to do what I do and and uh you know uh uh uh I wouldn't be able to do what I do. And but you're right, you know, from a podcast to a radio show to facilitating a man camp to, you know, last weekend I did a six-hour teaching at Tri-City Baptist Church in Conover, North Carolina. And and yeah, at the Man Man Up conference and You know, from a man-up breakfast to a man-up dinner to autograph signings. You know, I've recently was at the gathering in Charlotte, North Carolina, signing autographs, meeting some amazing. Wrestling fans and just writing books, right?
And I mean, just go down the list, and it does take some juggling. And a lot of very uh detailed uh bookkeeping in terms of calendar. And making sure I don't overbook myself and/or. Uh double booked myself. Uh and and then making sure That I get some downtime as well, and I'll I'll say that to say this, The Lord really put it on my heart to begin to take some more lengthy sabbaticals, not just a one-day a week sabbatical, although it's important to get that weekly rest.
but a summer sabbatical? And a winter sabbatical. And so essentially, what that might look like is, you know, maybe in the summertime, about a, let's just say, a three-week period where I'm not scared. I still may travel recreationally, but it's just not for ministry or not to go sign autographs and that sort of thing.
So I do get a break in the summer. Uh and then in the winter time it's a little uh little more extended. It's probably more a three or four week, maybe a four week uh uh sabbatical in the winter time to catch my breath and and just uh be able to um Be able to pause and not get burnt out. Does that make sense? Yeah, that's awesome though.
I mean I'm like, man, he goes and goes and goes. I do.
Someone said I'm like the energizer bunny, but anyway.
So, well, Lee, man, I appreciate you being on the show today. And I'm so excited to continue to pray for that speedy recovery of that back surgery that you've had. And so grateful that you're part of the camp and one of our alumni. And more than anything, just glad we are brothers in Christ and that you're a great friend. Thank you for all your support.
Thank you for having me on the show. And yeah, I'm just, I can't wait to get healed so I can start snapping again. Amen.
Well, thank you. And until next time, thank you for helping to spread the word on the Man Up Show, on QA with Koloff. And my challenge to you today is to go out and just have a God-filled and live a God-blessed day in Jesus' name. This podcast is made possible by the grace of God and your faithful prayers, support, and generous gifts. May God bless you for your continual contributions.
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