Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Salento, a land of unspoilt nature and beautiful sea in the south of Italy. May be that’s the reason why I have been involved in water sports since I was a child. I have lived in Turin, too. There I have experienced the quick paced rhythm of a northern town.
What differences have you noticed between home and London?
There is a big difference between home and London. My home place is a little village by the sea. Life is slower and easier there. Anyway I like the busy and lively lifestyle in London and the job and entertainment opportunities it offers.
How did you get interested in massage?
Having participated in different sports competitions, I experienced how powerful massage can be to recover and rehabilitate from hard training and injuries. Observing the sport therapists who checked our conditions and treated us if necessary, I got interested in the world of the sports and massage therapy.
What are your hobbies?
I need to exercise. In my free time I go swimming and I do gymnastics. In the summer I like sailing and windsurfing. I love music. I can play the guitar.
What’s your earliest memory?
My earliest memories are those of my brothers and me at the seaside swimming, sailing and fishing with my father. We used to have a great time together at sea.
What are your parents like?
My parents are curious and interesting people. They are sensitive to art and beauty. They are very supportive and inspirational. I think I took from my father my love for sport and nature and from my mother the realistic attitude to life.
If you could click your fingers and suddenly have any skill you choose, what would it be?
Playing the guitar like Jimmy Hendrix
Where would you take friends if they came to stay with you in London for a week?
I would take them to the National Gallery and the British Museum and since I love the greens in London, I would take them to the parks too. Hampstead Heath is one of my favourites!
If you could have one person as a mentor (someone you know or a well-known person), who would it be?
Cristiano Ronaldo because of his dedication and determination to overcome his limits and his ability to produce unbelievable results under high amounts of pressure, and still enjoy what he’s doing!
What three courses would you cook at a dinner party?
- Risotto with lobster, porcini and truffle.
- Wild Alaskan Salmon with lemon, thyme and pine nuts.
- Lemon Sorbet and Myrtle liqueur.
Name your favourite book, film and song
Favourite book-The Main Woods, Henry David Thoreau. An exciting personal account of exploration, of exterior and interior discovery in the natural setting!
Favourite film- Somebody Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest
Favourite song- Whole Lotta Love, Led Zeppelin- because it’s powerful and makes me feel alive and Yeahh!!
Tell me a joke
Dentist: this will hurt a little.
Patient: OK.
Dentist: I’ve been having an affair with your wife for a while now.
