Lawrence Citarelli Jr. Real Estate Investor/Dev
This week (June 11th – 17th) is Men’s Health Week! The goal is to raise awareness about health issues that disproportionately affect men and encourage them to take control of their health, whether that means eating consciously or learning to manage stress. In honor of the occasion, I interviewed some of the most powerful and inspiring guys I know. Some are in the health and wellness industry, some are not, but all have motivating stories and advice to share.
Lawrence Citarelli spent many successful years in finance before turning his hobby of buying and selling houses into a lucrative business in the Hamptons and beyond. He’s the founder of the Lawrence III Group, which includes First Hampton International Realty. As a side passion project, Larry is gearing up to launch a new lifestyle site called “What’s Hamptoning” on June 23. Though he’s a busy guy, Larry makes sure to spend time focusing on his health, especially after experiencing a stroke just one year ago.
Shannon: How does health and wellness fit into your busy life?
Larry: It is not easy, but we have to all make the time. I look at it as the to do before I can be of value to anyone or myself. I started a regimen every morning of just walking on the beach with my two dogs. I don’t leave the beach until I find two pieces of sea glass to get in the right mindset. I do a little bit of weight lifting, I play basketball in a men’s league and swim when the weather allows. I’m not trying to become Mr. America, just trying to get the body in motion and get the heart rate up.
How has your relationship with health and wellness changed over the years?
I was a classic Type A who thought “x” will never happen to me – that happens to others. Then a year ago I had a stroke at age 49. I was extremely lucky in that it wasn’t worse. I’m not going to make the same mistakes twice. I was smoking, drinking 15-20 cups of coffee a day, working too much, having a bowl of pasta and going to bed. All work, no play — no outlet. I kind of knew two years before that my body wasn’t right. I was feeling lethargic. After the stroke everything changed. I quit smoking that day.
You worked on Wall Street and now in real estate, two stressful fields. How do you manage stress?
I’m running essentially four companies and proprietary concepts. You start to learn at some point, the sooner one learns how to delegate and how to be a little more selfless – or makes themselves less essential – that starts to dissipate some of the stress.
What do you wish you could tell your younger self about health and wellness?
“Hey dummy, don’t take things for granted!”If you want success in life, personal, professional or otherwise, you have to work at it right? Health and wellness has to be part of it. Now, I want to become more selfless and less selfish. I want to be a giver first. People need to know that they’re not impenetrable. It’s more about legacy and significance over success.
What about health and wellness do you think is a common misconception particularly for men?
That we can wait until we are older to address it. Think we know more or better than others. WE men often get in our own way. Lawrence Citarelli spent many successful years in finance before turning his hobby of buying and selling houses into a lucrative business in the Hamptons and beyond. He’s the founder of the Lawrence III Group, which includes First Hampton International Realty. As a side passion project, Larry is gearing up to launch a new lifestyle site called “What’s Hamptoning” on June 23rd.
Though he’s a busy guy, Larry makes sure to spend time focusing on his health, especially after experiencing a stroke just one year ago. I’ve known Lawrence for quite some time now. His upbeat personality and experience has certainly helped him to reach his personal goals. Lawrence is committed to helping each of his clients find the perfect home for their family.
Shannon: How does health and wellness fit into your busy life?
Larry: It is not easy, but we have to all make the time. I look at it as the to do before I can be of value to anyone or myself. I started a regimen every morning of just walking on the beach with my two dogs. I don’t leave the beach until I find two pieces of sea glass to get in the right mindset. I do a little bit of weight lifting, I play basketball in a men’s league and swim when the weather allows. I’m not trying to become Mr. America, just trying to get the body in motion and get the heart rate up.
How has your relationship with health and wellness changed over the years?
I was a classic Type A who thought “x” will never happen to me – that happens to others. Then a year ago I had a stroke at age 49. I was extremely lucky in that it wasn’t worse. I’m not going to make the same mistakes twice. I was smoking, drinking 15-20 cups of coffee a day, working too much, having a bowl of pasta and going to bed. All work, no play — no outlet. I kind of knew two years before that my body wasn’t right. I was feeling lethargic. After the stroke everything changed. I quit smoking that day.
You worked on Wall Street and now in real estate, two stressful fields. How do you manage stress?
I’m running essentially four companies and proprietary concepts. You start to learn at some point, the sooner one learns how to delegate and how to be a little more selfless – or makes themselves less essential – that starts to dissipate some of the stress.
What do you wish you could tell your younger self about health and wellness?
“Hey dummy, don’t take things for granted!”If you want success in life, personal, professional or otherwise, you have to work at it right? Health and wellness has to be part of it. Now, I want to become more selfless and less selfish. I want to be a giver first. People need to know that they’re not impenetrable. It’s more about legacy and significance over success.
What about health and wellness do you think is a common misconception particularly for men?
That we can wait until we are older to address it. Think we know more or better than others. WE men often get in our own way.
