I had the opportunity recently at nine o’clock with Janet Cantwell-Pope. She impressed me as someone who has her family and career priorities right. It also provided the interest in life and the renewal of faith that was inspired in two ways.
Janet Cantwell had natural athletic talent and a drive to be born in the United States National Gymnastics team long before she met and married Vince Pope.
Her married name should sound familiar. Win the Pope’s husband, twice gained fame. After making the Philadelphia Eagles football team as a 30-year-old rookie in 1976, and then as the subject of the 2006 Hollywood blockbuster movie ‘Invincible’.
Learn more about Vince through my exclusive Yahoo Sports series: Part I, Part II and Part III. You can also visit vincepapale.com to read about the positive efforts that the Pope is currently involved in.
Success in today’s economy
Cantwell-Pope believes in honing his skills and staying up-to-date with the latest technology. This philosophy allowed her to become a Million Dollar member multiple times a year. represents the agency.
I am an agent for Long and Foster Real Estate. I am selling in Tarentum and Nova Caesarea. Win Papale Promotions as well as manage our own real estatereviews,” Cantwell-Papale said.
“Anyone can show you a house. My strength is in negotiating the deal. I try to create a win for everyone involved.”
He also used his business skills when writing motivational speaking and signing contracts.
“People are constantly encouraging you to fail them. There are many who are afraid to step outside the box. When people are rigid, they can snap down and spiral. You have to be willing to take the risk.”
Grow up
Cantwell-Pope grew up in the north section of Philadelphia. He attended St. Celia’s Catholic School and graduated from East High School.
“We had a typical big family. “I am the oldest of nine. There were six girls, then two boys and finally one girl. We had two bunk beds and we signed our group and I was the worst singer. “My mother had us at the Easter parade and Al Albert’s Show.”
Athletics were also big in the Cantwell household.
“The first five sisters were younger and all were officially recognized as gymnasts. I was the only one who made it on the United States National Team , although I was the last to join in the gymnastics.
“I felt like I was Cinderella when I went to the gym. It was a magical place for me.”
Having a ruptured spleen when she was nine, she was given a Catholic education. Mental toughness and physical strength helped her to recover from the incident, as well as from rheumatism and a heart murmur.
World class wrestling emerges
Once fully healthy, Cantwell-Papale began to pursue a career in gymnastics. After many years of work, he made the National Team and toured with them across the United States in England. France and Yugoslavia.
He destroyed his knee in 1973, during an international gymnastics competition against the Hungarian gymnastics team. His injury was similar to that of former New York Jet Quarterback Joe Namath, who tore the Medial Meniscus, Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL ) and the Medial Collateral Ligament.
While she was working toward a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education at Penn State in the mid-1970s, Cantwell-Pope remained involved in athletics. She was a 1 meter and 3 meter diver and also spent one year as Director of Nittany Gymnastics School.
After graduating in 1977, her knee condition caused her to turn her athletic studies into coaching. While living in the Pennsylvania State College area, he accepted an offer to become the Head Gymnastics Coach at State College High School.
University of Pennsylvania
Cantwell-Pope went on to become the Head Gymnastics Coach at the University of Pennsylvania, a position she held from 1976 through 1988.
“When I became the head coach at the University of Pennsylvania, I taught in South Africa, Malaysia, and Bermuda. So I did different things with my gymnastics.”
Because the University of Penn was an Ivy League school, Pope recruited kids who had untapped potential.
“One thing about gymnasts is that they act and move. Some can fly because they have trained all their lives and are not free-thinkers. They have always liked it and never worked out of interest.
When I was a coach, I wanted to have a successful team. I enjoyed working with those types of people because I helped them realize their dreams.”
In Part 2 of my exclusive Yahoo interview with Janet Cantwell-Pope, we’ll learn the true story of how she met her husband Vince, how their relationship and family grew over the years and what they are today.
Click this link to access Part 2 of “An Interview with Former United States Gymnast Janet Cantwell-Papale” : http://tinyurl.com/3pacjd4
I have been writing professionally since 1990. Follow me on Twitter @ SeanyOB
