David Rivello

One may ask: What impetus led David Rivello, a PhD graduate from the “School of Hard Knocks,” to write a novel centered around the “Happiest Place on Earth,” Disneyland? David’s path through life was shaped by a long, winding, sometimes jarring roller coaster ride of extreme highs and plummeting lows. In retrospect, he acknowledges that his early life presented an invaluable, providing the foundation and framework to survive and navigate life’s many challenges, and numerous tumults while ultimately inspiring his future accomplishments. Born in Attleboro, Massachusetts, David is the youngest of seven sons and, unknowingly at the time, a twin.

He aptly describes his entry into the world as “unconventional.” Before David’s arrival, his mother, Mildred, gave birth to her sixth son, Dana. Ultrasound machines at the time were unsophisticated in comparison to today’s technology. After Dana’s birth and while in the recovery room, Mildred told the doctor she was still in pain and felt something was wrong. Upon further investigation, the doctor’s stethoscope revealed another heartbeat. The medical staff, unaware that she was pregnant with twins because their heartbeats were in unison, sent her back into the delivery room, and nine minutes later, David made his debut. David came out swinging from his confines—a born fighter from day one.

By the time the twins turned two of age, Mildred was a single mother of seven sons. Making ends meet was a constant challenge and, at times, unattainable; necessities often became elusive luxuries. She vehemently imparted life-changing and valuable gifts to her sons through the years. Her lessons were rich with tools to last lifetimes: ethical values, courage, discipline, and the ability to determine right from wrong.

An inspiring and pivotal moment in David’s life occurred one evening at thirteen. The movie “Rocky” starring Sylvester Stallone opened in the theaters. David and his brothers Dennis, Nick, Tom, and Dana, were amongst the first to arrive at the local drive-in theater to see the movie. On this cold winter night in December, while driving home in his brother’s 1966 Dodge Charger, David reflected on Rocky’s words echoing through his mind. “Cause all I wanna do is go the distance with Creed, and if I can go that distance, you see, and that bell rings, and I’m still standin, I’m gonna know for the first time in my life, see, that I weren’t just another bum from the neighborhood.”

Immediately, an inspired vision came into focus. David knew that he wanted to get involved in the boxing world. David set his sights on becoming a word champion. Realistically, he knew the road would be long and arduous. And so, it all began! With unwavering drive and determination, David spent the next 15 years training, traveling, and competing.

The road was paved with an investment of blood, sweat, and tears, but quitting was never an option, as there were no other choices but to blaze a path forward. Pete Grundy became one of the great blessings in David’s life and career. “Pete” fulfilled many roles: paternal figure, mentor, best friend, and talented trainer. He selflessly provided leadership and direction. Their teamwork (there was no “I” in the word “team”) enabled David to claim many coveted titles, including, but not limited to, the Southern New England Golden Gloves title, the South Floride Title, and, at twenty-six years old, and as a professional, the prized New England Lightweight title.

David has shared the ring sparring with some of boxing’s greats from Sugar Ray Leonard, Pete Grundy, Vinny Paz, Jerry Page, Steve Collins, Robbie Sims, Louie Burke, Fernando Fernandez, Rapheal “Machine Gun” Lopez, Pepito Lopez, and Joey Leddy.

Benjamin Franklin stated, “Change is the only constant in life. One’s ability to adapt to those changes will determine your success in life.”

Disaster struck on October 10, 1987. In the first round of a ten-round event, David threw his first combination. The force and power behind the punch snapped the radius bone in his arm in half. With nine and a half rounds to go and using only one arm, David looked up, and in a split second, his opponent, knowing he had the upper hand, metaphorically turned into Goliath. David ultimately won the fight in a unanimous decision. However, the win proved to be at an enormous life-changing expense.

The broken/shattered arm required a 6-inch plate, six screws, and two years to heal. Retirement from boxing was an intelligent yet painful decision to make. It was time to pivot.

Eventually, it became clear that a “setback” was just a “setup” for the next chapter of David’s life, and he then realized another dream. In 1992, he relocated to Los Angeles, California. California was always the epicenter of many of David’s coveted childhood dreams. A fresh start! He quickly discovered that like-minded people collectively experience a gravitational pull; the boxing community circled itself, and they welcomed him into the fold.

Many boxing greats have since come across his path. Previously, he considered them idols, yet in recent decades, they have surpassed the idols status, and he gratefully now refers to them as “friends.” David cherishes the bonds of the unspoken language of the brotherhood, the exchange of their battle stories in the ring, and, of course, the great laughter at the expense of their wins and losses. Success is never linear.

In Los Angeles, David is currently an owner/operator of a thriving and respected training center, David Rivello’s Champion Body Management. He has trained and continues to train thousands of people of all ages and from all walks of life. He weaves and invests his wealth of information, knowledge, expertise, and (very unique) training style into ensuring his clients are healthy and fit—their welfare is his top priority. Quite succinctly and from the perspective of a former Miss Universe and many others, David changes lives.

Another long and unrealized California dream came to fruition when David visited Disneyland for the first time at thirty years old. He recalls his childhood classmates recounting visits to Disneyland during winter break or through their summer vacations. It was an unaffordable destination for his family, yet he deeply longed to visit this magical, fantasy world. “As a man thinketh in his heart, so be he.”

To date, David has visited Disneyland over twenty times. On each visit, he chronicled the adventure by taking notes. The notes turned into a script, and the script turned into his first novel, “Lost in Disneyland.” It is an imaginary journey inspired by childhood dreams and aspirations that he never abandoned or lost because quitting is NEVER an option.