Interviewing And Meeting Richard Simmons

After hearing about Richard Simmons’ passing, memories flooded back from the time I interviewed him by phone for one story after which met him in person for one more in 2010.

The fitness guru’s infectious energy was undeniable. My two encounters with him once I was a newspaper reporter for the Pocono Record in Pennsylvania are definitely highlights of my profession.

The fitness icon celebrated his 76th birthday on Friday, just someday before passing away.

After an extended, successful profession helping people get healthy and shed some pounds in a fun way, Simmons left the limelight for a quieter life in 2014. He still motivated his fans on social media up until the morning of his death.

On Saturday morning, Simmons shared a photograph on Facebook simply captioned, “Hello gorgeous! Please don’t rain on my parade.”

While many fans took to the comments shortly after it was posted to share their love for Simmons, others shared condolences after news broke of his passing.

“I’m so shattered, you helped me SO much, especially after escaping an abusive relationship. You made me feel like I had value. You helped SO many individuals. There may be a big hole on the earth,” one person emotionally shared.

One other said, “Gonna miss your each day posts.”

Back in 2010 once I was a reporter for the Pocono Record in Stroudsburg, PA, I got the chance to interview Simmons before an event he was hosting. We had a phone interview and while I am unable to remember why I walked into the kitchen some days, I keep in mind that phone interview well.

When he got on the decision, he had such amazing energy that made it unattainable to not smile. He also sang a very good portion of our conversation to me, which made this interview that rather more memorable.

After our phone interview, I had the chance to fulfill him in person when he was in the realm for his event. After we met, he acted like we might known one another for a lifetime. He made me feel like we were old friends and that he genuinely enjoyed meeting me. And as I watched him circle the room talking to his fans, I could tell that they each felt the very same way. He approached each person as in the event that they were his long-lost friend. He was so real, energetic, and approachable. (See my story concerning the event here.)

Once I met him, we took just a few photos, because how could I not get photos with him? My then 6-year-old son saw the photos and got anxious. Not knowing who the person was in the images, he told his father I had a boyfriend. In fact, all of us got a very good laugh over that, and even to at the present time, we sometimes bring that joke up.

On Friday, Simmons shared a thanks post on Facebook for all of the birthday wishes. It seems that his fans really made his day.

“Thanks…I never got so many messages about my birthday in my life! I’m sitting here writing emails. Have a most beautiful remainder of your Friday. Love, Richard,” he wrote on Facebook.

Greater than 3,000 fans flooded the comment section, with most of them wishing him a pleased birthday.

“Bless you, sweet man. Glad Birthday I’m glad you had a lot to smile about. One in all the things I all the time admire about you is the sincerity in your eyes and your smile, although we’ve never met a message you convey through your show all of the exercising encouragement all the time made me feel like I used to be a friend,” one person wrote.

One other said, “Wishing you the sweetest and most meaningful birthday, Richard. You may have given (and proceed to bring) a lot goodness to so many individuals. Thanks for all the time keeping it real. May you enjoy good health, true friends, much love and laughter, and all that brings achievement to your beautiful heart.”

Lower than per week before his death, Simmons held a live chat on Facebook for his fans.

“Guess what? I actually have exciting news to share with you,” he wrote in a Facebook post. “I will be holding one other chat on Monday, July 8, 2024.”

He then said that some do not believe it’s him in the course of the live chat and said, “Perhaps you mustn’t come. Try one other Richard to do a chat with like Richard Gere, Richard Dean Anderson, or the singer and songwriter Richard Marx.”

Simmons also recently shared many stories together with his fans, and it appears he had larger plans to share more. Just 4 days ago, he shared, “Getting closer to telling my story in my very own words. I’m so excited,” in a Facebook post. Many individuals commented that they were excited to listen to his story in his words.

One fan recently shared within the comments, “You never got the possibility to inform your story in your individual words. Rest in peace sweet, Richard Simmons.”

One thing that is undeniable is that Simmons will all the time be remembered for his infectious energy and for doing what he really loved to do – help others.

Many individuals dropped into the comment section of his final Facebook post to share what they’ll miss most concerning the fitness legend and to depart their condolences and love.

“I’m going to miss your heartwarming and uplifting posts. Thanks for sharing your light with us,” one person wrote. One other added, “God rest your soul you earthly angel. Thanks for giving us beautiful lessons of life. You truly have touched our lives and won’t ever be forgotten.”

RIP, Richard. You will likely be missed.