Anthony Catalani is a skilled corporate recruiter with more than 10 years of experience. He has a strong track record of selecting the right candidates and consistently exceeding expectations. He has worked for well-known companies including LA Fitness, Drayer Physical Therapy, and Rite Aid Pharmacy.
Mr. Catalani began his career as a General Manager at LA Fitness. After meeting and surpassing sales goals, he was promoted to Regional Manager, overseeing multiple locations. He later joined Drayer Physical Therapy as a corporate and clinical recruiting specialist, where he recruited nationwide for roles across administration, technology, finance, and physical therapy. Following his success at Drayer, he was recruited by Rite Aid Corp. to join their corporate recruiting team. At Rite Aid, he handled recruiting for pharmaceutical roles and upper-management corporate positions, including finance, technology, and administration. He received multiple talent-acquisition awards for his performance and also served as a team coordinator for recruiters across the country.
Mr. Catalani earned a B.S. in Business from East Stroudsburg University, where he was a member of the university’s sports management club.
Mr. Catalani is also an active youth sports coach in his local community.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My typical day is structured to balance work, personal growth, health, and relationships, which helps me stay productive and focused.
In the morning, I start early with a workout at the gym to energize my body and mind. I spend a few minutes in prayer or reflection to set intentions and stay grounded. I review my goals and tasks for the day, prioritizing what’s most important. Then I focus on my work or studies, breaking tasks into manageable chunks and eliminating distractions. I take short breaks to stay refreshed and avoid burnout.
In the evening, I spend quality time with family or connect with loved ones. I review what I accomplished, reflect on lessons learned, and plan for the next day. I wind down with reading, journaling, or another relaxing activity to reset my mind.
In order to make my day productive, I plan ahead and prioritize tasks, so I know exactly what needs to be done. I maintain consistent routines for fitness, reflection, and work in order to build discipline. I focus on small daily improvements that add up over time, rather than trying to do everything at once. By structuring my day this way, I stay balanced, motivated, and productive, while also making time for health, faith, and relationships.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I bring ideas to life through a process of planning, action, and iteration.
Step 1: Clarify the idea.
I start by writing down my idea and breaking it into specific goals or outcomes. This helps me to understand exactly what I want to achieve.
Step 2: Plan and organize.
I create a step-by-step plan, which includes the resources, tools, and time needed. I also set small milestones to track progress.
Step 3: Take action.
I begin working on the idea immediately, even if it’s just small steps at first. Action creates momentum and makes the idea tangible.
Step 4: Test and refine.
As I implement my idea, I evaluate what works and what doesn’t, making adjustments along the way. Feedback, trial and error, and learning from mistakes are key to improving my idea.
Step 5: Share and scale.
Once my idea is viable, I share it with others, collaborate if needed, and look for ways to expand its impact. This approach helps me to turn abstract ideas into real, practical results while learning and improving throughout the process.
What’s one trend that excites you?
One trend that excites me is the growing culture of giving and community support. Why it excites me:
• Making a difference—More people are volunteering, mentoring, or simply offering small acts of kindness, and it shows how much impact one person can have.
• Building connections—Helping others creates stronger communities and deeper relationships, which makes life feel more meaningful.
• Inspiring ripple effects—When someone lends a hand, it often motivates others to do the same, creating a chain of positivity.
I find this trend exciting because it shows that even small efforts to support others can add up to big changes—and it reminds me to always look for ways that I can help in my own life.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
One habit that helps me be productive is starting each day by planning and prioritizing my tasks. It gives me a clear roadmap of what needs to be done, so I don’t waste time deciding where to start. Breaking tasks into small, manageable steps makes large projects less overwhelming. It keeps me focused on high-priority activities, preventing distractions from derailing my day. By making this a daily habit, I stay organized, disciplined, and able to make steady progress toward my goals.
What advice would you give your younger self?
The advice I would give my younger self is to trust the process, stay consistent, and prioritize what truly matters. I’d remind myself that growth takes time and that setbacks are not failures. They’re lessons that build resilience and wisdom. I’d encourage others to focus on daily habits, discipline, and small improvements, rather than looking for instant success. I’d also stress the importance of investing in relationships, faith, and personal well-being because success feels empty without balance. The bottom line is be patient, keep grinding, and don’t be afraid to take risks. Every experience, good or bad, shapes who you’re meant to become.
Tell us something you believe that almost nobody agrees with you on.
Something I believe that almost nobody agrees with me on is that failure is actually more valuable than success in shaping who you become.
Why I believe it: Most people see failure as something to avoid, but I think it teaches lessons that success never can. Failure forces you to reflect, adapt, and grow in ways that comfort and achievement rarely do. Some of the best ideas, skills, and resilience I’ve built have come from moments I initially considered setbacks.
Why it’s different: Society tends to celebrate only wins and visible achievements, so most people focus on avoiding mistakes. I see failure as a hidden opportunity, a kind of “free education” that shapes character, creativity, and persistence in a way success alone cannot. This perspective has helped me take risks, try new things, and push beyond my comfort zone without fear of judgment.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
The one thing I repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do is maintain a balanced daily routine that focuses on fitness, faith, family, and consistent hard work.
Why I do it:
• Gym—Regular exercise keeps me physically healthy, mentally sharp, and energized for the day.
• Faith—Spending time in prayer or reflection keeps me grounded and helps me handle challenges with perspective.
• Family—Prioritizing quality time with loved ones strengthens relationships and reminds me of what really matters.
• Work ethic—Staying consistent and grinding at work or studies ensures progress and builds discipline over time.
Why I recommend it:
Balancing these areas creates a strong foundation for personal growth and happiness. It helps you stay focused, motivated, and resilient in all aspects of your life. Even small daily commitments in each area compound into long-term results for health, relationships, and success. This routine keeps me centered, productive, and fulfilled, and I believe anyone can benefit from building a similar balance in their life.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
When I feel overwhelmed or unfocused, I pause, prioritize, and reset.
What I do:
• Pause—I take a few minutes to step back, breathe, and clear my mind. Sometimes I go for a short walk, pray, or shoot some hoops to regain perspective.
• Prioritize—I list out the tasks I need to handle and focus on the most important ones first. Breaking big tasks into smaller steps makes them feel manageable.
• Reset—I eliminate distractions, set a timer if needed, and get back to work with renewed focus. Exercising, journaling, or listening to a motivational podcast can also help me regain energy and clarity. This approach helps me to regain control, reduce stress, and stay productive, even during chaotic or stressful moments.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
One strategy that has helped me to advance in my career is consistent networking and relationship-building.
How it works—I make it a point to connect with people in my industry, attend events, and engage in meaningful conversations rather than just collecting contacts. I focus on giving value first—offering help, sharing resources, or providing insights—which builds trust and long-term connections. By maintaining these relationships over time, I’ve gained mentorship, collaborative opportunities, and referrals that have helped me to grow professionally.
Why it’s effective—Opportunities often come from people you know, not just what you know. Strong relationships create a support system for advice, feedback, and collaboration. Networking consistently, rather than only when you need something, builds credibility and opens doors that wouldn’t exist otherwise. This strategy has helped me to expand my career opportunities, gain knowledge, and create a professional network that continues to grow over time.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
One challenge I have faced in my career was taking on a project without fully understanding all the requirements and resources needed. At first, it was tough, and the project didn’t go as smoothly as I had hoped.
How I turned it into a positive—I focused on learning from the experience and sought feedback from my team and supervisor. I broke the project into manageable steps and collaborated closely with others to ensure progress. By staying consistent and adaptable, I was able to complete the project successfully and even improve certain processes along the way.
Lessons I learned—Clear planning and communication are key before starting any project. Collaboration and asking for guidance strengthen results and relationships. Challenges offer the opportunity to grow your skills, resilience, and problem-solving abilities. This experience taught me to approach future projects with confidence, preparation, and a growth mindset, turning challenges into stepping stones for success.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
One business idea I’d like to give away is a “pay-it-forward café.”
How it works—Customers can buy coffee, snacks, or meals for themselves and also “pre-pay” for someone in need. People experiencing financial hardship can come in and redeem these pre-paid items anonymously. The café could partner with local charities, shelters, or schools to expand its reach and impact.
Why it could work—It combines a traditional business model with a social mission: creating a positive community impact. Customers feel good knowing their purchase will help someone else, which can build loyalty and word-of-mouth promotion. The concept promotes kindness, empathy, and community involvement, making it more than just a café. It’s a movement. This idea turns a regular business into a platform for giving back, showing that commerce and compassion can go hand in hand.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
One piece of software that helps me be productive is Microsoft Office, especially Word, Excel, and Outlook.
How I use it:
• Word—I use it to draft reports, assignments, and documents clearly and professionally.
• Excel—I track data, create charts, and organize information efficiently, which saves a lot of time.
• Outlook—I manage emails, set reminders, and schedule meetings so I can stay on top of deadlines and tasks.
Using these programs together helps me stay organized, work efficiently, and effectively manage both my personal and professional responsibilities.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
The best $100 I recently spent was on small gifts for my family.
Why it was worth it:
It brought everyone together—I picked out something meaningful for each person—nothing expensive, just thoughtful. Seeing their reactions and the way it sparked conversations and laughter made the moment feel special.
It strengthened our connection—It reminded me how even simple gifts can show appreciation and love. It wasn’t about the price; it was about letting each person know I was thinking of them.
Lasting impact—A couple of the gifts are things they use often, and every time I see them using them, it feels good knowing that small gesture made a positive difference.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
I’ve gotten a lot of value from The Daily Stoic because it gives me small, steady reminders about how to handle life better. The episodes are short, but they always manage to shift my perspective. Instead of getting caught up in things I can’t control, the podcast helps me refocus on what I can dol my attitude, effort, and choices.
What I really appreciate is how practical it feels. It doesn’t try to be overly philosophical; it just offers simple ideas that I can actually use during the day. Whether I’m stressed, frustrated, or just trying to stay grounded, there’s always a message that brings me back to a calmer, more centered mindset. That consistency has made a real difference for me.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
A movie I recently enjoyed is the Pursuit of Happyness.
Why I liked it—This film delivers a powerful life lesson about never giving up, even when life feels impossible. It follows Chris Gardner’s journey through homelessness, rejection, and constant setbacks, yet he keeps pushing forward because he believes in a better future for himself and his son.
The life lesson—The story shows that success isn’t guaranteed by talent or luck. It’s built through persistence, patience, and resilience. It reminds you that progress can be slow, but every small step matters. And even in the hardest moments, holding onto hope can change everything.
Key learnings
- Consistent routines that balance work, health, faith, and relationships enhance productivity and overall well-being.
- Taking action on ideas and breaking them into manageable steps helps turn concepts into tangible results.
- Challenges and setbacks are opportunities for growth, resilience, and improved problem-solving skills.
- Building meaningful relationships and networks provides long-term career and personal growth opportunities.
- Prioritizing reflection, planning, and focus enables better decision-making and sustained progress toward goals.