As we approach Thanksgiving, a time to reflect on what we’re thankful for, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by life’s storm and the chaos in the world. Then there are stories that transcend the darkness, shining a light on resilience, faith, and the unbreakable bonds of family, giving extra importance to the age-old question this time of year: what are you thankful for this Thanksgiving? 

Chris Papanti’s journey is a testament to resilience, transformation and overcoming adversity. After serving over a decade in prison, he returned home and tirelessly worked to rebuild his life. Chris became one of the most sought-after strength, conditioning and life coaches, catering to an elite clientele, including celebrities, supermodels, professional athletes and prominent business leaders. His work took him around the world. As his entrepreneurial spirit flourished, he became the owner of a cutting-edge streetwear brand, co-owner of a cosmetics and medical supply company, and partner in a liquor company that launched the first and only 4-crop vodka blend. 

Chris became deeply committed to social causes and a passionate advocate for prison reform. He was able to draw from his personal experiences and always be looking to drive change. He also dedicates his time to mentoring at-risk children guiding them towards a brighter future.

In 2020, Chris seized a new business opportunity and moved a world away to launch the new venture. Unbeknownst to him, right at the start of a global pandemic. A pandemic that would end up testing his resolve like no other after an unexpected health situation took him to his knees. 

As Chris reclaimed his health, this story took focus as he became a first-time father who embraced fatherhood in its most challenging form. A son, Santino, a “Little Saint,” was born into adversity yet shining with hope.

A Life-Changing Ultrasound

The story begins at a routine 22-week ultrasound on December 1, 2022, a day that changed Chris’ life forever. It was then he discovered that his only child was going to be born with gastroschisis. It’s a rare condition affecting about 1 in every 5,000 babies where the intestines are outside of the baby’s body. 

Gastroschisis presented a daunting challenge, Chris soon learned. It meant his son would need immediate surgery and multiple procedures after birth. He would have an extended stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The rarity and seriousness of this condition were overwhelming but also brought clarity to Chris’ role as a father—he had to be his son’s unwavering pillar of strength. His mind and heart were flooded with a whirlwind of emotions facing this unexpected news, but he’s not the type to ask, “Why me?

“Life, as I knew it, had already been a tapestry of trials. Each chapter of my life has tested my strength and resolve. Like father, like son, right? Have faith, I told myself, and focus on what needed to be done to ensure Santino received the best possible care. It was all about Santino now.”

Life in the NICU

The NICU days blurred into nights, nights into weeks. Watching Santino, so small and fragile, fighting for his life was heart-wrenching for Chris. Santino’s first cries were met not with warm embraces but rather by the urgent hands of doctors. His first breaths were assisted by machines. As he lay in an incubator amidst the beeps of machines and the constant vigil of the medical team, Chris saw that the NICU was a land of giants.

Where everyday heroes donned scrubs instead of capes, where battles were fought in ounces gained, breaths taken and where victories came not with fanfares but with the quiet passing of another stable night.

Nights were the hardest, Chris recounts, “the hospital’s quiet” was a myth; it was never silent, always murmuring with the undercurrent of vigilance. I would go and grab another stale cup of coffee in the lounge and see the other NICU parents doing the same. A nod, eyes met, no words needed to be said. I would often stay late, reading Santino stories from books with tales of bravery, of heroes, of Brooklyn, with a promise to Santino of the life that awaited him.”

Santino fought like a warrior, and with each passing day, he grew stronger. The machines that once seemed like life itself began to recede, their presence less dominating. He watched as his son learned to breathe on his own and dreamed of the first time he would be able to finally hold his son and get him home. After 55 days, Santino graduated from the NICU. 

Santino, the “Little Saint”

In these moments of reflection, the decision to name his son Santino came to Chris almost as a whisper of hope amidst the storm. In Italian, Santino means “little saint,” and this name resonated with a profound meaning given their deep connection to their Italian heritage. 

Santino was not just a name but a promise – a promise of strength, perseverance, and the ability to overcome the gravest challenges while so young in this world. His name was a homage to the innocence and purity of his spirit, a spirit that would, undoubtedly, face this world with the bravery of a warrior and the grace of a saint.

Santino, with his name, carried not just his love and hopes but also embodied the spirit of overcoming that has been a cornerstone of his father’s life. His name was and is a testament to the journey we are all on together, a journey of overcoming and emerging stronger.

Faith as the Anchor

In the darkest times, faith was Chris’ only anchor. It gave him strength to see beyond his circumstances, to focus not on being a “victim” but on being a father. His faith had taught him forgiveness, resilience and the power of unconditional love that now defines fatherhood. 

Gratitude for the Angels in Scrubs

In the NICU, surrounded by beeps and whispers, Chris witnessed miracles daily. The incredible doctors, nurses, and hospital staff became their guardians, tirelessly working to save Santino’s life. Their expertise, dedication, skill, and compassion turned a place of fear into a sanctuary of hope. For their unwavering support, they are forever thankful. 

The Father-Son Bond

The bond Chris shares with Santino is bonded not just by blood but by shared adversities and triumphs, battles and victories, faith, and the unbreakable will to persevere. Santino is a constant reminder that even in the bleakest moments, there’s always a glimmer of hope, a chance for redemption, and an opportunity to forge an unbreakable bond. Their moments together are not just about joy but about learning and growing. “Santino teaches me about the purity of hope, the strength of a smile, and the power of a small hand gripping mine,” Chris said.

As we gather around our Thanksgiving tables this year, this father is profoundly thankful. He is thankful for his son, who is a symbol of hope and resilience. Grateful for the incredible medical team and friends who stood by them. He is both thankful and grateful for the journey itself, which, despite its trials, has been the most rewarding of this new father’s life. Santino and his father are healed up and crushing life! And the story is to be continued.