Out of Loss, Into Purpose

TRAGIC LOS ANGELES WILDFIRES 

In January of this year, Los Angeles was ravaged by multiple wildfires, resulting in the deaths of 30 people, the evacuation of 200,000 residents, and the destruction or damage of more than 18,000 structures.  The horrific fires mesmerized the country as people watched their incredible power.  One of those 18,000 utterly-destroyed structures was in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood and belonged to Jake Steinfeld and his wife, Tracy.  It was their home of 30 years, where they had raised their four children.  Jake remembers January 7th well, as “evacuation day.”  “It was incredibly surreal,” he says.  “To see your house and all your belongings leveled was psychologically damaging.  It’s as if we all have a thin shell on the outside - like an M&M candy - and the shell broke.  It was incredibly emotional.”  He says those strong emotions made it easy to connect with others experiencing the same thing.  

Only one intact item was found in the rubble of the Steinfeld’s home – a small plate with a quote from Winston Churchill.  It reads, “When you’re going through hell, keep going.”  They took the words to heart and were determined to get through the incalculable loss.

In the days and weeks after their home was decimated, Jake says a few things started to give him a sense of balance again.  One was getting into the gym and working out, which has always been a boost for him.  Another was recalling the words to a poem, entitled “Don’t Quit.”  He’d left his copy in the house, hoping to return and find it intact.  Jake learned the verses when he was just 14 and was cut from a basketball team.  It’s remained a source of hope, and the title his life motto ever since.  Finally, Jake says he started to sense a “lightness, a rebirth, and rejuvenation” inside.  He says he’s not sure where it came from – “I’m not an incredibly religious person” – but he’s nonetheless grateful for it.  Living in an apartment for now, Jake and Tracy plan to rebuild a home on the very same spot as their former beloved dwelling.   

STATE AND PUBLIC RESPONSE 

KABC of Los Angeles reported just last week that of the thousands of structures destroyed, only four building permits have been issued in the two months since the fires.  The report also noted that LA Mayor Karen Bass signed an executive order that all city departments will streamline permits for all-electric homes (without natural gas), which are more fire-resistant.  “The public officials are not coming through,” Jake says, and that nothing’s being done fast – it’s all bureaucracy.  He called trying to file insurance for his home “torture” as he was asked to remember every item in his house.  

Jake says many ordinary citizens have donated funds to help the city, as have private companies.  He offers the example of a friend of his, an owner of the LA Kings, who joined forces with Mercury Insurance to help those in need.  They invited ten families from the ravaged Altadena neighborhood to a celebrity hockey game, then gave each of them a check for $5000 to meet immediate needs for replacement items.  Some family members broke down and cried at the demonstration of support.

During a recent interview on Fox News, host Brian Kilmeade encouraged Jake himself to run for CA governor.  He responded, “There was a dream that was California and I want to bring that back in the right way with the right people.  If there is a good strong interest, and the interest is right, and we see an opportunity, there’s a good chance that I’ll run for Governor of California.”

To find out more about Jake Steinfeld click the LINK!

CREDITS

Founder of FitTV and Body By Jake, 1980, developing fitness programs and merchandise / personal trainer, clients including Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford, whom he trained for two Indiana Jones films, 1984, 1989 / Host, Body By Jake TV series, 1988-1997 / lead actor, Big Brother Jake, The Family Channel, 1990-1994 / numerous acting roles in TV, film, and voiceover work for animated films, 1979-2018 / co-founded Major League Lacrosse (MLL), the first professional outdoor lacrosse  league, 2001 / New York Times and Wall Street Journal best-selling author / Chairman, National Foundation for Governors' Fitness Councils since 2012 / married to Tracey, four grown children