A hub for up and coming death defying escapes & a learning space for all: to build hope, inspire, captivate and engage our nation in a call-to-action to shift HIV perception, reduce infections among our youth and guide those who are out of care to get back-in!

www.danielbauer.us

It's been some time since I have posted; I wanted to share with you why as well as what you can now expect from me and my posts moving forward. 

Over the last year and a half as I have been re-introducing myself to the world (since my fall in 2002 when I was diagnosed with HIV), I had some most amazing moments getting my hands and heart involved in some amazing projects and calls-to-action; as I started on this adventure of new life my goal was to discover where my true calling would best fall into place in the fight against the wars on HIV that our nation is continually facing. 

I tried the activism thing. . . a bit too radical for me. I tried the social media thing, and found I am too ADD to sit in front of a computer for hours at a time, and besides there are some awesome social media projects out there, so rather than recreate another wheel, its best if I support what's already in motion and do my part to spread those messages. And lastly, while I am an advocate for the rights of those living with HIV/AIDS, I have learned through much feedback and through personal reflections that where I believe I fit, and have found my true calling is to simply remain dedicated to presenting motivational speaking, training and educational programs to youth and HIV service professionals while balancing my dream to be positioned (once again) as one of the most talented escape artists since the Houdini era.

I have now presented/performed to more than 10,000 people (youth, service professionals, general public) over this last year speaking on topics that change the perception of those living with HIV/AIDS; delivering heart-pounding and life-saving messages to youth in an effort to inspire youth to make healthier choices; I have been featured as a plenary speaker at national conferences presenting on topics such as outreach strategy, and the importance of communities including the voices and faces of those living with HIV to inspire change. And as many of you know my show Beyond Belief, which has been a huge hit, toured nationally and is now in the planning to return to New York City later this spring. With all this said, I write this not to just 'float-my-own-boat'; yet more to share with you my commitment to inspiring communities to engage in more education efforts especially at the High School level. Students respond to 'real-talk' about sex and other "out of the classroom and when parents aren't looking" behaviors when they are given the chance to engage on an equal playing field with a speaker bold enough to speak to them at their level. This creates change! I have seen it!

With all this said, moving forward, I will be posting bi-monthly; providing updates on experiences I have had as I continue to speak. What works. . . what doesn't. My hope is that this information will be shared and read by educators, parents, HIV service professionals, the media and anyone else who has an interest in deepening the learning experience among our youth about the risks of contracting HIV and other STI's. Additionally, another one of my core missions will be to reach out to the media whom I believe is the solution to reversing the war on HIV Stigma in our nation. It was the media who frantically educated us about HIV based on FEAR. Since they are responsible for shaping the fear of HIV they will (and do) have the power to reverse the stigma. I will keep you updated with my efforts.

So welcome to my blog once again, a refreshed space providing tools and educational strategies that may provide useful to inspire change, engage HIV service professionals and empower youth to make healthier choices in life.

Thank you for following my blog!

With life, 
Daniel

The Will Clark Show presents one amazing star studded line-up to benefit the awe-inspiring and life-saving work of the Iris House of New York City!!

I AM HONORED that Will Clark (a total super hero of mine who does awesomeness for the HIV/AIDS community) called upon me to team up with two of my New York City favorite stars (and role models), the absolutely sensational Witti Repartee (who is also Empress XXVI of the Imperial Court of New York) and the ultra fabulous MargOH Channing, to be featured guests at The Will Clark Show on Thur., Jan. 17, 2013: 7 pm to 9 pm @ The Ritz, 369 w. 46th St., (which happens to be one of my all time favorite venues in New York City). Together, all of this razzle and dazzle will benefit the Iris House - A center for women living with HIV/AIDS.

I rarely ever (in fact almost never) ask friends, fans or strangers to donate money to any specific HIV/AIDS charity / cause. The reason for this is that I personally am bombarded with gazillions of events every year where I am asked to make donations to further a cause - there are a lot of amazing causes yet my wallet can stretch only so far!  HOWEVER, with that said, I am breaking my rule. . . just this time; AND LET ME TELL YOU WHY!!! The IRIS HOUSE SAVES LIVES. . . and I am now asking you to join me and my fellow fabulousters (Will, Witti and MargOH). . . just this once - to make a difference because I asked you to! (Yep that's as direct as it gets!. . .)

I went to visit the Iris House headquarters where I was given a personal tour, by the truly amazing Michael B. Jones, Director of Development (A.K.A. Witti Repartee), of their services and programs offered to Women (and to men). . . who are living with / affected by HIV/AIDS. . . and let me tell you, I AM INSPIRED! There are many organizations that serve the HIV/AIDS community in NYC which do great work; however the IRIS HOUSE. . . performs miracles; they are "Saving Lives"! [I am still in awe-shock - in fact the goose bumps have not left my arms since my visit last week.]

So, let me share with you what I learned:

Just over the last 2 fiscal years, Iris House has served nearly 10,000 persons through their on-site and community programs! I could write for hours about all the amazing programs Iris House offers . . . however, there is a full outline of all their services and programs which are outlined and explained best on their website; so check them out and see why my heart is still beating with a pulse for their motto "Saving Lives".

While so much of the success and very high rates of changing lives that Iris House achieves really hit home with me, there were a few things that were shared with me that had me in shock. . . I went into tears after I had left . . . One of the main [and many] programs Iris House offers is a food and nutrition program which had lost significant funding back in 2010 - however still managed to serve 116,000 meals in 2012 to persons living with HIV as well as to community members [How freak'n awesome is that!!]. HOWEVER, more times than none when Iris House serves lunch (Tues - Friday); the lines are so long that a NOTE - "SORRY NO MORE LUNCH" is taped to the door when the meals run out. [I seriously had to GASP for air. . . and do all I could to hold back my tears. . . this is sad. . . so sad!!]

So now you know WHY I want you to come out this Thursday and spend 2 hours with me, Witti and MargOH (not only to be entertained - AND OH BOY WILL YOU EVER - and also to play Porno Bingo ($1 bingo cards) with fabulous prizes to be won . . . MORE IMPORTANTLY I WANT YOU to come out to share in and support the magic of life - to make a difference in one person's life. . . to allow another person to not be cut off that lunch line!

Like any non-profit, I wanted to find out how the money, that they are raising during my very special appearance, is going to be allocated. Well, check this out. . . Iris House allocates .88 cents of every dollar raised to direct programs and services! That is nothing short of amazing! So you can dig even deeper that night and be greeted with such warm thanks and love as The Iris House staff will be present at this star-studded Will Clark Show to accept your donations; and you can be rest assured your contribution is absolutely going to make a difference. Now, I know many of my readers are out of the New York City area so in the event you are unable to book a last minute flight and make hotel arrangements to attend the live event, please know you can still attend in spirit by making a donation online HERE.

So from me to you. . . a very special thank you to all those who will come out and join in on this very special evening. . . and to those of you who are unable to attend, Thank you for making a donation online!


NOW. . . for those of you who do come out I plan to perform one piece of really awesome magic! AND. . . as a special performance bonus I will attempt a death-defying feat (Houdini's famed mailbag escape). . . which I have NEVER performed in a setting this close up before! Very dangerous, very [almost] cloth-less and well pretty "sick" if I make it out alive! [Um, yes, that is me in my boxer briefs as a willing volunteer ties my hands and feet up with clothes-line rope - and that sucker tied me up tight too, I almost didn't make it out. . .]

I look forward to seeing you all out! Please do come up and say hi to me after the show [assuming the escape attempt is a success]. . . and let me know you supported the Iris House so that I can be sure to give you a BIG HUG!!


Quickly, again:

- For additional information about the Iris House, please click here.
- To make a donation online please click here.

My name is Daniel and I am Living Pozitively! Thank you for taking the time to read my blog!

Healthy Gay Lifestyles . . . simply a must!

On days end I scour the internet looking for the next hottest thing that I can include as another tool in my box (ha!) where I can learn about ways to be a healthier man [gay man]!

A few weeks ago I got a call from this online publication (and weekly newsletter) called HealthyGayLifestyles.com asking if I would write a piece, from my perspective, about HIV among us gays! Before I wrote the piece, I checked out the magazine. . . and I was most impressed with the information, tools, resources and much more it had to offer! So without going into a long-winded blog-post about this online magazine . . . check out how cool it is for yourself!! AND encourage your fellow gay friends to also check the magazine out. Here's a bit of info about what to expect:

HealthyGayLifestyles.com is the new online magazine and newsletter for the empowerment of gay men. It’s mission is to supply the tools that can give EVERY gay man the ability to lead a healthy, wealthy, and more balanced/blended lifestyle. To create a community where thousands of gay men from all over the world come together in support and celebration of each other.

Gay men have an enormous influence on what our world will look like in the future. Our responsibilities are endless. Gay men deserve to be respected, honored, and praised for our contribution to society.

Please join us on this magnificent journey to lead the life you have always dreamed of, the life you deserve. Sign up today to receive your FREE weekly article offering lifestyle solutions for gay men and your FREE copy of “The Truth About Gay Relationships.”

Live Your Best Life,

Healthy Gay Lifestyles

www.healthygaylifestyles.com

****************

I signed up for their weekly newsletter and hope you will too!

  SIGN UP TODAY

Also - don't forget boys and gals, please make sure to Just Get Tested for STDs and HIV!
Thanks for following my blog! I am Daniel and I am living pozitively!!

AFRAID to get back into HIV care: WORST MISTAKE I ever made!

Forget the dizziniess, puking, diarrhea and other wacko-side-effects that come with starting the once-a-day antiretroviral (ARV) pill Atripla (um - this is my experience, I have friends who are fine with this ARV);  it was when the killer whales came out at night swarming the wooden raft I was trapped on in the middle of the black sea; [me] deathly afraid as they smashed the corners of the raft trying to get me to roll into their death-jaws; AND THEN WAKING UP BREATHING DEEPLY DRENCHED IN SWEAT; that made me think twice about popping this pink sucker daily ever again! These effects. . . these wicked evil dreams went on for weeks. . . I couldn't take it! I simply just couldn't take it anymore! So I stopped.

Fact is when people asked me if I was taking my meds (after I stopped) - I lied. I told them I was. It was none of their business and I certainly didn't want to hear the damn lectures about the importance of taking HIV meds. ["Blah, Blah Blah in my head!"] I had big muscles, my diet was good and after my first blood checks, I was undetectable. So there was no need (or so I thought) to have to go through the hell of getting past the side-effects of the medication anymore. I "took control" of my own health (meaning stupid-in-my-head-kicked-in) and I stopped taking the pill. As long as I could see big muscles on the outside, I figured my insides were okay. Besides, I figured if this one medication had all these side effects I could not handle, all the rest must be the same; so there was no reason to even ask my doctor for another dose [prescription] of punishing.  So in plain-jane-terms. . . I said to myself,  "Fuck-it! I am done!"

In a previous post I talked about my baby brother Andy and his struggles; I share the story about when he called me [back in 2010] and I had to rush to the hospital because he told me that the doctors were about to intubate him (he refused to take meds - back then AZT); he couldn't breathe on his own. He couldn't handle the med's side-effects. He asked [begged] me to not let the doctor's do this to him. He wanted to just die.He was done fighting for life. When I arrived I was too late - the tubes were inside him; However, even the doctor's told me it was too late - even with the tubes inside him; with PCP and so many other complications his body would not win. Regardless, I had to honor Andy's wish and have the tubes pulled out of him. What was really scary for me was the very moment my eyes laid upon him. I froze! OMG!!!!!! I thought I stared death [my own death] in the face! I was now truly afraid - sooooo afraid - to tell anyone that I had stopped my medication. I was ashamed.

Early June 2011, I was rushed to the hospital by ambulance as a result of various health complications; following tests and more I learned that my t-cells had crashed. UGH!!!!!! I figured there was no saving me now. I figured I would become just like Andy. DEAD so early in life. Man was I scared shitless!

REALITY!!! The doctors told me I still had a fighting chance, but only if I stayed in care; it was my choice to make. So I dropped the ego, let go of my fear and listened! I took an active role in following direction and I started on new meds. Truvada / Kaletra cocktail. Once I got past the puking and "shit" (literally) and saw my t-cells climbing and my viral load decreasing, man did I ever feel better about myself. 1-year later I have managed to get back on stage, live my dreams and fight for every fiber of life I have with which I have been blessed.

I can't tell you how grateful I am to be back in care and living a VERY HEALTHY lifestyle. I am living like I have never before. Every 3-4 months I go to get my blood checked just to make sure things are still good; I am beyond anal retentive about taking my meds in the morning and night! Actually I now freak out if I am an hour late! HA! That's how important I now realize it is to maintain regular care of living with HIV.

With all this said, I hope others - out there - who have dropped out of care; including those of you who have stopped taking meds - no matter the excuse- that you - ALL OF YOU  - will reconsider!

If my blog and personal experience is not enough, then this coming Tuesday, I invite you to join me as I sit on a panel for a Partners In+ Care webinar session to learn about the importance of staying in care. YOUR LIFE MATTERS! SO PLEASE JOIN ME IN RETURNING. . . COMING BACK TO MANAGING YOUR HEALTH CARE.

Here's the info:

Partners in+care Webinar Series
Reaching Out to Keep Our Friends in Care
Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at 4:00pm ET


Agenda: We all know people who know their HIV+ status, but are not in care. How do we work with our friends, family, lovers and others to make sure they get into and stay in care? Tyler TerMeer of the Ohio AIDS Coalition will talk about his experiences in working with loved ones on staying in care. In addition, we will have a panel conversation to flush out issues why our loved ones are not in care and how we can respond to make sure they lead happy and healthy lives. The panel includes Dr. Loida Bonney of Emory University College of Medicine and Daniel Bauer of Living Pozitively in addition to Tyler TerMeer!

Dial-in#: 866.394.2346
Participant Code: 394 154 6368 #
URL: http://www.nqcqualityacademy.org/incarecampaign/

I hope this post inspires at least one person living with HIV/AIDS to consider the importance of getting back into care. I hope you will join in next Tuesday and chime in [or simply just listen]!

I am curious - has anyone else stopped care? Why? And what did it take for you to get back into managing your HIV care? I want to hear from you!

I am Daniel and I am living pozitively. Thank you for following my blog!

p.s. I encourage everyone to JustGetTested! Sex is fun! Infection is not!!

Sex is fun. . . Infection is not: Why I stand 100% with JustGetTested.com

The biggest mistake I made in my life (well I should say one of the biggest. . .) is that I auto-assumed my partner back in the day was negative when he told me in a drunken stupor romantic whisper he was.  . . accompanied by "I LOVE YOU. In fact I auto assumed I was negative too! Neither of us tested. . . both of us engaged in sex without protection.

Reality is if we had been tested, we both (or at least I) could have made a smarter decision about how we chose to have sex. I could have prevented becoming infected with HIV.

Every three months I get my blood tested to make sure I am doing what is necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle; to ensure that the antiretroviral medication prescribed is still working and to ensure that my diet is on target. While sometimes it is a lot to manage. . . knowing is key! Oh! And yes, I still have sex. . . and still get tested regularly for STD's and the such. . . and if you are having sex. . . you should just get tested too!

Now, with all this said, while I am on a firm mission to do my part to reduce HIV/AIDS stigma by living my life; reclaiming my dream and passion in life as Houdini's successor; I have found it also equally as important in my message to encourage and educate as many people as possible about the importance of just getting tested.

SEX IS FUN!!!! INFECTION IS NOT!!!! This is why I am officially announcing that I have teamed up with JustGetTested.com - as their new face for HIV Testing!

Now I want to make it clear - JustGetTested is more than just about HIV and STD testing. Those of you living with diabetes and those of you who need easy access to getting simple / complete overall health blood tests done. . . then JustGetTested.com is for you.

So without further due. . . please help me welcome the one company I stand 100% behind when it comes to getting tested. . . JustGetTested.com!! <applause>

JustGetTested™ was created to provide a way to get fast, reliable, confidential and affordable HIV and STD testing.

The philosophy behind JustGetTested is that more and more today, each of us needs to take our health into our own hands - to be aware of what's going on with our bodies and actively involved in making healthcare decisions.

"The healthcare system today isn't working for patients, but it's not working for doctors either," says JustGetTested Medical Director Edward Salko, DO. "By giving individuals direct access to important information, we're giving everyone a huge advantage. Empowering the individual is an important step in building trust within the healthcare world."

One of the goals of JustGetTested is to reach out to individuals who don't have access to affordable STD testing, feel excluded by the system, or for whatever reason are uncomfortable going to a doctor or clinic.

Treating each individual with respect and compassion, we want to remove the stigma from STD testing.  We can provide a way for those without medical insurance - as well as members of the LGBTQ community and anyone who practices a high-risk lifestyle (including performers in the adult film industry, sex workers and IV drug users) - to have some control over their healthcare decisions. We keep our overhead low and our costs competitive so that we can be sensitive to the needs of all our customers, including those with chronic conditions who need regular testing and monitoring. 

JustGetTested.com is a safe place to find out what you need to know when it comes to HIV and STDs.  Just order online, pay the lowest prices possible, then make a quick trip to a lab to have your blood drawn. You'll get your private results online. 

It's one simple way to take charge of your own healthcare.

Just Get Tested.  Because Sex is Fun… Infection Isn't.

ORDER YOUR TESTS TODAY! CLICK HERE!

I am Daniel and I am living pozitively!! Thank you for following my blog!

Just Get Tested: June 27 is National HIV Testing Awareness Day

Ladies and Gentlemen. . .  it's that time of the month to JUST GET TESTED!! June 27, 2012 is National HIV Testing Awareness Day. There are a lot of people who might (in fact I know are. . .) afraid to ask their doctor to run STD Tests. . . so I have teamed up with JustGetTested.com to help you access a 100% confidential and affordable way to Get Tested.

The goal of Just Get Tested is to provide an affordable confidential way to order blood tests without having to visit a doctor’s office. With their easy-to-use system, you simply create an account, order whatever blood test you want, find the closest LabCorp location on their location page, have blood drawn, then log back into their secure password protected server to obtain your test results. Your results are yours to keep or share with your sexual partners, healthcare providers or anyone you want. It’s your information. No one else has access to your results unless you choose to share. 


I wanted to magically make it even more affordable for anyone who might be interested in online testing. . . so if you do order your tests online with JustGetTested, be sure to use the promotional code: HOUDINI for an additional 5% off!


If you are having sex. . . you are at risk. . . so please get tested! Know your status!


CLICK HERE TO JUST GET TESTED!!


I am Daniel and I am living pozitively! Thank you for following my blog.

An Inside Look: Beyond Belief preparations for opening night - June 22 - New York City

These past few weeks I have received a lot of emails and private Facebook/Twitter messages with some pretty cool questions from folks asking for additional inside-look details about my new show Beyond Belief; so I thought I would take this moment to answer some of those questions. Here goes . . .

Why the name Beyond Belief?
Ever since I was a kid I was always fascinated (ya know the mouth-opened really wide kind of fascinated) by magic. Especially when the magic was done up close - like right in front of my eyes! Now combine my true love of life for magic and escape with all the blood, sweat and tears I endured to become the successor to Harry Houdini, touring the world - my dreams all coming true!! AND THEN. . . losing everything in the blink of an eye because I shockingly learned I am HIV positive which then became the "silent-reason" for a sponsor to back out of a commitment - I became a liability. Wanting nothing more than to die and everything in between and after. . . the only two words I knew that could sum all of this up are "Beyond Belief."

What makes Beyond Belief unique in the fight against HIV/AIDS?
I believe (don't quote me on this. . . ha!) I am the only openly gay, HIV positive escape artist and magician. There are some incredible warriors out there doing their thing. . . Jamar Rogers, Robert Breining, Dab Garner, Jeromy Dunn and Sean Strub to name a few. . . all whom I utterly look up to! How I differ. . . well we all have the same drive and passion to combat stigma, fight criminalisation, comfort newly diagnosed, and help drive the forces to finding a cure / vaccine. The more stories of success that go public for all to witness the better the world heals in our common fight! My difference is I am challenging my own physical and mental capabilities and putting it all out there with Beyond Belief.  This is just the start. . . it is my unique way of telling ALL of my story and how I have been able to pull through the depths of hell to realize my life is sooooo worth fighting for. Oh yeah, and I don't think any of the warriors I mentioned get tied up and throw themselves in water tanks while in straight jackets! he-he!  I think that's pretty unique!

What can people expect if they attend Beyond Belief?
Well anyone who buys tickets to attend the show can expect to be inspired (I hope) with stories of loss, survival and triumph about my life and those around me living with HIV/AIDS as I share a collection of short stories about overcoming some intense moments in life from laying eyes on my very first magic kit to nearly ending my life through addiction, suicide attempts and finally what it took to get where I am today. I am a 10 year warrior of HIV. . . trying to wrap up 39 years of life in a 90 minute experience! ha! It's gonna be a whirl wind of an emotional roller coaster all creatively weaved through the arts of magic and escape!

Is this a "Las Vegas" type magic act?
Nope! Beyond Belief is about the story, while I can assure you the magic I perform is pretty sick and there is one escape I will perform where death could be the outcome. . . there will be no smoke, no mirrors and no silly theatrical mechanics to wow ticket holders! The magic is real! And so are the escapes! The cool thing is I will engage the audience 150% throughout the show! "Two director's chairs, an old magic trunk and pure darn brilliant magic and escape. . .  now that's real Houdini stuff!" (-me)

How do you train for Beyond Belief?
Most people may not know, but I am 100% self trained in the arts of magic and escape. Since I decided to get back on stage and live my life. . .and never give up on my dream of reclaiming the Houdini legacy ever again, I have been very anal retentive about taking my meds, strict exercise and strength building training, diet and overall healthy living. My muscles are not for show! (ha!) Getting tied up and getting out is no easy task - pure human cunning.

What are your plans after Beyond-Belief?
This show is just the start of what is to come. I am currently training to attempt Piranha Peril, the death-defying escape I was training for and going to debut 10 years ago. . . until 'they' labeled me a liability! Kind of ironic that I am going back into a pool of 'piranha' - but this time I [my dreams] will make it out alive and not be eaten up!. Ultimately I want to show everyone / anyone living with HIV that with the right diet, adherence and lifestyle you can . . . you will live a long and healthy life. Every year I hope to attempt a brand new totally original escape. .  marking another year of success where I have escaped the stigma (and assumed physical limits) of  living with HIV. Nothing is going to stop me this time - certainly not my HIV nor the the fear others still may have about HIV.

Will Beyond Belief appear anywhere else outside NYC?
My hope is that this show will run for sometime here in NYC. However I am thrilled that Beyond Belief is already slated as a marquee event at the International AIDS Conference - specifically for the AIDS 2012 REUNION program. Additionally, Beyond Belief will be touring to benefit other organizations. For example this August, Beyond Belief is heading to Jacksonville, FL for one night to benefit DAB the AIDS Bear Project! 

Where can people go to buy tickets?
Simply visit www.livingpozitively.com for show dates, to buy tickets and much, much more.

Well, I think those are all the questions that came in. . . if anyone else has anymore questions about Beyond Belief, feel free to leave a comment here and I will happily reply!

I hope anyone living in the NYC area will come out to experience Beyond Belief! Together we will make a difference.

Thank you for following my blog! I am Daniel and I am livingpozitively.

Dear HIV,

Hi Everyone. In response to Justin B. Terry-Smith's "Write a Letter to HIV" campaign, I have uploaded a YouTube video.


I would like to encourage everyone who is living with HIV to find the courage to support this campaign. This letter was another healing step as I continue to grow and live with dignity.

(For those of you who want to read rather than listen, see the text letter below.)

Dear HIV,

After living together for more than a decade, I thought now would be a better time more than any to take the moment to check-in, become vulnerable and tell you what’s really on my mind.

There are more days than some that others think you are a weapon I carry in my pants. There are more days than some that others think because we ‘hang-out’ we should not be allowed to live with dignity. There are more days than some that people think I am less human because we have such a deep blond bond.  It’s on these days that I wish I could wave my magic wand to get you out of my life.

I won’t lie, living with you sucks. Taking all these medications; the frequent, unexpected marathons to pay homage to the porcelain god and the always necessary appointments to the doctors to make sure your fight to beat me up inside remains invisible has added more emotional worry to my mind and soul than I would have ever have liked to invite into my life.

I am not sure what you were thinking when you told me “I love you” so ever quietly in my ear. That whisper of romance while embraced in a bubbly stupor sounded so amazing and so real. Your passion was irresistible and blinded me to reject your invitation to bring you into my life. Accepting your invitation was the worst mistake I have ever made.

Now that I have no choice but to live with you, I want you to know that I have the choice to choose life with dignity even with you at my side. I want to remind you that I am HUMAN and that you, VIRUS won’t defy my IMMUNE SYSTEM any longer.

I have finally broken free of your dark magic spell which made me feel worthless for many years, tricking me into thinking I am going to die! Well no more dark magic will be conjured upon my soul. Today my dreams are filled with hope. I live today as if you never came into my life a decade ago. Go ahead and follow me everywhere I go, just know you won’t control me anymore. LIVING trumps you, HIV! LIVING DOESN’T SUCK ANYMORE!

With life,

Daniel

I am Daniel, and I am living pozitively. Thank you for following my blog.

p.s. consider following me on Twitter or adding me as a friend on Facebook.

NAPWA's Healthy Living Summit 2012 Changed Lives! It was Beyond Belief!!

Duane Cramer, Robert Breining, Miss Plus America, Me, Jeromy Dunn

'Knock-Knock-Knock' . . . as I had just settled into my hotel room, I answer the door and there it began! Co-host Jeromy Dunn (Poz I Am Radio and my specially trained magical assistant), appeared at my door! "Give me a hug!!! OMG it is sooooooooo wonderful to finally meet you in person."

I knew at that moment, NAPWA's National Healthy Living Summit was going to be life changing for me and for many others!

Robert Breining & Me

I admit I was nervous as heck to deliver a magical spectacular for the conference attendees. Getting back on stage and talking is one thing, but to produce a creative piece incorporating my story while showcasing my talents of magic and escape is a whole other ball park! As I managed to make it out alive of a very painful escape, where that big muscle guy tied me up pretty darn good, my hands bleeding. . . my eyes fell into shock as the audience stood on their feet screaming and yelling. . . a standing ovation that moved my soul. . . my heart. . . my spirit which I thought would never come back to life. . .

Me & Kevin Maloney

That moment was one of many that made me realize how proud of myself I am for never letting go of my dreams. Proud that I, no matter the struggle, no matter the pain, held on to every fiber of life that today guides me to stand tall with dignity while inspiring others who are living with HIV/AIDS to do the same.

When Kevin Maloney, of Rise Up To HIV tweeted "AMAZING STORY of loss, survival and, triumph! AMAZING SHOW! - 5 THUMBS UP!!  I CRIED, I LAUGHED! Such an inspiration!"  I did all I could to hold back the emotions as best I could. I never felt so ALIVE!

Now some of you may (or may not) know, but I have had the luxury of working on some pretty impressive national conferences (in the background) during my professional career. With that said, it is without hesitation that I tell you, "NAPWA pulled off an extra-ordinary life changing experience." With a thought provoking day of Men's, Women's and Youth Institutes followed by a full day of workshops lead by a stellar line up of speakers, I was engaged with not only changing my life and how to take greater action in living well, but I was engaged with so many others who were seeking the same thing! So NAPWA, I give you a standing ovation for delivering a 5-star conference!! Word to the wise, if you missed this year's event, I suggest putting this event in your planning for next year!

Jeromy Dunn, Me, Robert Breining

Now, I could go on and on about this event, however I think it is best left to talk about it, so I am inviting all of you to join in this Thursday night to a special edition of Poz I Am Talk Radio, with Host Robert Breining and Co-Host Jeromy Dunn to reflect on the conference. I am encouraging all those who attended to please chime in, and please call in and share your experiences! Let's let NAPWA know how this conference changed our lives, and why this event must happen again next year!



Here are the details:

NAPWA: HEALTHY LIVING SUMMIT 2012 - RECAP
DATE: Thursday, April 19  TIME: 9 PM (EST)

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN IN LIVE






Once again, I realize how important it is to live well, not just exist, but truly live well! NAPWA, thank you for making this possible!

I am Daniel and I am living pozitively! Thank you for following my blog!

p.s. please consider following me on Twitter or becoming a friend on Facebook.

"Yes we distribute condoms, but just not to you." (WTF?!?)

This past weekend, I had the opportunity to attend an informative panel discussion on HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention, presented by an evangelist congregation held at their house of worship in Brooklyn. I thought to myself, as I walked in, "How cool is it that this religious institution is offering this kind of information and taking a role in building awareness to their communities!" But boy oh boy did I not have a clue of what I was about to walk into.

On the panel were two incredible plwha (people living with HIV/AIDS); a heterosexual female and a heterosexual male (who was prenatally infected). Their messages were strong and dynamic! Also sitting on the panel was a holistic nutritionist, who was quite boring and didn't make much sense to me about diet and HIV (but that's a whole other blog post); an infectious disease doctor who ran  through current stats and information, and a guy who just pissed me off - the church's Minister /Pastor (not sure what the correct title is so excuse my ignorance hoping I don't offend anyone).

Before I get into my rant, I want to make clear that I respect all religions, all lifestyles and all beliefs. Everyone is entitled to his/her own path in life no matter one's faith or other spiritual beliefs (or maybe none at all).

Moving on, the communities that this church serves, from my first initial glance which was then confirmed by the panelists, are high-risk for HIV infection. So, as the panel discussion continued on the Minister made an announcement that their church will begin to distribute condoms. Now thinking to myself, "Wow, this is pretty cool to hear!" Then I simply gasped . . . STUNNED at what came out of this Minister's mouth next.

"We will be selective to whom we choose to give a condom. If you do not follow our congregation's beliefs or meet our religious criteria we may choose not to give you a condom if you ask us for one."

"WTF?!"

Can someone please help me to understand why this community serving institution would make this kind of policy. Let's say an adolescent, or young adult or even senior walked in off the street, wanting to protect his/her own life knowing this church has condoms, but then is turned away. . . because he/she does not meet the religious criteria for the condom distribution program. Am I missing something here??!!??

I am at a loss for words. . . please share your thoughts on this. .  what is your take on this Minister / Church's condom distribution program?

I am Daniel and I am living pozitively. Thank you for following my blog.

p.s. please consider following me on Twitter or adding me as a friend on Facebook.

The National Healthy Living Summit & "Beyond-Belief": Don't miss out!!!

Dallas, TX here I come!! If there is one conference, anyone living with HIV/AIDS, or anyone wanting to play a greater role in HIV/AIDS advocacy absolutely should attend in 2012, it is the first annual National Healthy Living Summit, presented by the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA) to be held at the Award-winning American Airlines Conference Center in Dallas, TX; April 10-14.

I am honored to officially announce that my new off-Broadway, magical spectacular about living with HIV/AIDS, Beyond-Belief, will be presented at this week-long, life changing event before it opens on stage in New York City. 

Do not miss out on this conference! Register today!!! Below, is some information about the conference and information about Beyond-Belief. If you plan on attending, leave a comment here and let me know! Also, be sure to come up and say hello to me during the conference. I am excited to learn, to make friends and to absorb a greater sense of hope in my own life.

I look forward to seeing you there!!

I am Daniel and I am living pozitively! Thank you for following my blog!

Follow me on Twitter or Friend me on Facebook.

National Healthy Living Summit

NAPWA announces the first annual National Healthy Living Summit, April 10-14, 2012, in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. Originally scheduled August 7–10, 2011, the Summit promotes healthy living for people living with HIV. The new National Healthy Living Expo continues the work of NAPWA’s popular Staying Alive national conferences in a new environment of not just surviving with HIV but living productive and fulfilling lives.


For more than 25 years NAPWA has been the oldest, most trusted voice for saving and improving the lives of people impacted by HIV/AIDS and this year’s event looks to build upon that tradition.


The Healthy Living Summit will be held in the award-winning American Airlines Training & Conference Center in the heart of the Dallas/Fort Worth metropolitan area. People living with HIV/AIDS are encouraged to attend the event to learn how to become involved in advocacy work in their respective regions and receive useful information about government subsidized housing and medication.


“The Healthy Living Summit welcomes all who are interested in improving quality of life for and addressing issues that affect people living with HIV/AIDS,” said Stephen Bailous, Senior Vice President for Treatment Advocacy and Community Affairs. “Sponsors, including pharmaceutical companies, government agencies, and supplement manufacturers are offered a unique opportunity for visibility among hundreds of leaders in the HIV/AIDS community.”

REGISTER TODAY!!

Beyond-Belief
In a world where life sometimes is masked with smoke and mirrors for many to hide; and secrets to linger, Daniel Bauer, the successor to the legendary escape artist Harry Houdini brings to life a collection of short stories about living with HIV/AIDS.  There are no big props! There is no smoke! And the only mirror used in this show is in a dressing room! Touch, listen, taste and see!! Your senses will come alive in this suspenseful, humorous and emotional thrill of a production that takes you behind the success, the fall and the rise of Daniel Bauer’s life. Prepare to witness the arts of magic and escape up-close and personal. Prepare to be inspired by stories of triumph. Prepare to be captivated Beyond Belief. Following the performance, Daniel will return to the stage for a Q/A session with audience members allowing for a deeper perspective on the experience and his life.

Double D's go head to head in the fight against HIV/AIDS!

A perfect recipe in the fight against HIV/AIDS you ask?  Two guys named Daniel in a virtual space, East Coast meets West Coast, give them some recording technology and when you Put It Together you now have one hell of a talk show interview that does not sugar coat their quest in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

You already know who I am . . . so let me introduce the other Daniel! Daniel Garza is a 41 year old gay man who was diagnosed with AIDS back in 2000 and who continues to live a life in recovery since June 21, 2007. 


After years of searching for a light at the end of the tunnel Daniel G. is finally making it into the light with the help of a Spiritual Guide. He indulges his creative intuitive gifts through the use of Oracle Cards and the energy in people to help them out of their own tunnels.

Daniel Garza

Daniel Garza is the host of Put It Together from Abnormal Entertainment, an online talk show made out of life experiences, bringing to listeners a powerful variety of discussion through personal sharing of life stories that boldly unveils the many hard lessons, the battle scars, the knowledge, and wisdom of life. And when it's all put together, using all this 'powerful-stuff' to help others become better people.


I had the pleasure and honor of being asked onto Daniel Garza's show and we kicked out one hell of an interview: Magic is in the Air. Take a listen and hopefully there is some 'good-stuff' that might help you to put it all together! Daniel Garza really knows how to draw out and get real about the heavy topics of life. 


Hopefully what we talk about will help you to put some things together in your life!


LISTEN NOW: Put It Together - Magic is in the Air

I am Daniel and I am living pozitively! Thank you for following my blog.

Continue to follow my journey by following me on Twitter or becoming a friend on Facebook.

Setbacks and restarts over and over again: Never give up!

Yesterday was my first day back at the gym since my nasty fall, last month, that resulted in broken ribs. I must admit that grabbing hold of a twenty-pound dumbbell to warm up my biceps felt really really good!

Honestly, though, I never thought I would make it! I mean, five weeks without the gym seemed like an eternity to me. The old wise saying, 'patience is a virtue' was not sitting well with me several weeks into healing. The injury was a pretty unexpected setback not only to getting closer to staying on task to achieving my personal fitness goals, but also a setback which smacked me in the gut professionally, forcing escape practice to be put on hold. I was getting itchy and restless, cursing the world for having put the debris on the sidewalk and cursing myself for tripping over it! Like a broken record in my head, I kept thinking what if, what if, what if. . .

At the gym, I took one look in the mirror and thought to myself, ugh it's going to take forever to get back what I put so much work into! Part of me was like, maybe I should just forget it and leave the gym. Well this 'funky' mindset, and maybe you can relate, enters my mind more often than probably should, especially when I get blind-sided by unexpected detours in life. Not a good place for me to be mentally, because I start believing that maybe the universe doesn't want me to succeed.

Then, reality checks in. . . and I remind myself that, Shit! I have been through a lot in my life! I can't let this setback screw with my focus, determination and passion to live life and fight for my success; achieving my personal and professional goals. I guess what I am trying to say is I have to be careful that I do not start to categorize setbacks as failure.

I really had my hopes set high that I would have achieved my fitness goals by mid-April and have my new show "Beyond-Belief" ready to debut in May. Very likely that both will not happen in time as I planned. It has me in a bit of a funk.

Here's the thing, just because I took a detour, does not mean I failed nor does it mean I won't ever achieve these goals! I am simply delayed. And that's okay, because all I have each day I wake is time (and lots of it!!) to make 'em happen. In the past, I tried using HIV as an excuse to want to hurry and get things accomplished in a jiffy. . . well 10 years later that excuse is pretty lame. . . since I know I am going to live a very long healthy life! So I guess the delay, or being detoured is not such a big deal at all. It's just a disappointment; and definitely by no means have I failed!

What I need to continue to work on is how to deal with the unexpected bumps in the road of life a bit more gracefully (if there is such a thing); learning to jump over the hurdles rather than block my mindset telling myself I will never get there. That kind of thinking will just drown me in depression and then what!?! I don't want to live like that! I don't ever want to think that I will never make it or succeed in life, just because something is not happening when I want it to or isn't on schedule as I perfectly planned out in my head because some unexpected splash-of-wacky interrupted my focus and course of path.  I know that if I stop, take a deep breath and refocus I will be back on track in no-time. I will jump over this hurdle! Actually, now that I think about it, I already have by picking up that twenty-pound dumbbell.  . . a light, but damn good start in the right direction of getting back on track! It's all about how I pick myself up today. . .

Without a doubt there will be more setbacks to come my way and who knows when they will blind-side me; taking me on all sorts of whacked-out detours and windy roads in life. Today, setbacks just make me more determined to stay strong, to think positively and to forge ahead with limitless determination! Setbacks fuel my creativity. Setbacks will shape my success!

I am Daniel and I am living pozitively. Thank you for following my blog.

Please consider following me on Twitter or adding me as a friend on Facebook.

PositiveLite.com + Disclosure + Penn & Teller = Awesome!

All things HIV/AIDS that have been catching my eye this week are coming full throttle ahead (and are getting my blood pumping with excitement like never before)!!! It's been a while since I have done a pretty lengthy post about things that have caught my eye, and well, I could not wait another minute to tell you about the following:

First, if you haven't already checked out or subscribed to my favorite online HIV Publication (based out of Canada), you must get on this "know-what's-going-on" train with PositiveLite.com.  This is the publication that first broke my story back in September 2011 and just recently (and graciously) posted an update about what's been going on in my life since they featured that interview. This post includes video footage of my new speaking program "Blunt-Talk: How I Live" and shares my feelings and emotions of what it was like to get back on stage speaking out loud about living with HIV/AIDS. Please show PositiveLite (and me) your support by checking out this latest post! (Click Here to read).  Thanks again to the team at PositiveLite.com (Bob Leahy and Brian Finch) for allowing me to continue to share the progress of my life so openly! Also, "Blunt-Talk: How I Live" as well as my new production "Beyond-Belief" are available to conferences, charity events, school and university assemblies and more! So if you (or someone you know) are interested please contact me through my site.

If there is one thing I firmly believe is lacking in the HIV community, it is the sharing of more stories about people who are living with HIV/AIDS, their successes, their struggles and more. I believe that the more stories told, the greater the impact we will make in breaking down stigma about the virus. I happened to come across a pretty cool project that is making a bold step in telling such a story in a very unique way.  A film about Tyler Francis and Ryan Hunt, a couple who have been together for over two years. They are very much in love and are about to start a family by adopting a son. As the adoption gets closer, Tyler realizes he must reveal a dark secret that he has kept from Ryan: his HIV-positive status. DISCLOSURE follows Ryan’s emotional journey after his discovery of Tyler’s status, exploring the emotional heartache, isolation and discrimination against those who are HIV-positive. I am convinced this project will be very powerful and what's even cooler is that this project will be donating a portion of it's raised funds to a very important organization Until There's A Cure.  Please do check this project out and give them your support!

Some of you have asked me in emails, if I would ever consider doing a video performing a piece of magic, and sharing it with you here in my blog! Well, not just yet! HOWEVER, if you are dying to get your hands on some magic lessons, this next event is for you and simply put is kick-ass awesome! The Las Vegas AIDS Walk has teamed up with Penn & Teller this year!! Yep! They are going to Walk-the-Walk (even if one of them doesn't talk - ha!). 

My Facebook friend Kavin Burkhalter shared this news with me, and I would love to see my friend get the chance to experience the magic of Penn & Teller behind the scenes! You can read all about the Penn & Teller Challenge and even show your support for my friend Kavin by clicking here. Seiously, if I were in Vegas, I would be up all over this opportunity! So let's show some support and make this goal a magical success for Kavin!

Now, Lastly, if you haven't had a chance to read my last post about my Project "ALIVE", please take time to do so. I am diligently working to bring back to life the one escape "Piranha Peril" along with the entire concept of my production "ALIVE"; the production that was shut-down abruptly the minute a potential corporate sponsor learned I was HIV+. I believe standing center stage for the world to witness this miracle of a come-back will be a huge success in the fight against breaking down HIV sitgma! Take a minute to watch my video below, and then please take a moment to visit my Project "ALIVE" funding page to consider making my dream, once lost to fear of HIV, come back to life showing the world HIV shall not be feared! 

I am Daniel and I am living pozitively! Thank you for following my blog and again, please do consider supporting the projects above! They are all vital to making our communities safer and healthier for all living with HIV/AIDS.

Continue to follow my story, consider following me on Twitter or adding me on Facebook.