A 'Leap for Life'
Salisbury man to skydive for American Cancer Society
Rick Collins is afraid of heights. Yet, the Salisbury resident plans to jump from more than 13,000 feet from an airplane.
Next month, Collins will take the "Leap for Life," a charity skydive to raise money and awareness for the American Cancer Society.
"I don't like heights," he said, "which is why I chose skydiving."
Collins, 50, rationalized his decision.
"It is a challenge that will push me to the edge," he said. "Courage is like a muscle. When you exercise it, it is going to develop and grow. If you don't use it, it will atrophy."
Collins, whose wife, Kathleen, and two daughters, Lauren and Caitlyn, all attended Bowling Green and W.T. Clarke Middle Schools, is an attorney who practices in the area of nutritional supplement law and sports drug defense. He is regarded nationally as a legal authority on the non-medical use of anabolic steroids.
As a former competitive bodybuilder himself, Collins explained that the decision to combine his hobby and profession helps him not only relate to his clients more, but also enjoy his job.
Collins, a graduate of Hofstra Law School, recalled speaking to students at his alma mater last month, and encouraging them to think outside the box in all aspects of life. It appears that he has followed his own advice.
"I was able to mold my vocation and advocation," said Collins, who grew up in Mineola. "It gives me an opportunity to love what I do everyday." His practice, Collins, McDonald and Gann is also headquartered in Mineola.
Collins has also co-authored a men's diet and exercise book, due out in September, titled the "Alpha Male Challenge." The book, he said, is aimed at encouraging and motivating men to maintain a life of health and fitness despite demanding work and personal schedules.
"Getting older doesn't mean you have to lose your edge in any form," Collins said. "Attitude is a huge part of it."
This is the second book authored by Collins, who has also written "Legal Muscle," which was focused on his nutritional law profession. Collins also worked as an assistant district attorney in Nassau County for five years, is a past editor-in-chief for the "Nassau Lawyer" and has served as a mentor in a Nassau County Bar Association program at W.T. Clarke High School.
