UK Underdog

UK UNDERDOG, an entertaining and captivating solo show created and performed by Steve Spiro of START Rescue (an LA based Animal Transport and Spay/Neuter team), continues at the Zephyr Theatre until Oct 28. This play, written and performed by Steve himself, can be seen until Oct 28.

Spiro attributes his success to strong work ethics, an unfaltering work ethic and can-do, never-quit attitude honed through martial arts training. Today he boasts over 35,000 connections on LinkedIn alone and hosts weekly live broadcasts called The Master Connector Show.

Early Life and Education

Steve is passionate about helping others take steps outside of their comfort zones and explore new territories. He advocates empowering individuals through coaching, mentoring and speaking engagements – as well as having taught university-level classes and been an active professional football player himself!

At University of the Pacific, he served on both women’s volleyball team and served as student athletic trainer. An advocate of Title IX – which prohibits discrimination on grounds of gender in education programs receiving federal financial assistance – he became involved with both programs as a member and trainer.

He was an outspoken pro-life advocate who opposed abortion, capital punishment and war. He advanced a philosophical argument called “seamless garment”, which asserts that an antiabortion ethic should lead to opposition against war and capital punishment, all as part of one unified moral philosophy.

Professional Career

Restauranteurs enjoyed inviting him into their homes for celebratory family dinners or gatherings of associates, while he was an integral benefactor and trustee at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park and founded its Society of Fellows.

Spiro is known for his master connecting skills, helping others realize their goals through speaking engagements or coaching and mentoring sessions. He attributes his success to strong work ethics, can-do attitudes, discipline, integrity and fearlessness that he developed through martial arts training.

He finds great satisfaction in being part of an industry-leading business like PenChecks Trust, which pioneered solutions for uncashed checks and missing participant IRAs well before they became mainstream offerings.

Achievement and Honors

Steven Spiro was an amateur kickboxing champion and was listed on the British Stunt Register. He credits martial arts’ discipline, integrity and fearlessness with helping him achieve many successes in business.

Spiro’s expertise lies not only in insurance but also sports medicine; he was on the staff of Pawtucket Red Sox as an assistant athletic trainer for Triple-A club Pawtucket Red Sox where he assisted head trainer with injury prevention, daily treatment and taped rehabilitation protocols.

He has served as benefactor, trustee and co-founder of the Culinary Institute of America’s Society of Fellows; they serve as ambassadors and auxiliary fundraisers. Restaurateurs Donna and Yono Purnomo credit Spiro with making many wine introductions for their restaurants including a 1961 Chateau Palmer that sells for more than $4,000.

Personal Life

Spiro is a huge animal enthusiast with a particular affinity for helping out underdogs. He founded START RESCUE, an LA based animal transport and spay/neuter team which rescues dogs and cats from high kill shelters throughout California. Additionally, Spiro wrote and starred in his short film entitled Absolution which won him an award at Beverly Hills Film Festival as best actor.

Spiro has an exceptional work ethic and credits his success to hard work and an indefatigable can-do, never quit attitude he learned from martial arts training. He holds both 4th degree black belt status in Karate and 1st degree status in Jujitsu, along with operating his own studio for Karate training.

Spiro is an assistant athletic trainer for Temple University’s sports medicine department and the primary athletic trainer for their men’s basketball team.

Net Worth

His estimated net worth ranges between $1 million – $7 million dollars, generated through his primary career as an activist.

He has served on both National and State boards within the insurance industry as well as testified before Congress on matters pertaining to insurance policies. Furthermore, he holds both the Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) credentials.

Spiro lives in Chappaqua, New York with his wife Ellen of 30+ years. Together they have three children. Spiro is also an avid traveler having visited over 50 countries so far. Additionally, he participates in charity work like animal welfare and anti-bullying efforts; being proud supporters of Shelter Transport as well as other pet charities like Barking Lot. Lastly he’s active participant with Cleveland Cavaliers’ Basketball Without Borders program.