“God gave me the opportunity to do something bigger with the stage I’ve been given.” – Michael “The Bull” Manna
Life is a journey. Each of us is on an individual quest, and as a human family, we all have a shared story and destiny. To seek, search, question, and wonder is to be human, and to be human is to be perfectly imperfect. The difference between a fake diamond and a real one is that a real diamond has flaws.
“I do not have it all figured out, I am not a saint by any means. I have made countless mistakes. Bad things that happen are not of God. If we allow him to, he can turn them into good 200 times over.“
Michael “The Bull” Manna, 36, from Pittsburgh, PA made his boxing debut in 2011 at the age of 28. Mike took to his stage at a point when many others in his field are approaching, or have reached their prime. As Manna likes to say, “I’m 36 years old, that’s 137 in boxing years.” Boxing for Manna has become a spiritual path; a means to access his deepest inner self, to access his creator in a very personal way.
Michael’s childhood was a very turbulent one, he came to boxing through street fighting. Mike’s heart was burned, and psyche severely scarred at a young age, facing both physical and sexual abuse, and the betrayal of friends. Fighting and boxing became an outlet for Mike, sometimes in very healthy ways, and at others, not as healthy.
Listen to Michael’s story below:
Michael had come to a place in his life, the tension of the crescendo of feeling stuck with what to do to calm the storm inside. He turned back to boxing, trained harder and more focused than ever before, and started his amateur career in 2011. Mike had 50 fights in his amateur years winning only 19 of them, but always by knock out, he always lost on points, though never lost by knock out. He cites the legendary Rocky Marciano as a pivotal boxing influence, because like Marciano, Michael just does not quit.
It was for this style of fighting he was chosen by team Pittsburgh to fight against team Ireland in an international tournament in 2015, which he won. Team Ireland wanted a rematch in 2016, and this time they threw their big guns at Mike, a very seasoned and well-trained fighter; and though this time Michael lost, again like Marciano he did not relent, and even landed quite a shocking knock out. These matches launched Michael’s career in the sense of some name recognition in Pittsburgh and in the larger boxing world.
On a run in North Park in Pittsburgh,on August 15, 2017, Mike prayed for guidance, he was thinking of going professional but was seeking a spiritual muse for doing so.
“God told me on that run, the distinct thought and calling was, “if you do more with the stage I’ve given you, all will be given to you and then some.” I decided I was going to donate any earnings I made in boxing, all of them, to charity. I had enough of doing it my way and I decided to make myself a vessel and do it God’s way.“
“Looking back on things now, there are some choices I wouldn’t have made, and certainly no child deserves abuse; but I wouldn’t change my story, because ultimately it’s all part of what makes me who I am.“
“If my story can touch one other person it’s all been worth it. To me, it’s not about me, my name, my persona, or anything like that, I’m just a knucklehead, I’m doing this for God; I’m doing this to touch other souls, and give them hope, strength, and support.“
Mike is a loving father, and by day he sells insurance, boxing he has set aside as his covenant with God; each match, whatever he earns is and will be donated to a charity of his choice. His first two fight purses went to Children’s Hospital Cancer Center, having a close connection to children fighting cancer, Michael’s cousin was diagnosed with Leukaemia at the age of 4. Michael also donates his time training and mentoring youth between the ages of 8-14 years old at Jack’s Boxing Gym in the North Hills, in Pittsburgh, PA.
“I believe part of really giving, is giving of what one doesn’t have. I hope that my story, and my choices, and the use of the gifts God has given me for good, will inspire and encourage others to do the same, each in their own way, everyone has their path in adding goodness to the world.“
Leah’ Spa and Salon
You deserve to be pampered – and Leah’Spa & Salon, LLC is the perfect destination for relaxation. Enjoy a full menu of soothing services to calm and rejuvenate your body. As a full-service salon, you will be able to have all your beauty needs met in one location!
Feel relaxed and uplifted as you experience our exclusive hair, skin, and nail treatments.
Our company is based on the belief that our customers’ needs are of the utmost importance.
We are committed to meeting those needs. Here, you are the only client who matters, and you will have our undivided attention. You will be treated individually with privacy and respect. We will spend as much time as is necessary to fulfill your needs.
As a result, a high percentage of our business is from repeat customers and referrals. Our goal is to provide complete satisfaction. We would welcome the opportunity to earn your trust and deliver you the best service in the industry.
Leah’Spa & Salon
655 Montclair Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
(651) 558-1826
Business Hours
Monday – Thursday
11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Friday: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Saturday: closed – closed
Sunday: 1 pm – 9:00 pm
For your convenience and privacy, appointments must be made in advance by calling, emailing or messaging on Facebook. This will ensure that our clients needs are being met uninterruptedly. While you are having your service, there are no other clients in the salon. You will have our undivided attention. Multiple clients from one party may book an appointment together.
Evening and Sunday Hours Available for your Convenience!
Closed Friday Night & Saturday
All products used and sold in Leah’Spa & Salon, LLC are Arbonne International Products. Arbonne is a Health and Wellness company that prides itself in using clean ingredients that are botanically-based, Glutten-Free, Vegan, and now under the Kosher Supervision of the OU.
Arbonne has a full selection of Nutritional products including protein powder, protein booster, protein bars, protein drinks, pre and post work-out supplements, Hydration Plus, Metabolism boosters and hunger control, energy drink supplements, vitamins, antioxidants, sleep aids, fit chews for cravings, and a 30-day to healthy living plan to support clean, nutritional and healthy food choices. This includes a 7 day detox and digestion products to aid in releasing toxins from the body.
The products are available to sample at the salon.
We carry a full line of Arbonne Baby Care products. Gift baskets available upon request.
In addition, we carry a full line of Arbonne Men’s Skin Care. Specially formulated for a man’s face and skin care needs.
I would love to share the Arbonne business with you or anyone you know looking to supplement or replace their income with a residual income that is willable to your family members.
In addition, if you sign up as a Preferred Client, I can help you buy the products at the lowest price and assist you in maximizing your rewards and membership.
Want to save even more or earn free products? Host an Arbonne party at your house or my salon and earn wonderful products at little to no cost to you. All you have to do is invite a few friends and I’ll do the rest! We can even have an online party!
Bombshell Wax Company is the hottest name in hair removal. Made by fourth generation refineries in Great Britain and France, internationally renowned as the countries of origin for the world’s finest wax products. Our supplier is a family-run operation with old-world standards. Since Bombshell Waxes are custom blended in small batches, the quality is superior to other mass-manufactured brands. We use only the finest rosins, pure essential oils and carefully selected choice ingredients.
Once you try Bombshell Wax. we’re confident you’ll fall in love with the formula, quality and price.
Deep Cleansing Facial, Scalp and Shoulder Massage, Exfoliation, Pedicure with Massage, Manicure with Massage, Shellac Gel Nail System, Nail Art, Shampoo Sets, Reconditioning Treatments, Make-Up Application/ Consultation,Faux Eyelashes, Eyebrow/Lash Tinting, Ear Candling, Facial Waxing, Body Waxing, Bikini Waxing (Brazilian Too!), Hands and Feet Paraffin Wax.
Baila Pirchesky – Chief Editor of Blupela.com The One World Blue Network – Review of Leah Spa:
“Leah Brown’s Spa has been in business since 2009, ten successful years. Leah received her Cosmetology License in Calmar, Iowa and she also has her M.A. in Education Administration. In her exceptional skills she is also licensed to train Cosmetologists in waxing.
Leah’s Spa offers a Vast Amount of Services as you have seen above. She does manicures, pedicures, waxing, facials, body scrubs, eyelash and eyebrow tinting and makeup application. Leah also performs skincare procedures called Derma Planning, removing blackheads and ingrown hairs.
Whatever service you desire or need, my experience at Leah’s Spa has been one of Serenity, Luxury and Pampering in an environment that is healing, intimate and enchanting. Please take a moment and book your next Spa Appointment with Leah’s Spa. I promise you will not be disappointed but you will rather find yourself coming back again and again!”
Baila Pirchesky – Chief Editor of Blupela.com The One World Blue Network
