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Gio Makinithappen

@giomakinithappen

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🎓 CSULB | Project CAPE Scholar | NSLS
📚 Kinesiology (APE)
🔬 Scholarly Research Student
🎓 2023 AA | 2025 BS
💡 Illuminator | Purpose led
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POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

I have officially completed my bachelor’s degree in Physical Education with an emphasis in Adapted Physical Education from Cal State Long Beach, graduating with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.51. 🎓👑💪🏽⚡🙏🏽🙌🏽 💛🖤💛🖤

These past two years flew by, yet the growth I experienced was truly transformational. My final semester became my most challenging after a three-week medical leave, but I returned with relentless focus, grinding seven days a week, 10 to 14 hours days to catch up and move forward. I finished with three A’s, two B's, and more importantly, a deep belief in my resilience. Through perseverance, grit, and determination, you become unstoppable.
This journey solidified my purpose as an educator: to remove barriers and create inclusive, empowering, and emotionally safe physical education environments where all students feel seen, supported, and capable. Inclusion is not just a teaching strategy to me, it is a moral responsibility. I am committed to designing structured, student-centered systems grounded in Universal Design for Learning, trust, and compassion to raise the standard of Adapted Physical Education and change culture, not just curriculum.

I am deeply grateful to the CSULB faculty, mentors, family, classmates, and friends who supported me along the way. I’m excited to start Project CAPE, begin my teacher credential program, continue growing as an educator, contribute through leadership and advocacy, and present at SHAPE America in March 2026.

Have a dream. Protect it. Chase it relentlessly. Live it.

#csulb #csulbgrad #csulbalumni #purposedriven #Adaptedphysicaleducation taken in California State University, Long Beach by @giomakinithappen

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10 months ago

2025 didn’t make me someone new, it made me more of myself.

This year was about becoming, not performing.
About choosing discipline when comfort was louder.
About learning when to push and when to pause.

There were long days no one saw.
Quiet sacrifices.
Moments that tested my resilience and refined how I lead, serve, and show up.

What looked like wins on the outside were built on consistency behind the scenes.
What felt heavy at times became confirmation that purpose isn’t found, it’s practiced.

I learned that you can’t pour from an empty cup.
That rest is part of the work.
And that sustainability is what allows purpose to last.

I’m deeply grateful for the mentors, students, and community who walked with me through this season. None of this happened alone.

As I step into the next chapter with clarity and courage, I carry every lesson with intention, ready to lead with integrity, compassion, and care.

Now I want to hear from you:
👉 What word would you use to describe your 2025?
👉 What moment shaped you the most?

Let’s reflect together. 🤍

Go Beach! 🌊
Go lead! 🧭
Go teach! 🍎✏️

#csulbgrad
#csulb
#csulbalumni
#adaptedphysicaleducation
#BIGIMPACT taken in California State University, Long Beach by @giomakinithappen

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9 months ago

As I'm approaching Week 11 of my first semester at CSULB, I cannot help but feel extremely grateful for the opportunities that my program has offered me. The daily growth in my professional skills and the extension of my network with dedicated professionals who share my passion for making a BIG IMPACT on humanity is truly humbling.

I'm grateful that before even starting the semester, I obtained my research certificate, which has opened up many doors for me. As an Andale scholar research student, I'm forever grateful to the monthly stipends to solely focus on my academics instead of working!

I'm excited to attend two conferences next month, one local and one out of town, with all expenses covered.

I'm also grateful for the mentorship I've received in my current field, which has allowed me to start teaching as a Physical Education coach/educator with the emphasis on adapted physical education! This new love of mine has brought me an indescribable amount of fulfillment & happiness after every teaching session. It's life-changing!

However, the amount of work required is intense, with early mornings and late nights of studying. I've had to make many sacrifices, putting many of my relationships on hold. But I thank God for my mental fortitude and tenacity for excellence in serving humanity and the connections I've made in my program.

I truly believe that we are the beacon of our own future. Following our passion, moving with purpose and love, and dedicating 110% to whatever we do is the key to finding fulfillment in life. Anything that is not aligned with our purpose should be eliminated as it only deters us.

Remember, life is much sweeter when we follow our passion! taken in California State University, Long Beach by @giomakinithappen

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3 years ago

Happy National Coaches Day! 🏆🖤💛

Being a coach means so much more to me than teaching movement, sports, or physical fitness. It means creating an environment where people feel seen, supported, challenged, included, and capable of becoming more than they thought possible.

Every student I work with reminds me why I chose this path. Whether it’s celebrating a new motor skill, building confidence, creating opportunities for students of all abilities, or simply being someone who believes in them, those moments are what coaching is all about.

I’m grateful for the coaches, professors, mentors, colleagues, students, and families who continue to shape me into the educator and leader I’m becoming.

This journey is still being written. 🖤💛

Happy National Coaches Day to every coach pouring into the next generation.

Coach Honoré

Adapted Physical Education | Physical Education
GO BEACH! 🏖️

#NationalCoachesDay

#AdaptedPhysicalEducation #PhysicalEducation #APE #CSULB by @giomakinithappen

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9 days ago

🌊 ACT Swim: Building Skills, Confidence & Independence 🏊‍♂️

During our September 30 ACT Swim session with LBUSD ACT students at the CSULB Ken Lindgren Aquatics Center, swimmers continued developing foundational aquatic skills through purposeful practice and repetition.

This session focused on:

🛟 Aquatic safety & pool routines

💨 Breath control, bubbles & submersion

🏊 Body position & flutter kicking

➡️ Kickboard propulsion

💪 Front crawl: reach → pull → push → recover

🌊 Freestyle coordination & introductory side breathing

☁️ Back floating & introductory backstroke

A major focus of the session was practice and mastery before progression. Repetition gives swimmers the opportunity to strengthen technique, build water confidence, and develop greater independence before moving on to more advanced skills.

Every kick, breath, stroke, and successful attempt represents meaningful progress toward safer and more confident participation in aquatics. 💙

We’re excited to continue building on these skills throughout ACT Swim! 🌊

#ACTSwim #CSULBAPE #CSULB #Aquatics #Inclusion taken in Ken Lindgren Aquatics Center at Long Beach State by @giomakinithappen

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12 days ago

Wow, what an experience! Today, I filmed my first television segment for The College Tour, and the pressure was definitely on!

Even though I made sure I knew my lines before filming, something about being in front of that camera made the nerves kick in. Still, I’m incredibly honored to have so much passion for what I do and such a strong support system at CSULB.

Thank you to everyone who helped make my College Tour experience so special! Catch me representing Cal State Long Beach on Amazon Prime in the coming months!

Believe in your dream and protect it. Share your story, because you never know who may be inspired by it.

GO BEACH! 🦈💛 taken in California State University, Long Beach by @giomakinithappen

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21 days ago

🎥 CSULB FAMILY — I NEED YOU! 🖤💛

My College Tour filming day has officially been rescheduled for tomorrow, Thursday, September 24!

I’m looking for a few CSULB alumni and close CSULB friends to be featured in some of my B-roll footage at 5:15 p.m. 🙌🏽

It should only take about 10–20 minutes, and I’d love to have some familiar faces there representing this chapter with me.

If you’re available and interested, DM me ASAP and I’ll send you all the details! 🎬🙏🏽

#CSULB #GoBeach #CollegeTour #CSULBAlumni #LongBeachState by @giomakinithappen

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23 days ago

✨ CAPE Scholar Spotlight ✨
Meet Giovanni Honoré, “Coach Honoré!” Giovanni is a Project CAPE Scholar and Adapted Physical Education credential candidate at California State University, Long Beach, currently in his second semester of the teacher credential program. After earning his B.S. in Kinesiology in December 2025, he continued developing his leadership and teaching experience through Camp Nugget, ASAPP, ACT SWIM, Carver Elementary, and school-based APE settings.
Drawing from his own experiences as a student with disabilities, Giovanni is passionate about creating inclusive environments where every student feels valued, capable, and empowered through movement. Since 2023, he has also presented at professional development conferences, sharing inclusive practices with fellow educators.

Instagram: @giomakinithappen

“GO BEACH! GO TEACH! GO LEAD!“ by @giomakinithappen

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24 days ago

ACT SWIM is BACK and ready to make a splash! 🏊‍♂️🌊♿
We kicked off our first session with LBUSD ACT students at the CSULB Ken Lindgren Aquatics Center! 💦

Our swimmers got started with:
🏊 Aquatic safety & pool expectations
💨 Water comfort & breath control
🛟 Floating, kicking & propulsion
💪 Swimming skills & baseline assessment

Today was all about getting comfortable in the water, learning our routines, and giving each swimmer an opportunity to show us what they can do so we can build instruction around their individual strengths and needs.

Learning through movement, confidence, independence, and FUN, what a great way to kick off ACT Swim! 🙌✨

#adaptedaquatics #adaptedpe #csulb #aquatics #inclusion by @giomakinithappen

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a month ago

🎬 BIG NEWS! I’M GOING TO BE ON THE COLLEGE TOUR! 🏖️💛🖤

I am deeply honored to announce that I have been selected to represent California State University, Long Beach in an upcoming episode of The College Tour!

I will be featured in the “Support at The Beach” segment, sharing how CSULB helped me grow as a Kinesiology student and empowered me to become the educator and leader I am called to be.

My journey has not always been easy. There were moments when I questioned whether I belonged in higher education. But through perseverance, faith, supportive mentors, campus resources, and an incredible community, I earned my degree and discovered that asking for support is a sign of strength.

Now, I have the opportunity to share that message with future students across the country.

To every student who has ever felt overlooked, misunderstood, or uncertain about their potential: You belong. Your goals are possible. Your challenges do not disqualify you from achieving something extraordinary.

Thank you, CSULB and The College Tour, for trusting me to tell this story. I’m excited to begin the scriptwriting and production process and I cannot wait to bring you all along on this journey!

This is bigger than television. This is purpose. 🎓🌟

#TheCollegeTour #CSULB #GoBeach #SupportAtTheBeach #excellence taken in CSULB Kinesiology by @giomakinithappen

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a month ago

What once lived only in my heart is now coming to life in the water. 🏊🏽‍♂️🌊

Through my Ocean Adventure Visual Curriculum, young swimmers develop water-safety skills through visual instruction, imaginative play, and individualized support.

Every movement along the wall, freestyle attempt, and first back float represents more than progress in swimming, it reflects growing trust, confidence, independence, and joy.

This is the heart of Adapted Physical Education: meeting learners where they are, honoring how they learn, and creating an environment where they feel safe, supported, and capable.

To every parent and educator: never underestimate what a child can accomplish when someone patiently believes in their potential.

Protect your dream. Prepare for it with purpose, nurture it with faith, and give it time to grow. One day, you may find yourself living the very dream you once prayed for. 🌟

#CSULBAPE #AdaptedPhysicalEducation #InclusiveEducation #WaterSafety by @giomakinithappen

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2 months ago

🌊 Treasure Island, Laguna Beach 🏝️☀️

First time visiting Treasure Island and I loved it! From riding the trolley through Laguna Beach 🚎 to enjoying the beautiful water and views, it was a perfect summer adventure.

I even got back in the ocean for the first time in a LONG time. 🌊🙌🏽

Another beautiful memory from Summer 2026. ☀️💙

#TreasureIsland #LagunaBeach #Summer2026 #CaliforniaAdventures #MakingMemories by @giomakinithappen

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2 months ago