Emmett Peixoto: Cal Grad, Handball Legend, Recording Artist & the Secret Behind His Dramatic Turnaround

Watsonville native and Cal grad Emmett Peixoto is a success story on several fronts -- he's ranked No. 2 in the world in handball, he's a recording artist and he has a master's degree in philosophy, for starters.

 Peixoto, 31, now lives in San Francisco where he is the club handball pro and coach at the prestigious Olympic Club. He also got married (Jessica) in November; devours books by Herman Melville, Dante, Homer, Joyce, Dostoevsky, Briget Taylor, and Nietzsche as if they were bon-bons; and plans to get a doctorate in philosophy and become a university professor.

But little more than a decade ago the future was not so rosy for Peixoto (pronounced Peh-shote), the son of Watsonville farmer Jimmy Peixoto and his wife Marjorie. The talented-but-troubled teen had been kicked out of two high schools, was drinking too much and seemingly headed down a bad road.   

"I am very lucky," Peixoto said of his dramatic turnaround. "I cannot stress enough how important seeking help from relatives, mentors, support groups, education and/or books can be in effectively changing one's direction in life." 

Former Watsonville Register-Pajaronian sports editor John Murphy of Prep2Prep.com traces how Peixoto made it all happen and now has more success than three people have a right to. The full Emmett Peixoto story may be read HERE.