Richard Simmons.
Richard Simmonsis encouraging his fans to “do something nice for your heart” thisValentine’s Day.
On Wednesday, the 75-year-old posted a personal message onFacebook, sharing a memory with his mother in honor of the occasion.
“I remember making my mom Valentine’s Day cards out of red construction paper .. Oh you did that too? Then I would go to Russell Stover and get her a box of her favorite chocolates,” the fitness guru wrote. “Then I would kiss her 100 times and she would laugh and laugh. All of us have had a broken heart. Don’t let anyone mess with your heart. Once while visiting a hospital I met a man who had a heart transplant. It is amazing what doctors can do now.”
A source close to Simmons tells PEOPLE, “It’s important to know that helping and inspiring people has always been truly at the core of who he is. He’s happy and hopes his words will motivate others to be happy as well. The posts over the last couple of weeks are all significant — he’s digging deeper. These are just not motivational but also very personal. He’s showing sides of himself that we haven’t seen before.”
Richard Simmons.David A. Walega/WireImage
David A. Walega/WireImage
Though he’s been out of the spotlight for years now, Simmons has been using his Facebook page recently to share inspiring messages of support and love.
“All I want for all of you is to be happy and peaceful,” he wrote onJan. 19. “Please don’t let anyone be mean to you or put you down.You don’t deserve that. Never forget I keep all of you in my prayers every single night Know your worth.”
A post onJan, 24read: “I don’t know what you are going through in your life, but I want you to stay as positive as you can. Things will get better. I promise you.”
“Take your left hand and put it on your right shoulder. Take your right hand and put it on your left shoulder. Now squeeze and give yourself a big hug!” he wroteJan. 25. “Don’t wait for someone else to hug you. Hug yourself every day and know what a wonderful person you are!”
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Simmons has also been on Facebook to clear up rumors about himself.
After news broke last month that afeature-length Simmons biopicwas in development at Warner Bros. subsidiary The Wolper Organization — with comedian Pauly Shore starring as the fitness star — Simmons explained on the social media platform that he has“never given my permission for this movie.”
“I have had a lot of people ask me for interviews,” he wrote onJan. 22. “But right now I don’t want to do them. It is a gray and rainy day here in Los Angeles, but my heart is filled with your kindness towards me. Love, Richard."
source: people.com
