Berkeley Magician Has World-Class Trick Up His Sleeve, But Not What You Might Think

Chuck Katis has been very busy practicing these days. He's got more than one big event planned this summer.

First, there is the magic show Katis is putting together, one that will help raise money for his non profit helping sick, hungry, and homeless children.

Katis was just a kid himself when he became fascinated by magic. It wasn't until his sister was in the hospital, tough, and his magic tricks helped keep her spirits up that Katis realized it was a talent he could use for good.

"That was of when I realized that it was something that was meaningful to me and the floodgates opened," Katis said.

It started Katis down the road to forming his non profit, The Magic Of Miracles, performing and teaching magic to children in hospitals and homeless shelters.

"I realized there are people in a lot worse situations than myself and that if this magic could take them out of that situation for even a second, it would have been totally worth it," Chuck said.

Katis sometimes wishes he could devote all his time to magic, but then, there is that other event he's preparing for the summer.

A little something called the Olympic Games.

Katis, a Cal Berkeley grad, breaststroke specialist, and American record holder in the medley relay, has his sights firmly fixed on Rio de Janeiro and the Summer Games.

"I want to make the Olympic team," Katis said. "I want to represent the U.S."

Katis believes his two passions are as different as they seem. The both take untold hours of practice to master. What's more, Katis is convinced that doing one help the other.

If he were to make the U.S. Olympic swim team, it would bring much attention, and hopefully money to his non profit. Katis also believes working with children in need provides him and extra kick in the pool.

"I think receiving that strength and energy back from them, makes everything I do worth it."