Today I’m sharing my story, from the day I got sentenced and walked straight from a courtroom into a prison cell, to the long road of trying to figure out who I really was.
Back then, I believed confidence meant dominance: standing tall, showing no weakness, keeping people at a distance. But that was just fear in disguise. Violence became my armor because I didn’t know who I was without it.
It took years to unlearn that version of confidence. To face the pain, to take responsibility, and to start rebuilding something real from the inside out.
Together with my co-host, Shirin Hejazi, we break down what true confidence actually looks like: not loud, not performative, but steady, honest, and earned. It’s built through self-awareness, discipline, and the courage to keep showing up, even when you’re still figuring yourself out.
Tune in as we dive into:
(00:00) Core vs surface confidence
(05:44) Admitting mistakes and learning to grow
(07:26) Building real confidence step by step
(12:14) Taking the leap when fear hits
(15:39) Following your passion and embracing change
(19:04) Lessons from the confidence masterclass
(22:56) Finding resilience beneath the surface
(24:06) How values and connection shape confidence
(27:12) Wrap up and free resources
Links mentioned in this episode:
Shirin Hejazi’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shirinhejaziofficial
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlosvasquezofficial
Warrior in the Garden: 7 Rules for Men – Book PDF: https://carlosvasquez.systeme.io/warriorinthegarden
Thank you to Legendary Foods and Youth Champions for their support of this podcast. For more information, visit:
Legendary Foods Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legendaryfoods
Youth Champions Website: https://youth-champions.org
