I open up about what it really felt like growing up without my father – the confusion, the anger, and the emptiness that followed me into the streets. That pain pushed me toward the wrong crowd and eventually straight into gang life. By 19, I was behind bars.
In this conversation, I’m brutally honest about the consequences of that path and what it takes to step up and break generational cycles. I talk about learning to forgive, rebuilding myself from the inside out, and redefining what it means to be a man.
This episode isn’t just about where I went wrong; it’s about how far you can go when you choose to grow, to change, and to lead with purpose, love, and sacrifice.
Tune in as we dive into:
(00:00) Protecting your child’s future
(06:35) Fatherhood, loss and redemption
(08:16) My father, my role model
(12:03) Curiosity fueled my journey
(16:25) Prison reflection and resilience
(18:39) Forgiveness and compassion transformed me
(22:51) Learning from mistakes
(26:36) Faith, purpose and helping others
(30:06) Pause, reflect, decide tomorrow
(31:32) Fatherhood, mentorship and values
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
Download my Confidence Masterclass:
https://carlosvasquezofficial.thinkific.com/products/courses/building-confidence-masterclass
The PRICE Method: How I Turn Pain into Purpose: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BXMRB613
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
