7 Steps Back to Self

Remember Who You Are

Let me start with a story.

Picture this: A kid, timid and unsure, trying to find his place in a chaotic world. My childhood wasn’t easy. An abusive father and relentless bullying at school made every day a challenge. I played sports and tried to find belonging, but I always struggled with my weight—a source of constant insecurity. Humor became my defense, and I was the class clown, masking the pain I didn’t know how to express.

Addiction entered my life early—while I was still in grade school. By the time I was a teenager, I was running the streets, exposed to a world I wasn’t ready for.

Working in the restaurant industry at a young age immersed me in an environment where drugs and alcohol were ever-present. I dove headfirst into that lifestyle, living the life of an adult before I even finished being a teenager. High school ended with me getting kicked out, and I found myself in jail soon after.

Mental health challenges followed me everywhere. I was in and out of clinics, fighting to find balance in a world that felt chaotic and unforgiving. I had no direction, no sense of who I was, and no idea what I wanted from life. I was exhausted—burned out from regret, bad decisions, and the stress of simply surviving.

Then came the losses that changed me forever. In 2004, I lost my best friend—a blow that sent me spiraling further into grief and addiction. A few years later, in 2007, my grandmother, my anchor and greatest source of unconditional love, passed away. Losing her shattered me, leaving me feeling completely unmoored. It was in these years of profound loss and emptiness that I hit rock bottom.

Rehab marked the start of my recovery journey, but it was only the first step. The real work came after, when I was left to face myself and the mess I had made of my life. I turned to books for guidance, devouring works by Wilhelm Reich, Alan Watt, Erich Fromm, and others. Motivational speakers like Les Brown inspired me to keep going. In a full-circle moment years later, I met Les Brown’s son in a mental health clinic in Pasadena. It was a reminder of how life connects us in unexpected ways.

One of the most transformative moments of my recovery came when someone handed me a book by Shad Helmstetter, What to Say When You Talk to Yourself. It introduced me to the concept of self-talk and helped me realize that I had the power to rewrite the stories I was telling myself. This revelation became a turning point. Slowly, I began to rebuild—journaling, meditating, and showing up for myself one day at a time.

To find purpose, I enrolled in culinary school and specialized in cooking for people with debilitating illnesses and diseases. Later, I started a business during a tough economic period, which taught me resilience and the realities of entrepreneurship. But even with these milestones, I still struggled with confidence and direction, feeling as though something vital was missing.

Over the next 15 years, my life was a rollercoaster of successes and setbacks. I experienced moments of clarity and fulfillment, as well as times of profound doubt and struggle. Yet, through it all, I learned to see my experiences—both good and bad—as tools for growth. Pain became my greatest teacher, helping me uncover a resilience I didn’t know I had.

The 7 Steps Back to Self is the culmination of everything I’ve lived through. This course isn’t a magic solution or a quick fix. It’s a roadmap—a guide shaped by my journey through addiction, loss, recovery, and transformation. It’s a framework to help you reconnect with your truth, rebuild your confidence, and step into the life you’re meant to live.

Throughout this course, I’ll share more of my story because I believe the challenges I’ve faced hold valuable lessons. If you’ve ever felt stuck, lost, or burdened by your past, know this: you’re not alone. You have the power to transform your life, one step at a time.

Let’s take this journey together. Are you ready to begin?

Unlock Your True Potential
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