Real Love, Real Life

EP 19: Dropped Out? Here’s How You Turn It Into Pride

• Jasmine and Ernesto • Season 1 • Episode 19

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College is not the only route, and this episode keeps it real about debt, trades, pressure from parents, and figuring out what actually fits. You hear how different kids shine in different ways and why that matters.

There is also a look at the creator grind and why honest content builds trust. Trades offer solid pay and structure. College gives skills and connections. The goal is to pick what fits your strengths.

If you want a clearer view of your path or your kid’s, this one helps. Follow, share, and leave a review.

SPEAKER_00:

Hi guys, welcome back to Real Love Real Life Podcast. I'm your host, Jasmine.

SPEAKER_01:

And I'm Ernesto.

SPEAKER_00:

I'm so tired today. I need like three energy drinks. It was Halloween yesterday. Happy November 1st. Mariah Carey is defrosting as we speak. Um, we get home, he has like 30 totes of Christmas decor to bring down.

SPEAKER_01:

Oh man, you're right.

SPEAKER_00:

The giant Christmas tree. You have to untangle like what is it? Like 200 feet of I gotta go back on the roof. Of lights on the roof.

SPEAKER_01:

Hey, that's Loki dangerous.

SPEAKER_00:

It is dangerous. Be careful.

SPEAKER_01:

Funny story, guys. I think our first year in their house.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01:

I don't know why my brother-in-law was the one on the ladder when it's my house. Maybe he was trying to flex or something. But guys, that's why you gotta watch what you say. Cause I've been on the ladder since I was 11 years old. Yada yada yada. Matt. And that's the thing. If you're holding the ladder, you cannot leave your position. Don't leave your post. I literally left for two seconds, and I just seen his body drop from like, I think I have a 10-foot ladder. He was at least on the A step. He dropped like a bag of rocks, just boom.

SPEAKER_00:

I'm just like, You ripped his shorts and everything.

SPEAKER_01:

He came up, like he he was he's a tough cookie, so but I think he called off the next day. He was banged up, and I'm just like, and I think a lot of people pass away from doing that. I don't know the exact number.

SPEAKER_00:

Well, don't they say that? It's like easier for people to pass away if they fall from like shorter.

SPEAKER_01:

Six feet and most uh most uh deaths happen and on construction site six feet and below.

SPEAKER_00:

That's crazy.

SPEAKER_01:

You would think, you know, 12, 4, now it's six feet and below. It's because at that height, you usually hit the back of your head. Oh, yeah, that's and like with the hard hats, you that's where you tighten your hard hat now. Or back then it would so boom, that's your soft spot. Yeah, six feet.

SPEAKER_00:

But he's alive and well, yeah.

SPEAKER_01:

He's he's still pushing, but he's like, Yeah, don't call me over for that no more.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah, um, that's crazy. I'm honestly, I think this is the first year that I'm like feeling a little bit lazy to decorate. I don't know. Maybe it's just because I'm so busy. I don't want that like spirit to like you know get away, but I guess I'm just I'm just so busy and lazy. I'll wait. I'll wait. We're also we have a we have a family vacation coming up in the next few days. We'll probably do it when we come back, huh?

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, we gotta kinda get everything settled in. We gotta prepare focus. Because I mean we're gonna leave what six days?

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01:

Six days, so we gotta not only mentally prepare, leave the house like intact, we're gonna have to leave our dogs to a dog sitter.

SPEAKER_00:

So I have so you know that I'm a little crazy when it's time to leave the house. Yeah, I think it is so important, and I think people can re like women can relate to this, especially. I don't know, moms. You have to deep clean your house, you have to wash everything, you have to clean baseboards, you literally have to go crazy when you're gonna go on vacation. I don't know why. I feel like I I feel like I did something so wrong if I leave and I don't clean the house.

SPEAKER_01:

Really?

SPEAKER_00:

I have to leave like fresh sheets on. I don't know.

SPEAKER_01:

I mean it'll be good when you come back. You're coming back to I think that's what it is. No offense to the dog sitter, but I'm locking the rooms because if we live, if we leave it clean, we're gonna come back to it clean. Other than the living room and kitchen and I go, I go psychopath.

SPEAKER_00:

I even told them um I'm gonna start cleaning today and like every day like do laundry so I can keep up with laundry all the way up till the 10th.

SPEAKER_01:

Then we're gonna bounce.

SPEAKER_00:

So I'm literally gonna be like, don't call me, don't text me, don't call me because I'm gonna be busy cleaning and folding laundry.

SPEAKER_01:

Sound like you answer, anyways.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah. Um, but anyways, what were we talking about today? Today we're talking about um college versus traits. Yeah, college versus traits or college versus dropouts. I don't know. Um, I guess it's a topic that we're like constantly talking about because we have a little bit of everything like mixed in the family. Like this was literally a conversation that I was having with my sisters last night when we were trigger treating. Um what how did it start? I I don't remember how it started, but they are basically like saying, you know, how much like money they've spent. One one has been like to college, the other one university, and they're just kind of like venting about like how much money they've spent and stuff like that. And I'm just sitting there like quiet because I mean I didn't. Um, and we were just on an episode where I mentioned that I was a high school dropout, and he's like, You saved a ton of money, not encouraging anybody to drop out, right? I don't want my kids to do it or none of that. But it's just like it's such a crazy world, times that we live in, that it's like, is it worth it? Obviously, I know that we need the doctors, we need the engineers, but then it's like we also need the plumbers, the construction workers.

SPEAKER_01:

Without the plumbers, this is a third world country. So it's I think I think statistically, I could be wrong. Somebody fact check me. Um, I think plumbers have saved more lives than it would be I would have to really look this up than doctors because sanitary goes a long way.

SPEAKER_00:

I mean like yeah, it's it's crazy. I just feel like I don't know if it's in every every like household, but I I just feel like growing up um like in a Latino household, Mexican household, you're just like the the main thing is like go to school. It's like go to school. It does not matter for what, you just go to school. Oh, you hate it too bad, go to school.

SPEAKER_01:

Like, yeah, because our parent, like most of our parents, if we're first generation, our parents literally went to like third or fourth grade. Yeah. So you could kind of see why they push it so much, but to a certain aspect, I feel like college is good because the people you meet along the way. Yeah, I mean, I could love, you could meet the right business partner, the right, you know, the right team, and build something great. So it's it's kind of like a person-by-person thing because for like somebody else, it won't work. But for another person, it might be the reason why they're so successful, you know, because they went to school, met the right people, got the credentials. So the the degree might have been like a paperweight, but the the knowledge and the people they met is what's really gonna, you know, thrust them into uh life further than what they kind of necessarily went to school for. But it's also the knowledge gained, but um so it's kind of person by person in a way.

SPEAKER_00:

Well, like I have like uh like trouble like wrapping my my mind around is kind of like I go back to like my mom just always I remember she she would like always mention like doc like be a doctor, like be a lawyer. Like what what what do they what do they think? Like that your your life is like resolved if like you're a doctor or a lawyer, you think that happiness revolves around being a doctor, a lawyer, like all of these, oh I feel like that's the only thing that I would hear. And I mean, uh from five of us two went to college, all of that. Um I mean, I I don't want to like speak for them, but it's not so one of them does like she went for journalism. I don't think she does anything revolving journalism. In fact, I don't think she even likes journalism. So, and then the other one is more like in the medical, and like she she does it, she doesn't really like say much, so I don't really know um, you know, if she like actually like enjoys it. Um, or if it's like, hey, like it pays the bills and that's what she knows. And she kind of like went to college as soon as she graduated high school, so it's like it's really easy to get like comfortable. Um, but I just feel like parents think your life is resolved and you're you get happiness and money and this and that, like by going to school. Why don't you tell the freaking kid to do obviously I'm not gonna let you like be a bum. Yeah, but you kind of know too. You kind of know when your kids um, for example, our oldest, he's been honest from the very beginning. I don't like school. He's like, I don't, I like he doesn't see himself like going to college or like university, anything like that. And I'm like, that's perfectly fine. You're gonna finish high school, yeah, because you're still like under our wing. You're gonna finish high school and then you gotta do something. You gotta go, you can go sign up at like a trade school, you can, but you you need to at least finish high school. And I think that is like that would have been such a relief for us. Like if our parents would have kind of like understood us and been like, hey, maybe you're not book smart, but you have other options if you don't want to go to the show.

SPEAKER_01:

They look at your four your fortees and be like, oh, well, he's good at this, he's a good problem solver.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah, so like he's very good with his hands, he's like a really good handyman, he's strong. Like he he, I feel like he's very smart once you put him on something hands-on. Yeah, but then you're like open a book and he freezes.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, exactly.

SPEAKER_00:

Um, and I'm like, and that's okay. That doesn't mean he's less than our other son that can read a chapter book and he's gonna in one night, like on his way to write a book already. Yeah, he always says, he's like, Oh, um, doesn't he always say he's like, I'm I'm writing a book with my friend, or me and my friends are gonna make are gonna record a movie on our iPhone. Yeah. Um, like he knows things that are like in the iPhone that I don't even know that we have. So he like takes a deep dive into stuff and they're very different. And I'm like, that that doesn't make the older one less than or middle one that is like super book smart. Maybe one is gonna do something like I just wouldn't want him to feel less if like he's a plumber or a welder or something, you know? And I feel like in the in kind of like, I don't know, I feel like my mom would see it like, I know, like he didn't go to school. Like you, you went to trade school, you're not in debt for that. Um, like you don't have school debt, none of that. You have a good job, it's a career. Yeah, you have your certificate from Gateway Community College, but you didn't go into debt. And and I feel like your mom's just always like, you know, I wish he would have gone to school. He did go to school, yeah. He did, he just doesn't have$50,000 in debt. Yeah, and he works with his hands, he doesn't have to open up.

SPEAKER_01:

If you were to get an A every semester, which basically is just show up, don't miss, and try your best in school. Every semester you would pay$125.

SPEAKER_00:

Imagine that.

SPEAKER_01:

And that that's also the thing, guys. Uh, until one of my buddies came, he he started getting people on the FAFSA, like getting because people think like minorities don't get help. We're out here. No, we can get a lot of help from the government, we just don't know where to look for it. Yeah, so lazy, lazy and just ignorant, uneducated. And it's like he was helping people get like you know, money to buy tools and stuff like that, or help pay their schooling. So it's like there's a lot of help out there, and I think the main takeaway is just, you know, if you're fortunate to have parents, like good parents, but also just keeping a roof over their head doesn't make you necessarily a good parent. Yeah, that's the basic necessity. But just like, you know what? Whatever you do in life, I got your back.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah, I think that's a something.

SPEAKER_01:

I think that's the best thing you can hear from your parents is no matter what you do, I got your back. So you have that security going into life, like, you know what? Even if I take a uh a loss or whatever, you know, my parents are always gonna be there to help me as long as they're here. And I actually heard that from Kobe Bryant. He said, I think when he was a little kid, that in the summer league he did not score one point, I think. But his his parents told him, like, you know, we're always gonna believe in you and we always have your back. And he said that's one of the main things that drove him to be successful is just knowing that somebody had his back.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01:

Because we're all gonna fail. If you're not trying, if you're not failing, you're not trying. So, you know, just and a lot of the life is just trial and error. You try something out, it's not working, it's all good. Yeah, but you know, we're here for a limited amount of time, so we gotta kinda you know focus on our you know, forte taste, but also work on the stuff we're not good at, but you know, we gotta really pursue what we're good at and passionate. Like if you love to do something, that means you're not gonna, you're not gonna see us working every day because you're so passionate about it. Just like you. You weren't making a dime off this for two years, but you loved it. And then finally, when you when you put the time in and you know, look at what happens. Yeah, yeah, obviously it it's tough and all that, but it's like, would you rather be doing this what you're doing, or back at the mortgage place? You know what I mean?

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah, it's like not even a question. I obviously it's people would be like, Well, it doesn't pay the bills if you're just posting for fun. Well, yeah, I you know, I had the I was blessed enough to be able to stay home and stuff. So I already was like, I was already home, so I was like, you know what I'm gonna take, even if it takes a little bit longer to cook dinner because you're filming it and all of that. Yeah, um, I still did it, but I feel like people just immediately want money, money, money. Yeah, it becomes like, if I make, excuse me, if I make two posts and I don't make money from it, I'm quitting. Or things like that. And I'm like, dude, I cannot believe that I posted for over two years, didn't make a dime. Later, and I never saw it that way. That's the thing, that when I started social media, I thought that you had to have like, I thought only like those like influencers with like millions of followers like made money. I thought everybody else did it for fun. Yeah, thought it was like fun things. So I was like, oh, I love it. I'm gonna, I mean, I kept doing it. I was kind of doing it just to gain followers and stuff. It was until like I was like getting notified that I like, hey, go into the, you know, apply for the monetization program or whatever. That's when I jumped in it. Um, same with like the TikTok shop. Yeah, I was literally, it was so funny because I had got um like a brand, I think it was like the OQQ, they offered me a bodysuit and I was like, yeah, like I I'd love one. And they sent it to me and I was posting it without the link. I was just I was promoting it like for fun. Like, look, guys. Literally, look at this bodysuit, it's like so nice. And then I remember like um Izzy, she was the one that messaged me, like, what are you doing? Yeah, you you don't have a link on there. Like, are you on the TikTok shop? Like, don't be promoting this for free. I do, I I will, I always say it, even when people ask me, they're like, How did you start TikTok shop?

SPEAKER_01:

I'm like, one of my like she's she's how did you meet her first from the photography?

SPEAKER_00:

I started following her. I was like a silent follower of hers. Um, and I just liked her. She was always on live, so I would watch her stuff. And then one time she said she was looking for like a photographer for some family pictures, and I was kind of also did that for fun and stuff. Um and I offered her a shoot, and I remember I told her, like, if you're just able to like post them and tag me so I can get like some clients and stuff, maybe hopefully. And she reached back out, you know, said yeah. And from there, like she started following me back, and then that's when you know things started happening. But yeah, I feel like the whole TikTok shop thing, like, I didn't know because I wasn't always just like just thinking money, money, money. It was like I like this and I'm gonna share it. And I think that's how people also like can like smell when you're just being like salesy and stuff. I'm more like, I love this drink, it it keeps me awake. Like I'm a mom of three. This is what I drink every day. More than like shoving it into your face and like buy this, you need it.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, you know, I think people can really it's because when you're genuine about something, you can be a little bit naive about it. Cause there's people that like they got the same pat, but they're just like straight about the Benjamins. Like, yeah, but it's like I really like to do this.

SPEAKER_00:

Which obviously now that like you know, I I do it, I I get paid and all that. Yeah, now I think more of it sometimes like is it but just because I'm so busy and stuff, now I'm not just gonna like, you know, my time and all that. Now I'm like my time is valuable, you know, all of that. I have like some following, so I I'm a little bit more like careful on what I'm like sharing and what I'm promoting and stuff, but I feel like the people that are finding trouble like being successful with it is because you're not being genuine.

SPEAKER_01:

Exactly.

SPEAKER_00:

I can immediately like see somebody's like vlog or something, and I'm like, no. Yeah, like you're you're here to see like how much like you you can get paid from it, and like I can immediately smell it. And I think I think that's why too, like my kind of posts are like all over the place because I'm like I'm trying it out because I I like it, I I have fun with it. So like for two days I'll do ASMR and I'm having fun. And then maybe that's like my scroll brain too. Like, yeah, then two days later I'm like, ee, I'm done with ASMR. And and I think that's like kind of like the cool thing too that my followers like respect and love that that they're like, oh, she's like on her little ASMR days the next day. Oh, she's on her little like cooking phase, and I'm just constantly switching because that's like there's there's no rules to it. Yeah, there's no you could lit just be yourself.

SPEAKER_01:

That's why people also like you because you're being yourself, trying stuff out, and if and if it doesn't work, it's not the end of the world.

SPEAKER_00:

Be yourself, and literally people are going to find you and like gravitate towards you. You don't, it's not, or I don't know, the people that don't that say that they've been trying like so hard on TikTok shops. Sometimes I like to go into people's pages like when they message me, and um, and they're like, you know, I'm not selling anything, and I'm like, ooh, this is fun. Like, I can go in there kind of like a teacher and see like what they're like doing wrong. And immediately I'm like, you're selling me something. Yeah, you're selling me something and you're making me feel really uncomfortable.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah, it kind of turns you off real quick.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah, and some, like, obviously, I do have some videos, you know, the brand is paying me, so it's like they kind of want you. Not exactly, I I do tell brands like I don't follow scripts like to the T. I don't like it. Um, but some don't really want you, like some don't want you to curse. Um, some don't want you to like show extra skin. So some of them you kind of you do have to like follow the rules. If not, you know, you can't do it. So some will seem a little bit not like me, but it's like, don't mind that one, you guys. That one, that one I'm getting faked separately. But um, yeah, I just feel like some are too like I just don't feel like it's genuine. I just feel like some people are just like, oh, it's everybody's doing it. It's easy, it's the easy way out to do social media, easy money. And it's like, wait until it like catches up to you.

SPEAKER_01:

It's just gonna burn out and just it's just kind of like a lot of like this is off topic, but like right now, people are posting about you know certain things that are happening in the political climate of the world. It's like, you never even used to talk about this. No, but you know this is trending, so you're gonna say, F this organization, if F this three-letter agency, just because you know people are so emotional about it that that's gonna get you likes, follows, and all that. But as soon as this blows over, it's like, wait a minute, you just use the culture to leverage yourself, like, and that's gonna backfire. Because like you don't even care about the cultures, like you're just using it as a pond.

SPEAKER_00:

I feel like every time something happens, people like you know, you'll you'll have those people that like message me, like, what do you have to say about this? Yeah, doesn't mind your business. Like, my I have never used my social media to talk about who did you vote for? Mind your business. Like, I I have I'm not here. I don't I don't have this following because I've been political, because I've posted like who I voted for, because this is what I believe in. That's not be why I'm here. That's not how I got here.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00:

So in fact, I will say sometimes I wish like voting stuff was public so we could see people's true colors because I feel like there's so many people that like you low key know like who they voted for, but then they show other like another face just so they don't lose following or lose their PR and lose all of that. So sometimes I'm like, I sometimes I do wish voting records and stuff were public so people could see other people's true colors.

SPEAKER_01:

How phony they are, yeah. Yep.

SPEAKER_00:

So yeah, I think we like totally got like off topic, but it kind of all goes back to the like the same thing. We were on our way here, we didn't have this episode like planned out. We've had a really busy week, Halloween, all that.

SPEAKER_01:

You know, we have three chickens, and but time and time again, we're just running into a lot of people that went to school, they kind of regret it.

SPEAKER_00:

Regret it. So you were talking about you were you he had a conversation with my brother-in-law yesterday, and he was kind of along those lines too. Like, like, you know, he not saying that he wishes that he didn't do it, but it almost seems like every time like we have a conversation with somebody and we're like, oh, like I dropped out of high school, they're like, Don't worry about it. Like, you saved yourself a ton of money.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah. Like, but me, that's one thing I wish I could go back. Like, I'm obviously happy with no trade and all that, but I'm not gonna lie, when I was a little boy, when I was playing football and all that, my dream smart, my dream was to go to USC and be a Trojan. Like, that was just like growing up watching Reggie Bush playing football. I'm just like, what other what like there's no better place in the world than Southern California, like going to school, doing something you love? And I'm just like, I and I look back and I'm like, man, so maybe our kids can leave that dream for us if they want to do that, but I did want to go to school when I was young.

SPEAKER_00:

I have a question. What a personal question. Do you feel, be honest? Um, do you feel like regardless of how, why, whatever, do you feel like your parents failed you when like you know, with your dreams and all that, like helping you get there?

SPEAKER_01:

No, because I they did everything they could to raise me right. And this is like small decisions will shape your life. Like, I remember I like I could trace this back to one day. I used to play soccer with my cousin Bethel that passed away. God bless his soul. So I remember seventh grade summer. I was trying to stay away from the neighborhood. Yada yada yada. We were literally going to soccer practice, right? And we were literally on Sandy 5th in Cherry Lynn going to practice, and look at this is how your life can change in an instant. We were in the back of the truck, like a pick a truck, and that day I decided to skip practice and go to the neighborhood. Like I remember this visit vividly because after that, it's like when my life kind of turned dark. So I was a good student, you know. I was always on honor roll, I was playing sports, I was I love school. Like, I have a thirst for you know knowledge, like genuinely. To a lot of people, like that sounds ridiculous. But for those that know, you know what I'm saying. Yeah, and that day I literally was like, hey bro, I'll catch you later. I literally jumped out the truck and went back to the neighborhood, to the block. And everybody, there's they're still gonna be there. God bless her soul, you know. But they're like, oh, what up? That same night, that first night I went back to go hang out with them. I was, this was seventh grade, you know. I used to ride scooters, bikes, skateboards. I was literally scootering my way home, and I was about two blocks from my house. The people that we had, they well, I wasn't even in the neighborhood or in the gang yet, but I was scootering my way home, and two blocks before I got home, the people we used to have problems with, they pulled up on me in a car, you know, gang banging or whatever. So, like my first day back around that, I almost get jumped. I literally had a run for my life. I literally ran through traffic, like I literally ran in the main road, ran in the medium lane for two blocks, ran back into the neighborhood. I ran to this house, I was banging on the door, trying to make it seem like I lived there. They what the guy kept following me, and he, you know, he was pointing, like, hey, he's right here, we got him. I heard the little Honda Civic coming around the corner. I jumped some fences, and uh, I thank God I made it home, you know. They probably would have beat me to death. Yeah, and like one decision like that changed my life for years and years and years. Like from that moment, I downward spiraled for years, from seventh through high school. One decision like that that I made, yeah, I was naive, yeah, I was, but what what could my mom do? She was, you know, dialysis, kidney transplants, she couldn't leave the house to go look for me. My dad worked swing shift two to ten. He couldn't do nothing for me, so I dropped the ball, and I regret a lot of that because I felt like I let my parents down because I felt like when my dad was the most proud of me is when I was playing sports.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01:

So they did the best they could. And yeah, there could have been some things they could have done a little bit better, but in their time they did what was in their heart that believed that was right with the with the options they had. So I don't put none of the blame on them. I failed my parents in that way.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01:

But now that I'm growing older and you know, now that I've you know kind of healed from that, now I know why I went through all of that. Because the day, you know, we're we're we're can progressive, just like uh Dale Nightingale said, success is a progressiveness working towards your goal. So if you're if you started right here and your goal is right here, if you're somewhere along the middle, you're technically a successful person because you're progressively working towards it. So now I look back, I'm like, yeah, it sucked, and I regret that, but I'm like, now that I went through all of that and I overcame it, all those people that are in that same position I was, not only can I relate to them and give them advice, I'm not I'm not just like preaching to the choir, I actually live that. Yeah. So you can help save a lot of people. So it's like everybody has like everybody's like really special in their individual aspect. Yeah. So whatever you're good at, man, that's the good you gotta bring to the world, you know. And like I said, I felt like I felt my parents in that degree, but and maybe they don't see that because they don't have the you know knowledge or to see that, like, well, look at what he block bloomed into, you know. He's now he could be a voice for the people. So, you know, and thankfully I I I you know I'm so grateful for the trade because that's what kept me out of trouble, too. I didn't finish school, I jumped into the trades, and it's giving me a good life.

SPEAKER_00:

I feel like those like trade schools and stuff are like a really good, almost like a second chance for people that didn't like do because yeah, like you could have done it right the first time, right? Kind of like my sisters right out of high school, going to school, college, university, the this, that, like, yeah, you could have done it right like the first time, but for the ones that didn't, like, here's your second chance. And in it sometimes, like, again, I feel like sometimes people look down on those workers, but I was like, we need them. Yeah, we need the plumbers, the insulators, the like, we need all of this electricians.

SPEAKER_01:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00:

And again, like, like I said, obviously I want like my kids to go to school, but I'm not gonna like, I'm not gonna wrap myself in it. Like, I need them to go to school. I need them to be doctors and engineers. No, yeah, like a middle child.

SPEAKER_01:

He might be the one that goes and gets a master's degree or become a you know, because he he has he likes that stuff, it's more natural. Yeah, so we can you know help pay his tuition and and guide him through all that. Maybe our eldest is maybe he wants to go into the military or do stuff like that. The end of the day, and this guy, this is not one's better than the other. Every, like I said, everybody's special in their individual aspects. So the people that do go to school that are a little bit more, their brain is more meticulous, more, you know, quote unquote, like the engineer brain. They're just look look at things more in depth, how they work, why why don't it work? We need those people just as much as the hard chargers.

SPEAKER_00:

We need them all.

SPEAKER_01:

So the best thing in life is to combine that.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01:

So, because, you know, there's always gonna be people that are harder workers than you, smarter than you, but the people like I feel like we grew up with, you you kind of are intimidated by that, or or you're like, nah, the hell with those people. Like, no, you need you need to network, you know, you need to network with these people that are smarter than you, yeah, that are think more meticulous, that look at the little details. You have like a broader vision, but they look at the the small little mechanical parts of it, you know, and if we all come together, man, we truly will make this place a lot better.

SPEAKER_00:

Is there anything like right now, not like in your past, obviously, like when you were little, I don't know, maybe you wanted to be a football player or whatever. Right now, is there anything that like you would want to like study more or like get into or anything like that?

SPEAKER_01:

Just just speaking. I was gonna say I like to talk a lot, so it's like and and that's why I'm glad I had that little baby interview with Terrence Crawford because you know, I was nervous, I wasn't prepared. But it's like if I study that, perfect it, the next time I crop come across somebody that's obviously achieved more than me, you know, I can help spread the message. And it's like I just want my life to kind of be a testimony to the people that are scared to branch out, that are just confined to, you know, I grew up in poverty, I grew up in the west, you know, any poverty neighborhood, like they just feel like they're confined by that. It's like, no, be happy you came from that. Because when you when you achieve more, not only you're gonna appreciate more, but you know, it's like if the Lord pulled you out the pit, he didn't pull you out the pit to just save yourself, he pulled you out so you can go in there and save more people.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01:

So if I per perfect, you know, the public speaking and all that, I can be a voice for the minorities, for anybody in general. Like I always make the the the analogies, like I want to be like that lighthouse that's on the edge of the, you know, the edge of the continent that is shining its light into the abyss, you know. But not a lot of people are willing to to live a life of like solidarity like that and be strong because if you look at a lighthouse, man, it's the waves are hitting you, it's it's it's not the ideal condition, it ain't all rainbow and sunshines, but like I don't mind bearing that burden to help other people find the light, find the truth, find themselves, you know, and it's like I know it sounds a little corny, but I feel like for people that need it, they they appreciate it.

SPEAKER_00:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01:

But a lot of people, and that's what's crazy about work. Like, most people, you know, and and it's not that that's wrong with them or none, but like you can't have like deep conversations with them because, you know, like I said, it's easy to talk about, you know, the Dodgers Toronto game, but it's like what about the conversations that we do need to have about you know, a lot of people avoid that, they avoid that, and that's why they kind of stay stuck in that position.

SPEAKER_00:

It's like you're not willing to have like tough conversations, yeah.

SPEAKER_01:

And it's like we need to have these tough conversations, we just need to like you know, better ourselves, you know. Yeah, like Kennedy said, you know, that's not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country. Yeah, so if we just all improve ourselves, we improve the world, we improve our community, and um, you just really need it, like I it comes back to networking. Yeah, you know, if you're more of a hard charger trade guy, you need to link up with the guys that went to school that you know a little bit more, you know, educated, they know a little bit more on that side, and then you put yourself, you team up, man, you're you're unstoppable. Like literally, yeah. There's nothing that could get in your way. Um and a lot of guys, I feel like what I'm trying to bring back is like stoicism. Like, you gotta like feel deeply too. Like, you know, I sometimes I can be really blunt and feel like you know, I don't have feelings, but I do feel deep. I'm like deeply connected to a lot, and it's like it's just tough, you know. So you gotta be well-rounded. Like Machiavelli said, you gotta be screwed like a fox, but strong like a lion, but also human. If you put all three of those together, man, you're gonna be you're gonna be a strong force in this world, but for good. Because the problem with the world is not the bad people in it, it's the good people that don't speak up. So, you know, it's not about the trades are better than school or the school is better than that. Yeah. Each person is gonna go down their route. And if school is your route, man, go all out, you know, learn everything you can while you're in school, dive deep in those books. Because people need that knowledge, you know? Yeah. And the people that are in the trades and they're hands-on, and they can do every layout in the book. You also have something to show.

SPEAKER_00:

We need it all, we need it all, and at the end of the day, like be yourself and always try to do what you love. I think that's what's like most important. That's what's gonna keep you alive. And if you're watching this and you're a parent, also like try to understand your kids. Yep. Kind of like us, you know, we have three kids, they're all very different. And and it's like it would be I I would feel like kind of like my mom trying to just drill in everybody's head, go to school, do this, be a lawyer, be a doctor, be this. And and it's like, no, I'm trying to understand each and every individual child, and I need them to understand that like any route that they take, like you know, I'm I'm gonna love you, I'm gonna support you. Um, obviously, I want the best for you, but that, you know, not they don't, they're not all gonna walk the same path. Just understand them and and you too. Maybe if you're watching this and you're young and you don't know like what you're doing, I mean, talk to God about it. Sleep on it, don't just dive into like crazy school debt just just to make somebody proud or something. Like, I don't know.

SPEAKER_01:

That's yeah, because you know, we obviously want to make our parents proud and all that, but sometimes we like we lose, we lose ourselves and and like they're pushing us to go to school, but it's like, what if I'm good at photography? What if I'm the best barber that's ever existed? Like, there's nothing wrong with that. And I feel like especially coming from like, you know, kind of Mexican culture and all that, like they kind of like think you're like a failure for something. Like, not all because there's obviously really successful Mexicans or Mexican Americans, but I feel like a lot of like, you know, especially like the Mexican Americans, like, like if you know, you don't do certain stuff, you're a failure. But it's like, well, what if I follow my passion and I'm happy with myself? Just because you don't see it that way doesn't mean I don't see it that way.

SPEAKER_00:

It's like I kind of feel like that's how like my family's always seen me, like kind of like, oh, she's trying to do it all, and then she doesn't do nothing at all. Like, you know, I've tried to like jump into photography. I've tried to like, you know, I've I've done literally everything from like working at Goodwill, Amazon to like photography, being a stay-at-home mom, working in the mortgage industry, to like now actually doing like what I love and now that I've been doing it for like years now, like successfully. Like, I just kind of feel like I left people scratching their head. Like, yeah, like how did she do that? Why is she able to do it? Like, why is she doing it? Not trying to say that, like, oh, you know, like people are jealous of me and stuff. I'm just saying that like for so many years, I just feel like I was like, um, just kind of like digging my way. I don't know, it feels tough. Like, I think back and I'm like thinking back, it like exhausts me how much I tried like everything. Like, I I failed more than more times than some people have tried. Like, yeah, I literally failed at so many things. Yeah, and then finally I found myself and like I'm here and stuff, and I do like what I love. I could pop my phone up and you know, talk, and somebody's gonna watch me and like that and all of that, or I'm gonna show you something that I bought yesterday and I fell in love with it, and then tomorrow I'm gonna have 200 people that buy it um because they trust me. And I'm like, there's like I take so much pride in that that like people will literally come to me or like, have you tried this? Or do you like this? Things like that. And I'm like, I've built that. I literally built that like from scratch, and nobody could take that from me but God. And and I'm like, that is why it's so important. Like, don't be scared to fail because that's the only way that like you're gonna find yourself again. Like I'm telling you, I thought I loved all of these things, photography, like all of this stuff. And then then I was like, Well, I'm a dropout, I belong at Amazon, like you know, like I packaging people's like orders and stuff. And even like, remember, I think like two months before my my TikTok blew up, I went back to Amazon because I wanted to like I was feeling so guilty that like I wanted to, I think the holidays were coming up and I wanted to help you with like stuff. So I went back to Amazon for like two weeks, and I was so miserable, and I was like, I know we need the money, but this is not for me. Like, I don't belong here. Yeah, and then I I quit again and I started like again posting like consistently, and then things happened. So you have to fail a lot, like it's not easy. Again, people think they post two videos and it, oh, it's not nothing's happening.

SPEAKER_01:

I'm gonna quit, or even if you post one and it gets a million views, that doesn't mean anything. No, you still gotta grind.

SPEAKER_00:

If anything, you have to work harder because it happens. That video just starts going down, and that's it. You're irrelevant. That's what is like so tricky about like social media. You have to be working on it, you have to be on it because social media is changing every single day. And if you're not on it, if you fall asleep, like it's it's done. So, you know, with everything, just again, back to the same thing. Do what you love, fail at stuff, and just keep going, keep going until you literally find what it is that you're good at.

SPEAKER_01:

Like I said, guys, as long as you're in between from where you started to where your goal is, you're successful. Don't let nobody beat you up, don't let nobody belittle you because most of those people won't even put their neck out and try like you. So, you know, keep your head up, keep pushing. And it's funny how successful people will like be like, hey man, like you're you're doing it. I applaud you. But people that haven't even took the first step, you're like, like trying to beat you down and all that. And it's like that's why it's nice on the road we're not now because we're meeting successful people that they encourage us, yeah. Versus the people that we used to hang out with were just like, well, why are you doing that?

SPEAKER_00:

I mean, where we grew up and stuff, like last, like, did you ever think that we were we would be sitting in front across talking, having a chat with two plastic surgeons, like two doctors? Yeah, never. Like, I I never you never think these things, like, and then when they happen, you're like, oh my gosh, like I did this.

SPEAKER_01:

Exactly.

SPEAKER_00:

I did this, and I'm here, and that's why you just have to keep going.

SPEAKER_01:

And this is a testament to everybody, guys. Like, if you would have told me a couple years ago, like you would be sitting in a professional studio, you know, and just like doing what you like, I would have been like, get out of here. But like, we're here, you know, it's all a part of the process, and you know, you guys can take, you know, learn from us and be like, hey, I like what they do here, but I'm gonna do this differently.

unknown:

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01:

So it's like, hey, man, just just keep pushing. If you gotta go to school, go to school. If you want to be a tradesman, go ahead to each their own. But we we need everybody to be themselves and and show their gifts that you know they were born with. And man, this truly that's what's great about this country is it's not perfect, but the pursuit of happiness is what separates it, guys. The you know, yeah. So just keep pushing, guys. Don't let nobody beat you down.

SPEAKER_00:

And don't be scared to fail. Don't be scared to fail.

SPEAKER_01:

If you're scared to fail, go look at my video and learn from it. You know what I'm saying? It's like, but it's all love, baby.

SPEAKER_00:

Love you guys. See you next week. Later.

unknown:

Bye!