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Turning 40 and Learning to Respect Yourself
Manage episode 364130486 series 3335979
תוכן מסופק על ידי Stephanie McLaughlin. כל תוכן הפודקאסטים כולל פרקים, גרפיקה ותיאורי פודקאסטים מועלים ומסופקים ישירות על ידי Stephanie McLaughlin או שותף פלטפורמת הפודקאסט שלו. אם אתה מאמין שמישהו משתמש ביצירה שלך המוגנת בזכויות יוצרים ללא רשותך, אתה יכול לעקוב אחר התהליך המתואר כאן https://he.player.fm/legal.
Turning 40 and Learning to Respect Yourself
Anthony Gonzalez spent several years in his early teens taking care of three younger siblings and a younger cousin after his mom and aunt started using drugs. He and the younger kids ultimately moved in with their grandmother where he first encountered what it meant to be raised by a village of aunts, uncles and extended family. He followed some older relatives into the business of selling drugs, which ultimately led him to getting arrested and serving time in prison. It was there that he began to write, reliving and telling stories from his life. Much of that writing turned into his book, From Prison to Peace, The PLUSH Lyfe.
Guest Bio
Anthony Jae Gonzalez (aka Papi Jae) is Taking Steps Towards Peace Love Unity Success Happiness (PLUSH). My Goal is just to bring back those communities where people are capable to: Cultivate positive relationships, Practice self-care, Embrace forgiveness, Help others, Set realistic and meaningful goals, Practice gratitude, Embrace positivity & love their neighbor. Sounds easier said than done yet that's the goal & we aren't stopping till we there...
Turning 40 and Learning to Respect Yourself
At 13, Anthony Gonzalez was forced into the role of provider for his younger siblings and cousin after his mom and aunt started using drugs. Neighbors helped as much as they could but Anthony found it unbearable to keep food on the table for the younger kids. He made it work for several years and, when he hit his breaking point, a neighbor called an aunt for help. Shortly after, he and his siblings and cousin moved in with his grandmother.
It took some time, but Anthony learned to trust that someone would be there if something happened. He says that, as a young man, he didn't believe in much and he wouldn’t depend on anybody.
Anthony had never seen how a village comes together to raise children until he moved in with his grandmother and the Spanish side of his family. He may have lived with his grandmother, but all his aunts and uncles, and even the wider community, helped raise him and his siblings.
His childhood left a mark, though, and he made some bad decisions as a young man. He was tired of working all the time and still being broke. He figured he wasn’t going to use drugs, but he knew he could make good money by selling them. Some family members were already involved “on the streets” and they vouched for him and showed him the ropes.
He moved to upstate New York, which was a lucrative spot for someone in his business. But then things shifted. He started a small business as a contractor working with someone who owned multiple properties. He was in his first healthy romantic relationship. He had gotten back in touch with his son, who was six at the time. He stopped selling drugs and focused on his new situation. He was feeling good. Then he got arrested for conspiracy to distribute 5 kilos of crack cocaine and served five years in prison.
When he went to prison, initially Anthony was angry - really angry. But at some point he started writing, reliving and telling stories from his life. At first he thought it was a diary for his son - his story in his own words. But it became more; he couldn’t stop writing. He started feeling like he was taking weight off his shoulders, like he was putting down his burdens.
Every time he filled up a notepad, he’d send it home to his grandmother for safe keeping. Some of his writing he showed to his fellow inmates, who were encouraging. They eventually turned into a book. Then a second book. And two more are in the works.
Much of what he shared in his book, From Prison to Peace, The PLUSH Lyfe, is relevant for anyone looking to achieve peace in their life and in their mind. In this episode, we discuss his path from being a “bad guy” to being a “good guy” and what he’s learned along the way.
Sponsor
The Forty Drinks Podcast is produced and presented by Savoir Faire Marketing/Communications
Get Anthony’s book, From Prison To Peace, The P.L.U.S.H. Lyfe
Anthony’s first book, Confessions of a Man, The Evolution of a Playa
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Do you have the Ick?
Download Stephanie’s guide to the Ick to diagnose whether you or someone you love is suffering from the Ick. www.fortydrinks.com/ick
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