Riding The Wave

Latest Episodes:

Champion in The Making Nov 22, 2024

Show notes

On this week’s podcast, we are rejoined by Coach Flaco, who presents us with the privilege of introducing us to 16-year-old Lincoln Heights boxing champion, Lennon Sosa, going 21-3, who aspires to be our future 2028 Olympic gold medalist.

Hungry for the sport and proud of his persistence, Lennon demonstrates that age is just a number for achieving your goals. Not only is Lennon challenging his opponents in the ring, but academically, he is thriving by inputting the same technique into his studies. With the backing of a supportive coach, relentless determination, and the willingness to continually learn, Lennon teaches us how to condition our minds to respond successfully to life’s struggles inside and outside the ring.

Sharing a Testimony – Part #2 Nov 15, 2024

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Although there is no way to foretell the challenges that life will throw at us, we do have control over how we choose to respond to them. In this week’s episode, we are joined once again by Fedna, a resilient Coach, Minister, and active member of his community who serves as a testament to the healing power of forgiveness and growth.

Living in a single-mother household and being part of the foster care system placed Fedna and his siblings under circumstances where they learned to become independent and self-sufficient –despite having been under the care of a mother who was trying to do her best with what she had. Fedna aspired to be much like those who cared for him growing up, such as his foster father, prioritizing the desire to provide his loving wife and children with constant and unconditional love, appreciation, safety, and security. Although Fedna emphasizes the importance of forgiving and growing from past traumas, he shares how his processing of emotions came to be and how he has learned to cope with them to serve as a mentor for others going through similar situations. Having been in the army as well, Fedna learned not to be complacent with the placement of things, using his new career as a coach to continue teaching others to challenge and confront their inner critics, reminding them that “anytime they find themselves in trouble, turn right and go straight.”

Sharing a Testimony Nov 08, 2024

Show notes

This week, we are joined by Fedna, an active member of the Lincoln Heights community. He serves as a Youth Minister and Coach at his local high school, relentlessly demonstrating his commitment to his family and community. Fedna shares the importance of honoring his father’s legacy, who was murdered, through being rooted in his Haitian-Creole roots. Fedna shares how his upbringing with his siblings and mother contributed to who he came to identify as and aspired to become based on his lived experiences.

Learning how to deal with the loss of a parent is an incomprehensible feat, especially at a young age. Many questions remain unanswered, and complete closure feels as though it can not be sought. As children, we craft our parents to be the ideal role models and, to preserve the innocence that comes with being of young age, information is often kept out of the loop. Fedna describes how learning how his father truly passed, as a result of his participation in a cartel, did not yield anger and resentment, although initially, he felt confused and discombobulated; rather, it taught him how to forgive. He remained determined to seek to learn more about his father’s existence, with the help of some of his siblings, acknowledging that although the route his father took was not the best, his intentions to protect and provide for his family were there. Fedna’s calm, stoic demeanor and presence demonstrate the importance of learning to navigate and learn from hardship. Now, as a father, Fedna works hard to provide for his children by being present socially and emotionally, providing for them what he lacked as a child, and instilling moral values and unconditional love in them.

Business Strategy 101 Oct 25, 2024

Show notes

On this week’s podcast, we talk business. We are joined by special guest, Monica Flores Roman, entrepreneur and financial expert of 18 years. Monica shares with us how her upbringing and tight-knit nuclear familial dynamic led to her desire to follow in her hard-working father’s footsteps in the entrepreneurial world and pursue her own business ventures. Monica emphasizes the importance of mindset as her father had instilled in her, reiterating that it is 90% mindset that leads to success, and 10% skillset.

“El mundo es de los audaces”, a Spanish mantra that translates into, “The World is yours for the taking.” Seeking to challenge the scarcity mentality that her father’s family once upheld, Monica fervently applied the lesson learned from this motto into her life by pursuing a post-secondary education at UC Riverside, despite being discouraged by other family members. The business world is complicated to navigate, as it presents the challenge of severing ties with even those one thinks are there to support them socially and emotionally, such as family, in order to protect and maintain one’s inner peace when those individuals choose not the embrace and encourage one’s success. Monica also provides in detail the pressures that come with being a first-generation college student, sharing with us heavy and unrealistic expectations that were placed on her, and the importance of pursuing goals and aspirations that are meaningful and specific to who you are and what you represent in order to attract what you want out of your life. Monica’s journey serves as a testament to the fact that despite adversities, hardships, and challenges, persistence and dedication are key, and ultimately, the universe will align you with your passions, aspirations, and what is meant for you. She teaches us to work on believing in ourselves, hold ourselves accountable, and surround ourselves with other successful people to manifest the destiny that we want to create for ourselves and the vision of success that is true to us.

Riding the Wave puts our audience first. We want to hear your high and low tides. No judgment! DM us on Instagram @ridingthewave2024, and we will respond to your questions in a future show.

Life on The Street Oct 18, 2024

Show notes

This week we are joined by a special guest "Rooster", an eccentric idiosyncratic individual who shares with the audience his upbringing; from his relationship with his parents to the meaning of his tattoos, which demonstrates his outlook towards life. From enduring difficult losses such as losing his loving wife and home, and living on the streets for 17 years despite working multiple jobs within the construction and warehouse industry, Rooster emphasizes the importance of being an honest and earnest man and encourages others not to judge one another based on appearance. Rooster emboldens others to dismantle misconceptions that label the homeless community as dangerous and unruly, especially those created and maintained by media and other hegemonic forces, and promotes the fact that everyone’s mental health matters.

Furthermore, the force of authority interferes during the last minute of the episode, to which MJ complies and ends the episode with less than 10 minutes of the interview. Want to know what happens next? Stay tuned for next week's episode as we follow up with Rooster and the alleged accusation by the 5-0.

God's Plan – Part #2 Oct 11, 2024

Show notes

Special guest and pastor Sergio Vera returns for part two of this week’s podcast to share how living a tumultuous lifestyle led to a road of struggle, danger, and a lack of progress, motivating him to reframe his mindset and re-establish his priorities in order to be fully present for himself, his family, and his friends.

Living an adult life at such an early age means compromising much and missing out on many early archetypal childhood experiences. Sergio testifies to this as he details being shot and wounded at an early age, maintaining unhealthy drug habits, and finding it difficult to abandon a dangerous lifestyle he came to accept as normal. Sergio soon came to realize, as he was reminded by a close friend, that he had a lot to lose by engaging in practices that served no purpose or goal. The multitude of adversities that existed within his life motivated him to do better for his kids to dismantle the chain of trauma and trouble. Through adhering to his newly established faith in the findings of God, and his search for redemption, Sergio achieved forgiveness. Attaining absolution allowed Sergio to be a strong figure for his family and members of his community, where he now promotes compassion and motivates others to seek their purpose and calling in life.

Riding the Wave puts our audience first. We want to hear your high and low tides. No judgment! DM us on Instagram @ridingthewave2024, and we will respond to your questions in a future show.

God's Plan Oct 04, 2024

Show notes

On this week’s podcast MJ and AYD are joined by special guest Sergio Vera, a Boyle Heights native centering his energy around God’s plan. Father of three and a dedicated member of his church, Sergio shares with the audience his experience during his transition from the streets into the church, reminiscing on and demonstrating the significance of willpower, and the importance of finding inner peace and strength in the face of life’s adversities.

Family dynamics differ across all households. Although Sergio notes that the absence of a father figure whilst growing up did cast an ache in his heart, he was able to compensate for his father’s absenteeism through his integration into the church, through laughter, and the support of his loving mother, siblings, children, and friends. Despite having been abandoned by those whom he thought should have cared for him most, learning of a sibling he did not know existed, and surviving a gunshot wound, Sergio remained resilient and solidaristic. Through Sergio’s radiant energy, despite hardship, one comes to realize that surviving, learning from, and growing through life’s hardest battles create individuals with strong character, perseverance, and faith.

Riding the Wave puts our audience first. We want to hear your high and low tides. No judgment! DM us on Instagram @ridingthewave2024, and we will respond to your questions in a future show.

Lace Them Up – Part #2 Sep 27, 2024

Show notes

Boxing and sobriety have helped many develop a lifestyle that is conducive to their needs, goals, hopes, and aspirations for the future. On this week’s podcast, we are joined by returning guests Spencer Valenzuela, undefeated boxing champ and longtime persistence and resistance Coach, Flaco, who reiterate how life’s hardest battles that exist within the ring and outside of it become possible to tackle through acknowledging your need for help and establishing a purpose greater than yourself.

Boxing has become a channel through which many can confront their internal struggles, existing turmoils, and self-doubt. Both Spencer and Flaco encourage the youth to pursue this sport at an early age as a means of establishing self-discipline, learning how to problem-solve, and developing a sense of respect for their mind and body. Through this establishing of productive habits early on one learns to fight through and cope with their pain and vices healthily. Everyone goes through hardship, and along the way, vices may become part of one’s daily routine, but Spencer and Flaco encourage all people to acknowledge their discomfort and ask for help because there are people who care. It is through this resilient mindset and willingness to participate in your character development that you will put yourself in a position where you cannot fail.

Riding the Wave puts our audience first. We want to hear your high and low tides. No judgment! DM us on Instagram @ridingthewave2024, and we will respond to your questions in a future show.

Lace Them Up – Part #1 Sep 20, 2024

Show notes

It’s the sound of the bell ringing and immediately all that exists is you, your technique, the adrenaline, and your opponent in the ring. In that ring and in life, we learn that it does not matter how you start, but how you finish. This mantra is emphasized and reiterated further in this week’s episode with guests Spencer Valenzuela, a boxer with an undefeated amateur record and two belts under his sleeve, and his coach, Flaco, a Boyle Heights native who fell in love with the sport of boxing since the age of 10.

Boxing involves combat, confidence, passion, technique, and training. Without these skills and without the guidance of a strong coach who acts as the anchor, it is difficult to deliver in the ring. More importantly, Spencer and Flaco discuss the importance of seeking comfort within the gym setting and within one’s own skin to navigate the ring and the sport that is boxing and life. Although the sport may not be for everyone, boxing helped many like Spencer abandon fear and addiction. With his interest in boxing stemming back to his grandparents, he came to develop a respect for the sport that taught him how to build confidence, technique, and persistence. Ultimately, the sport of boxing has helped many realize that challenges should be embraced and welcomed, in and out of the ring, as they help combat the limitations we place on ourselves.

Riding the Wave puts our audience first. We want to hear your high and low tides. No judgment! DM us on Instagram @ridingthewave2024, and we will respond to your questions in a future show.

Fitness Talk – Part #2 Sep 13, 2024

Show notes

Setting realistic expectations, repeating exceptional performances systematically, and ultimately trusting the process: all of these being effective mindset tools and strategies recommended by our returning guest and personal mind and fitness coach, Canidate (@IamCanidate) to ultimately ensure that your workout plan serves a purpose. In this week’s episode, we revisit the topic of working out the mind and body and the importance of establishing routines to remain consistent in your journey toward wellness and fitness.

Cultivating, working towards, and maintaining an active and fit lifestyle requires more than just engaging in strenuous workouts that apply pressure and force to the body and joints. Being able to maintain a healthy mind and healthy workout habits also requires being able to tap into your mind and remind yourself of the little things. These little things manifest themselves in the form of warming up through low-impact movement, creating breathing techniques, and prioritizing your sleep and diet. When you structure your goals, restore and regulate your mind, and remain consistent in your health habits, it is then that your discipline and resilience will create the desired results you have created for your mind and body.

Riding the Wave puts our audience first. We want to hear your high and low tides. No judgment! DM us on Instagram @ridingthewave2024, and we will respond to your questions in a future show.

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