Fuel Pasión Podcast

After 25 years at Nike, I'm still learning, growing, and discovering what's next. In this first episode of  Beyond the Résumé , I reflect on my journey from retail leadership to corporate talent acquisition, the challenges of starting a new chapter, and three lessons that have shaped my career: managing yourself, building meaningful relationships, and never forgetting the value of where yo...

In 2017, after 16 years in retail, I stepped into corporate life as a beginner again. Nine years later, I’m celebrating my HR anniversary, and I want to share the three lessons that brought me here. I didn’t know the language. I didn’t know the rooms. But I knew people, and that was enough to start. Enjoy!

Latino Heritage Month is about celebrating nuestra gente and the stories that got us here. - Gianna Woodruff: from part-time at a Nike store in LA to two-time Olympian, fresh off a record-setting gold for Panamá - DC (Daniel Calderon): from learning drums at church to Latin music at Spotify - A full-circle moment with the Dodgers Foundation, back at Jim Thorpe Park in Hawthorne, where mi abuelita...

Kevin Carroll called me on Friday. I wasn't expecting it, and I wasn't planning on making this video. He said something on that call — and then sent me something after it — that I still haven't been able to put down. I read it out loud in this one. If you've been following these past few weeks, you know I've been in a lot of conversations with people impacted by layoffs. Resume...

I sat in a room with Kevin Carroll — the Katalyst — and walked out with a page of notes and a new job title. He said there's reward in the struggle, but only if you're willing to do the work. He talked about being present on purpose, right where your feet are. About play, stories, and how everywhere in the world, we all speak ball. And then he said the thing that rearranged something in me...

Somebody left a comment on my last video asking, "How would you create your own opportunities?"And I had to sit with that one. Because if I'm being sincero, I ended that video saying it was time to build my own opportunity — and then I stopped recording. I never told you how. So here's my answer, okay? Nobody is walking up to your desk to hand you a critical experience. If the ex...

This video is reflection on the importance on building your network. Hope this is a small token for us to understand how to approach this and being intentional on reaching out with purpose.

I didn't get the job. What I got instead was an invitation into a project that's growing me in the exact area I knew I needed work. Quick update on where I'm at, and why the "no" turned out to be the right answer.

This episode shares my latest process in landing a new role. Although I did not land it, the biggest unlock to date was delivered to create the map I need to elevate the work I do. Enjoy and hope this is a blessing for you.

The 2026 World Cup is here, and it has me thinking about the power of dreaming big, working hard, and having fun along the way. Seeing Paisaboys show up in Nike’s latest Rip the Script campaign is a beautiful reminder that the dreams we carry can become something real when we stay faithful to the work. Also celebrating 29 years of marriage with my wife — another reminder that the best things in li...

Feeling behind in life, faith, career, or your next season? In this episode of Fuel Pasión Podcast, I reflect on the truth that fruit grows from attachment, not pressure. Real growth is not forced — it is formed through staying connected to God. Whether you’re healing, graduating, job searching, waiting for a promotion, or trusting God with what’s next, this conversation is a reminder that roots g...

In this update, I’m sharing a little of what’s been on my heart lately — learning as a storyteller, creating space through 1:1 Career Sessions with aspiring professionals, and celebrating our AAPI community by spotlighting Antonio, founder of Silver Screen Club. Whether it’s career, culture, or community, the goal is the same: use our stories to open doors, build connection, and remind people that...

This is probably one of the most honest videos I’ve shared in a while. Hope it encourages someone that’s been carrying grief, pressure, or exhaustion quietly. 6 weeks of therapy have taught me that healing doesn’t come from trying harder. As a latino man this hit home personally. It comes from walking closer with God.

Growth never stops. In this final part of my 3-part series, I reflect on what it means to have a championship mindset, continue evolving, and stay open to what’s next—both personally and professionally. Grateful for every lesson, every leader, and every opportunity that helped shape this journey. Still growing. Still learning. Still chasing gold. I just hit 6K followers on LinkedIn! Interested in...

Over 25 years at Nike, it’s the people—leaders, teammates, and mentors—who made the biggest impact. In this video, I share what I’ve learned about connection, leadership, and why investing in others matters. Because none of this was meant to stop with me. Enjoy!

25 years ago, I took a shot on a seasonal role at Nike. But this story really started at 16… when I got cut from the baseball team and thought the dream was over. In Part 1 of this 3-part series, I share how I got started, what it took to keep showing up, and the lessons that shaped me along the way.

Palm Sunday isn’t just a celebration—it’s a mirror. In this reflection, we walk through three questions that reveal where we truly stand as we enter Holy Week:• What am I praising God for?• What am I truly connected to?• What is God preparing me for? From the cheers of “Hosanna” to the reality of the cross, this moment invites us to examine our faith, reset our focus, and prepare our hearts for wh...

On March 13th, 2026, I lost my brother… my best friend, Abner. This wasn’t something any of us expected. And in the middle of processing this loss, I felt led to share a few lessons that I believe we all need to hear. This video is about more than grief…it’s about brotherhood, purpose, and not taking people for granted. I’m grateful I told my brother how much I appreciated him while he was here. M...

In this episode, I reflect on calling, culture, career, and the deeper question of alignment. Inspired by Galatians 2:20 and a recent conversation with Samuel Choi (Founder of Child), this message is a reminder that being gifted is common — but being aligned is rare. If this spoke to you, share it with someone navigating influence and faith.

In this reflection, I talk about faithfulness, character, and the quiet power of saying yes — at work, in faith, and in everyday leadership — even when no one is keeping score. This video was inspired by a recent moment that reminded me:legacy isn’t built through recognition, but through consistency. If this resonates with you, I expand on this reflection in this week’s Monday’s Altar on Substack....

Turned 49 in January and in this episode, I share what a period of slowing down taught me, and why I'm back. It's a reflection on the important life lessons gained over the past 30 days, emphasizing personal growth mindset and self-improvement. This podcast episode is about the motivation to pause, learn, and return with renewed purpose.

In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of my panel at the Circle of Change Leadership Conference at Cal State Dominguez Hills — but this isn’t about a company or a title. It’s about the story behind the story. I share the lessons that shaped me as a first-generation Latino leader from LA, the unwritten rules of success I learned the hard way, and the message I gave to hundreds of emerging s...

This Thanksgiving week, we slow down and give thanks for one of God’s greatest gifts: shared tables. Whether it's a kitchen bar, a backyard bbq, leftovers after church, or a simple cafesito—God meets us in the places where we make room for others. In today’s devotion we look at three powerful Scriptures:• 1 Peter 4:9 — “Offer hospitality without grumbling.”• John 15:12–13 — “Love one another a...

I didn’t get the latest role I applied for — but I gained perspective. After 8 years in corporate recruiting and 24 years overall at Nike, I’ve realized that every door — open or closed — serves a purpose. Growth is more than promotions or wins; it’s about staying faithful, showing up, and trusting the process. Enjoy the episode and subscribe.

This video is personal. It’s a thank you to my mentor/friend, Lauren Gallo — someone who believed in me even before we met. Over the years, her guidance has helped me navigate business, leadership, and life without losing who I am. In a world obsessed with titles and results, Lauren reminded me that leadership is about belief — seeing potential where others might not. Whether you’re a leader, a me...