Martyrdom Mentality

I came here to die

We look at Christ as example of how to live. In ministry, charity, prayer life, and so forth. Also, we should look to Him as an example on how to die. In His own humanness, he went through anguish especially in knowing and having to suffer gruesomely without mercy. When I made the decision to move back home to Los Angeles, California, it was with martyrdom in mind. I had to prepare for the persecution that needs to be endured. I had gone through prejudice, ridicule, failure, and heartaches. I was battle tested, a veteran, a champion. I felt ready! 

“Affliction produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” -Fr. Mike Schmitz 

I was ready to embark into the unknown. I was ready to die, maybe that meant just die to myself. After all, when a man gets married, he is mainly portrayed in a black suit, while the bride is glorified in white resembling purity, and new beginnings. The man basically attends his own funeral by choice, signaling the end, because he chooses to willingly die to himself for the woman he loves. Nevertheless, he also like the bride begins a new chapter. It’s the end of an old life and the beginning of a new! What a wondrous vocation, if it is in God’s will. I came here to die! 

“I’m not scared to death of dying, I’m scared to death of dying and having God tell me, ‘(Angelica), this might have been you had you trusted more.’” -Mother Angelica

Last week, I was going up and down the mountains of Big Bear, California, completing obstacle after obstacle, and hours later felt like I have exhausted every inch of my being. There’s something you discover over and over again. Even when the rankings showed improvement and recognition. Deep down you realize something, that you’re only getting started. There will be faster times and more awards. Deep down, you know you have become too tough to kill because you are doing things that most people wouldn’t even dare. This isn’t about running, or competing. This isn’t about marriage or careers. People still wouldn’t even dare. 

“It is YOU, You passed an unimaginable test that many of the toughest Marines, commanders, green berets, astronauts and geniuses could not. You are made of heroes who ever lived, heroes born among ordinary people and shine in the dark.”

20 years ago, I began my teaching and coaching career. I was surrounded by so many mentors. Men with so much wisdom. I wanted to be like them. Did I? I didn’t want their life at all. I wanted their confidence. They told me the story about the young bull and the old bull. Both the young and old bull, went up the hill and saw a herd of sheep. The young bull, jumping up and down overly excited, asked, “Are we gonna get one?” The old bull, calm and collected, very well regulated, stoic, and wise, answered: “Get One? No, we’re gonna go down there, and we’re gonna get ‘em all!”

I was the young bull once. I wouldn’t call myself the old bull now, but perhaps the polished one. That says, with credibility, experience, confidence, FAITH, and assurance, “We’re going to get it all!!” Everything is there for the taking. Something small to a giant.  

I’m here to lead people, I’m here to serve, I’m here to die! All of a sudden a swarm of angels, intercessors are about to rush through. If it is from God, nothing can stop it. 

Jonsnow GIFfrom Jonsnow GIFs

It’s Primetime!

Every move I make is a risk. Every shot I take is a risk. Every mile I run is a risk. Every rep is a risk, but guess what? Risk still calls my name every single day.

“It's rare, but sometimes, there's this moment…where everything goes quiet, my heartbeat slows, it's peaceful, and I can see everything, and no one, no one can touch me. And I am chasing that moment every time…I don't know when I'll find it again, but, man, I want to. I want to. 'Cause in that moment, I'm flying.”

This isn’t a rom com, it’s an actioned packed film. At the end of the day, whomever she may be, she’s a bonus not a rescue mission. Every woman I meet, is a blessing from above. God has a great sense of humor. God be like: let’s make things interesting. Plot twist! Not for distraction, if it’s from God, it’s for purpose. 

Just when I think it cannot get any better, it gets better. Goals are being met, life is being lived, and joy still calls my name every single day. What does the day look like? It’s a surprise! 

These are the prime years! The decisions and work you do today will show tomorrow. It’s Primetime! How do you know if you have hit your prime? You never know. When I say I’m in my prime, I prove myself otherwise. When I set an expectation or a goal, God surprises me otherwise. It always turns out great when you have full trust in your ability and in the Lord, better than you can ever imagine.

“MVP, MVP, Kobe Bryant, a.k.a. envy me.”

Not immune to the feeling of championships. It never gets old. It becomes the norm. That is why you never truly hit your prime, because when you’re a high valued man, you constantly evolve, so there is no prime. It is a perpetual state of becoming stronger. There’s an everlasting peak version of yourself. You set the bar high, and hit milestones as a side effect to your never ending grind.

From a media perspective primetime refers to: 

• Peak time/hours
• Golden time (Japan/industry slang)
• High-traffic period
• Broadcasting peak
• Top time
• Prime viewing hours

What if it turns out better than you can imagine? I always think this way. You will feel out of place around regular people. You’re not normal. You’re a top 1% person. Elite! The bar is so low. The audience knows this. For the twentieth year in a row, impacting kids in a way no one else can. 

“The whole world is wondering, where is Spider-Man?” 

I never left. Still running marathons, still hooping, still winning, still pissing unhappy people off, still dreaming, still in my prime, but most importantly still praising the Lord! 

 

Momma said they’ll be days like this. 

“Cuando tenía tu edad, me reía de la vida.” These are the years that we laugh, rejoice, and every once in a while reminisce at what led to this present moment. These days continue to be part of the prime years! We can’t waste this time, so sit back and enjoy the show because it’s Primetime! 

It’s 2026!

 

It’s 2026! The world is a wonderful place. There’s beautiful people everywhere. We are exactly where God wants us to be. Success is inevitable. God still heals and performs miracles. This is the best season of our life, again. We are experiencing some of the prayers that we once prayed for. Imagine waking up every day feeling lucky and grateful for the life we are currently living. May Heavenly things constantly interrupt Earthly things for us. May God guide every single step we take this year. 

You want it (championship). It (championship) needs you. If your mind isn’t clouded by unnecessary things, this is the best season of your life. I’m back on the starting lineup, but as the superstar. Put me in Coach! Non-restrictive minutes, I’ll play the whole game, every game, including Playoffs and championship. Whatever it takes to win! Win the right way. Win with the Lord. Surprise me again, Lord. May I have the grace for the yes and the no. The ability to play offense and defense. Specially defense, to shut down the opposing team, because defense wins championships.

If you want peace, prepare for war. In Latin: “Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum.” The war is over. There’s roars, but mostly cheers. Peace was restored. It’s 2026! 

What a Heaven of a year 2025 has been. 

Lessons of 2025:

Nothing beats a jet2 holiday

Small progress is better than no progress

Go for it. The new assignment, championship, relationship, etc.

Surround yourself with uplifting people

All the glory belongs to God

You’re a bad@ss! A king with unlimited aura

Holy distance from near occasions of sin 

Holy proximity from near occasions of grace

So many grateful moments to list, but here’s a few: 

Great mentor in Fr Francis

New Mustang

Chosen as School Board Rep

Graduating Class of 2025 with royalty

Cross Country Championship 

First time ever Podium in Spartan

Positivity movement destroyed pessimism and toxicity

Competed in 24 races (23 Spartans) 

Holy healthy friendships

Great conditioning as a hybrid athlete

Retreats, conferences, prayer services, liturgies…

God is on the move! 

It’s 2026! 

Remember how rich you are. People associate blessings and wealth with money. We’re blessed financially, but more grateful to be rich in health, faith, love, freedom, location, peace, etc. 

Just when you think it cannot get any better. It gets better! 

2026, the year of the horse. Howdy!

Surprises are coming. Vision board is set. 

Itz On 

Core

Prep

Zz

Tid 

Pacific

Hour

GOAT

Sum

B2B

FF

Cert 

Bic

Tri

Aroo 

NYTS

JMJ

It’s 2026! Watch how God works and be dazzled by His glory. 

Made For More

Daily martyrdom continues in December, but I’m on a different wavelength. When I find something worth pursuing, I get excited. I succeed even when I don’t see the entire path. I’ll create the path! God illuminates the path! Every now and then I step onto a podium for recognition. I didn’t know it was going to be difficult yet so worth the adventure. 

If I don’t get invited, congratulated, or accepted, then that’s okay. I packed all of my belongings to come all the way from Texas to live in California (my home) because I wanted to follow the will of God, the call, maybe even the call within the call. I wanted to win championships here also. I wanted the beach nearby. Go to Lakers games anytime I wanted. I didn’t think it would include suite seats in all. I didn’t think it was going to be so difficult yet so worth the adventure. 

At the end of the day, the students are excited as always. I bring value, aura, and maybe just a little bit of God’s love. I am who I am. I don’t claim the most valuable player award, somebody else can have that. I like sharing the wealth. All I know that when the Holy Spirit takes over, the school is magnified tenfold. Championships will continue. Blessings will pour like confetti! I may be serving here for another 20 years, but if God wants me somewhere else, He will let me know. Here or there, I think it is going to be so difficult yet so worth the adventure.

Christmas was born on that day and this Christmas season I am looking forward to: Hosting. Takings risks. Shooting my shot. Falling flat on my face. Looking foolish. Calling  out bad behaviors, kindly. Ignoring the doubters. Climbing the highest mountain. In all of those experiences, finding God there because I was made for more. To the heights (verso l’alto). So difficult yet so worth it!!

What a Heaven of a year it has been! 

Thank you Great King! 

Superhero Business

If you’re waiting on God, do what waiters do. Serve! In light of Advent Season beginning today, a season of waiting, we await the arrival of the Newborn King. We wait for Christmas!!!

Waiting and serving are superpowers.

Isn’t that what we see from superheroes or Saints? Friendly neighborhood laborers making the world a better place, more bearable, and safe from evil doers. Serving while they have their own goals. Focused on a mission while awaiting their destiny. 

Waiting is part of the Christian pilgrimage toward Heaven

In the meantime, we are out here completing side quests like a video game. Another problem to solve. This is starting to be the new entertainment with WWE-like theatrics. When talent, charisma, and creative story lines create the most interesting episodes. We will be pitching sponsorship for the next season soon.

You have to create your own paradise. Build your own sanctuary, so that when you return from the rodeo, you have a place to be inspired. Plow your field so that when the next rain storm arrives, you reap the abundant harvest. Condition your body so that when the next competition is set, you will have superpowers that only superheroes possess. In order words suffer now, embrace the resistance and turbulence now, because when things get smooth it becomes even more glorious. That’s how a superhero learns to flyyyyy! 

If you have acquired certain skills: If you are calm, know how to regulate your emotions, have super human strength and stamina, have wisdom, championship experience, strive for virtue (ultimate superpower), and have people that cheer for you and look up to you, then are you even human? If you win all the time, are you God’s favorite? Being a superhero is a calling. God equips the called with super human powers. 

I heard the other day, “When you are full of love (superpower), it confuses people who are full of sh!t.” Get your sh!t together! Because the next superhero story could be someone that overcame their past, made a turning point, had a conversion and sought Christ. Quit trying to find happiness or superpowers outside of Christ. 

“It is Jesus that you seek when you dream of happiness; He is waiting for you when nothing else you find satisfies you; He is the beauty to which you are so attracted; it is He who provoked you with that thirst for fullness that will not let you settle for compromise; it is He who urges you to shed the masks of a false life; it is He who reads in your heart your most genuine choices, the choices that others try to stifle.

It is Jesus who stirs in you the desire to do something great with your lives, the will to follow an ideal, the refusal to allow yourselves to be ground down by mediocrity, the courage to commit yourselves humbly and patiently to improving yourselves and society, making the world more human and more fraternal.”

-Pope John Paul II

Saint John Paul II was a Marvel Comic Book Hero in the 80’s.  

If you’re waiting on God, do what waiters/superheroes do. Serve! This looks like a job for…🦸‍♂️ because like Fr. Mike Schmitz mentioned, while we are waiting this Advent season or any other season of our lives, the question we must ask, are we waiting well? The destination matters, but so does how we get there. How can we wait well? 

<Power Rangers ringer goes off>

I’ll be back!! I have a community to serve, workouts to conquer, and a beauty to date.