We were lucky to catch up with Jose Pereira recently and have shared our conversation below.
Jose, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Looking back, what’s an important lesson you learned at a prior job?
In my previous career in corporate America within the oil and gas industry, I had the privilege of participating in multiple international joint ventures, each bringing together diverse cultures and perspectives. Through these experiences, I discovered a vital truth: the key to connecting with people, no matter their gender, race, religion, or beliefs, is to treat them as human beings first and foremost.
This lesson has profoundly shaped my approach to leadership. When we see and respect the humanity in others, we bridge gaps and build authentic relationships. It’s through this fundamental respect and understanding that we can lead effectively and inspire those around us.
Jose, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Hello,
I’m Jose Pereira, and I help CEOs, business owners, and entrepreneurs overcome challenges and thrive in their personal and professional lives. My mission is to help you tap into your inner force and unleash an unbreakable spirit, converting you into a Great Resilient Leader through my LPSG coaching program and inspirational leadership speeches.
How I Got Into My Industry
My journey began over three decades ago in the oil and gas industry in Venezuela. I climbed the corporate ladder, eventually becoming the CFO and CEO of Citgo Petroleum. My career took me around the world, leading strategic planning, financial management, and international joint ventures. However, my most transformative experience was my five-year captivity, during which I discovered the depths of human resilience and the power of inner strength.
My Services
1. One-on-One Coaching: Personal and Leadership Development
My LPSG One-on-One Coaching Program offers tailored sessions to help CEOs, business owners, and entrepreneurs discover and harness their inner strength. Drawing from my survival experience, I guide clients to become resilient leaders who can thrive in adversity.
2. Group Coaching: Team and Leadership Development
The LPSG Group Coaching Program is a dynamic, interactive program designed to build cohesive, resilient, and high-performing teams. Participants learn to leverage their collective strengths to achieve common goals.
3. Consulting Services: Strategic, Resilience, and Workplace Improvement
My Executive Resilience Consulting services help organizations and their leaders build a culture of resilience, from strategic planning to crisis management.
4. Public Speaking and Inspirational Talks
You can hire me for corporate stages to inspire your employees and at corporate events. My signature speech, “From Captivity to Freedom,” shares a message of hope, faith, and perseverance. It supports the hostage community and inspires audiences to never give up under any circumstance.
5. Bilingual Services: English and Spanish
All my services and programs are available in both English and Spanish, ensuring accessibility and understanding for a diverse range of clients.
My Book
I am also the author of “From Hero to Villain: The True Story of the Citgo6,” which details my harrowing experience and the lessons learned during my captivity.
What Sets Me Apart
What sets me apart is my firsthand experience with extreme adversity and my ability to transform that experience into practical, actionable insights for my clients. I walk the walk and talk the talk, having implemented my unique techniques to survive and thrive during my captivity. I believe that everyone has an inner force and, through my coaching, I help you unleash your unbreakable spirit to become a Great Leader in your business and life.
What I’m Most Proud Of
I am most proud of the resilience I developed and now share with others. My greatest joy comes from seeing my clients overcome their challenges and emerge stronger and more resilient.
How to Connect
If you want to know more and get my professional advice, book a 30-minute chat through my Calendly. You can also visit my website at joseconnect.com/speaking, email me at [email protected], or reach out via WhatsApp at 832-534-0873.
I look forward to helping you unleash your unbreakable spirit and achieve greatness in your personal and professional life.
Best regards,
Jose Pereira
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
A Story of Resilience
One of the most defining moments of my life occurred during my five-year captivity. This period was not just a test of endurance but a journey that revealed the true depth of human resilience and the power of unwavering faith.
In 2017, I was wrongfully detained along with five of my colleagues in Venezuela, a situation that turned our lives upside down. As a high-ranking executive in the oil and gas industry, I had faced numerous professional challenges, but nothing prepared me for the physical and psychological torment of captivity. Every day was a battle against despair, isolation, and the overwhelming uncertainty of our future.
During these harrowing years, I discovered that the mind’s strength can be as powerful as the body’s. My wife and I smuggled around 1,000 letters, which not only kept our bond strong but also became the foundation of my memoir, “From Hero to Villain: The True Story of the Citgo6.” These letters were lifelines, filled with words of hope, love, and faith, which we clung to in our darkest moments.
One particularly profound experience was when I realized the importance of maintaining a daily routine, no matter how mundane it seemed. I devised a schedule that included physical exercise, mental activities, and prayer. This routine gave me a sense of control and purpose, helping me to stay mentally sharp and physically healthy. It was a technique that I now teach my clients: the power of discipline and structure in overcoming life’s most daunting challenges.
The resilience I built during my captivity is the cornerstone of my coaching programs. I guide my clients to discover their inner strength and develop the discipline needed to overcome both personal and professional obstacles. I’ve learned that everyone has an unbreakable spirit; sometimes, it just takes the right circumstances—or the right coach—to unlock it.
This experience also deepened my faith. I often speak about how divine intervention and faith played crucial roles in my survival. During one particularly bleak period, a sudden, inexplicable feeling of peace washed over me, convincing me that I would survive and see my family again. This spiritual resilience is something I share with my clients, encouraging them to find strength in their beliefs, whatever they may be.
How to Connect
If you want to know more and get my professional advice, book a 30-minute chat through my Calendly. You can also visit my website at joseconnect.com/speaking, email me at [email protected], or reach out via WhatsApp at 832-534-0873.
I look forward to helping you unleash your unbreakable spirit and achieve greatness in your personal and professional life.
Best regards,
Jose Pereira
Have you ever had to pivot?
A Story of Pivoting
I’m Jose Pereira, and my journey from a high-powered executive in the oil and gas industry to a leadership and resilience coach, motivational speaker, and author has been anything but ordinary. For over 35 years, I held various top executive positions, including CEO and CFO of Citgo Petroleum. My career in the oil and gas industry spanned strategic planning, financial management, and international joint ventures. I navigated complex corporate landscapes, led multinational teams, and made high-stakes decisions that impacted the global market.
The Turning Point
However, everything changed in 2017 when I was wrongfully detained in Venezuela, along with five of my colleagues. What was meant to be a routine business trip turned into a nightmare as we became pawns in a geopolitical conflict. For five years, I was held captive under brutal conditions, facing physical and psychological torture. This period tested my limits and reshaped my understanding of resilience, leadership, and the human spirit.
The Pivot
During my captivity, I realized that the skills I had honed in the corporate world—strategic thinking, crisis management, and leadership—were also crucial for survival. I maintained a daily routine, wrote letters to my wife, and relied heavily on my faith. These practices kept me grounded and hopeful, allowing me to endure the unendurable.
Upon my release, I knew that I couldn’t simply return to my old life. The experience had fundamentally changed me, and I felt a deep calling to share the lessons I had learned. I decided to pivot my career from the oil and gas industry to coaching and public speaking. My mission became clear: to help others harness their inner strength and become resilient leaders, just as I had done during my captivity.
New Beginnings
I founded my own coaching business, focusing on personal and leadership development through my LPSG (Leadership, Personal Strength, and Growth) coaching program. I offer tailored one-on-one coaching sessions, dynamic group coaching programs, and executive resilience consulting. My goal is to help CEOs, business owners, and entrepreneurs discover their inner force and thrive in both personal and professional arenas.
Sharing My Story
In addition to coaching, I became a motivational speaker, sharing my story on corporate stages and at various events. My signature speech, “From Captivity to Freedom,” delivers a powerful message of hope, faith, and perseverance. It’s a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a call to never give up, no matter how dire the circumstances.
Writing My Book
To reach a broader audience, I wrote my memoir, “From Hero to Villain: The True Story of the Citgo6.” The book details my harrowing experience and the invaluable lessons I learned about resilience, leadership, and the power of faith. It serves as both a personal testament and a guide for others facing their own adversities.
What Sets Me Apart
What sets me apart is my firsthand experience with extreme adversity and my ability to transform that experience into practical, actionable insights for my clients. I walk the walk and talk the talk, having implemented my unique techniques to survive and thrive during my captivity. I believe that everyone has an inner force, and through my coaching, I help you unleash your unbreakable spirit to become a Great Leader in your business and life.
Connecting with Me
If you want to know more and get my professional advice, book a 30-minute chat through my Calendly. You can also visit my website at joseconnect.com/speaking, email me at [email protected], or reach out via WhatsApp at 832-534-0873.
I look forward to helping you unleash your unbreakable spirit and achieve greatness in your personal and professional life.
Best regards,
Jose Pereira
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.joseconnect.com
- Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/pereirajap3a
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068010210574&mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Linkedin: http://linkedin.com/in/jose-angel-pereira
- Twitter: https://www..twitter.com/pereirajap3a
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@josepereira-nz4ps?feature=shared
- Other: https://linktr.ee/jose_angel_pereira
https://fromheroetovillian-thetruestoryofthecitgo6.com/
calendly.com/coachasasurvivor/30min
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