We were lucky to catch up with Steve Gallegos recently and have shared our conversation below.

Steve, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

My mission is to guide business professionals toward profound personal and professional fulfillment. I aim to achieve this by focusing on three pivotal areas:

Self-awareness: This implies understanding oneself deeply, and knowing one’s strengths, weaknesses, desires, and fears. By developing self-awareness, individuals can make informed decisions, stay true to their values, and navigate life’s challenges with confidence.

Effective communication: This is the art and skill of expressing oneself clearly, understanding others, and facilitating meaningful interactions. Effective communication is crucial for building strong professional networks, resolving conflicts, and ensuring that ideas and values are understood and appreciated.

Nurturing relationships: This goes beyond mere interactions. It’s about building strong, lasting connections with others based on mutual respect, trust, and understanding. These connections can provide support, open opportunities, and enhance personal and professional lives.

The significance of my mission is deeply rooted in my personal journey and beliefs:

Unique Perspective: While there are other renowned mentors in this space, my personal experiences – from grappling with self-worth as a teenager to diverse professional roles – have given me a unique perspective and approach.

Conviction: I believe that true success is achieved when one contributes to a cause greater than oneself. This is not just about personal gain but about making a positive impact on others and the world at large.

Passion: My driving force is to empower others to realize their dreams. This passion makes my mission not just a job, but a calling.

Challenging the Norm: I don’t settle for conventional thinking. I introduce fresh, innovative ideas, pushing boundaries in ethical ways, which means I do not follow a set path but constantly seek better ways to fulfill my mission.

Trust: The relationships I foster are solidified by unwavering trust, a fundamental component for meaningful and lasting connections.

Diverse Experiences: My background is rich and varied. Serving as a U.S. Marine and Law Enforcement Officer gave me discipline, resilience, and a unique outlook on life. Being a Board-Certified Civil Trial Lawyer provided me with analytical skills, while my journey as a Singer-Songwriter and international speaker exposed me to diverse audiences and honed my communication abilities. These roles didn’t just add to my résumé; they equipped me with a plethora of tools and insights.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

People have referred to me as “America’s Ambassador on Success,” because I am an authority on personal growth and success. With a diverse background that includes experience as a U.S. Marine Sergeant, Law Enforcement Officer, Singer-Songwriter/Recording Artist, Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer, published Commercial Photographer, award-winning author, and international speaker, I have acquired an unparalleled level of expertise and real-world insight to what is required to achieve true fulfillment.

Driven by my vision of empowering individuals to live their wildest dreams, I am privileged to have had a profound impact on the lives of countless professionals, entrepreneurs, and business owners. My unique approach to self-mastery, communication, and relationship building has allowed my clients to achieve success in various aspects of their lives, both personal and professional.

At the core of my values lies the unwavering belief in the power of human potential. I am passionate about helping people rewrite, produce, and direct their own lives to overcome limitations and achieve their goals. I am committed to sharing my knowledge and insights and to continuing to transform lives, inspiring individuals to embrace their unique strengths and cultivate meaningful connections with others.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Oh, this is an excellent question!

The Breaking Point

A few weeks before I was set to start at Parris Island, Marine Corps boot camp, I had hit rock bottom. Alone in my room, I grabbed a dry cleaning bag from my closet, and wrapped it around my head with the intent of ending it all.

At 17, I felt lost and broken. I had endured many years of severe physical and mental abuse. What made it worse was the label I had grown up with: “absolutely good-for-nothing.” My own parents had been calling me that since I was a little kid. And if they weren’t using that name, they had others: “idiot,” “stupid,” “disgrace.” Each name hurt, but none more than the indifference with which I was treated. A pure absence of love.

With that kind of upbringing, I ended up hanging out with the “bad kids” at school. We got into all sorts of trouble: from pulling fire alarms to breaking windows just for the fun of it. Looking back, it’s funny how I was sort of leading this crew of misfits.

When high school ended, while my friends were getting into top colleges, I didn’t have a plan. When someone asked about my plans, I joked about going to jail, and they thought I said “Yale.” But the truth was, I couldn’t imagine a future; I just knew I didn’t want to be at home.

That’s when my girlfriend gave me a book, “The Power of Positive Thinking” by Norman Vincent Peale. One line from that book hit me hard: “Change Your Thoughts and Change Your World.” I realized I might not be able to change my past, but I could decide my future. So, I decided to change my life direction.

Coming out of the grueling boot camp, I felt like a new person. I even got the Platoon Honor Graduate title. The Marine Corps showed me I was much more than the labels thrown at me.

A New Chapter:

Here’s what I learned:

Sometimes, what we’re told about ourselves isn’t true.

Everyone has something special to offer.

Your past doesn’t define you. You can always choose to start a new chapter.

From there, my life took turns I never expected:

I became a Law Enforcement Officer.
I became an award-winning singer-songwriter/recording artist with my debut album being considered for a Grammy.
I became a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer.
I became a published commercial photographer.
I have written 2 best-selling books.
I have become an International speaker and trainer on personal development and communications.

But the best part? Meeting and marrying my incredible wife, Alithia.

If someone had told younger me that I’d achieve all this, I would’ve thought they were kidding. My story goes to show that with the right mindset and choices, you can change your life’s direction. And I’m here to help you do the same.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Building my reputation within the market was not an overnight endeavor, but rather a culmination of my varied experiences, genuine passion for elevating others, and consistent dedication to mastering my craft.

Diverse Background: My journey is unique. From serving as a U.S. Marine and Law Enforcement Officer, and practicing as a Trial Lawyer, to expressing my creativity as a Singer-Songwriter and Photographer. Each of these roles equipped me with different perspectives and skills. As a result, I bring a rich tapestry of insights to the table, which is different from many in the communications training realm.

Real-World Experience: I’ve not just learned from books or courses; I’ve lived through diverse scenarios. This real-world experience resonates with many because it’s authentic. It allows me to approach challenges with a depth of understanding and offer solutions that are not just theoretical but proven in the field.

Focused Mission: My dedication to helping individuals, especially those in the public eye, overcome challenges related to self-identity, communication, and relationships is unwavering. This clear mission helps set me apart and positions me as someone genuinely invested in the success of others.

Consistent Delivery: Being a sought-after speaker and trainer isn’t just about having a good message; it’s about delivering that message effectively, time and time again. My commitment to offering impactful, actionable insights in every engagement has cemented my reputation as a reliable expert in my field.

Vision for a Better World: At the core of my work is the vision to create a better world, where everyone can communicate effectively and foster meaningful relationships. This broader purpose resonates with many and helps position me not just as a trainer, but as a visionary in personal development and reinvention.

In essence, it’s the combination of my life’s journey, my unwavering mission, and my commitment to excellence that has helped me build and sustain my reputation in the market.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.StevieGSuccess.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steviegsuccess/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StevieGSuccess/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevieg/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/SteveGallegos

Image Credits
Steven Jeffers, Alithia Gallegos