#113. Michael Ulibarri: Former Gang Member Turned Prison Re-entry Specialist

I'm proud to introduce you to Michael, a former gang member who turned his life around, and now helps others do the same. His story of redemption is powerful and needs to be shared with the world. He talks about his rough childhood and growing up in a gang-dominated neighborhood, where the only way he had of obtaining respect was through the use of violence and getting imprisoned. He didn't know any other way, and this is how he lived throughout his youth, getting in and out of jail while dealing with the trauma that was inflicted upon him from a young age. While he fought his demons and struggled to find a place for himself in the world, he knew he had to change his ways. He decided to take action and find help in the form of rehabilitation and therapy. Michael never gave up and kept going, one day at a time. With faith and the help of his therapist, he was determined to make himself a better person. Now in his 40s, he has found his purpose in life and uses his platform as a former gang member and prisoner to create a change in the lives of others. He became a social entrepreneur and the founder of Access 2 Excellence, a program that helps formerly incarcerated people reintegrate into society and provides them with education. Michael has broken free from the chains of his troubled past and is now motivating others to do the same. His story proves that there's hope for everyone. It'll inspire you to believe in yourself, to keep fighting for what you want, and to trust that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.

Included in this conversation:

How living in a gang environment impacted his childhood

Growing up without a positive male role model

How his strong mother influenced him

When he was first introduced to gang activity

A realistic glimpse of gang life

Anecdotes of his time as a gang member

The reason he was incarcerated for the first time

What it was like to be in prison for most of his youth

What really happens inside prison

The lowest point in his life

The moment his path to redemption started

What he did when he got out of prison for the last time

Helping ex-prisoners with "Acess 2 Excellence" and "Justice "Reform"

How he has positively transformed other people's lives

His experience with psychedelic therapy

Overcoming his anger and traumas

A bit about his love life

His purpose in life

Reach out to Michael on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/michael.ulibarri.9465

Find Michael on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-ulibarri-754454160/

Follow me on social media here:

Instagram @theprev www.instagram.com/theprev/

Facebook @wakeupcallthepodcast www.facebook.com/wakeupcallthepodcast

Twitter @ThePrevite twitter.com/theprevite

You can also watch episodes of Wake Up Call on YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCjlkBJChmRfcu4l-kLs2Rwg

If you think you would be an awesome guest on Wake Up Call, DM me on Instagram!