Letting Go of the Man That Got Me Here

Faith in the Pivot

What do you do when the position you worked years to earn is suddenly no longer yours? In this episode, we sit down with Estevan Lucero — a personal trainer with over 15 years of experience — to talk about self-awareness, identity, and the moment he had to choose between staying comfortable or stepping into something bigger. When faced with being demoted from manager back to coach, he could’ve accepted the security. Instead, he chose faith over fear and bet on himself. We talk about the power of knowing who you are, trusting the vision even when it costs you stability, and understanding that sometimes the “setback” is actually the setup for ownership. This isn’t just a fitness story — it’s about growth, leadership, and having the courage to build what you were called to create. Sometimes it’s not demotion… it’s destiny.

Letting Go of the Man That Got Me Here

The version of you that helped you survive isn’t always the version that can take you forward. In this episode of Chosen 2 Change, we talk honestly about the man you become in survival mode — the habits, mindsets, and identities that once protected you but now quietly hold you back. This isn’t about regret or shame. It’s about awareness, responsibility, and the courage to let go of what no longer fits. We break down the cost of staying loyal to old versions of ourselves, the fear and grief that come with change, and what rebuilding actually looks like when you strip away the noise. If you’ve felt stuck, restless, or like you’re outgrowing your current life, this episode is for you. Change doesn’t start with motivation. It starts with honesty. 🎙️ Listen, reflect, and decide who you’re willing to let go of — so you can become who you’re meant to be

Growing Up Before I Was Ready | Arryanah

Arryanah grew up carrying responsibilities no child should ever have to bear. Born out of wedlock to young parents, she experienced instability, abandonment, and trauma at an age when most kids are just learning how to be kids. She became a caretaker before she could fully speak, witnessed abuse inside her home, and learned survival long before safety. As she got older, the pain didn’t disappear — it went quiet. During the COVID years, unexplained medical issues led to countless doctors and misdiagnoses until she was finally told she had an incurable condition. Later, that diagnosis was reversed. What followed was not relief, but the resurfacing of deeply buried childhood trauma, including abuse she had never spoken about until high school. In the middle of confusion, grief, and unanswered questions, Arryanah chose to seek God — not for easy answers, but for truth, healing, and peace. Through faith, forgiveness, and resilience, she has defied medical limits, healed emotionally and physically, and learned to trust God’s sovereignty over her life. This episode is a raw and gentle conversation about childhood trauma, chronic illness, forgiveness, and what it looks like to heal without minimizing the pain. If you grew up too fast… If you learned to survive instead of being cared for… This episode is for you. Your trauma may explain you — but it does not get to define you. You are chosen to change. This episode includes discussion of childhood abuse, illness, and trauma. Listener discretion advised. Content Warning

FROM GRIEF TO SURRENDER | Zach Valdez

Breaking Chains Through Surrender In Episode 12 of Chosen 2 Change, we sit down with Zach Valdez to talk about grief, identity, addiction, and the moment surrender changed everything. Raised by a single mother, Zach lost the brother who became his father figure to cancer at just 17 years old. As a teenager, he was forced to navigate grief while supporting a grieving mother, watching addiction impact his family, and trying to make sense of life without guidance. Those early years were marked by pain, bad decisions, and repeated failures — until Zach made the decision to surrender his life to Christ. What followed wasn’t instant change, but a commitment to discipline, purpose, and breaking generational chains one step at a time. This episode is a raw and honest conversation about choosing responsibility over excuses, faith over control, and growth over comfort. If you’ve ever felt stuck in your past, overwhelmed by loss, or unsure how to move forward — this episode is for you. Chains don’t break overnight. They break when you choose change. * Growing up without a father figure * Losing a brother to cancer * Grief and addiction in the family * Identity, failure, and early adulthood * Surrendering to Christ * Discipline, faith, and breaking generational cycles 🎧 Available on Spotify and YouTube 📲 Share this episode with someone who needs hope today You’re not disqualified. You’re chosen to change. Topics CoveredListen & Subscribe

From Loss, Failure & Addiction to Building a Company

In this episode of Chosen 2 Change, we sit down with Brandon to unpack a story marked by loss, failure, and hard choices—and the discipline it took to rise anyway. Brandon opens up about being discharged from the Army just one week before basic training, getting fired from his HVAC job, and losing two brothers—one to mental illness and another to addiction. Moments that could have ended his story instead became the pressure that forced him to take responsibility for his life. At 26 years old, after losing his oldest brother, Brandon made a decision that would change everything: to stop running, stop making excuses, and start building. That choice led to the creation of NCB Mechanical, a company now on pace to surpass $3 million in revenue in under five years. This conversation isn’t about overnight success. It’s about accountability, discipline, grief, and choosing to build when life feels unfair. If you’ve ever felt behind, written off, or stuck in the weight of your past—this episode is for you. Your past explains you. It does not excuse you. You are chosen to change. * Army discharge and identity loss * Getting fired and hitting rock bottom * Losing brothers to mental illness and addiction * Choosing responsibility over excuses * Building a business with purpose and integrity * Redefining success beyond money If this episode resonates, share it with someone who needs to hear it. Subscribe to Chosen 2 Change on YouTube and Spotify for more real conversations about growth, faith, discipline, and breaking cycles. Topics Covered Listen, Share & Subscribe