The Roots of Ambition

The Roots of Ambition
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Weekly

The Roots of Ambition is a podcast about real stories of resilience, entrepreneurship, trauma, fatherhood, and personal growth. Hosted by Angel Gutierrez and Danny Garcia, each episode features unfiltered conversations with business owners, veterans, creators, and everyday people who turned struggle into strength and setbacks into success. Whether you're chasing your first dream or rebuilding after rock bottom, this podcast explores the mindset, moments, and motivation that fuel ambition. From mental health and addiction recovery to starting a business and navigating family life, The Roots of

  1. 6d ago

    Leaving Home for America to Chase a World Title | Abdo "Monster" Khaled

    Abdo "Monster" Khaled left Egypt to chase a world title. Angel and Danny sit down with him for the whole story: boxing in borrowed gloves and paying for the sport himself, a pro debut on short notice with nobody in his corner, and the move to America. In this episode: How he got the name "Monster"Growing up in Egypt: wrestling, street fights and working to pay for boxingHis pro debut: short notice, a bigger opponent and no cornerLeaving home for the U.S. and his first impressions of AmericaThe routine: cold showers, late nights and still sleeping on the gym floorWhy people back home in Egypt are watching, and why that pressure pushes himHis five-year plan to become world championFollow Monster: @monster_abdokhaledboxing Hosts: Angel Gutierrez (@agutierrezzz) and Danny Garcia (@danny_burntheships_g) therootsofambition.com · @therootsofambition #TheRootsOfAmbition #Boxing #Egypt

    Leaving Home for America to Chase a World Title | Abdo "Monster" Khaled

  2. Oct 17

    19-Year-Old Pro Boxer on His Dad, His Brother and the First Big Check | Cyrus Dizon

    "You need to make money that makes you money." Cyrus "The Virus" Dizon is 19, a pro boxer, and newly signed with Elite Underdog Promotions. He sits down with Angel Gutierrez and Danny Garcia to talk about the roots behind the fighter: a dad who made him earn the right to box, a little brother who fought for his life as a baby, and the drives from Sunnyvale to Oakland that built him. In this episode: Asking his dad to box at 2, and having to listen for a month firstHis first amateur fight, and the standing 8 count he didn't know existedHis brother's fight with a cleft, and the program Cyrus wants to start for cleft kidsWhat turning pro at 19 costs you that most 19-year-olds never give upCounterpunchers, Inoue, and the mind game inside a fightWatching Pacquiao go down against MarquezSaving up for a plan B: becoming a firefighter Next up: Cyrus fights Nov 14 on the Elite Underdog Promotions card at Clash at the Civic, Stockton Memorial Civic Auditorium. Follow Cyrus: @cyrus_.the_.virus The Roots of Ambition, hosted by Angel Gutierrez & Danny Garcia Instagram / TikTok: @therootsofambition Clips: @theroaclips Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ohu4hjCW7G8 therootsofambition.com #RootsOfAmbition #Boxing #CyrusDizon

    19-Year-Old Pro Boxer on His Dad, His Brother and the First Big Check | Cyrus Dizon

  3. Oct 7

    I Was Terrified to Fight | Kat Connor on Returning to the Ring

    Kat “The Perfect Weapon” Connor wanted one fight to prove she could face her fear. That decision became a life in combat sports—and a return to the ring that led her into bare knuckle boxing in her 40s. Kat joins Angel and Danny on The Roots of Ambition to share her journey from getting picked on as a kid to competing in MMA, Muay Thai, Team USA kickboxing, and BKB. She opens up about missed opportunities in women’s MMA, years spent coaching, and why she decided she wasn’t finished fighting. We talk about pre-fight nerves, building confidence, training with Coach Rickey at Slick Rick Boxing, and the sacrifices that come with competing. Kat also shares the story of a young fan who saw himself in her—and why facing fear can matter far beyond the ring. Plus: historical swordsmanship, tabletop games, handmade art, and finding purpose through creating. Follow Kat: https://www.instagram.com/katconnortheperfectweapon_bkb/Follow The Roots of Ambition: https://www.instagram.com/therootsofambition/ What’s something you’re afraid to try but still want to do? Tell us in the comments, and subscribe for more stories behind the ambition. #KatConnor #BareKnuckleBoxing #TheRootsOfAmbition

    I Was Terrified to Fight | Kat Connor on Returning to the Ring

  4. Sep 30

    Why She’s Fighting for the MELT ICE Act: Anamarie Ávila Farías

    California Assemblymember Anamarie Ávila Farías joins Angel and Danny to share the family story behind her public service—and why she introduced the MELT ICE Act, AB 1627, to strengthen accountability for immigration enforcement misconduct.Recorded at her district office in Concord, this conversation goes from her grandfather’s journey through the Bracero Program to growing up with a single mother, translating for her family, and becoming the first in her family to attend college.We talk about raising bilingual children, breaking cycles of generational trauma, the pressures facing working parents, and what it means to feel unseen in your own community. Anamarie also shares her views on immigration reform, political division, and why representation and local civic engagement matter.UPDATE: This interview was recorded before AB 1627 was signed. Governor Newsom signed the MELT ICE Act into law on September 29, 2026.Which part of this conversation connected with your own story? Let us know in the comments.Subscribe to The Roots of Ambition for more honest conversations about where we come from, what we overcome, and what drives us forward.Instagram: @therootsofambition#TheRootsOfAmbition #AnamarieAvilaFarias #MeltICEAct

    Why She’s Fighting for the MELT ICE Act: Anamarie Ávila Farías

  5. Sep 27

    Joel Montebello: From Depression to IRONMAN, Real Estate & Rebuilding His Life

    Bay Area Realtor and IRONMAN finisher Joel Montebello shares how depression, family struggles, and years of self-doubt pushed him to rebuild his life. He opens up about David Goggins, therapy, reconnecting with his brother through endurance sports, becoming a Realtor, and how keeping small promises to yourself can completely change your confidence.

    Joel Montebello: From Depression to IRONMAN, Real Estate & Rebuilding His Life

  6. Sep 16

    Why He Walked Away From a Six-Figure Career | Joe Yncio

    Joe Yncio came to the United States from Peru at 10 years old and began working at a young age. After building a six-figure career, he walked away from the security of a paycheck to bet on himself.In this Heavy Hitters Edition of The Roots of Ambition, Joe shares how he built Blackhawk Pools, returned to his music career as JY, and learned to balance entrepreneurship, creativity, and family. This is an honest conversation about taking risks, creating systems, and staying consistent when success is anything but guaranteed.Connect with Joe YncioCompany: Blackhawk PoolsBusiness Instagram: @blackhawkpoolsMusic Instagram: @joe.yncioFollow The Roots of AmbitionInstagram: @therootsofambitionYouTube: @therootsofambitionSubscribe for more honest conversations with entrepreneurs, artists, and heavy hitters who are building something bigger than themselves.#RootsOfAmbition #JoeYncio #HeavyHittersEdition #Entrepreneurship #LatinMusic

    Why He Walked Away From a Six-Figure Career | Joe Yncio

  7. Sep 7

    From Drug Addiction to a $3 Million Business | Victor Beard

    Victor Beard went from having $25 to his name and battling drug addiction to helping build a multimillion-dollar blue-collar business.In this episode of The Roots of Ambition, Victor takes us through the parts of that journey most people never see—from joining the Marine Corps at 17 and searching for belonging, to drugs, selling drugs, failure, rebuilding his life, and eventually discovering what he was capable of in business.We get into entrepreneurship, leadership, college vs. the trades, taking risks, overcoming your past, and why Victor believes curiosity can be the difference between changing your life and spending it wondering “what if?”This conversation isn’t just about making money. It’s about becoming the person capable of creating a different life.🎙️ Guest: Victor Beard🎙️ Hosts: Angel Gutierrez & Danny Garcia🎧 The Roots of Ambition PodcastIf you enjoy the conversation, subscribe and share it with someone who needs to hear it.#VictorBeard #RootsOfAmbition #Entrepreneurship #AddictionRecovery #BlueCollar #Business #MarineCorps #SuccessStory

    From Drug Addiction to a $3 Million Business | Victor Beard

  8. Aug 29

    Michael Jordan’s Cigar Smuggler Tells the Untold Story”

    Scott Anthony returns for **Part 2** — and this is where the story gets even deeper.From robbing a major drug dealer at 17 and sleeping with a shotgun nearby for more than a year, to supplying Cuban cigars to Michael Jordan, building a Gold’s Gym empire in Mexico, losing nearly everything, and rebuilding his life from the ground up — Scott’s story is almost impossible to believe.But beneath the crime, money and unbelievable stories is something bigger: **redemption, reputation and what happens when ambition is finally pointed in the right direction.**Scott opens up about his cigar business, his relationship with Michael Jordan during those years, knowing when to walk away, building legitimate businesses, losing millions in failed ventures, surviving a devastating divorce, meeting his wife Christina and confronting the choices he made when he was younger.One lesson stayed with him:**“Don’t ruin your name.”**🎙️ **Scott Anthony — Part 2 | The Roots of Ambition Podcast**📕 **GET SCOTT’S BOOK**SMOKE: Confessions of a Cuban Cigar Smugglerhttps://www.amazon.com/Smoke-Confessions-Cuban-Cigar-Smuggler/dp/1544550685Learn more about Scott Anthony:https://www.scottanthonyog.com/smoke🤝 **EPISODE SPONSOR**This episode is sponsored by **Herf Cigar Lounge at St. Claire’s** in Pittsburg, California — a place built around premium cigars, community and great conversation.Website:https://www.hclscpittsburgca.biz/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/herfcigarloungeatst.claires/🎙️ **FOLLOW THE ROOTS OF AMBITION**Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/therootsofambition/Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/58Tzua3PPHvaPidKUdb6fa▶️ **WATCH SCOTT ANTHONY — PART 1**https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tozV4ImJ-E&t=4289s#ScottAnthony #RootsOfAmbition #MichaelJordan #CubanCigars #SMOKE #Podcast

    Michael Jordan’s Cigar Smuggler Tells the Untold Story”
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The Roots of Ambition is a podcast about real stories of resilience, entrepreneurship, trauma, fatherhood, and personal growth. Hosted by Angel Gutierrez and Danny Garcia, each episode features unfiltered conversations with business owners, veterans, creators, and everyday people who turned struggle into strength and setbacks into success. Whether you're chasing your first dream or rebuilding after rock bottom, this podcast explores the mindset, moments, and motivation that fuel ambition. From mental health and addiction recovery to starting a business and navigating family life, The Roots of

Information

  • Creator
    The Roots of Ambition
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    70
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © The Roots of Ambition
  • Show Website
    The Roots of Ambition