There’s a moment in every journey when you stop and realize… you’ve come a long way.
On Sunday, September 21st, 2025, from 2 PM to 4 PM, I will be hosting the official launch celebration of my book, Living Strong: The Power of Defining Moments — right here in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. RSVP HERE. But this is more than just a book event. This is a moment I’ve been building toward my entire life.
This book was written not from a mountaintop, but from the valleys. From the backstreets of the Bronx. From a kid who ran away from chaos and found peace in movement — in martial arts, in dance, in discipline, in the power of story. This book holds the quiet truths I’ve lived through and the loud lessons I’ve had to learn the hard way.
It’s a book about resilience, about choice, about ownership of your life — no matter how old you are, no matter what you’ve been through.
A Story Told Through Music, Words, and Voice
But Living Strong isn’t just on the page.
From the very beginning, I felt this message needed more than ink — it needed rhythm, breath, sound, and soul. That’s why I’ve been working on a full Living Strong music album, and the first tracks are already complete.
The first song, “Ignite the Night,” is not just a track — it’s a battle cry. A soundtrack to those late-night moments when you choose to rise instead of retreat. I wrote the lyrics myself, directly inspired by the written words of the book. Every beat, every verse was produced with care by a team I commissioned under the creative vision of the Living Strong Project.
This track is part of a larger vision — a 12-track album titled the Living Strong Anthem. Each song represents a chapter of the journey. Together, they form a musical reflection of what it means to live strong, speak truth, and stay grounded while rising forward.
Here’s a look at the journey so far:
🎵 Living Strong Anthem – Track List (Preview)
Artist: The Living Strong Project
Album Vibe: Urban, streetwise, Latin-infused hip-hop with cinematic, soulful, and theatrical layers — reflecting my life journey from the Bronx to the world.
- Track 1 – Ignite the Night
Urban hip-hop · Spoken-word · Street anthem
The spark that starts it all. A gritty, bold, and emotional anthem that declares: you’re never too old, broken, bruised, or beat — and it’s never too late to rise. - Track 2 – Your Pain Has a Name
Cinematic hip-hop · Emotional spoken-word · Melodic Latin soul
A vulnerable and powerful exploration of pain and transformation. The rhythm carries truth, and the melody brings healing. - Track 3 – Define Your Moments
Urban gospel-hop fusion · Motivational anthem
A driving, rhythmic reminder that we are not defined by our past — we define our future through action, presence, and Living Strong. - Track 4 – Legacy in Motion
Melodic hip-hop · Spoken-word · Reflective cinematic sound
A reflective track with emotional layers and forward-moving energy. It honors the journey from loss and insecurity to leadership and purpose. - Track 5 – Scars Ain’t Shame
Street-hop · Jazz fusion · Spoken-soul
A mature, eloquent track that reclaims every scar as proof of growth. Spoken in a seasoned voice — less raw, more refined — this is Bronx wisdom grown global. - Track 6 – Life’s Symphony (Instrumental)
Latin hip-hop instrumental · Salsa fusion · Cinematic percussion
A high-energy, percussive instrumental rooted in Bronx grit, Puerto Rican rhythm, and musical theater flair. It tells the story of movement without words. - Track 7 – Soul City Hustle (Instrumental/Anthemic)
Funk-jazz musical theater · 70s disco energy · Streetwise dance
A joyful, high-octane dance anthem inspired by West Side Story, Starlight Express, and the energy of The Hustle. A tribute to theatrical expression through rhythm and soul. - Track 8 – [Coming Soon]
[Reserved for the next chapter in the musical journey]
These aren’t just background tracks. These are part of the Living Strong message. Every beat carries a story. Every lyric is rooted in lived experience. Every song is an invitation — to feel, to reflect, and to rise.
And for those who prefer to listen rather than read, I’m proud to share that the audiobook, narrated in my own voice, is also on the way — because I wanted people to hear the weight, the fire, and the heart behind every word. Alongside that is the eBook version, for those who like to carry strength in their pocket, ready to revisit when life strikes.
Why Mount Laurel?
This town — this community — has become home.
It’s the place where I’ve taught, served, and connected for over two decades. It’s where I’ve watched students grow into leaders. Where parents have become friends. Where my family has been embraced, supported, and uplifted.
Mount Laurel is not just where I live. It’s where I was planted. And it means everything to me to host this event right here — in the very karate school I’ve called home since 1999.
My Family, My Fire
I can’t write this without mentioning the people who’ve walked beside me.
Renee — my wife — your love, strength, and creative soul are in every page, every note, every breath of this project. You’ve kept me grounded and lifted me up when I doubted whether this message still mattered.
To my children, thank you for being my greatest teachers and deepest motivation. This legacy is for you — and because of you.
To my friends near and far, and to those in the Mount Laurel community who call me “your karate guy,” “your storyteller,” “your neighbor” — thank you. I carry your stories with me.
The Vision: A Living Strong Celebration of Life
I don’t see this launch as a stage where I speak and others listen.
I see it as a space — an experience — where we connect, create, and remember the power we all have to define our moments, to shape our path, and to live strong through every season.
There will be music.
There will be stories.
There will be generations gathered together — grandparents, children, parents, students, neighbors.
There will be moments that make us laugh, reflect, and even tear up a bit.
This is not just about me.
It’s about us.
Our stories. Our strength. Our humanity.
If you’re reading this, I hope you’ll join me.
Let’s mark this moment together — not just as the launch of a book, but as a celebration of life, a celebration of purpose, and a reminder that it’s never too late to rise, reflect, and live strong.
With deep gratitude,
Peter Liciaga
