As this week comes to a close, I find myself pausing—taking a deep breath—and allowing the weight of the week to settle into something meaningful. Something rooted. This past week, in the middle of my own personal storm, I made a choice: to speak, to write, and to share openly with my community. Not from a place of having it all figured out, but from a place of strength found in struggle.
It began with the release of my short ebook, You Can’t Grow Without Deep Roots. A piece born right from the heart of where I am—navigating challenges, leaning into faith, and reminding myself that we grow not in spite of our storms, but because of them. I was honest about the imposter syndrome that rears its head—about the voices that question, “Who do you think you are?”
You see, I never had formal education. I dropped out of school in the 10th grade. I was just a kid in the Bronx trying to survive. I wasn’t dreaming of being a writer or a speaker—I was just trying to stay alive. But I found refuge in the local library. That place, with its warmth and its books, became my sanctuary. Over time, reading turned into writing. Survival turned into purpose. And now, decades later, I understand that my voice, just like yours, matters.
Throughout the week, I shared walking videos and talking-head reflections. I talked about the Power of Self—the foundational principles of self-awareness, self-discipline, self-control, and self-respect. These are not just ideas I teach—they’re the very tools I’ve been using to stay rooted, to walk forward through difficulty, and to serve others even when I’m not at my strongest.
Here’s a recap of the blog posts I shared this past week:
- Standing in the Storm: You Are Not Alone — A transparent look at feeling like an imposter and finding encouragement through community.
- Activating the Power of Self — A Saturday recap focused on putting into practice what we’ve been learning.
- Living Strong in the Middle of the Storm — A deep reminder that storms shape us and can fuel our growth.
- Walk, Talk & Share: Living Strong in Action — A walking video reflection about staying present, serving others, and preparing for what’s next.
- Saturday Activation: Power of Self in Action — A blog post sharing how I brought the week’s lessons into the real world through service, training, and community outreach.
Saturday was a full and powerful day. I was out in the community—rain or shine—with a backpack filled with 20 of my children’s books, free crayons, and coloring pages. I connected with families, shared smiles, and reminded others (and myself) that we are not alone. Later that day, I trained with my Action Karate team—reaffirming that discipline and movement are anchors for my spirit.
All of this is more than content. It’s preparation. Next month, I’ll be speaking to 2nd through 4th graders at Parkway Elementary School in a presentation about the Power of Self. It will be fun, interactive, entertaining, and designed specifically to connect with young hearts and minds. I want them to walk away not only encouraged but empowered—with simple, strong tools like self-control, self-discipline, self-awareness, and self-respect.
And every conversation, every blog, every act of service this past week has been a step toward preparing for that moment. Not just for them, but for me too. Because the more I live these lessons, the more I become the teacher, the mentor, and the example I needed when I was a kid in the Bronx.
So as I wrap up this week and look ahead to the next, I’m reminded of this simple truth: storms will come, but we don’t have to be uprooted. Stay grounded. Keep walking. Keep sharing. Because someone out there needs to hear your voice—today.
Live strong,
Peter
