J.R. Gonzales is a native from Mercedes Texas and has become accomplished business owner, entrepreneur, political strategist, and public speaker who has dedicated his career to advocating for issues affecting Latino and minority communities. With over 20 years of experience in leadership positions at the Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce (TAMACC), he has established himself as a respected voice in the Hispanic business community. In addition, he serves on the Export-Import Bank of the United States Council on Small Business. Prior to his current positions, Gonzales served as Chairman of the Board and president of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. In this episode he shares a bit of his early years, childhood memories visiting his grandmother, and why he is a Latino advocate. He talks about how the "Bewitched" show influenced his college major in Adverising and Communications. JR shares his biggest adversity was having to work while in college. One of those summer jobs was swimming with a pig. The moment that changed his life was when he realized that he had to look at situations through a positive lens. He believes that you're the total sum of your experiences, he describes himself as the fajita police, and talks a bit of why became a podcaster. He's visited the Great Wall of China 13 times, has met 5 US Presidents, 3 presidents from Mexico, other presidents, and shares what he would tell his 18-year-old self if he could.