1 00:00:00,200 --> 00:00:02,450 I was born in Miami florida . My 2 00:00:02,450 --> 00:00:04,339 parents , they're originally from 3 00:00:04,350 --> 00:00:06,572 Colombia . So they decided to move back 4 00:00:06,572 --> 00:00:08,739 to Medellin Colombia . So I didn't see 5 00:00:08,739 --> 00:00:10,960 a need to actually learn english . But 6 00:00:10,960 --> 00:00:14,140 then I saw a plane in the window of the 7 00:00:14,140 --> 00:00:16,307 air force recruiting office and when I 8 00:00:16,307 --> 00:00:18,362 saw that I was literally saying , oh 9 00:00:18,362 --> 00:00:20,584 man , that's me , that's what I want to 10 00:00:20,584 --> 00:00:22,696 do it . And I went to the recruiter's 11 00:00:22,696 --> 00:00:24,918 office and I looked at him and I said , 12 00:00:24,918 --> 00:00:27,140 I know I don't sound american but but I 13 00:00:27,140 --> 00:00:29,029 am from here , I need your help , 14 00:00:29,029 --> 00:00:31,140 please help me out . And looked at me 15 00:00:31,140 --> 00:00:33,350 and he said , okay , sure , so you 16 00:00:33,350 --> 00:00:35,620 don't speak a word of english . And 17 00:00:35,620 --> 00:00:38,540 looked at him and I said , no , no sir , 18 00:00:38,540 --> 00:00:40,680 I don't speak a word of english . And 19 00:00:40,680 --> 00:00:42,791 looked back and he said , okay , no , 20 00:00:42,791 --> 00:00:45,030 no problem . But when I got in I 21 00:00:45,030 --> 00:00:47,141 realized that it was something that I 22 00:00:47,141 --> 00:00:49,308 never really faced before and it's the 23 00:00:49,308 --> 00:00:51,419 fact that I couldn't communicate . So 24 00:00:51,419 --> 00:00:53,586 it was , it was very challenging . And 25 00:00:53,586 --> 00:00:56,220 look at me now . 21 years in and I 26 00:00:56,220 --> 00:00:58,870 still think in Spanish and translated 27 00:00:58,870 --> 00:01:01,060 my head in English , I've been an 28 00:01:01,060 --> 00:01:03,270 underdog my entire life . I know it's 29 00:01:03,270 --> 00:01:05,326 gonna be harder for me . I know it's 30 00:01:05,326 --> 00:01:07,548 gonna take double the time that another 31 00:01:07,548 --> 00:01:09,880 person I'm okay with . That Made me 32 00:01:09,880 --> 00:01:12,240 realize what I used to see as a 33 00:01:12,240 --> 00:01:14,860 weakness and what 20 years was not a 34 00:01:14,860 --> 00:01:16,916 trending topic and I'm talking about 35 00:01:16,916 --> 00:01:19,180 diversity and inclusion the fact that , 36 00:01:19,190 --> 00:01:21,023 that I'm coming from a different 37 00:01:21,023 --> 00:01:23,134 country and those are the things that 38 00:01:23,134 --> 00:01:25,023 are actually opening our eyes and 39 00:01:25,023 --> 00:01:27,357 letting us know , Hey , no , you're not . 40 00:01:27,357 --> 00:01:29,523 You were never the weak link . You are 41 00:01:29,523 --> 00:01:31,690 part of this and you can contribute in 42 00:01:31,690 --> 00:01:33,634 a different way . Don't let nobody 43 00:01:33,634 --> 00:01:35,900 limit you . Hard work and dedication 44 00:01:35,900 --> 00:01:38,680 beats talent every time I promise you , 45 00:01:38,690 --> 00:01:41,480 I promise you , I promise you .