In this episode of The Underswell, I sit down with Alfred Ricci, Vice President of Strategic Relations at Alchemus, a Human Capital Management professional, and UC Irvine alum. Alfred’s story reads like a motivational playbook—equal parts raw honesty, practical advice, and lived experience.

Alfred’s path wasn’t easy. At just 14, he walked away from a broken home, entered the foster system, and decided to take control of his own destiny. From there, he built a life and career that far surpassed anything he could have imagined: international consulting roles, global banking, executive leadership, and now, a soon-to-be beachside retirement.

But what makes Alfred’s story so powerful is how he frames it—not as a highlight reel, but as a set of lessons anyone can apply.

💬 What we talk about:

💡Memorable quotes from Alfred:

“The very first step is knowing what you don’t want. The real work is asking—what do you want?”

“Your past does not define you. Use it as fuel.”

“Be willing to travel. Be willing to volunteer. Be willing to work hard. That’s how you discover a life you didn’t even know existed.”

“Nobody owes you anything. If you want it, put in the work.”

“Your heart and your mind decide who you are—not what’s out there.”

Listen to this if you are:

Learn more about:

Alfred Ricci at https://www.linkedin.com/in/alfredricci/

Alchemus at https://alchemus.com/

EQI 2.0 - https://ap.themyersbriggs.com/overview/EQ-i-20-8 

🎵Music by Lidérc.

Inquire about being a guest on the show at theunderswell.com/livewithderek.