Would you completely leave your country, your legacy, and everything you know for a dream—with just $53 in your pocket?

In this power-packed episode of Reforge Your Life, host Joe Rivera sits down with Dr. Publio Silfa—his friend, dentist, and a true comeback story—to dive deep into what it really takes to start over and create a thriving, purpose-driven life and business in America.

Key Highlights:

• Shocking Beginnings: Hear Dr. Silfa’s bold move from the Dominican Republic to the U.S., with nothing but $53, a hunger for opportunity, and the will to build a new legacy.
• Sacrifice vs. Instant Gratification: Discover why Dr. Silfa believes suffering through short-term hardships brings long-term rewards—and how his grandfather’s advice shaped his journey.
• Humility & Reinvention: Learn how he swallowed his pride, going from a dentist to a dental assistant, and why being “comfortable with being uncomfortable” was a game-changer.
• Business & Leadership Wisdom: Get an insider’s look at the often-ignored realities of running a practice, the importance of systems, and why true success means building trust and empowering a team.
• Faith, Purpose & Legacy: Dr. Silfa shares how faith, support from his wife, and a focus on legacy became the backbone of his resilience—culminating in the powerful moment his own daughter chose to follow in his footsteps.

Follow-up for Listeners:

• Reflect: What’s one sacrifice you can make today for a better tomorrow?
• Connect: Share this episode with someone who’s rebuilding or considering a big leap—it may change their life.
• Engage: Find Dr. Publio Silfa on social (@doctor.silfa) or reach out if you’re looking to be inspired or mentored in business, dentistry, or making your own comeback.
• Join the Community: Subscribe, like, and follow Reforge Your Life for more stories and strategies on how real people overcome real obstacles.|

If you’re ready for your own comeback, this episode is your blueprint for courage, resilience, and impact. Don’t miss it!

Timestamped Overview

00:00 "Early Success and Supportive Partnership"

04:16 Overcoming Early Challenges

08:24 "Dentist's Dilemma: Practice Ownership Challenges"

10:17 Building and Scaling a Practice

15:37 Construction Delays Challenge Practice Opening

16:40 Dental Practice Challenges and Solutions

22:09 Post-COVID Career Reflection

22:47 Redefining Purpose in Dentistry

26:24 Venture Capital Impact on Dentistry

30:00 "Fully Digital Dental Practice Growth"

34:12 "Finding Purpose Beyond Dentistry"

35:39 Spirituality and Purpose

39:11 "Writing: Manifesting Dreams on Paper"

41:56 "Share to Inspire Change"

What would you do if, on your way to receive cancer treatment, you were literally hit by a FedEx truck—after surviving personal heartbreak, a nervous breakdown, and the devastating loss of your sister?

In this riveting episode of the Reforge Your Life show, host Joe Rivera sits down with author, speaker, and Pi CPA founder Nesha Pai, whose jaw-dropping resilience will leave you inspired and rethinking the limitations you've set on your own life.

Key Highlights:

• The "Jerry Maguire" Leap: Nesha shares the incredible story of quitting her job on the spot after being denied a raise due to a “mom gap” in her resume, and how that singular act of courage launched her entrepreneurial journey.
• True Resilience: She opens up about navigating a nervous breakdown, a lawsuit, heartbreak, her son’s estrangement, the death of her sister, and then, a breast cancer diagnosis—all while running a successful business.
• Faith as a Lifeline: Hear how Nesha’s journey to finding her faith and cultivating a personal relationship with God gave her the strength to persevere through the darkest moments.
• The Power of Asking for Help: Discover why letting go of ego and seeking out “champions” and mentors was vital to her comeback—and how it can change your trajectory too.
• Vision Over Circumstance: Joe and Nisha unpack the importance of holding on to your vision (even by creating a vision board!) so that tough times don’t derail your dreams.
• Using Pain for Purpose: Learn how turning obstacles into service not only heals you, but can impact others deeply.

If this episode moves you, share it with someone who needs a reminder that comebacks aren’t just possible—they’re waiting for you on the other side of your toughest day.

Don’t forget to check out Nesha’s award-winning book, Overcoming Ordinary Obstacles, and follow her journey on Instagram or LinkedIn (@neshapai). For more inspiration and resources, subscribe, follow, rate, and share the Reforge Your Life show.

Stay productive, stay profitable, and stay blessed!

Timestamped Overview

00:00 "Overcoming: From Tragedy to Entrepreneurship"

05:33 Uncertainty in Entrepreneurship

09:00 Entrepreneurs: Embrace Collaboration, Seek Help

10:24 Entrepreneur's Breakdown and Personal Struggles

13:23 Dreams, Loss, and Resilience

19:06 "Questioning Suffering and Faith"

21:04 Overcoming Limiting Beliefs in Adversity

26:12 "Determined for a Big Life"

28:29 Vision Requires Clarity

31:46 "Hit by FedEx, Still Went"

35:26 "Book Relaunch: Overcoming Ordinary Obstacles"

38:11 Joyful Life Experiences

41:16 "Subscribe, Share, Empower Others"

Would you ever dare to charge a bear to reclaim your life?

On this incredible episode of the Reforge Your Life Show, host Joe Rivera sits down with speaker, author, coach, and comeback expert Holly Jean Jackson. Prepare to be shocked and inspired as Holly vulnerably shares the story that changed her life forever—a literal face-off with a charging mama bear in the wild—that became the catalyst for her most powerful comeback.

In this heart-pounding and deeply personal conversation, Holly takes us behind the scenes of surviving an abusive marriage, battling chronic pain, and being told by medical experts that she might never live a normal life again. But instead of accepting defeat, Holly shows us how she learned to confront her fears head-on, find forgiveness (for others and herself), and ultimately found the strength to build a thriving business and a vibrant, purpose-driven life.

Key Highlights:

• Holly’s legendary “bear story” and how it became the foundation for her FEAR Method, a practical approach for facing life’s toughest challenges.
• How Holly used the 12-step process and a solo wilderness journey to rewrite her internal story and rediscover her self-worth after years of codependency and abuse.
• The science (and freedom) behind true forgiveness, and why holding onto resentment can keep us trapped in cycles of pain.
• Insights into navigating chronic pain, advocating for your health, and not letting limiting beliefs—whether from others or yourself—define your future.
• The importance of community, support systems, and choosing values that anchor you through life’s curveballs.

Ready to start your own comeback? Listen in for the step-by-step tools Holly used to reforge her life from the ashes of adversity—and get inspired to create your own unstoppable story.

Connect with Holly Jean Jackson:

Find Holly at hollyjeanjackson.com, on all social platforms, or tune in to her podcast, Inspiration Contagion.

00:00 "Bear Story: My Comeback Journey"

05:29 "Facing Down the Mama Bear"

07:36 Understanding Codependency and Resolution Steps

10:17 Metaphors of Renewal and Reflection

12:57 Self-Forgiveness and Emotional Healing

18:34 Supporting a Friend's Journey

22:22 Defying Limits Through Pain

26:21 Conquering Chronic Pain: Mind Over Matter

29:35 Advocate, Reach, and Activate Mindset

32:20 Corporate Career and Four Layoffs

33:30 Business Transformation Amidst Adversity

39:52 "Reforging: A Metaphor for Renewal"

41:05 "Pursuing Jazz Dreams"

Timestamped Overview

What happens when a loyal son of the mafia chooses a path of redemption over crime, drugs, and violence?

In this gripping episode of the Reforge Your Life show, host Joe Rivera sits down with Anthony Ruggiano Jr., a former associate of the infamous Gambino crime family. Anthony shares his captivating journey from growing up surrounded by the mafia's influence to becoming a drug counselor dedicated to transformation and recovery.

Key highlights:

• Hear Anthony's first-hand experiences growing up with a father who was a made member of the Gambino family and how he was introduced to the life of crime.
• Discover the defining moments that led Anthony from a criminal lifestyle fraught with danger and addiction to finding solace in recovery.
• Learn how vulnerability, honesty, and spirituality became the cornerstones of Anthony's transformation, and how he overcame his past to forge a new, meaningful life.
• Anthony shares insights on how embracing humility, seeking forgiveness, and helping others contribute to personal growth and societal change.

Join us as we explore an incredible story of redemption and the power of making courageous choices to reclaim one's life.

Don't miss this compelling conversation that demonstrates comebacks are more than possible.

Timestamped Overview

00:00 Father's Job Mystery

06:20 Discovering the Mob World

14:24 Cocaine Use and Near Addiction

17:59 Overcoming Addiction Realization

23:00 "Struggle for Sobriety and Change"

26:21 From Jail to Spiritual Awakening

34:15 Midnight Madness with Junkie Priest

38:54 Mob Mentality and Deception

45:29 From Mafia Dreams to Redemption

49:01 "From Crime to Redemption"

52:47 "Revealing My Past: A Turning Point"

58:09 "Emotional Realization of Forgiveness"

01:03:52 Reforge Your Life Podcast

What if the very thing you feared most about yourself was actually your greatest gift?

On this powerful episode of the Reforge Your Life Show, host Joe Rivera welcomes Patricia Juba—founder of A Life Worth Living Corp and Growth Arise Consulting LLC—for a truly inspirational and deeply honest conversation. Patricia pulls back the curtain on her personal journey through teen motherhood, homelessness, addiction, and ultimately, a transformational discovery of her prophetic gifts and purpose. If you think there’s no way back from the darkest moments of your life, this episode will prove you wrong.

Key Highlights:

• A Hidden Gift: Patricia shares how her childhood visions left her feeling strange and isolated—until she realized she was blessed with a prophetic gift.
• Hitting Rock Bottom: The emotional story of leaving her kids with her mother and seeking help through a 12-step program, and how that moment became the catalyst for radical change.
• From Addiction to Empowerment: Learn how Patricia’s relationship with God helped her move from recovery to deliverance, and how she started helping other women reclaim their identities.
• The Power of Self-Talk: Discover the transformative effect of speaking life into yourself with affirmations, and why Patricia believes it’s key to lasting change.
• Spirituality vs. Religion: Joe and Patricia break down the difference between being religious and being truly connected spiritually—and how that alignment fuels your purpose.
• Building a Legacy: Patricia explains how her nonprofits and workshops now empower women to step out of the shadows and into their destinies.

Want to Connect With Patricia? You can find her work, upcoming workshops, and contact details in the show notes and at A Life Worth Living Corp or Growth Arise Consulting LLC.

This is more than an episode about overcoming addiction or hardship—it's a blueprint for discovering your purpose, healing from the inside out, and stepping boldly into who you were created to be. Listen, share, and empower someone to begin their comeback today.

00:00 Finding Roots Beyond Addiction

04:55 Finding Purpose: Healing and Helping

08:29 Overcoming Worthlessness and Fear

12:57 "Empowerment Through Self-Affirmation"

17:32 Reuniting with My Children

20:41 Inner Transformation and Self-Realization

23:25 "Deja Vu at Halloween Party"

27:01 "Empowerment Through Divine Words"

29:24 "Creating Destiny Through Spiritual Connection"

34:29 "Faith Journey Transformation"

37:42 Empowering Women Through Workshops & Writing

39:08 "Empower Her: Positive Transformations"

45:32 "Stay Productive, Profitable, Blessed"

46:10 Farewell and Blessings

Timestamped Overview

🔥 Are you secretly running on empty while looking like you’ve got it ALL together? 😬💃 #Relatable

If you’ve ever struggled with burnout, people-pleasing, or that sneaky “not enough” feeling — STOP SCROLLING. ➡️🎧

On the latest #ReforgeYourLife, we’ve got author, speaker, and certified rockstar @caitdonovanspeaks dropping TRUTH BOMBS about burnout, boundaries, and why helping EVERYONE isn’t as generous as you think (yes, even helping random tourists on the street 🙃🌎).

From crying on stoops in Prague 🥲 to the power of saying NO and celebrating your wins like you just solved a jigsaw puzzle 🧩🎉— this ep is packed with laughs, “wait, was she spying on my life?!” moments, and actionable advice.

Ready for a wake-up call, or just want to feel better about asking your boo to cook dinner three nights in a row? 😂👨‍🍳

👉 Watch the full, hilarious, and inspiring interview on YouTube NOW! Link in bio. Don’t forget to like, share, and tag a friend who needs this!

#Burnout #Resentment #ComebackStories #PodcastLife #Motivation #LaughAndLearn #ReforgeYourLife #YouTubeInterview 🚀

00:00 Bold Life Choices

05:18 Exhausted: A Steep Hill Struggle

08:39 Proving Acupuncture's Worth

13:38 Rethinking Entrepreneurial Diversity & Support

17:28 Seeking Support and Releasing Resentment

18:30 "Resentment Reflection and Self-Care"

24:35 "Resentment Awareness Journal"

25:10 Choosing Resentment with Purpose

30:01 "Resentment and Self-Reflection"

34:00 "From Acupuncturist to Public Speaker"

34:46 "Speaker's Transition: Acupuncture to Keynotes"

39:09 Purpose as Evolving Alignment

43:02 "Subscribe, Share, and Inspire"

What happens when you combine hope, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of purpose?

Discover the awe-inspiring journey of Brad Butler, a motivational speaker who defied the odds stacked against him. Born into a challenging environment with parents who battled heroin addiction, Brad transformed his narrative to become a beacon of inspiration. In this episode of the Reforge Your Life podcast, Brad shares his incredible story of overcoming adversity, from special education to a six-figure motivational speaking career.

Key Highlights:

• Brad Butler unfolds his journey from growing up with parents in professional urban pharmacology (a humorous nod to their illegal activities) to seeing them conquer their addiction.
• Delve into Brad's struggle in special education and hear how two unwavering teachers helped ignite the hope that fueled his future success.
• Learn about the financial struggles Brad faced early in his speaking career and how he turned debt into a driving force for his dreams.
• Brad's philosophy on purpose development and how aligning with your life’s calling can lead to unimagined heights.
  
  

Be inspired by Brad Butler’s resilience and take charge of your own comeback story. Whether you’re seeking direction or striving for personal growth, this episode is filled with valuable insights and lessons to help reforge your life.

00:00 Struggles and Secrets of Addiction

04:47 Parents' Overcoming Addiction Journey

08:03 "From Caregiver to Hall of Fame"

11:18 Discovering a Passion for Speaking

16:31 "Coaching Payment Plan Instructions"

17:44 Journey to Becoming a Certified Speaker

22:29 Resilience Through Adversity

23:40 Relentless Work Ethic

29:18 "Power of Positive Belief"

32:10 Overcoming Vices for My Kids

35:28 Authenticity and Personal Responsibility

38:01 "Buy One Get One Conference"

41:14 Purpose Prevents an Idle Mind

46:16 "Constantly Perfecting My Oratory Craft"

47:36 "Honored to Inspire Change"

What if the key to transforming your life is simply asking for help? Join us on the latest episode of the Reforge Your Life Show, where Joe Rivera sits down with the energetic and inspiring Ana Jorge (a.k.a. "Coach AnnaJo.") 

Ana shares her incredible journey from being a chemical engineer in the corporate world to a successful life coach, following her dream of making a significant impact on people's lives.

Discover the challenges Ana faced when transitioning from a stable corporate career to entrepreneurship, including the daunting task of mastering the art of selling and overcoming limiting beliefs. Learn how she embraced healthy risks, utilized her core values, and leaned on the power of coaching to transform her identity and achieve work-life harmony.

Key Highlights:

• Ana's transition from chemical engineer to life coach and the challenges she faced, including overcoming language barriers and financial insecurities.
• The importance of taking healthy risks and how urgency can fuel one’s success.
• How Ana confronted her fears around selling and the value of repetition to hone this crucial skill.
• The power of investing in yourself through coaching and networking to elevate your personal and professional growth.

Stay tuned for insightful lessons on how you can change, grow, and reforge your life with the tools and insights shared by Coach AnnaJo. Don’t forget to share this episode with someone who might need a push to reforge their own path!

00:00 Career Journey: Navigating Global Changes

06:53 Transitioning from Corporate to Entrepreneur

08:13 Entrepreneurial Risk and Family Responsibility

12:37 Building Entrepreneurial Skills

16:03 "The Art of Selling"

19:50 "Ask for the Order"

24:42 Uncovering Core Values Beyond Beliefs

27:36 Values: Love, Respect, Integrity

30:14 "Invest in Yourself for Growth"

35:11 Energized by People and Connections

36:37 "Empowering Women Through Life Coaching"

42:20 "Subscribe, Like, Share: Empower Others"

43:06 "Reforge Your Life Podcast"

What if a single question could transform your life? Joe Rivera hosts the incredible Bryant Cartagena, a keynote speaker and trainer for Tony Robbins, who shares his journey from a daunting childhood to becoming a motivational force on Reforge Your Life.

Bryant's story begins with overcoming the loss of his drug dealer father at a young age, which propelled him into a hustle-driven life where he constantly asked "Why?" to uncover his true purpose. This episode is packed with inspiration on how adversity can be your greatest blessing and the pivotal role that your belief system plays in shaping your destiny.

Whether you're dealing with struggles or seeking a transformative breakthrough, this episode offers valuable insights and actionable steps to help you reforge your life. Don't miss out on this compelling story and the practical advice that could be the key to unlocking your full potential.

• Instagram

Timestamped Overview

00:00 Challenging Childhood and Awakening

03:35 "Adversity Fueled My Transformation"

08:53 Spiritual Journey Led to Love

11:37 "Belief-Driven Life"

14:56 Empowering Beliefs Fuel Success

16:48 Overcoming Limiting Beliefs

20:35 "Living Unconsciously: A Wake-Up Call"

23:18 Daily Priming for Purposeful Living

28:34 Craving Deep Connections for Growth

31:21 "Environment Shaped My Success"

36:00 Transformative Experience Volunteering for Tony Robbins

39:43 "Embracing the Unknown"

41:00 Bryant Cartagena: Purpose & Growth Guide

44:53 "Daily Reflection and Growth"

48:31 "Grateful for Sharing Platform"

Could it be that the pursuit of wealth and success might leave you feeling emptier than ever? In this episode of "Reforge Your Life," host Joe Rivera sits down with Craig Smith, a multimedia retail consultant and professional speaker, to explore the transformative journeys that steer our lives away from just chasing money and towards genuine fulfillment and purpose.

A true revelation, Craig shares personal anecdotes of career pivots, overcoming burnout, and the story of finding authenticity. The conversation delves into how aligning with your true self and core values can bring about abundance—emotionally, financially, and spiritually.

Key highlights include:

• Craig's candid discussion about the pitfalls of chasing money for its own sake and what it took for him to realign with his true purpose.
• The role of community and networking in personal and professional growth, and how genuine connections can reshape your path.
• Insights into overcoming fear and vulnerability when striving for something new.

Dive into this episode to discover how you, too, can unlock your full potential and reforge your life's journey with purpose and authenticity. For more information, connect with Craig on LinkedIn or visit CraigsSmithSpeaks.com. Don't forget to subscribe and share this enlightening episode with someone who might need it!

00:00 Retail Storytelling in a Shifting Landscape

04:21 Career Fulfillment Over Monetary Gains

08:09 True Wealth: Beyond Money

12:27 Navigating Career Challenges in Live TV

14:44 Embracing Change: Entrepreneurial Leap

18:34 Overcoming Ego and Embracing Vulnerability

22:18 Insecurity and Generational Stereotyping

26:25 Mindset: Key to Athlete Success

29:35 Staying True to Myself

33:11 "Living with Purpose Through Service"

34:06 Sharing My Father's Sudden Passing

38:52 Empowering Others Through Speaking

43:11 "What's Next: Embrace the Future"

45:23 Defining Personal Purpose for Positivity

47:21 "Seize Community Opportunities, Go Eagles!"