Miguel Lugo came to Homeboy Industries looking for help removing a chest tattoo that had defined his violent past and kept him trapped long after prison. After serving 18 years behind bars, starting at age 18, Miguel walked through Homeboy’s doors just days after his release. He stood outside for hours, unsure if he was ready to let go of the identity that once kept him alive but was now holding him back.

In this episode of The Homeboy Way, Tom Vozzo sits down with Miguel, Community Relations and Head of Security at Homeboy Industries, to trace his journey from a life shaped by violence to one rooted in presence, accountability, and care. Miguel shares how tattoo removal became a path to reclaiming himself, how spiritual practices like sweat lodge ceremonies sustained him in prison, and how therapy helped him confront when harm became acceptable. Today, Miguel stands on the sidewalk welcoming newcomers, diffusing conflict, and walking with people before they ever enter the building. His story shows how deep personal healing becomes sacred work and how choosing love, again and again, turns survival into leadership.

Key Takeaways

• Tattoo Removal as Freedom

  Removing gang tattoos was not about jobs. It was about shedding an identity rooted in harm and reclaiming self-ownership.

• The Power of the Sidewalk

  Many people hesitate before entering Homeboy. Healing often begins outside the door through presence, listening, and trust.

• Community Relations = Walking With, Not Watching

  Miguel reframes safety as walking with people, not watching them, creating belonging instead of fear.

• Spiritual Practice as Survival

  Sweat lodge ceremonies in prison offered grounding, humility, and a connection to identity beyond incarceration.

• Therapy and the Courage to Ask Why

  Healing deepened when Miguel confronted the question of when harming others became acceptable.

• From Violence to Buffer

  By stepping between conflict and naming people with care, Miguel and his team prevent harm before it escalates.

In This Episode:

• 00:00 – Introduction

• 00:25 – Miguel’s journey begins

• 01:08 – First steps at Homeboy

• 03:06 – Tattoo removal and transformation

• 06:01 – Leaving the gang life behind

• 08:09 – Helping others and building community

• 18:52 – Navigating challenges and misconceptions

• 21:39 – Changing lives for a better future

• 21:59 – Interactions with politicians

• 24:44 – Building a new home

• 26:52 – Spiritual journey and sweat lodges

• 30:42 – Overcoming trauma and finding freedom

• 38:05 – Passion for classic cars

• 42:12 – Final reflections and gratitude

Notable Quotes

• “Am I okay cleaning toilets? ... I give it a shot.” — Miguel [02:21]

• “ In tattoo removal, the main thing it got is the freedom from yourself of who you were before.” — Miguel [05:30]

• “ A lot of people still call it security, but we don't. We like community relations because it does something different. I'm not here to watch you, I'm here to walk with you.” — Miguel [11:53]

• “In the sweat lodge, I was able to humble myself and give myself up to God.” — Miguel [31:51]

• “My job now is to be water to fire.”—  Miguel [35:33]]

Resources and Links

Homeboy Industries

• https://homeboyindustries.org/

• https://www.youtube.com/@HomeboyIndustries_LA/videos

• Donate: https://homeboyindustries.org/donate/donate-online/

Homeboy Media 

• https://homeboyindustries.org/social-enterprises/homeboy-media/

Miguel Lugo

• https://homeboyindustries.org/transformation_story/miguel-lugo-2/

Thomas Vozzo

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasvozzo

• The Homeboy Way: A Radical Approach to Business and Life: https://www.amazon.com/Homeboy-Way-Radical-Approach-Business/dp/082945456X

Credits:

Hosted by: Tom Vozzo

Produced by: Podify, and Alexa Rousso and Melody Carter of Homeboy Media