When Giovanni Abril set foot on American soil, he brought with him the dreams of his Colombian heritage and a steadfast determination to achieve greatness. His journey from a young soccer hopeful to a respected Miami firefighter and physical therapy advocate is nothing short of awe-inspiring. His narrative, laden with challenges such as a significant back injury, exemplifies the essence of resilience. The unwavering support of his wife and his indomitable spirit have paved the way for Giovanni’s success, making his story a beacon of hope for many.

ave you ever met someone who embodies the grit of an athlete and the brilliance of a scientist? Brittany Simpson, my latest guest, is just that—a soccer coach and senior scientist at Pfizer with a foot in two incredibly competitive worlds. As she recounts her journey from the sun-soaked soccer fields in Florida to the cutting-edge labs where the COVID-19 vaccine was born, you’ll be inspired by her relentless pursuit of greatness despite the hurdles thrown her way.

Thomas Ray Garcia is a writer, educator, and entrepreneur from Pharr, Texas. He is the author of the award-winning short story collection, The River Runs: Stories and co-author of El Curso de la Raza: The Education of Aurelio Manuel Montemayor. He is the founder and board chair of the College Scholarship Leadership Access Program (CSLAP), a lead coordinator for the Hidalgo County Prosperity Task Force, an adjunct professor at South Texas College.