#66: Juan Bedoya - Trafficking $150M of Cocaine a Year, Falling to Greed, and Surrendering to Fait‪h‬

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Episode Description

Today, we hear the story of Juan Bedoya, who grew up working on the sugarcane fields of Guatemala until he moved to the U.S. with his father. Juan was determined to never go back to the underprivileged way of life he had as a child. To make this happen, however, he turned to the drug business, which dazzled him with promises of immense riches and a carefree life.

At his peak in the drug business, Juan was moving about $150 million of drugs per year. Undoubtedly, Juan achieved his goal of living a lavish lifestyle, but his ambition prevented him from realizing he had more than enough. Juan shares his story where he flew too close to the sun, but while falling down received the chance to grow a new pair of wings.

A rags-to-riches story is not the same as a success story. Sit down with us as Juan reveals how motivations, faith, and reflection allow for a true success story, where money is not the hallmark of a meaningful life.

Show Notes

Childhood: Juan grows up in Guatemala working in sugarcane fields along with his brother. He explores a love for soccer and music.
College: Juan receives the opportunity to attend college, but his father offers him a new opportunity when he returns to Guatemala from the US.
America: Juan battles his idealization of living in the US as he works in a warehouse and has trouble speaking English.
Climbing Up: After working with his dad for a while, Juan moves to a new company and gets his own place. How will leaving his father’s guidance change Juan’s lifestyle?
The Bar: As Juan’s social circles change, he buys a bar and starts befriending the drug dealers who would frequent his place.
Business: Juan starts becoming more involved in drug dealing, moving far beyond stashing drugs in his bar for others.
The High Life: Juan lives a lavish lifestyle but things start to look less optimistic for his business. When will enough be enough for Juan?
Busted: Juan faces the consequences of flying too close to the sun, and has to face a prison sentence.
True Surrender: After being in jail, Juan truly surrenders and acknowledges the error in his ways -- to God.
A Second Chance: Afraid to face the world once again after being released from prison, Juan finds strength from his faith and tries to make the most of his new chance at life.
Today: Juan shares his current projects and goals to keep improving himself and the world around him.