On this episode of the World Game-Changers podcast, Paul talks to first-time guest, Nelson Perez, about his extraordinary life from fleeing Fidel Castro’s Cuba, fighting for the US in Vietnam, building schools, and how he got to the place he’s in now as a ‘retiree’ in Costa Rica.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• I grew up in Cuba on a 1600 acre sugar cane plantation which had been in our family around 300 years. Part of the product would go to Hershey and the other part would go to American Sugar for coffee and confectionery, etc. When Castro cam in 1959 he began nationalizing the country including all farms. When they confiscated our farm my grandfather was very upset, in 1962 he went to the center of the closest town and gave an anti-Castro speech. State security took him, put him through a 5 minute trial, and the next day he was executed at the town elementary school where I went to school.
• The same day my dad was also arrested and when through the same process, but the night before his execution he managed to escape. We met up with him in the middle of the night on a mountain, traveled to the coast and mum, dad and myself got on a 16-foot boat and set out for the US. It took us 4 nights to cross the ocean and 300 yards from shore the engine conked out and the boat started taking on water, so we had to swim to shore.
• My family became immigrants in Miami where people didn’t want immigrants, but I got through high school, joined the Marine Corps and served 2 tours of Vietnam. After this I went back to school and got a job in education and went on to work for the State Department building schools for workforce development overseas. I’ve since ‘retired’ to Costa Rica where my wife and I do things to benefit not only our family but the country with our real estate company and a new venture with wholesale and retail coconuts. 
• Over a 10-year period worldwide coconut production increased by 16%, but demand increased by 600%. By 2028 the demand for coconut water will increase by $6 billion. Those two facts together made me realize we needed to be in the coconut business. We started off small, 20 acres, but we wanted to be the biggest in Costa Rica, right now we’re at 452 acres and we’ll be adding another 300-400 acres by the end of this year. In three years, we’ll produce 18 million coconuts.

BEST MOMENTS

‘I witnessed my grandfather’s execution by government forces at 10 years old. It was a traumatic experience, but it was also a learning experience as everything in life is. I learned what courage and conviction was and how to be a man'.

‘The sense of loyalty my grandfather gave to his sugar cane employees is something that we automatically do today in Costa Rica'.

‘Something I learned from combat training is how to control fear. You can be afraid but you don’t have to demonstrate or show it'.

‘Keep plugging forward, keep your values and don’t try to impose them or expect them from somebody else, something will always work out'.

VALUABLE RESOURCES

• Paul’s Story: Emerging From The Forest (UK) 

• Paul’s Story: Emerging From The Forest (USA) 

• Mastering The Game Of Life Book (UK) 

• Mastering The Game Of Life Book (USA) 
• Speaking From Our Hearts Books: Volumes 1-3 (Available on Amazon)
• World Game-Changers Group

ABOUT THE HOST

Paul has made a remarkable transformation from existing for many years in dark, desperate despair; to now living a really healthy, happy & fulfilling life.

From an early age, he was in the vice-like clutches of the demon drink & constantly embroiled within a dark cocktail of toxic beliefs, self-hate & destructive violence.

Along with his empathetic and dedicated team of world-class coaches & mentors, Paul’s purpose is deeply transformational:

Developing World Game-Changers…

He is extremely passionate about helping others to find their purpose, have a voice & ultimately, make a real difference.  

This has been built on a long & distinguished history of heart-centred coaching and mentoring.  He has also been responsible for raising significant amounts of funds for many charities & good causes around the world; positively impacting & inspiring thousands of children – mainly from challenging backgrounds – within the UK & worldwide.

Through this World Game-Changers podcast & books, he has been involved in – including being a best-selling co-author – Paul also helps others to get their own inspirational messages and stories out into the world; as well as offering support to many charitable organisations, in their development & fund-raising.

CONTACT METHODS

Tel: +44 (0) 7958 042 155

Paul@Paul-Lowe.com

www.Paul-Lowe.com 

www.WorldGameChangers.org

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