Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Michael Ramirez. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Michael, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
Resilience for me stems from a deep understanding of both my personal history and spiritual foundation. I was born to parents who made the difficult decision to flee Cuba after the Castro regime took over, stripping them of their rights, property, and livelihoods. From an early age, I learned that life isn’t easy or always fair. Witnessing my parents’ sacrifices and perseverance—starting with almost nothing and eventually achieving the American dream—instilled in me the belief that hard work can open doors, but it also taught me that material success alone isn’t the key to true fulfillment.
What truly shaped my resilience was a lesson I learned early on in martial arts, guided by my instructor, a 7th-degree black belt from the South Korean military. He taught me that if you fall seven times, you must rise eight—an idea echoed in Proverbs 24:16, which says, “For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity.” This principle, deeply rooted in both my martial training and faith, became a cornerstone of my approach to life.
Over time, I began to cultivate my inner spirit, realizing that there’s a strength within us greater than the physical self. I learned that what we focus on manifests, and by directing my energy inward, I discovered that my spirit was stronger than any challenge I faced. This understanding grew with experience, revealing to me that my resilience wasn’t just about enduring hardship, but about aligning with something greater than myself. Faith played a critical role, reminding me that I’m guided, protected, and capable of success as long as I stay connected to this inner presence.
My resilience has also been shaped by witnessing my parents’ struggles and losses, even after their divorce. They didn’t gift me an easy path but equipped me with the understanding of what hard work and determination can achieve. Love and goodwill have always driven my decisions, and I’ve long believed that if I’m here, then others like me must be too. I’ve come to see that if I find myself in darkness, perhaps it’s because I’m meant to be the light.
Ultimately, my resilience comes from knowing that every experience—whether good, bad, or indifferent—offers an opportunity for growth. It’s not just about enduring hardship but about understanding the substance, potential, and purpose within any circumstance, and then aligning my actions or even prayers with that deeper truth. That’s where my strength to overcome comes from.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
With a deep passion for personal transformation, healing, and faith, I help others navigate life’s most challenging experiences. As a suicide survivor, I understand profound pain but have discovered healing through spiritual wisdom and personal growth. This journey has inspired me to guide others toward their own transformation.
As an Ordained Minister and Certified Professional Life Coach, I provide more than just spiritual guidance; I create a safe, sacred space for individuals to explore complex trauma, embrace authenticity, and develop inner strength, all while rooted in the doctrine of Christ. My holistic approach incorporates spiritual counsel, solemnization ceremonies, grief and bereavement support, and energy work through massage and laying of hands. Additionally, I draw on the traditional Chinese body clock, aligned with our chakras, to offer alternative healing paths, bringing balance and peace to my clients.
Beyond spiritual and healing services, I also offer personalized martial arts, self-defense, and fitness training. These 1-on-1 sessions empower clients not only physically but also spiritually, emotionally and mentally, helping them cultivate courage and resilience in all aspects of life, in addition to many other leadership skills.
In addition to my transformational services, I run an online store featuring unisex apparel such as tank tops, t-shirts, polos, jackets, hoodies, and long-sleeves. I also offer accessories, bags, and home décor, all designed to inspire and support a lifestyle of faith, mindfulness and simultaneously personal & universal empowerment.
What’s most exciting about my work is seeing clients break through their personal barriers and step into lives filled with authenticity, healing through increased understanding, depth and meaning, while identifying purpose and developing courage, and grace – having overcome & relinquished fear, shame & guilt in many cases. Recently, I’ve expanded my offerings to include annual all-inclusive packages, giving clients year-long access to my range of services, tailored to meet their unique needs and goals. Whether through spiritual and life coaching, alternative healing practices, or fitness training, I am committed to guiding individuals toward their highest potential. I don’t use a cookie-cutter approach either; everything I do is intended to bring forth the personal essence of the individual and their unique needs. I’d like to add that through my approach and its effectiveness, I’ve seen tremendous turnarounds in peoples’ lives as quickly as in two months time, though contingent on the individual, of course.
Based in Los Angeles, CA, I am here to foster a deeper connection between you, your faith, and your inner-transformation journey alongside its outward manifestation.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, the three most impactful qualities in my journey have been faith, resilience, and authenticity.
Faith has been the anchor for me, allowing me to trust that even the darkest moments serve a higher purpose. As someone who has faced profound challenges, including surviving suicide, it’s been my unwavering belief in God’s plan and the truth that all things work out for the good of those who love Him that has guided me through. This trust allows you to let go of attachment to outcomes and rest in the knowledge that there is meaning in the unfolding of life, even when it’s not immediately clear.
Resilience is the second pillar. The path of healing, transformation, and personal growth is rarely linear. There are setbacks, moments of doubt, and times when the weight of life can feel unbearable. Yet, it’s in those moments that resilience becomes essential. Persevering, showing up even when it’s hard, and holding on to your integrity, even in the face of adversity, is where true strength is built. It’s not about never falling—it’s about having the resolve to rise each time you do.
Finally, authenticity has been profoundly transformative. The ability to be true to oneself—honoring who you are, your values, and your truth—is essential. It allows you to live with integrity and non-attachment, free from the need to conform or seek approval from others. When you embrace your authenticity, you also open the door to love and goodwill, creating genuine connections and fostering trust. It is through this sincerity that healing and personal transformation become not only possible but inevitable; as does your impact upon the world – if even within the environment to which you reside.
Adding to this latter component, I’d propose that another critical lesson has been recognizing the importance of not giving from an empty cup. To truly offer something meaningful to others, you must first ensure that you are grounded and nourished yourself. What you extend to others should come from a place of love, balance, and cognizance of your own capacity. Giving willingly, without depleting yourself, allows your offerings to be genuine and sustainable. It’s important to honor your limits and know that it’s okay to step back when needed, so that what you give remains aligned with your heart and capabilities.
For those early in their journey, my advice is to cultivate these qualities through intentional practice. Build your faith by strengthening your spiritual connection—whether through prayer, meditation, or study—knowing that trust in a higher plan will carry you through the unknown. Nurture resilience by embracing life’s challenges as opportunities for growth; remember that even small acts of perseverance add up. And commit to authenticity, no matter how uncomfortable or vulnerable it may feel at times. The more you honor your truth, the more aligned your life will become with your highest self and purpose.
Additionally, always remember that self-care is a form of service. By keeping your cup full, you not only serve yourself but are better equipped to serve others in a way that is healthy, dignified, loving, and lasting.
Ultimately, the journey requires patience, courage, and grace. But with faith, resilience, authenticity, and the wisdom to give from a place of fullness, you’ll find yourself empowered to walk the path that is uniquely yours, trusting that each step is unfolding exactly as it should.
Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?
When faced with the question of whether to go all in on our strengths or focus on improving areas of weakness, I find that both have significant value, depending on one’s personal journey and goals. Reflecting on my own path, particularly through my experience in the martial arts, I’ve come to recognize that our strengths are vital tools, but our areas of improvement hold the key to our growth.
In martial arts, I’ve always been mindful that the ultimate goal is not just victory, but self-discovery. My nearly 30 years of training and full-contact competition have shown me that while we may prepare ourselves meticulously to maximize our strengths, it’s often our weaknesses that teach us the most. Each competition highlighted areas I needed to improve—physically, mentally, and emotionally. But instead of seeing those weaknesses as obstacles, I approached them with a spirit of curiosity and a willingness to evolve.
This mindset of transformation and balance has become central to all the work I do today. As an Ordained Minister, Certified Professional Life Coach, and healer, I help others explore their own strengths and vulnerabilities. Whether through spiritual guidance, alternative healing, or martial arts training, I encourage my clients to approach their lives with the same compassion and grace that I’ve cultivated through my own experiences.
One of the greatest lessons martial arts taught me is that strength without vulnerability lacks depth, and vulnerability without strength can leave us feeling lost. It’s when we merge the two—by embracing both what we are naturally good at and what we need to improve—that we develop a more holistic sense of self. This integration allows us to show up authentically, both for ourselves and for others.
For example, in my coaching sessions, I often work with individuals who are eager to transform. While we may initially focus on their strengths—whether it’s leadership skills, creativity, or resilience—there is always a point where we turn to the areas they feel less confident in. And it’s in that vulnerable space where the most profound growth occurs. This mirrors my personal experience in martial arts: the acknowledgment of what needs improvement becomes the fuel for long-term progress.
Ultimately, I believe it’s important to invest in both our strengths and weaknesses. Strengths give us momentum and purpose, but our weaknesses invite us to step into greater growth and humility. By balancing these, we create a fuller, more authentic version of ourselves—one that’s not just focused on individual success, but also on contributing to the well-being of others.
At the end of the day, it’s not about proving our value through competition or perfection. What matters most is our commitment to showing up with integrity, perseverance, and an open heart. That has been my guiding principle both in martial arts and in life, and it’s the same principle I encourage in those I serve through my spiritual and life coaching work.
So, whether we choose to hone our strengths or improve our weaknesses, I believe the most important thing is to stay connected to our purpose—to show up, serve with love, and approach every experience as an opportunity to grow, learn, be inspired and yet inspire others along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.EverythingBeginsEndsWithYou.com/
- Instagram: @EverythingBeginsAndEndsWithYou
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EverythingBeginsEndsWithYou
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mjr587/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@everythingbeginsendswithyou.
Image Credits
N/A | All images are my own.
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