We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Fred Seghetti a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Fred, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
It all starts with my mom and dad. They showed me what it means to live with integrity, strength, and purpose. They set the example, and I’ve spent my life trying to live up to it.
Serving my community has always been in my DNA. It started when I was a kid in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, learning leadership, discipline, and the importance of giving back. That sense of duty only grew when I joined the Army, first as a Heavy Wheeled Mechanic and Wrecker Operator, keeping military vehicles mission-ready. But I wanted to do more—I wanted to protect people, not just machines. So I trained in Human Intelligence and Counterintelligence support, where I learned how to gather intelligence, analyze threats, and make split-second decisions that actually mattered. That experience shaped me—it gave me a deep foundation in problem-solving, strategy, and resilience, skills that I carry into everything I do.
Then, my purpose started to shift. During my first stint in the Army, I turned to music—a way to express emotions, tell stories, and connect with people on a deeper level. Then came art, where I let my creativity loose in abstract designs, T-shirts, space junk art, and public mural projects—some of which even got media attention.
Family has always been my driving force. That’s where cooking came in. I’ve always believed food should be healthy, full of bold flavors, and made with real ingredients—so I started experimenting in my own kitchen. That’s how Seghetti’s Top Secret Seasoning was born. I wanted something clean, powerful, and versatile—no salt, no sugar, no gluten—just real ingredients that elevate food. What started as a personal passion turned into a full-fledged business, and now my seasonings are used in butcher shops, restaurants, catering businesses, and grocery stores across multiple states.
But the hardest part of my journey? Not seeing my children. Due to interpersonal issues with their mothers, I don’t get to be with them nearly as much as I should. Parental alienation syndrome is one of the deepest pains a parent can experience, and it’s something I’ve had to face head-on. When my kids are with me, they get all the love, support, and home-cooked meals I can give them. But when they’re not, that pain, that emptiness—that fight—comes out in my art and my music. It could have broken me. Instead, it fueled me. It gave me a stronger sense of purpose—to push forward, rise above, and build a life they can be proud of.
Looking back, everything I’ve done has been about service, creation, and problem-solving. Whether I was protecting people in the military, making music, designing art, or building a business, my mission has always been the same: improve something, help others, and leave an impact.
That’s what keeps me going. Every single day.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My story is about pushing forward, adapting, and turning challenges into opportunities. Whether it was in the Army, music, art, or business, I’ve never followed the path—I’ve made my own.
What I Do & Why It Matters?
Everything I do is driven by passion, creativity, and purpose. I’m all about loving, creating, protecting, solving problems, and making an impact. I make music that makes the world sound better, art that makes the world look better, and flavors that make food healthier and taste even more amazing. More than anything, I want to leave this world better than I found it and show my kids what’s possible when you set your mind to something and refuse to quit.
Seghetti’s Top Secret Seasoning started in my own kitchen—just me experimenting, trying to make meals healthier, affordable, bold, and full of real flavor. No salt, no sugar, no fillers—just pure, high-quality ingredients for less than it would cost to buy all 25+ spices separately. What started as something for my family has grown into something bigger. Watching it take off has been one of the most exciting parts of my journey.
What’s Next?
I never sit still. I’m always working on something—whether it’s expanding my seasoning line with new flavors, making new music and art, or writing the script for my first film. Every challenge, every setback, and every success pushes me to go further, build bigger, and prove that no matter where you come from or what you’ve been through, you can create something great—even if the world doesn’t know it yet.
My story isn’t just about surviving—it’s about thriving. And I’m just getting started. Watch what happens next.
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, I can say without a doubt that resilience, adaptability, and purpose-driven action have been the most impactful forces in my journey. These aren’t just words—they’ve been the difference between pushing forward or giving up, creating something or staying stagnant, thriving or just surviving.
1. Resilience – The Strength to Keep Going No Matter What
Life will knock you down. Hard. More times than you can count. I’ve been through moments that could have broken me, from the intensity of military intelligence work to being alienated from my own children—a pain that cuts deeper than anything else. But here’s what I’ve learned: Pain is only permanent if you let it be.
Resilience isn’t about never falling—it’s about getting back up, every single time. It’s about turning pain into fuel, rejection into motivation, and hardship into wisdom. It’s what separates those who talk about their dreams from those who actually make them happen.
Advice:
Stop seeing obstacles as stop signs. See them as challenges to overcome. They are the way. That is the path we must all take to get to our destination.
When you get hit hard, take a moment—but never stay down for long.
Find a reason bigger than yourself to keep going. For me, it’s my kids, my family, my creations, and my mission to leave a positive impact.
2. Adaptability – The Power to Reinvent Yourself
I’ve been a soldier, an intelligence specialist, a musician, an artist, a business owner, and now a filmmaker. I didn’t start off knowing how to do any of these things. I figured them out as I went. That’s the secret most people won’t tell you—no one has it all figured out. The ones who succeed are the ones who dive in anyway and learn as they go.
Adaptability means staying open to change, learning new skills, and not being afraid to pivot when life forces you to. It means taking every experience—good or bad—and turning it into something valuable.
Advice:
Get comfortable being uncomfortable. Growth comes when you push beyond what you know.
Learn new skills constantly—even the ones you think you’ll never use. One day, they might be the key to your next opportunity.
Never let fear of not knowing enough stop you. Jump in and figure it out along the way. That’s how I built my business, my art, and my entire career.
3. Purpose-Driven Action – Knowing Your “Why” and Never Losing It
You can have all the talent in the world, but without a real purpose, you’ll burn out fast. I’ve seen people give up on their dreams because they didn’t have a deep enough reason to keep going.
For me, my purpose has always been about creating, protecting, and improving the world around me. I pour my pain, struggles, and experiences into my work—whether it’s music, art, my business, or my film project. And when life knocks me down, I don’t just get up for myself—I get up because I know my kids are watching, my work matters, and my story isn’t over yet.
Advice:
First, ask yourself…… Who do you want to be? Not What, but Who?
Find your why—something bigger than money or success. It has to be something that fuels you when things get hard.
Whatever you do, do it with intention and meaning. If you’re creating something, make it matter. If you’re building something, put your soul into it.
Never let the world tell you what you can or can’t do. Your purpose is yours—own it, live it, and never stop chasing it.
A Message to My Children and The World:
To my beautiful, brilliant, strong-willed children—I want you to know something deep in your heart: No matter where life takes you, no matter how much time passes, no matter how far apart we may be, you will always be my greatest love and purpose.
Life will test you. It will throw challenges at you that feel impossible. It will try to break you, make you doubt yourself, make you wonder if you’re good enough. And when that happens, I want you to always remember who you are.
Like it or not, you all are my blood, my love, my legacy. You are strong. You are capable. You come from a line of fighters, creators, and builders. You have everything inside you to overcome, to grow, to thrive.
Never let anyone dim your light. Never let fear keep you small. Chase what sets your soul on fire. Learn everything you can. And when you get knocked down—because you will—get back up stronger, smarter, and more determined than ever.
And always, always remember this: You are loved beyond words. You are not alone. And I will always be with you—no matter what.
I follow Arnold Schwarzenegger’s six rules to success.
Six Rules to Success
1. Trust yourself. No matter what anyone else thinks
2. Break the Rules. Think outside the box.
3. Don’t be afraid to fail. Don’t paralyze yourself with fear of failure. Push yourself.
4. Don’t listen to the naysayers. Don’t pay attention to those who say you cant.
5. Work your butt off ! Leave no stone unturned. There is no way around hard work.
6. Give something back. No matter what path you take, GIVE BACK to your community and country.
Final Thought:
My journey has been far from easy, but these three things—resilience, adaptability, and purpose-driven action—have carried me through every challenge.
If you master these, nothing in this world can stop you.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
If I had to name the people who have been the most influential, supportive, and essential in shaping who I am today, it’s without hesitation—my mom, my dad, and my teacher, Mr. Powell. Each of them, in their own way, gave me the tools to overcome, grow, and carve my own path in life.
My Mom: The Heart of Love, Wisdom, and Family
My mom taught me how to cook, how to read recipes, and how to be a good husband—but more than that, she taught me what it truly means to care for others. Cooking wasn’t just about making meals; it was about nourishing people, showing love through food, and taking pride in the details. She showed me the importance of patience, generosity, and building a home filled with warmth and kindness.
Beyond the kitchen, my mom instilled in me the values of love, loyalty, and perseverance. She showed me that a strong heart is just as important as a strong mind, and that being a good man starts with being a good son, a good husband, and a good father.
My Dad: Strength, Survival, and Service
If my mom taught me how to love and nurture, my dad taught me how to survive and serve. He showed me what it means to be a man of integrity, to honor your commitments, and to give back to your community and country.
He didn’t just tell me how to be strong—he lived it. He led by example, teaching me that hard work, discipline, and resilience aren’t just qualities; they are necessities in life. He made sure I knew that a real man doesn’t just take care of himself—he protects, provides, and lifts up those around him.
Mr. Powell: The Teacher Who Saw My Potential
Then there was Mr. Powell, my teacher at Crockett High School—one of the few people outside of my family who truly believed in me. He wasn’t just a teacher. He was a mentor, a guide, and a voice of reason when I needed it most.
Mr. Powell had a way of challenging me to be better, to think differently, and to push past my limits. He saw potential in me before I even saw it in myself. His influence wasn’t just about academics—it was about confidence, self-respect, and realizing that I had the ability to create my own future.
Together, They Made Me Who I Am
My parents and Mr. Powell didn’t just teach me lessons—they built the foundation of who I am. They gave me:
From my mom – The ability to create, love, and build a home.
From my dad – The strength to survive, serve, and be a good man.
From Mr. Powell – The belief that I was capable of more than I ever realized.
Their love, their lessons, and their example are woven into everything I do—from my military service to my music, my art, my business, and the way I show up as a father. Every step I take forward is because of them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://fredseghetti.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fredseghetti/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredseghetti/
- Other: https://www.reverbnation.com/fredseghetti
https://www.seghettis.com
https://www.redbubble.com/people/fredseghetti
Image Credits
All images provided are the original work of Fred Seghetti. These images showcase his art, music, business, and creative projects, reflecting his journey as an artist, entrepreneur, and visionary.
Copyright & Usage:
All images are copyrighted and owned by Fred Seghetti.
Unauthorized use, reproduction, or modification without express permission is strictly prohibited.
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
