I'm originally from Victorville, California, I grew up there. You

Host: The evening was quiet, the air cool as the last rays of sunlight faded outside. Jack sat on the edge of the couch, his gaze fixed on a piece of paper, but his mind clearly somewhere else. Jeeny, sitting nearby, noticed the stillness in his posture and set her book down, sensing a shift in his thoughts.

Jeeny: “You seem like you’re reflecting on something. What’s on your mind?”

Jack: “I was reading something from Ryan Garcia today. He said, ‘I’m originally from Victorville, California, I grew up there. You know, it was a journey, because in Victorville, you know, it’s tough out there. It’s not like, the easiest place to grow up, so I had just faith in God that if I keep working hard, I could make a way for myself, so my faith in God is something I need, it’s essential.’ It really hit me. The idea that even in difficult circumstances, faith can be the guiding force that keeps you going.”

Jeeny: “It’s such a powerful sentiment. Growing up in a place where the odds might not seem in your favor, but having that faith that if you keep working hard, you can make it—that’s what perseverance is all about. It’s about believing in yourself, but also in something bigger than yourself. For Ryan Garcia, faith in God gave him the strength to push forward, to keep believing that there was a way out, a way forward.”

Jack: “Exactly. It’s the combination of faith and hard work. We often think that success comes from just putting in the effort, but for Ryan, it was his faith that gave him the strength to keep going even when things got tough. It wasn’t just about physical training or ambition—it was about having a deeper trust that if he kept pushing, things would work out.”

Jeeny: “And that’s the key, isn’t it? Faith isn’t about knowing exactly how things will turn out, it’s about trusting the process and having the resilience to keep moving forward, even when you can’t see the end goal. Faith gives you that extra strength, that sense of purpose when everything around you feels uncertain.”

Jack: “I think that’s what stood out to me the most—how Ryan Garcia views his faith as essential. In the middle of hardship, in the middle of all the struggles, it wasn’t just about the physical aspects of his training or career. His faith gave him the foundation to keep fighting, to keep believing in himself, even when others might not have seen the possibility.”

Jeeny: “And I think that’s a lesson for all of us. No matter what circumstances we’re facing, whether we’re from a tough place or facing challenges in our lives, having something to hold on to, a belief that we’re capable of overcoming, is so important. For some, it’s faith in God, for others, it’s a personal belief or a support system—but it’s that deep trust that allows us to navigate the tough times.”

Jack: “It makes me think about the times when things get hard, when it feels like progress is slow or impossible. How often do we rely on something bigger than ourselves to keep us grounded? To remind us that we can keep going, that our work and faith in the process will eventually pay off?”

Jeeny: “That’s exactly it. It’s the power of belief, whether in God or in something else, that makes all the difference. When life is tough, faith becomes that anchor, the thing that holds us steady, that keeps us from giving up when the road feels too long or too hard.”

Jack: “So, it’s not just about working hard, but about trusting that the hard work will lead somewhere. That faith, whether in ourselves or something bigger, is what gives us the strength to keep going even when we can’t see the outcome.”

Jeeny: “Right. Faith is what fuels perseverance. It’s not about having all the answers—it’s about trusting the process, knowing that even in the most difficult circumstances, we have the ability to rise above and make our way forward.”

Host: The room seemed to hold a quiet understanding as Jack and Jeeny reflected on the power of faith and resilience. Ryan Garcia’s words, rooted in his journey through a tough upbringing, served as a reminder that the path to success is not just about effort—it’s about trusting in something greater, believing that through hard work and faith, we can overcome any obstacle.