Beaten, Electrocuted, and Left for Dead—His Story of Survival

On the Fit For Radio Podcast, Jesus Romero shares an incredible story of survival, resilience, and redemption.

Born and raised in Mexico, Jesus went to work in Cabo San Lucas at just 13 years old, hustling the beaches and teaching himself English. His journey eventually took him to the United States, where gangs, addiction, and violence nearly cost him his life.

After being deported to Tijuana and falling deeper into addiction, Jesus was rescued by his brother and returned to Cabo, where he rebuilt his life from nothing—eventually building a successful excursion business with four boats of his own.

But after refusing extortion demands from cartel members and corrupt police, Jesus and his family were forced to flee for their safety.

Now sober, safe, and running his business remotely, Jesus reflects on a hard-earned truth: they can take your possessions, but they can’t take what matters most.

This powerful episode of the Fit For Radio Podcast is a story of perseverance, faith, and what it takes to rebuild when everything is on the line.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:00

Oh, they're electrocuting you. So they hang you from the ceiling. Yeah, like that. And they're electrocuting you.

SPEAKER_02 0:07

And I was just pulling my legs like this, but I couldn't, bro, because I was just so tired, you know. After they beat me up, I mean they yeah, they beat me up really bad and they hang me there, and it was just bad, bro. Like it was crazy. So they beat me so much that uh when they ended up with me, I couldn't even move, bro. You just stuck. I used to see, I was just like laying there. And uh, well, the guy that I know, uh the one they let me out, the one that even bit him up, can help me. I told him, like, yo, uh, just do me a favor, just call my parents. And Gil has just tell them that I love them so much. Okay. Please do that.

SPEAKER_00 1:00

It's the Fit for Radio podcast here at the beautiful Stafford Hills Club, where I do all of my shows. It's where work meets play here, and the summer months are here, yesterday, out at the pool. Next level stuff. If you want to get here, get on board, hit them up at staffordhills.com. And remember, family memberships are filling up fast. So if you want to be pool side with your feet kicked up, catch it a bronze at staffordhills.com. Right now, I've got a great guest, uh, not in the studio, actually, our first international guest if joining me from Mexico. My guest today is Jesust Romero. How are you, bud? Thanks again, man. How are you doing? I'm doing good. Um now it's funny, I met Hey Zuust um on the beaches of Mexico, which is kind of wild. Uh, I think it was probably I started going there in 2011. Um, I went there on my honeymoon, and then my wife loved Cabo San Lucas. So uh we would go back every year, and we started going to a different hotel. Um, and when I went to this new hotel, I went out and was walking on the beach one day, and I ran into this guy who was, you know, down there on the beach um selling, you know, like boat rides and water excursions and all this cool stuff. And we got to talking. And believe it or not, you would it'd be strange to think that you could create a friendship on the beach uh with a bunch of tourists when you're one yourself, but that's exactly what happened. And he has a heck of a story to tell. Uh Jesus Romero, um let's just walk through it real quick. The guy has born and raised in Mexico, traveled to America, fell into drug addiction and gangs, and then fought his way back more than one time, and has also uh built his own business, dealt with corruption and cartel and gangs in Mexico as well. So much uh to chew on here, but let's just dive right into it, all right? Um, Jesus, now you left your home to head to Cabo San Lucas at the age of 13 in 1998. Uh, where did you come from before that? And what was the plan?

SPEAKER_02 3:23

Actually, I was just John back then, you know. I'm just kind of following my father, you know, because he was the one that wants to go to Cabos, you know, and it started because my uncle, he has like a few boats over there, so he needed a captain. So my dad is like, okay, I'm gonna go out there, right? So I went over with him. He's like, You want to come with me? I was like, okay, why not, right? So we went over to Cabo San Lucas, and then pretty much uh uh I started working with my father, you know. I was to help him, you know, on the boat. He was just driving the boat, taking all the customers around, give them a little trip, you know, like nice trip. And then by then, you know, I was getting a little tip. I was like, yeah, this is how you see all the money.

SPEAKER_00 4:04

And so the money, uh, the money comes before you can even speak English, right? You're are you not speaking English at this point?

SPEAKER_02 4:12

Oh, not at all. Actually, I just learned from a little bit from uh middle school, you know, like a few words like, hey, hey, hey, como está? Like, how were you?

SPEAKER_00 4:21

You know, like a few things like that, you know, but you learned as much English as a tourist learns Spanish when they're saying, you know, buenos dias. And they think they've they've got the language down, but then as soon as somebody kicks into a full sentence, they're like, hold up, hold up, everybody chill. Um so so you're out there working with your dad, doing the thing. Now, at what point, because just a year later, you up and moved to the United States. Why?

SPEAKER_02 4:52

Oh, because um, I mean, my dad kind of wants to go over to the United States and he's like, hey, you want to come with me, son? I was like, sure, why not? You know, because I'm kind of always seeing my my dad, you know, like he was a hard-working man, you know, and I want to be like him, so that's why I want to follow him and then kind of go around with them to see what it was, right? And uh yeah, we from Cabos, we um we moved to California. It was like Livermore back in uh '99, yeah, when that happened, yeah, pretty much.

SPEAKER_00 5:25

So moving to was that a big change for you? I mean, going from Mexico to to the United States, it's it's should be a little bit of shell shock there.

SPEAKER_02 5:34

I mean, it was, to be honest, you know, because it was kind of different, you know. Like when I got to the state, it was like all like uh pretty nice roads and everything, like nice houses, you know, lights all over. It was just a beautiful brother. Like when I see all that stuff over there, I just got all excited, you know, like, you know, kind of search around, like see if I can get a yub over there, you know, like start working on the car wash. I mean, yeah, it was pretty awesome, brother, when I got to the States.

unknown 6:03

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 6:04

Now, when you got there, you did work in the car wash and you did uh at one point you worked in fast food. So were you just trying to do anything you can to make a little cash?

SPEAKER_02 6:14

Actually, um I kind of hang out with uh people from America, you know, like a lot. Like a lot because I want to learn their language, you know. I want to see what they do, I want to see what they eat, you know, and all this stuff. So, you know, I learned a lot of a lot of stuff, you know, like weird macaroni and cheese. And uh, you know, I learn a lot with them, to be honest, like all the language with all the little homies, you know, from the from the neighborhood, yeah, pretty much.

SPEAKER_00 6:42

So you're you're working, you're starting to get immersed in English, but you almost pretty early on you get into some issues with some street gangs. What happens there?

SPEAKER_02 6:54

Actually, it was after I got kicked out from a school because um, to be honest, I always have a problem when I when I used to go to school, like even in the States, you know, I tried to go to school just to learn better. But it was a lot of people, you know, like all over me, you know, trying to say like bad boys, you know, like wet pack and all this stuff, like, oh, you dirty Mexicans and all this stuff. And that was bad, bro. I gotta, you know, like, and every time people doing that to me, I'll beat the fuck out of them, you know, to be honest. Like, that's what happened every time, you know. And then that's how I joined, I enjoyed the gang, you know, because we got little homies, they sold me the oh my god, they got a punch. And you know, they start hanging out with me and they kind of protect me, you know, all this stuff, and I ended up with them, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 7:39

Yeah, and gangs are are funny like that, you know. It's they make it seem like you're you're special, so we're gonna put you in the gang, right? Like not a good right hook goes a long way in a street gang. Is that how you got kicked out of school? Was throwing punches?

SPEAKER_02 7:57

Yeah, but at the same time I have to work, you know, because we left my brothers behind, you know, like my little brothers and my sister, you know, back in Acapulco. And uh, you know, my dad was working really hard, you know, but it wasn't enough, you know, to like support them and support me as a kid. So kind of pick up one job that was in McDonald's, like in the morning, to open every morning because I didn't speak no English. So I kind of find another job. It was in Burger King because my sister was a manager from Burger King, so she kind of let me be the cashier. And brother, if you see me on the uh if you heard me in the drive through, you would be laughing your ass up, bro. Like, I'd be like, hey, thank you for your chosen McDonald's. What can I do for you, sir? You know, kind of like that. And like people are, oh, hey, I want to know Metal Uno, trying to speak to me in Spanish because I don't know what I said. I was like, funny, brother.

SPEAKER_00 8:52

But you were grinding it out. You were you were working, and you know, you think about kids that age, a lot of them, especially if they're fighting uphill like a language barrier, they don't try, they don't do it. So you had a work ethic early on, something that I noticed from you when we met later. Um, now break it down for me because uh at during this time you you get these jobs in fast food, you're you're trying to make an ends meet, but you're also dabbling in drugs. Is that what you're doing? Because at some point you end up in rehab.

SPEAKER_02 9:25

Okay, well, it was um when I hang out with the homies, you know, like back in uh California, you know, I start like throwing punches, you know, fighting like another game, you know. I belong to the South Side 13, which is, you know, the game. And we always fighting against the Northsiders, you know, which is the guys wearing red, wearing blue, right? So they guys wearing red, so we're always fighting with them. So, you know, I kind of ended up with them, and you know, I started like, you know, uh mitting all the drugs, you know, which I was uh crank back in the days, you know. It wasn't like methamphetamine, it was like lower, you know, like a different, but it was the same drugs, but it was kind of, you know. So, you know, I'm kind of tried that out, you know. Kind of gave me like, yeah, you know, excited about it, you know. Every time I kind of smoke it, you know, we're smoking all this stuff. And you know, kind of um, so I know the dealers, you know, because few, some of it they're Americans, right? So they don't speak no Spanish. So some of them are Mexicans, so I speak the language. So I was a plug with all my Mexican amigos, you know, that hey uh Jesus, can you get some for me? Oh sure, you know. I is buy $20 and I'll charge them like $60, you know, kind of make like, you know, my money, yeah. And uh, you know, and I got so excited, you know, with all the drugs and all this stuff, you know, kind of gave me start stealing from the store, you know. Like, you know, gotta go to the store and uh, you know, stealing things like t-shirts, you know, like whatever, you know, like I was just going to the store pretending I was shopping, you know, like, you know, just dressing nice, you know, with a a big car full of food, you know, and all this stuff, and you know, drink a little something, something my way, you know, like I was shopping, but I wasn't. I was just getting my breakfast in the morning, you know, pretty much for free.

SPEAKER_00 11:10

And when you're doing those types of drugs, it you're you're more you're more bold, you know, and and you think you're smooth too. It's like, oh yeah, I got this. And in this day and age with all the cameras and everything, you'd be caught in a minute. Um but but but back then, you know, you could as long as you were you kept your cool, you could move around and steal whatever you wanted. And to be honest, I was good out of it. Well, you know, you got to use your talents in some form. So all this behavior, um, eventually your mother had gotten wind of your behavior. Is that what happened?

SPEAKER_02 11:48

Actually, no, I'll tell you how that happened. Like, I was on the stage, right? I was around uh 16 years old, I think. Around 16 years old. So my dad uh my dad uh called my mom, you know, that I was like, I wasn't working, I was just hanging out with the homies and I wasn't doing nothing. So it's like, hey, your son is just being crazy. I'm gonna send it over to Mexico with you. So my mom is like, okay, you know, you send them down. So he uh he bought me a plane ticket. So I moved to uh Acapulco back again with my mom. But you know, I was the older guy, you know, at the family. So, you know, my old my brother, my second brother, he's like two years younger than me, right? So I was the main guy when I got home, you know. So, you know, I'll drive on my dad's car, you know, kind of get on my mama's morning, so who give it stuff, you know, because I was the one. So, you know, so I was already addicted, you know, and uh stuff when I got uh home. Um so you know, I was getting all crazy, fighting things, you know, shooting people, you know, it was just crazy over there. One time uh we went to downtown from our little town, you know, so with the homies. So we went over and um uh we got a taxi. So it was, hey, give us a um uh take us over to our home or whatever, we'll pay you special or you know, whatever. So we pay him and he take us. So we ended up stealing the taxi, brother. I mean, we didn't do nothing to that guy. We used to stop by at the at the um candy shop, let's call that up. With the taxi with a taxi driver in the back, brother. You know, so we get all the stuff, and then we just went to our little town, you know, and like probably five minutes away, we just left the car and the guy, you know, and we throw the kids away. So, you know, I w and then we are getting all like I was getting all crazy out there. So my mom ended up like thinking like put me in rehab, so you know, so it's how I ended up in rehab because I was just getting crazy.

SPEAKER_00 13:50

Yeah, I mean when when once you start stealing cars to go to the quote unquote candy shop, um, it's probably time to to reel it in a little bit. And your mom was probably a little frightened, you know. You you come back to town, she doesn't know you have these issues, and all of a sudden you're all you know off the edge a little bit. Uh I'd probably throw you in rehab too.

SPEAKER_02 14:14

Yeah, and it was like, to be honest, like it was good at the same time, but I mean, I mean, that was good because they'll tell you, you know, like, hey, you gotta be good in life, this and that, but uh spad at the same time because they hit you over there, you know what I mean? So they put chains on your legs. I mean, it's just crazy, brother. You know what I mean? Rehab? Rehab, brother. Yeah, that's how crazy it is. That sounds like jail. No, it's just worse than jail, brother. Like, honestly, if I was in jail, I think I'll be the king. If I was in rehab in rehab, man, I don't know who I'll be over there, brother.

SPEAKER_00 14:49

It's just crazy. That's wild because here, if you go to a rehab facility, it's like it's like a hotel basically where they're weaning you off the drugs and they're giving you the skills that you need, but there's no chains or it's all free will. Now, granted, you were still a minor, and I don't know how the rules work in Mexico, but you could lock a kid up in rehab under 18. I actually visited a friend of mine in rehab, and there was the the dressers were chained to the wall so nobody could throw them over. The TV was drilled into the wall so you couldn't rip it off and you know throw a fit. So it is a little different when it's a kid. How old are you at that point?

SPEAKER_02 15:31

Well, I was like uh 17, around 16, 17. Yeah. 17, I think.

SPEAKER_00 15:36

Yeah, I was on the race back then. So when you you get out of rehab, um and you got a second chance in the United States, you eventually got to go back?

SPEAKER_02 15:47

Actually, when I got uh well when I uh when I was in rehab, my dad was already home. He was already home with my mom. Okay, I was in rehab, you know, everything was great at home, but it wasn't like what they were thinking, you know. Because I was just like, I was just getting hit by people, by crazy people just like me, you know, we could without do we and they're not gonna do anything about it, you know, because I just got hit by them, you know. Because what are you gonna do when you locked up? You can do nothing. You just gotta listen to what they say and do what they say. So, you know, like so they give me a little chance, you know, to be the man in charge inside, you know, like the you know, inside the the building, you know. So they kinda trust me a little bit, like two months after I was, you know, in it. So I met this girl inside the rehab, you know. She was a pretty girl, you know, like a white girl, you know, it's a pretty girl there. And uh, you know, and uh she started talking to me, kind of fell up with the f fell in love with her, and then we just walk away, brother. So I just opened the whole group, I used to let everybody out, and I just walk away with her.

SPEAKER_00 16:59

Wait, you you let everyone out of the rehab?

SPEAKER_02 17:02

I did. You wait, so you were in charge of a of a rehab escape. I I was the second guy in the on the place, you know, like it was a one guy. So, you know, he gave me a chance to be outside with them, smoking a cigarette, blah, blah, blah. So I told him I was like, either way, smash your ass and we bounce, or you bounce with us. And then he said, No, I'll I'll I'll walk away, brother. Go ahead. All right, perfect. So I let everybody out, even the people there crazy, like out of his head, brother, like people talking about like, yo, give me a cookie, man. What's up? People crazy like that, bro. I said, Hey, you wanna come out? So why did you let them all out? It's because I will I was mad, brother. I was mad with all that stuff that they're doing inside, to be honest. That's like when I was 17.

SPEAKER_00 17:49

So, what happened as a result of that? Did you get in big trouble for that? Oh, of course, brother.

SPEAKER_02 17:56

Like with the law or with your parents, or what happened? No, that was with the guys on the group because they're like all together, you know, to be honest, they work with the black people too. So, you know what I mean? So um, there was like two days after I escaped. Um, I called my mom. I said, Mom, you know, I want to be done with this, you know. I don't want to be running away. I just want to be home with you. You know, I'll I'll be good in life, I promise. Blah, blah, blah, you know, and all this stuff. So I said, All right, just come home, you know, and then you you you'll be good. I said, All right, perfect. So I told uh, well, the girl, she went with me to this place, uh, to the mortgage place. It was one door. So she walked through, and I didn't know it was another door in the other side. So she left me there, brother. Oh my she's there.

SPEAKER_00 18:44

She snuck it on you.

SPEAKER_02 18:46

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 18:47

Oh my goodness.

SPEAKER_02 18:48

So she got me and uh pretty much uh came home and I was with the homie, you know, because he was one guy with me the whole time, you know. He was like, you know, he's following me and like he was with me, so whatever. So I was like, hey, I'm just gonna go back home, you know. My mom is cooking mole, I remember a chicken mole with the uh white rice. So he said, if you want to come in, I told him, You want to come in over? You wanna come over? For sure, no problem. You know, let's go. He said, Are you sure, man? Yeah, if you want to, you know, I mean, I'm just back home. All right. So he went with me. It was crazy. So when we get back home, you know, we just order the taxi and then um we just told them we'll pay when we get there, you know, we just run away when we got out of the taxi, you know, used to make it home.

SPEAKER_00 19:36

You are at this point, you're just doing anything that comes to your mind, right? Like, so if you want to go here, you're just gonna go there and if there's consequences, whatever.

SPEAKER_02 19:46

Yeah. And uh so I ended up with my mom, you know, with my homie. So, you know, I remember I was sitting on the table with them, you know, this part of the chicken mole and all this stuff down on the table. I was like, oh my God. I tried the first one, uh first cook. I looked back, I was that fine guy in the back. I was like, boy, I looked back, he was just like, hey, what's happening? Long time, buddy. I was like, oh my god, brother. I don't know, man. Like I felt I had this feeling like right here, when I see that mother in the back, I know I was going back to the rehab brothers. So this big guy is this big guy's from the rehab? Yeah, it was a godfather, you know. They call him godfathers, so you know, and they kind of tell you and all this stuff, but that guy was a bad guy. It was a bad uh uh godfather, but the able one brother, you know, like he worked with all those guys.

SPEAKER_00 20:37

I mean, it was So did your mom call them and tell tell them that you were there then. Yeah, I was coming, yeah. So it's like make him a nice meal, set the trap, and yes. Well, and and you know, you you look at that and it's like, oh, why would my mom do that to me? Well, she was probably super afraid of what you were gonna do, what was gonna happen to you, you know, because if you're taking taxis and running away, and like anyone who upsets you, you're throwing a punch, like you're gonna end up dead, or somebody's gonna kill you, or something's gonna happen. Like you're on a you're on a crash course at this point. So she she does get you back into the rehab. Um, what happens to you after that? Well, when I got back, so they take me back.

SPEAKER_02 21:24

So they got a little beetles, little small old beetles. So they put me inside the car and they take me back to the rehab. So when I got over there, brother, it's when the nightmares start. Nightmares. Yeah, nightmares. Okay, so yeah, uh, so they're like, Okay, so you know, you walk away, so now come over. So they kinda bring me inside, they kinda hang me on a piece of pool. They uh put me in the uh what do you call the when they give you a shot uh with the electricity?

SPEAKER_00 21:55

Like Oh, they're electrocuting you, so they hang you from the ceiling. Yeah, like then. electrocuting you.

SPEAKER_02 22:01

That's right. Right on my leg. And I was just pulling my legs like this, but I couldn't, bro, because I was just so tired, you know? After they beat me up, I mean they yeah, they beat me up really bad and they hang me there and it was just bad, brother. Like it was crazy. So they beat me so much that I when they ended up with me I couldn't even move, bro. You just stuck I said I was just like laying there and uh boy the guy that I know that the one they let me out the one that didn't beat him up kind of helped me I told him like yo uh just do me a favor. Just call my parents and girl has just tell them that I love them so much. Okay. Please do that. So you know so he called him up and I didn't know what happened. So I know that he cold. I know he cold so I woke up I was at the hospital. So I woke up I said what I look around my mom was there and I was like no way I thought I died already you know because I looked and that was my mama my dad I was like what? So I kind of touched him to see if I was real man I was just You thought it was a dream or something. Mm-hmm yeah because I fell asleep and then right after that I just woke up and I was at the hospital. I was like what?

SPEAKER_00 23:13

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SPEAKER_02 24:07

Oh yeah because the guy called them and then told him that I wasn't good at all. So he didn't tell what happened because you're not allowed to say what happened, you know because if you say what happened, I mean I don't know but then people can get in trouble.

SPEAKER_00 24:21

It's a don't don't ask don't tell type of a situation. Right yeah that's what they hide over there yeah and so after your parents come and get you um nothing ever happens to the rehab people for electrocuting you and all of that stuff?

SPEAKER_02 24:36

No.

SPEAKER_00 24:37

To be honest no because I didn't want to say nothing because I know if I tell the government it would be bad because they're with them so I already know what's the whole history of that's why and that's the problem in a corrupt society is you can't just do what's right and then just say okay well they broke they're breaking the law like they don't care. So it's it's one of those deals where you're kind of in it for yourself. Now what what happens with you? Because at some point you do get to go back to the United States.

SPEAKER_02 25:09

Yeah actually like when I got out of rehab uh well when when I got out of the hospital uh with my my mom and dad he's like hey you want to go with me back to the States I was uh sure you know so kind of we went back to the States with my dad because uh I don't want to like give my mom no more problems you know because she already had enough you know so she's worn out on on your behavior so you know I decided to like kind of walk away so we went back with my dad to the States you know and then kind of started working you know for a little bit but I already made all that stuff so kind of got back again you know and then started like doing all those fights and stuff.

SPEAKER_00 25:50

So you fall right back into drugs and drug distribution things like that. So you're you're making good money but you're also breaking the law in America as well. But I was an illegal illegal immigrant so you know when you go you get arrested what they do they is put you in an halt for ice so they send you every Thursday like you know to Mexico they have an illegal today okay so they kind of write you down and they they kind of put you on ice custody that way uh you go to Mexico so and then you just get kind of dumped in Tijuana which is uh I'll be honest I've been through Tijuana a couple of times and it's straight out of a movie like when you go into that place like you used to have to now I think they've got you know a like this freeway that kind of like takes you past all the stuff back when I first started going there you just had to drive through the muck if you wanted if you wanted to go to like Rosa Rito you know and so Rosa Rito's nice but it's like you had to get through that to get there. And I mean now granted I was just like some standard issue white kid but like I was frightened driving through there.

SPEAKER_02 27:03

The thought that you were there existing day to day was that a pretty rowdy time for you I mean it was it wasn't too bad to be honest because when I got there I already belonged to the gang like I already highlight my tattoos and everything all my straps so when I got there you know like you always have the family so I got there with them and then hey welcome so you know kind of start making your money you know that's when you do a little hazle here and there you know yes and so you're are you still selling drugs in Tijuana is that how you're making your money or are how are you making money? No actually I wasn't selling drugs in Tijuana I was just like uh hooking people up with things you know like if you need something I'll probably let you know what it is you know like a customer service kind of thing but on the in the in the neighborhood I like that I like that well you've always kind of had that um that sales knack you know like when I met you even you know you have a you have a personality that's inviting and it and and draws people in. So even in that world I'm sure that also served you well right like you anyone could come and see you you got the big smile I'll take care of it boom boom boom of course yeah yeah yeah um so you you are into the drugs though because you get pretty you get pretty messed up with them right like at at some point you're all skinny and strung out yeah actually yeah when I got deported you know and then you know I wasn't Tijuana can I start like doing drugs back again but there was uh it was uh methamphetamase you know smoking all the stuff and uh you know every time you get high you always want to get more and then you always gotta figure out how to get more so every time I get high you just go to the neighborhood can I check it out who's who was new there or who's coming over to basic from the states you know I can hook up more people from the states you know they're coming across the border that'll be more easier to make more money there you know what the Yeah that makes sense but your family gets wind that you're um you're in some trouble again right like because your brother comes to Tijuana at some point what happens there yeah actually my brother uh he was already living in Tijuana like my brother so he was already living living there so and then he was buying a car for his father in law back in Cabos so I talked to him and he's like brother uh my mom told me uh she wants me to go get you and then if you don't want to come with me she's gonna come over to get you I was like all right I'll come in with you so you know yeah you take option one when mom's about to show up in Tijuana and drag you out of there.

SPEAKER_00 29:48

That's right yeah you don't want to make that chunk right up on your head bro yeah exactly and it it doesn't make you look as tough in the gang when your mom grabs you by the ear and pulls you out of the room that's right not at all so he comes and he gets you and this is a transition for you because uh now it's 2007 um and you are heading to Cabo San Lucas. That's right. Yeah I will say hitting the Cabo San Lucas yeah and you when you got back there um you returned to the Cabo Marina where it all started with your dad and and all that but now you've got the English language as a weapon for you um and you you spoke it well and and that goes a long way like as a tourist when I'm around on the beach it's very comforting when you're not fluent in Spanish when somebody can speak the language and speak our language and so you know and that's what one of the things that I feel more comfortable. Yeah exactly um so what do you do then you just do you immediately start working for somebody or or what do you do?

SPEAKER_02 30:56

Actually first I start hustling over there I met this guy you know like like I always do I just met this guy and then he was uh he was a man in charge at the marina I mean a boardwalk you know not like on the beach the boardwalk so he was in charge there and then he he he seen me every day he said yo what's up good morning you know kind of approached me every time you know like what's up man you want a soda I was like no I'm good I just had a bottle of water bro the thinky you know he always trying to invite me so finally one day I fell and then I ended up with him you know kind of chill and he said yo you speak pretty good English man you know like these guys from the cruise ship we can make a bank I was like oh really okay you know and it was kind of music to my ears I was like oh man you know so I was like already on it you know he gave me a few bags you know of this few that a few bags of that so you know I was just along you know making all the money there but I was just like whatever money I was making I was just using it to myself you know like basically smoking all the money so you would you would just wait for the cruise ships to arrive and then you would sell bags to them yeah you just bro they they just look for whatever they can get bro even you can sell on a horsehead if you want to they start crazy I know and well and and people on a cruise ship they come in and they're just licking their chops you know it's like they just they want life in excess because they're about to go get stuck on that boat again. That's right they just need all this stuff to be tweaking on the boat.

SPEAKER_00 32:34

So how long do you how long do you do this operation before you switch it up?

SPEAKER_02 32:39

Actually it was like not too long because uh probably a couple weeks later uh his boss which it was his cousin he got busted on a on a suburban with like thousands of pills and you know how I got he got busted because he forgot to pay the rent of the car brother yeah man little mistakes big problems oh yeah so you know that's um so that was the end of the uh the end of the cruise ship plan um at some point you end up going back uh you head to the beach right or what what happens where you go back into like selling experiences do you try other things first or what happens actually actually the I remember uh when my brother came to my apartment when I was living with that guy you know because I was living with him and I was all twig out he's laying on the ground you know like all twig out and my brother came he's like hey I just came to grab my brother so he told uh my buddy uh he's like why he said yeah because I just want to take him home you know because he's it's not good oh but he owe me rent he owe me this he owes me that so he pulled up money out of his wallet here if it's enough if he's not don't worry I'll come back I'll pay man of my work all right so you know I'm putting the car with my brother kind of uh went to his house actually I live in his house you know for like probably three weeks you know with his wife and his whole family there you know because I have a place to stay so start walking after that I kind of realized as a man this is not for me at all you know I would just buy myself like you know no kids no what nothing I would just buy myself I was just a twig as a man I gotta find a way to do something with my life you know just one night came up so I woke up in the morning let's get ready to go to the marina and uh I remember uh I asked this guy I asked this guy if he can give me a ride over to Rio just drop me off there on the beach I said yeah sure so he takes me over so I kind of went to Rios and that was uh actually I went to the hotel there was uh my Spurs job there I work at the hotel and the Escuba Caribe actually the activities placed from uh Rios from all the Rios so people who don't know the Rio Hotel there's a couple of them all next to each other now there's three um but it's a a massive facility with uh a whole you know everyone hangs out on the beach out in front of these places but they're all right there on the ocean one two three and uh the Rio did you work at the Santa Fe? Actually I was in the palace because they were like uh finished building a Santa Fe back then they were just finished like building it so they just gotta do all the paint and everything yeah so you were doing what uh you were you were selling excursions for them actually I was the man in charge of the Jesse's place because I was the one that speaks that language so I was in charge there and uh but they didn't give me that much they'll give me like three percent of the sales I was like what this one three percent of my check you know every two weeks my fat check oh yeah 3,000 pesos which that was like $150 for two weeks I was like so did you get annoyed with that pretty quick and and want to get out of there or actually no it was crazy how this happened brother um because uh one time I was the I was the 15 who were getting paid that day right so I didn't get paid so they gave me the check on the 16 in the morning when we're supposed to go put gas on the jet ski just to take him back to put them on the rent right yeah so so I went over there with my check the next the next day so I stopped by the marina I left the jet ski there run to the bank cash my check so I can send money to my mom do you know there so kind of and uh I didn't know that I was the man in charge walking along the marina with he's a little gay dog you know little chihuahua like you know walking around so he sees the jet skis he see the number he called the office who is driving jet ski number six oh Romero oh okay perfect he didn't say nothing he just went back to the hotel so by the time I got back to the hotel with the jet ski full of gas with you know with uh he was out there waiting for me so he said ah okay you're the one huh at the marina I was like yeah I just went to cash uh cash my check boss and you know happy he said no don't call me boss no more you fire I was like what do you mean he said yeah you fire so I said what do you mean you fired what I did wrong he said you're uh you have the jet ski at the marina with nobody on the jet ski I mean and all this stuff yeah but I was out there for a reason I went to cash my check because you're supposed to pay me yesterday and you didn't you pay me today that's why I was over there nope you fired anyways I was like okay if you want me to walk away you walking you walking with me by my side otherwise make me that's what I told them it was a big guy brother like a red skinny guy I was just ready to be like boy you were going back to your old ways here you're like I'm throwing another punch so I walk away and they fire me so a few days after uh a few days after I got fired I was just working at uh in front of the reos right on the beach you know just for myself just to make a little commission just to tell the reel that they cannot do anything with me you know because I was out there you know I mean I was just so you know I was just working with them and all of a sudden that was this guy came up to me and I was like what's up that was just these guys from the beach the the call the owners from Natalia Waterspace company so that was uh the brother of the owner so he came up to me he's like hey what are you doing here man you're not supposed to be here I was like what do you mean because it's all territorial right like everybody your spot is your spot and that's why you find the same people in the same spot because like you sell at this point you know like you want to sell excursions right here you can't go down five hotels and do it that's somebody else's spot that's right so they were already their territory because they're already there when I got to the Rio to be honest they're already there so you know we always like how little you know issues like hey this is my customers man just I don't and I was working at the Rio so I was like hey just don't cross the line just stay all tight you know be all fucking fighting for the real so you know it was just crazy.

SPEAKER_00 39:13

So he came up to me and he said okay uh he's like so how do you gonna handle this I was like you tell me boss you the one came up to me so you tell me how do we handle this and uh he looked at me he looked me up because he's a little shorter so he looked me up and he's like okay how about this I was like well how about if we work with us I'll give you a good deal on the water taxis and then you make a good commission you send the people to me sure and I have a shirt for you I have a shirt for you so he gave me a shirt a brand new shirt a white one I remember Natalia water's first it was my first shirt and uh you know so they see me bro like filling up all their boats you know and I was just one person sitting at the corner you know when there was everybody together on the other side so I was just by myself doing my thing bro counting all the money you know so yeah so you end up uh you end up doing pretty good there um because you know you're you're rocking and rolling and don't you work a deal where you get um some sort of like a weekend deal like because weren't they closed for a day of the week actually it was um so after I got that shirt so you know kind of bring my brother over then my brother Offie the one that saved me over you know so I'll kind of bring him over and say hey you want to work with me over there man I got this spot I know these guys you know the sure suck so I'll bring him over and he starts working with me so he was my plug and I was with two of us there you know with my brother so you know uh time passed by you know a few months we're working we're good so the guys he sees you know like the owner he's like no I see I mean I was the one you see uh I see in the company they were taking the day off on Sunday so they weren't working Sunday at all so I was just me and my brother just making all the commission with no jet skis no boats it was just crazy man I was like wow so we put them on the table you know one time we're like yo Mike um what do you think if we're working on Sundays you know just give us a little something something you know you send the guys over with us and the trucks all the jet skis and we'll take care of the rest don't you worry okay so yeah one time the well the first Sunday yeah we came out with like five grand brother and you know how much commission was for us it was uh 20% so of those uh those five thousand you get like a thousand bucks divided by two it was like five hundred each so I'll give my brother five hundred I get five hundred plus whatever we make the commission that is but ooh that was just crazy and like all his family you know like his nephews and his cousins they were hating because why you let him take care of your business we we're your family we're your nephew this and that why them he's like because they are smart than you guys that's why you know and they're like that's right well and you do so well that you actually get yourself dialed in with a Cadillac escalade with the RAMs and the sound system and you were even uh starting to look at looking at properties I mean you were doing pretty well yeah because uh we're making pretty good commission and I was smart enough to figure it out how to spend that money in something good that is gonna be probably good in a few years you know so I would just probably piece of land and then start buying uh my first piece of land that's where we built our house uh my house your house anytime and um so that was the first house that we built and then we bought the house and I was trading with my girl when we bought our first house because she was the one that kind of she was the one kind of kind of point right way right after I was making all the money I always need someone as martyrs so she was the one like she got up there you know yes and having a good spouse or you know a good lady in your life goes a long way they keep you grounded they keep you from going back off the rails you know you think about you've come a long way at this point from that guy who's all dilapidated in Tijuana strung out laying on the ground to where you are now where you've got cash you've got a lady you've got a business you've got a plan I mean you probably felt like you had made it or you had survived the hurricane the Fit for radio podcast is brought to you in part by Motorsport Hillsboro, which you gotta go in and stand the inventory of everything off road is right there for you, including the gas gas electric mountain bikes and you can go all the way up to the trail ready aggressive bike that is 60% off going for $21.99 right now. 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SPEAKER_02 45:01

Actually, you know how he was making all the money, you know. Like we'll bring him all the money every day because he got a pretty good employees, you know. So we give him a pretty good amount every day. So he ended up with some girls, you know, like younger girls, you know, buying some um a brand new bag, you know, like uh uh some clothes and all this stuff, give them all the money, getting all twigs.

SPEAKER_00 45:21

The sugar daddy is what we would call it here.

SPEAKER_02 45:24

Okay, okay, yeah. It was a pretty uh good sugar daddy because he was giving away pretty good prices, to be honest. So he got all the and all the all and all those drugs, you know, he got all twigged out and he started selling like all his company by apart. He started selling all the boats to all uh to all the people, like a Vanda Marina and like like me stuff like that. And uh he just barely had a last boat, you know, and he kind of pushed me to buy it. Because I didn't want no problems, to be honest, because I know how it is. When he got all like that, you know, I mean, it was a big guy too. So you know what I mean? So we get all tweaked out. I mean, I know how he was. So I was like, you know what? It's no point. So he came up like, yo, just buy my boat, man. I gotta have the shop, bro. You got your truck, just take it to the pawn shop and then you're good. That's uh so I went over my my house. So that day I didn't say nothing. So I'll tell you tomorrow, bro. Don't worry, let me work. Let me put some things together and I'll tell you. So I got home, then I asked my mom, my dad, my brothers, everybody. Like, hey, I should have buyed a boat, but uh, don't even buy problems. Don't even buy the boat because that's you buying problems for yourself. I was like, Wait, okay. So I came home, you know, I used to see my wife, and uh, you know, I remember said, baby, uh Moss wants me to buy his boat. What do you think? I think um she buy it. If you want to buy it, let's do it. And I told her, hey, but you gotta be ready because you gotta walk. Because I'm gonna take the truck to the punch shop. You gotta take her kid uh on the bus to the kindergarten. He said, Oh, okay. Yeah, I'm fine. He said, Don't you worry. She was there.

SPEAKER_00 47:03

So you had to you had to sell your car to buy the boat.

SPEAKER_02 47:06

Actually, I'll take it to the punch up and I got it back right after. Yeah, I'll take it to the punch up for like they'll give me like it was like 35, yeah, I guess for the $3,500. And I just got it back for like $4,000, like a few months later.

SPEAKER_00 47:20

Oh, okay. So you just you lost a little bit of cash, but you were able to buy the boat that you you wanted.

SPEAKER_02 47:28

Yeah, actually, I just gave him whatever I have, you know, all the money. We just signed out the contract. I didn't know if he had the boat or not. That was just his word. So we went over and then find the boat, and then you know he had it. So, you know, we uh give him all the money, we were able to get the boat, and the engine was at uh some place, so I just got it back with another $500 because uh, you know, so I just put them all together, and that was the first boat uh that we buy from uh Max. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 47:57

And so you ended up that wasn't the end of buying boats though, because that did that just start the a new plan, a new process for you?

SPEAKER_02 48:06

Actually, uh when I bought the first boat, it was uh actually he kind of paid half of the boat with his money because he was like working like kind of for me, like sending all the well-watching tourists on my boat. So every time he sent like two uh ten people and it was like five thousand they have to pay muscle, just keep it, you just write it down, just keep it, just write it down. And that's how he paid us his like for the his uh the boating itself, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 48:31

Ah, so you just kind of built up those credits, and then when you had enough credits, you got more of his boats. Because you get the you get Natalia one and then eventually Natalia two.

SPEAKER_02 48:44

Yeah, actually, uh I just bought the boat, but uh like the rest of the people that buy the boats from him, they changed the name of the uh the boat. You know, it was uh they changed it to Natalia to Carla, whatever. So he changed it up all the names. And I wasn't, I was the only one that kept the name. I was like, hmm, has the name, it's already like on it, it's already on the air, you know, why not?

SPEAKER_00 49:07

It's already established, people know it.

SPEAKER_02 49:10

So I kind of kept it, and then uh yeah, with the first boat, like every every well-watching season kind of gave me enough to buy another boat. So we bought a brand new one from Sinaloa. We just ordered it how we want it, you know. I said, No, it's just a boat to ride or run, you know, kind of chill. You don't want to be sitting on a boat and somebody's like dumping it, you know what I mean? Like, no. So we just so we just bought the second boat and uh pretty much uh right after we went to the third one, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 49:40

So you've you've got a fleet of four boats at one point, is that what you got up to?

SPEAKER_02 49:45

Yeah, actually, we have four boats, and uh we had uh one uh big boat. It was like a yacht, it was uh, you know, for like eight people, but it was uh it's broken, so we kind of just bring it over to the company to fix it.

SPEAKER_00 49:58

So you do so well that you're able to build a workshop, bought a house and a truck, um, purchased a larger boat um with cash to bring in as a new project. I mean, right there, you're doing very well for a guy who started off just grinding in the marina or on the beach in Mexico. Um, but there is a shift where something happens. Um, and now there's always as an American, we always fear that somebody's going to extort us when we go there, or somebody's going to get you into a situation where now you have to pay to get out of it or whatever. It's just, and whether it happens or not, you know, I've been to Mexico so many times, and it's never happened to me. I've been through some sketchy stuff, and and you know that. But at the same time, um it it's one of those things where it's always in the back of your mind, and it's people who are from Mexico aren't safe from that necessarily, because at some point somebody comes to you and wants money.

SPEAKER_02 51:07

Yeah. Actually, the first person that asks you for money, it'll be the government. Because if you don't have your papers, right, I mean, they just stop, you know, at the office or at your place or whatever, and um, they kind of be like, okay, you don't have your permanent, this and that, but if you want me this amount of money every week, um, you know, you're good to go.

SPEAKER_00 51:29

So it's not just the criminals, it's also the cops.

SPEAKER_02 51:33

Oh yeah, it is the cops and the criminals together. They is like, they had a big they had a big gang, man, like a big one right now. It's just taking all over Mexico, brother. I don't know if you see that on the news, but probably you see uh a few chapters on the news of Wahoo and the case.

SPEAKER_00 51:49

We see the more dramatic stuff, um, and but the it's the little things that go on day to day down there that um that have gotten a little sketchier, even from when I started going there in 2011. Yeah. Beyond the government, um, like because you kind of have to pay them, right? Like if they come to you and tell you you need to pay, you can't just like you can't throw that right hook that you love so much. Uh no, you can't.

SPEAKER_02 52:16

Not at all because if you I mean, you can. You you still can't. You can throw the punch. You can throw it. Yeah, you can knock him out and just walk away, but don't come back.

SPEAKER_00 52:29

That's so true. So what happened? Um, because at a point, armed men working with corrupt officials showed up demanding money from you.

SPEAKER_02 52:38

Actually, yeah, that's uh, you know, they just come over to you and they're like, okay, man, you're working over here, you're making this much, you gotta give me this much a month. If you don't, you know what's gonna happen. And pretty much, I mean, what do you do? I mean, you just gotta do it.

SPEAKER_00 52:53

Mm-hmm. So, but you push back on this though, don't you? Like you you tell them you're not gonna pay at some point.

SPEAKER_02 53:03

Yeah, because they want like so much, they want like around $300 a month. So, you know, it used for me to work there, and I say, nah, you know what? I've been in so much stuff already that I'm not gonna pay anything, you know, because I mean I'd rather not work than pay them, you know.

SPEAKER_00 53:21

Yeah, you're working to give them the money.

SPEAKER_02 53:23

Mm-hmm. I mean, it's no point for me to be like, hey, how you doing, 40? Hey, let me help you spend your money. So I'm gonna give it away. You know, mm-mm.

SPEAKER_00 53:31

I'd rather be able to You can't go to the authorities because it's the same issue where it will just escalate the problem. They are part of the problem. So, you know, going there just makes your issue bigger.

SPEAKER_02 53:43

Oh, yeah. Because if what you do, if you go to the police and you tell them what happened, what they do, they call them. And they they they tell them, like, okay, uh, Romero came down and he was talking about you, he was saying all this, all that, and yeah, pretty much this is how they are. And uh, yeah, pretty much it's bad.

SPEAKER_00 54:02

So when you so what do you do? You you decide to you decide to say no, but they start to push back?

SPEAKER_02 54:10

Actually, when I say no, when they were they did, uh they didn't say nothing that minute, but I can see like when they came over to my house and uh probably they were looking for me. But I was uh I was at the uh we were having a dinner in town with my grandkids that night when they came down and they pretty much rake into my house, you know, pretty much looking for me, you know.

SPEAKER_00 54:35

Did they did they ransack the place? Did they do that?

SPEAKER_02 54:38

Oh, they break all the doors, they steal everything, they were searching my house because they were thinking that I have like so much money and all this stuff, but people were thinking, I guess. And uh yeah, they'll search everything. And uh yeah, pretty much uh they stored it, they destroyed everything over there, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 54:56

Now, there were some other things too. Didn't um in this process they went after your brother-in-law?

SPEAKER_02 55:04

Actually, yeah, because they were looking like for some of us, you know. So they went over to my brother-in-law's house. That was actually my sister's house, and uh they found my brother-in-law and they beat the fuck out of him. Just because they couldn't find me, I guess.

SPEAKER_00 55:18

They just wanted to prove a point or or deliver a message?

SPEAKER_02 55:21

Yeah, they just wanna deliver a message, I guess, and then they wanna they probably they were looking for me. And then they got so mad, and that's why they did that, I guess. How bad did they beat him? Oh, they beat him up really bad, bro. He used barely walk. Like his legs are all fucked up, like his body is so fucked up, he used barely walks. I mean, finally, you know, like he walks better, but uh back in the days, bro. When I saw, man, I was bad, you know?

SPEAKER_00 55:49

And that's frustrating, you know. That's your family, those are your people, and like the last thing you want is for them to get hurt, and then this happens, and the the people who are doing it are doing it in your name, which is completely unfair, you know, because it's like they're trying to hurt the people you care about, but it's probably weighing on you that he's hurt because of you. Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 56:12

You know, and it's not your fault, but it's like you Yeah, but at the same time, it's kind it's kind of my fault because uh the problem I started up with me, now we're done. I mean, he's not all the way, but I kind of, you know, I feel a little guilty there, you know, because they couldn't get me and they get somebody else. It's kind of bad, you know.

SPEAKER_00 56:31

Like, yeah. So what do you do? Because I I mean I would be really afraid now, right? Like, because they they're looking for you. They find someone who's not you and they beat the crap out of them. So it's like, are you afraid? Because I'd be afraid for my kids and for my wife and for everything else at this point.

SPEAKER_02 56:51

Actually, that's the reason I kind of move away out of the state because you decide to leave Cabo. Yeah, to be honest, because it's not worth it. To be honest, because they cannot get what I have with this this. You know what I mean? They can get all my stuff, they can get the boats, they can get my truck, they can get the land, they can get whatever. But they cannot get what I have my head, brother.

SPEAKER_00 57:18

And this what I work with. Do you have to leave in the middle of the night? Do you have to like do you what do you what do you what's the plan?

SPEAKER_02 57:25

Actually actually when they came over to my house, uh, we're out. We were out of dinner. So when we came back, kind of see everything destroyed, and then we kinda grabbed whatever we could there and then we just left right at that moment.

SPEAKER_00 57:42

And that was it.

SPEAKER_02 57:44

Yeah, yeah, we was done, yeah. You never came back there or no, I've been out of my state for about a year now. Yeah, because we left around May something, because they came over to the beach too, and uh they couldn't get me there, I guess, because uh when I was walking away from work, I see one of the guys there, and then he was on the phone and he was looking at me. So I think he was telling uh his boss or something, like, oh yeah, he's walking, um, he's walking out of Rio right now, I think.

SPEAKER_00 58:15

But so yeah, it's uh So what what's your thought there? I mean, you've been gone for almost a year and you obviously you took the most uh important things, which is your family, but you also left everything else behind, not just your business, but any friends you might have. I mean, that's your whole ecosystem. Did that did that weigh on you?

SPEAKER_02 58:39

Actually, quite a few, you know, because it's really hard for them, you know, because they don't have like the backup anymore like they used to have, you know. Because if something comes up, they always call like, yo, Romero, where you at? Uh this this is this and that's happening. Okay, I'll be there. Just give me a few minutes. And I'm always there for them. And uh, you know, I feel bad because I cannot do anything, but what can I do? You know, I just gotta make sure that my family's safe, and then after that, see where it's gonna come up, I guess, you know.

SPEAKER_00 59:09

So when you move, do you go, what do you do for business? Like, how are you making ends meet now that you're in a completely different environment?

SPEAKER_02 59:18

Okay, actually, I have uh uh quite a few customers from years, you know. I mean, they're not customers, to be honest, they're friends. Because, you know, I talk to quite a few, you know, and then when they're coming down to Cabos, they're like, yo, I want to get a private. Yeah, okay, I'll I know you're not here, but don't worry. I got you. And then, you know, they set out the boat with me online. Like, you know, you can get on uh Natalia Water Sports and then book your trip there, or in my website, you know, like Jesus Romero. And uh there's how I kind of you know support my family now, you know. Uh quite that's impressive.

SPEAKER_00 59:52

Well, and with you, you know, it's it's the same reason why you and I are friends is you know, I would leave, I would go to Cabo, and then for I wouldn't be back for a year, you wouldn't even know I was coming, and then I would just, and I always came right around the same time of the summer, like that same couple of weeks. But uh I remember being like, Hey Zeus, and you turn around and he was like, Boom, hey, buddy, like immediately remembered me every time. You know, and so it was so I always thought that was cool. And um, you know, like, and so I had a radio show too. And when we first met, my radio show was called The Donkey Show. And um, and then you know, I would come back year after year, and then I would tell you where I was at or what I was doing, and like I'd get these random texts or calls with a Mexico number, and it's like, I know who that is. There's only one guy calling me from Mexico. Um, and so it was a cool, it was a cool friendship. I mean, you even um at one point um you guys got uh like little outfits for my kids when they were little and like they they loved those things. And so you were always um, you know, I didn't necessarily need protection on the beach, but I always felt a little bit safer uh that you were like right there and that you know, I could always I always if somebody get a little sideways trying to barter with me, I could just point over to you and then be like, all right, it's all good.

SPEAKER_01 1:01:13

Go give me a rubber to try.

SPEAKER_00 1:01:17

But yeah, so I mean, those were those were great times. And so I think you're right that you know they can extort you, they can take your money, they can take they can take whatever they want, they can attack, they can hurt, they can throttle your house, but they can't take your mind, and that's what makes you who you are. Um what are you planning on doing next? Uh do you think that things will ever calm down to the point where you can return to Cabo, or is that ship completely sailed at this point?

SPEAKER_02 1:01:46

It's really hard to say, brother, because right now with everything and it's happening in Mexico, it's just bad, brother. Like, you know how all the corruption, how the government, if the government is involved with them. I mean, it just I don't know. It'll be hard, bro. To be honest, I've been thinking the best way to do it would be just to just make a big old sail and just walk away.

SPEAKER_01 1:02:10

Mm-hmm.

SPEAKER_02 1:02:11

I already worked enough, I guess.

SPEAKER_00 1:02:14

Well, and that's that is a tough job, you know, like especially being on the beach all day. That's a lot of sunshine on your body, you know, and and everybody does it different, people with big hats or people with you know the covering for your face to keep you from you know getting cooked all day. But you know, it it is, I mean, you work many years out there, that's a lot, and people are like, Oh, you're just on the beach. No, you're grinding in the heat on the beach. Yeah, you're not in the water, like chilling, you're going hard all the time. So I could see how you'd be tired.

SPEAKER_02 1:02:47

Yeah, and now with uh all the stuff that is happening, like the prices, brother, they're so low. Watch this. You can ride a camel right now for $75 with food, drinks, pickup, and everything. So, okay, if you pay $75, right for the trip or whatever, you know how I'll be making of that? I'll be making like ten dollars, brother. So it's no point to be on the beach anymore.

SPEAKER_00 1:03:16

Yeah, the the money's not there.

SPEAKER_02 1:03:18

No, not anymore. It used to be there, but not anymore.

SPEAKER_00 1:03:23

I I mean the first time I went there, I just went ham. You know, I bought like three pairs of sunglasses that broke in an hour. I had a guy rubbing speed stick on my shoulder, giving me a fake tattoo. And I had I was doing it all right there at the beginning. And the more I went, the less, the more I like learned my lesson about certain things and and whatever. But like taking my kids down to the beach and stuff to like let them barter or whatever. I guess here's a question for you. And I want to do like a whole thing where we just break down that beach experience, but answer this question. You know, like all these tourists are down there bartering, bartering, bartering, trying to like get a different price. Is the price set at a basement always? And that it's just where you can bring it up as your profit.

SPEAKER_02 1:04:13

That's right.

SPEAKER_00 1:04:14

Yeah, it's always like that. So you probably never brought it down to the baseline, but you know, for a buddy, would you bring it close to the baseline?

SPEAKER_02 1:04:23

Yeah, actually, close. Like if you're making like if it fees a buddy, I mean, you just gotta make like five dollars or whatever a person. You know what I mean? Like just to get because I have to buy papers to uh fill out your tickets, fans. I mean, I gotta pay all the starting money. I mean, you you know what I mean? I gotta put all the money on.

unknown 1:04:41

So yeah.

SPEAKER_00 1:04:42

I totally get it. Well, it's great having you on, and uh, I want to stay in contact. I want to see where you head next. Um, I'm super happy to see you out on the other side of this. I mean, uh, I had a guy on the show a couple of weeks ago who was, you know, he was deep in meth um addiction too. And I think we're finding more and more that people who feel lost in drugs can see that there is hope and you can get out of it. Uh, it might be a long and winding road, but here you are looking healthy. Uh, have all the uh all the color and and weight in in your face that makes you look healthy. So um I'm just I'm just stoked to see you out on the other side of it, and I wish you nothing but the best. Um where can people if people want to come, so where are you currently um selling excursions at?

SPEAKER_02 1:05:37

Okay, well, if you get on uh on Facebook, uh you can find me like Natalia Watersports on Facebook, or you can go on uh um on Instagram, uh Romero Cabos. Yeah, Romero Cabos on Instagram, or TikTok Romero Cabos. You can just uh send me a message there and then I can hook you up. You know, you don't really have to see me. I mean, all you gotta do is gotta enjoy the day, you know. I kinda Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 1:06:04

Yeah, pretty much Well, you are you are the best, and I will say, um, you called me right after I lost my job, which I appreciated. And um, for anybody who did hasn't called me, this guy called from Mexico, so shame on yourself. Um and yeah, shame on yourself. Shame on yourself. Uh well, all right. Well, the and you are a grinder. I I appreciate you. He's kept his whole family at bay and quiet during this interview. So uh a family man, a businessman, and a friend of mine. Jesus Romero, thanks for coming on the show, buddy. Thank you very much for inviting me. We'll talk soon, bud. Okay. There you go.