#277 Bad Boy No More: A Tale of Redemption and Growth with Paul VanSteenis

Our next guest, Paul VanSteenis, welcomes us into his exquisite home in a beautiful subdivision in Houston. The house is adorned with elements from various cultures, reflecting the well-traveled life of his executive father. As we settle around the kitchen table, we anticipate that Paul's story will be an extraordinary one—a life filled with captivating side stories and a depth that could easily fill the pages of a book.Paul's journey began in Seal Beach, California, where he proudly describes himself as a "bad, bad boy." He was expelled from multiple schools, driven by an inherent inclination to do things his way, with little regard for the consequences. This rebellious attitude became Paul's signature style, a constant throughout his life. While it often brought him challenges, he has since learned to channel this energy in a positive manner, leading him to build a successful business and brand.In a lighthearted moment, Paul shares a recent incident involving a letter he received from Oral Roberts University, informing him that they were ready to issue his college degree from 18 years ago. However, he had apparently missed a tennis class and needed to complete it in order to receive his degree—an amusing reminder of the twists and turns life can take.Beyond the funny anecdotes, Paul's story revolves around the choices he made. He deliberately chose to associate himself with the "cool kids," the bad kids, the edgy ones. However, he recognized that a pivotal shift occurred when he started spending time with the "nerds." These new connections and influences led him on a path of personal growth and transformation.Paul candidly shares his past struggles, including being arrested by a SWAT team and battling addiction to heroin for a period of time. However, today he has successfully established a marketing company. He emphasizes the importance of valuing human life and striving to improve oneself by just one percent each day. Above all, he advocates for choosing to surround oneself with those who inspire intellectual curiosity and growth—the "nerds" who can truly make a positive impact on our lives.As we embark on this episode, we look forward to delving deeper into Paul's unique and multifaceted journey. His story serves as a reminder that our choices shape our destinies, and that by embracing personal growth and meaningful connections, we can overcome challenges and build a fulfilling life. For more of The Jar, visit:Website: https://www.thejar.live/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaTqB1dhDvl0Oh505ysdxTgFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/podcast.thejarInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejar_podcast/Disclaimer: The views stated in this episode are our guest's opinions and do not represent the views, beliefs or opinions of The Jar Podcast. Our goal is to provide a platform for everyone no matter what they believe, and we would like to continue to do that while making it clear our guests are not a representation of The Jar Podcast.