From hungry and homeless to hope. Good mentors change lives.

Jacob Pacheco climbing the ancient stairs of Machu Picchu with his hands on each step, showing determination and focus.

Good mentors change lives. I went from hungry, homeless with no money, to hope from their helping hand.  My breaking point It’s Mid-August in the Central Valley of California. The hottest day of summer, it’s a dry smothering heat that will cook an egg on a sidewalk. I’m sitting in my parked car boiling, because…

Read More

How to Overcome Adversity: Transforming Setbacks to Stoke

Jacob Pacheco competing in Wales in 2019, showcasing his skills as an elite adaptive athlete on a surfboard.

I have spent a lifetime learning how to overcome my adversity. This shirt tells my story in seconds. A dark blue T-shirt displays seven tally marks next to ‘fell down’ below that it says ‘got up’ with eight tally marks next to it. This shirt honors the grit, pain, and patience it took for me…

Read More

Being patient through the pain

"Before and after photo showing Jacob Pacheco as a toddler with canes and, as an adult, a shirtless surfer model on the beach in a black and white photo.

My name is Jacob Pacheco. I wrote a small poem, “Being patient through the pain”. I was born with a physical disability, as a child I was bullied, beaten, and broken. I had to rebuild my mind, body and soul as a result of those experiences. I’m proud to be here today. These are words…

Read More