Ego Is Not Your Amigo: Radical Self-Reliance, Haiti, Burning Man & Authentic Living w/ David Robles

What does it *really* mean to live authentically when the world keeps asking you to compromise?In this episode of the **Free and Open Mind Podcast**, hosts **Hardy Brooklyn** and **Stan Nelson** sit down with **David Robles** — New Yorker, entrepreneur, Coast Guard officer, and fearless truth-teller — whose life journey runs from Brooklyn to North Africa and Haiti, from Burning Man to the music industry, and from exposing corruption to building a life rooted in integrity.**You’ll hear David talk about:**• Surviving Haiti during earthquake relief and what happens when you’re *not sure you’ll make it home*• How Burning Man and refugee camps share the same DNA of civil engineering and radical self-reliance • The dark side of the entertainment industry and why he walked away — even under threat • Why **“ego is not your amigo”** and how that simple idea can transform your relationships, career, and mental health • The power of human connection, from free hugs in Union Square to offering a coffee to someone on the edge • How his relationship and engagement to Lily grounded his values and redefined success • Why your **network is your net worth**, and why money, status, and labels are not the point of lifeIf you’ve ever felt like something in your life is “off,” like you’re living for others’ expectations instead of your own truth, this conversation will challenge you to rethink:• What you value • Whom you surround yourself with • And how you show up in the world — especially when things fall apart**Key themes:** authenticity, ego, radical self-reliance, mental health after COVID, Coast Guard & emergency response, Burning Man, relationships, human connection.🔔 **Subscribe** to the Free and Open Mind Podcast for more real conversations with people who live courageously and authentically. 👍 If this resonated, hit **Like**, drop a comment with your biggest takeaway, and **share** this episode with someone who needs to hear that *ego is not their amigo*.**Connect with us:**• **Hardy Brooklyn (Host & Life Coach)**: boxofrain.nyc | hardybrooklyn.nyc | Instagram @hardybrooklyn • **Stan Nelson (Host & Moving Forward & Goal Success Coach**: Website & Blog: https://coachingwithstan.com.au • **Guest – David Robles**: Instagram/Facebook: **@DavidRoblesNYC**, **David Atlas OSS** | Brand: **Atlas Solution**🎧 **Listen Live:** Free & Open Mind streams **live every Friday at 9 AM (ET)**. ▶️ **Replay & Watch:** Full episodes are posted on YouTube the same day.