Episode 13-How an Ex-Gang Member Became an Army Ranger: Angel Cortes’ Journey

Angel Cortes’ story is one of resilience, sacrifice, and transformation. In this episode, I sit down with Angel Cortes, a former Army Ranger who served in both Afghanistan and Iraq. Angel opens up about his tough childhood, where hardship and struggle led him down the path of gang life. But instead of letting his past define him, he found discipline and purpose in the military. We dive deep into how his deployments shaped him, the mental and physical battles he faced overseas, and the lessons he carried forward from the battlefield. His transformation is a powerful story of resilience, redemption, and the will to keep pushing forward. Angel also shares his work with Defense Strategies Group, a security company he co-founded to train people in self-defense and tactical preparedness. Now, he’s using his experience to help others stay safe and develop the skills needed to protect themselves. His journey—from the streets to the front lines and now to training others—is nothing short of inspiring. If you’re looking for a story about grit, growth, and second chances, this one’s for you. ______________________________________________________________ IG: https://www.instagram.com/angelgcortes175 IG: https://www.instagram.com/the_og_pumpkin IG: https://www.instagram.com/trainingcenterla Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5bH6wg7ln8lTc7BVMJ-wDw My IG: https://www.instagram.com/theresilientwarrior5778/ ______________________________________________________________ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices