This week on the Bruce Lee Foundation's takeover of the Bruceley podcast for the month of May, AANHPI and Mental Health Awareness Month.

We have, as our guest, Rudy Mata.

Now, you may not know who Rudy Mata is, but let me tell you who he is a little bit and why we're talking

to him. I met Rudy at an L.A. County Youth Mental Health Summit a few years back, where he was in

attendance sharing his story and powerful messages about self-worth and generational healing

and the importance of safe nurturing spaces for young people that are led by young people,

not just spaces for young people that are being dictated by people who are not young people

and not encountering what they are encountering.

We just had an instant connection and he has since come to some of our foundation events.

And because it is Mental Health Awareness Month,

we wanted to talk to somebody who is really dedicating And because it is Mental Health Awareness Month,

we wanted to talk to somebody who is really dedicating their life to this purpose and this cause.

Now, Rudy is a registered substance use disorder counselor.

He's a youth advocate. He's an environmentalist. He's an artist and a poet.

And he is a father. And his story is one that you'll hear about in this episode. He grew up in foster care. He was formerly incarcerated. It was a bit of a rough start to life,

to say the least. But he is living proof that your past does not have to define your future

and that you can transform yourself and that you can go within and do the work and heal and come out and want to pass that

along to others. So we wanted to have this conversation because of his deep rooted beliefs in

the power of community,

the power of art and love to guide youth and people to their true potential.

And he really walks the walk.

So Rudy is now working toward a bachelor's degree in social work.

...