Primo Paulie's Fight for Redemption | Richard Cabral, Real Ones Pt. 2

Paulie Navarro shares his harrowing experiences of growing up in a dysfunctional home environment marked by substance abuse and a cycle of abuse and neglect, shedding light on the long-term effects of such an upbringing.

Paulie's traumatic upbringing in a dysfunctional home environment, including substance abuse and abuse from his father

As a child, Paulie witnessed his father and uncles abuse substances such as crack, cocaine, PCP, and cheap alcohol like Cobra beer. He describes his father as a "full-blown drunk" who was heavily into PCP and crack cocaine, often treating him poorly compared to his siblings. The family environment was chaotic and unsafe, with substance abuse creating a neglectful and abusive atmosphere.

Paulie's father was a heavy drug user and abusive alcoholic, and his uncle was also an alcoholic and drug addict

Paulie provides a glimpse into the severity of his family's dysfunction. His father was an abusive alcoholic, and his uncle was a "full-blown alcoholic drug addict." Even when his father was urgently in need of hospitalization, his mother refused to take him, forcing Paulie and his brother to carry their father to the car.

Paulie's mother was often absent, leaving him vulnerable to the abuse and neglect of his father and uncle

Paulie's mother was frequently absent due to work, leaving him alone and afraid of doing chores incorrectly for fear of physical punishment from his father. During one harrowing incident, Paulie's mother was in the room watching TV and did not intervene as his uncle engaged in self-harm in the kitchen.

Paulie experienced significant trauma as a young child, including witnessing his uncle's self-harm and his father's deteriorating health

From an early age, Pauli ...

Paulie Navarro's life provides a stark illustration of how a traumatic childhood can lead to substance abuse and a cycle of incarceration. His story highlights the tragic results of using drugs as a coping mechanism and the challenges of breaking free from a life interwoven with drug use and crime.

Paulie's descent into substance abuse and criminal behavior as a coping mechanism for his traumatic childhood

By the tender age of 11 or 12, Paulie Navarro started smoking marijuana and not long after, escalated to [restricted term] and [restricted term]. To cope with his home life and the abuse he endured, Paulie began injecting drugs to maintain longer highs, though he kept this heavier usage hidden from friends and family by doing it alone.

Paulie Navarro's substance abuse originated in his pre-teen years and rapidly intensified. Seeking to escape his traumatic home life, Paulie initially turned to marijuana. As the effects of drugs like marijuana began to wane, he ascended to stronger substances such as [restricted term] and [restricted term] to help him medicate his escalating needs—eventually leading to intravenous drug use for prolonged highs.

He described a life dominated by substance abuse until he found sobriety five years ago, after a stint in rehab in San Pedro. The intensity of Paulie's early drug use, often occurring in isolation, presaged a difficult battle ahead.

Paulie began using drugs like marijuana, [restricted term], and heroin as a pre-teen to self-medicate and escape his home life

Fundamentally, his substance abuse was tightly interwoven with his domestic turmoil. At about 12 years old, Paulie reached a critical juncture, defending himself from his father's drunken tirades with a kitchen knife—this incident illustrated the violence that plagued his upbringing and foreshadowed his inclination for extreme actions, often correlating with criminal behavior later on.

Paulie admits to having become a full-fledged drug addict experiencing continuous cycles of jail time and rehab stints. Despite receiving support, particularly from a cousin, he found achieving sobriety an immense challenge. On one occasion, after escorting his father to the hospital, Paulie and his brother pursued drugs as a form of solace, underscoring drug use as their coping mechanism.

Substance use was normalized in his familial interactions, such as smoking [restricted term] and drinking beer with his father, which he considered akin to bonding activities. His recurrent law-breaking behavior, exemplified by driving illegally while on parole, further entrenched his cycles of criminality and substance misuse.

Paulie's drug use led to repeated cycles of incarceration, parole violations, and further criminal activity

While Rich Cabral, Paulie's cousin, recollected providing Paulie with PCP when he was about 15, Paulie himself recollected his father's use of "sherm." This familial inclination toward drug use was not only passively absorbed but was actively enforced, as demonstrated by Cabral's insistence on Paulie using [restricted term].

Reflecting on their environment, Cabral alluded to the streets' pressures requiring an ...

Paulie's story is one of transformation and healing. Through commitment to spiritual and cultural practices, he finds renewed purpose, strength, and a path to recovery.

Paulie's journey of finding purpose, meaning, and a path to recovery through spiritual and cultural practices

Paulie speaks from his heart about the power of traditional ceremonies and rituals that have profoundly influenced his life and helped him overcome personal struggles.

Paulie discovered the power of traditional ceremonies and rituals to help him process his trauma and find inner peace

Through his participation in ceremonies, Paulie intimates how these spiritual activities positively impact him. He senses a profound connection and guidance during these practices, feeling that the Spirit communicates with him, offering clarity and direction.

Paulie credits these spiritual practices with giving him the strength and motivation to get sober and make positive changes in his life

Paulie attests to the transformative power of his spiritual practices, emphasizing that they have not only made him stronger—mentally, physically, and spiritually—but also instrumental in his sobriety. Using traditional medicine as a daily "reset," he aligns these practices with his Chicano and Aztec heritage, making them an integral part of his identity and recovery journey.

Paulie's ...

Paulie and Rich Cabral both discuss the profound impact fatherhood has had on them, and their desire to break the cycle of dysfunction and trauma for the sake of their children.

Paulie's realization that he needed to break the cycle of dysfunction and trauma for the sake of his own daughter

Paulie did not want his daughter Alexis to suffer the neglect and abuse he experienced during his childhood. His love for Alexis and the realization of his role as a father inspired him to make a significant change in his life. He became determined to get sober and transform himself into the positive role model he himself never had. Through his incarceration, he saw pictures of his daughter which motivated him to improve. Paulie highlighted the importance of not allowing his daughter to grow up too fast and to enjoy a carefree childhood, things he did not experience. He is dedicated to providing proper guidance and support, emphasizing the need to create an upbringing that Alexis could look back on with gratitude.

Becoming a father inspired Paulie to get sober and work on becoming the positive role model he never had growing up

Paulie made a conscious decision to change his behavior while reflecting on his past during his time in prison. He recognized that to be a better person for his daughter, he needed to break away from his previous lifestyle. This realization was a powerful catalyst in Paulie's life, inspiring him to pursue sobriety and provide a stable environment for Alexis.

Paulie is committed to guiding his daughter in a way that allows her to enjoy a carefree childhood and avoid the pitfalls that plagued his own upbringing

Paulie understands the importance of a proper guidance system and aims to instill positive values and encour ...

Paulie's involvement with the Homeboys organization and how it played a pivotal role in his personal transformation

Paulie Navarro's life underwent a profound change due to his involvement with Homeboys Industry, the world's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to helping former gang members and previously incarcerated individuals.

Paulie found a sense of community, purpose, and support at Homeboys that he had never experienced before

Navarro found in Homeboys a spiritually meaningful place that offered a sense of community, purpose, and support—elements he had not experienced prior to joining the organization. The head of Homeboys, a Jesuit priest he refers to as his "new father Greg," took Navarro under his wing, showing a deep commitment to the wellbeing of every "broken child and person," which Navarro implies included himself.

Rich Cabral and Navarro highlight the importance of embracing the opportunities provided by Homeboys for personal transformation. Navarro underscores that those who do not seize these opportunities might face severe consequences, as he recalls many who have passed away, arguably because they did not follow through with the support available.

Navarro stresses the significance of doing one's part in the process of recovery, indicating a balance between the help offered by Homeboys and self-responsibility. This also suggests a potential quick return to negative outcomes for those who abandon the guidance provided by Homeboys and revert to their previous ways.

Working various jobs at Homeboys, including as a barista, helped Paulie discover new passions and build practical skills for a fulfilling career

At Homeboys, Navarro engaged in a variety of roles, from working in the bakery to managing merchandising, which demonstrates the array of job opportunities Homeboys provides to help members build diverse practical skills. Paulie, in particular, developed a passion for making coffee while working as a barista. He speaks with surprise and delight about his enjoyment and aspirations in the field, expressing a strong commitment to honing his craft.

His newfound passion also includes a dedication to teaching others, revealing his desire to pass on his skills to individuals who share similar backgrounds to his own. Although the details of how Homeboys facilitated these developments are not specified, it ...