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Danny Trejo: I Was As Sick As My Secrets

Mayim Bialik・76 minutes read

Danny Trejo's tumultuous past, shaped by drugs and violence, led to a successful acting career where he shares his transformative story to inspire others and emphasize the importance of helping those in need, especially in the realm of addiction and sobriety. Trejo's authenticity and courage in standing up for his beliefs against the glorification of violence in media showcase his dedication to using his platform for positive change and personal growth.

Insights

The speaker's tumultuous upbringing, marked by early exposure to drugs and violence, significantly shaped his life path and conditioned responses to conflict and survival tactics.
Trejo's journey from a life of crime, drug use, and criminal activities to becoming a successful actor and author is a testament to the transformative power of therapy, self-discovery, and continuous learning.
Mario Castillo's narrative underscores the profound impact of helping others, staying on the right path, and engaging in acts of kindness, highlighting the importance of feeding people in need, working with various projects, and inspiring positive change through personal experiences and interactions.

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Recent questions

What is Danny Trejo's background?
Danny Trejo's early life involved drugs, crime, and violence, shaping his journey from a criminal to a respected actor.
How did Danny Trejo transition to acting?
Danny Trejo's transition to acting stemmed from his survival tactics in childhood, leading to authenticity in his roles and a dedication to helping others.
What is the significance of therapy in Trejo's life?
Therapy played a crucial role in Trejo's self-discovery journey, aiding in deepening self-awareness and understanding.
How did Mario Castillo find success after prison?
Mario Castillo found success by helping others, starting a restaurant business, and attributing all good in his life to assisting those in need.
What is Danny Trejo's approach to portraying violence in films?
Danny Trejo refuses to glorify violence in films, showcasing authenticity and courage in standing up for his beliefs.

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Summary

00:00

"Trejo: From Crime to Hollywood Success"

The speaker's first 25 years were marked by secrets, shame, violence, crime, and drugs.
The speaker's uncle introduced him to marijuana at age 8 and heroin at age 12, which the speaker initially viewed as sharing rather than abuse.
The speaker's uncle attempted to make amends before his death, but the speaker rejected it, attributing his life's path to the uncle's actions.
Danny Trejo, a renowned actor, holds the record for the most on-screen deaths and has appeared in numerous films, including Breaking Bad, Desperado, and Machete.
Trejo authored books like "Trejo's Tacos" and "Trejo's Cantina," based on his restaurants, and detailed his life in "Trejo: My Life of Crime, Redemption, and Hollywood."
Trejo spent much of his early life in drug use, drinking, and criminal activities, leading to significant experiences as a criminal, dealer, and hustler.
Trejo's memoir recounts his challenging upbringing, including family legacies of beauty, richness, personalities, pain, and tragic events.
Trejo's uncle, a boxer, taught him to use violence and rage to survive, leading to a conditioned response to conflict.
Trejo's mentor guided him through his first jail experience at age 12, advising him to intimidate through immediate aggression or biting in fights.
Trejo's life was shaped by holding many secrets, including witnessing his mother's affair and lying to protect her, leading to a cycle of distrust and failed relationships.

16:15

Journey to self-discovery through therapy and sobriety.

Therapy is a lifelong process of self-discovery, aiding in deepening self-awareness and understanding.
BetterHelp connects individuals with licensed therapists for self-discovery journeys.
Personal experience highlights the transformative impact of therapy, leading to a commitment to continuous learning.
BetterHelp offers convenient online therapy, matching users with therapists based on a brief questionnaire.
ZocDoc provides a platform to find and book doctors for quality medical advice and care.
The text delves into the challenges and survival tactics in environments where intimidation and violence prevail.
Alcoholics Anonymous meetings introduced the concept of a loving God, contrasting punitive beliefs.
Sobriety is described as a painful process of letting go of crutches like alcohol and drugs.
Early sobriety experiences in prison in 1968 are detailed, emphasizing the challenges and blessings.
The protagonist's journey from being feared in prison to becoming a respected inmate social catalyst is highlighted, showcasing his authenticity and approachability.

30:53

From Trash to Stardom: A Prisoner's Journey

The narrator recalls a memory from 1969 when he helped a lady with her trash, feeling judged for potentially stealing from her garage.
He reflects on the support he received during his recovery, mentioning odd jobs and keeping busy with labor.
Starting a gardening business with a friend named Danny Levitov was a turning point for him.
The narrator shares about a program he joined to help prevent narcotics, initially hired for counseling but ended up working as muscle.
He recounts his involvement in a movie set for "Runaway Train" where he trained an actor named Eric Roberts how to box.
The narrator's interaction with Eddie Bunker, a former prison mate, led to him being cast as an extra in the movie.
He describes the challenges of working with movie stars, particularly Eric Roberts, and the adjustments needed to handle their behavior.
The narrator's role expanded on set, becoming a social coach and eventually being cast to fight Eric Roberts in the movie.
Reflecting on his acting career, the narrator notes that many people don't know about his past in prison, attributing his success to helping others.
He mentions his role in the movie "Blood In Blood Out" filmed in a prison setting, where he interacted with gang members from different factions.

45:31

Mario Castillo: From Prison to Redemption

Mario Castillo was advised to stay clean and sober, leading to eight years of prison stints before meeting at a Narcotics Anonymous convention.
Mario credits the advice for his son's life being saved eight and a half years ago, emphasizing the importance of staying on the right path by helping others.
Mario highlights the significance of feeding people on holidays and throughout the year, working with various projects to assist those in need.
Mario's positive experience helping a lady with her trash can on his first day out of prison inspired him to continue doing good deeds.
Mario discusses his interactions with Edward James Olmos and the integrity he brings to his roles, balancing humor with serious themes.
Mario shares his experience in solitary confinement, using memories of classic films like "The Wizard of Oz" and "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" as therapy to maintain his sanity.
Mario reflects on his journey from prison to success, attributing all good in his life to helping others and starting his restaurant business.
Mario delves into the concept of toxic masculinity and his struggles with vulnerability and emotional expression, acknowledging his past behaviors.
Mario recounts a vulnerable moment with his daughter in rehab, realizing the importance of being in touch with his emotions and staying happy.
Mario discusses the emotional impact of his son's film about drug use and overdose, sharing a poignant moment of breaking down in a crying scene during filming.

01:01:31

Danny Trejo: Emotional Journey Through Life and Film

Danny had a deeply emotional experience on set, where his crying was so intense that the crew also cried when the scene ended.
He shared about taking his kids to the set, with his daughter going to the makeup trailer and his son learning about cameras, eventually becoming a director.
Danny expressed immense pride in his children, highlighting their success as his greatest achievement.
He discussed his upbringing around relationships, mentioning the acceptance of multiple partners in his family.
Danny opened up about his mother's mental health struggles and breakdown due to a secret relationship, leading to her being thrown out by his father.
Despite initial anger towards his father, Danny eventually reconciled with his mother before her passing.
He reflected on how anger has shifted in his life, mentioning his protective instincts towards his children.
Danny's favorite role was in Spy Kids, where he played a loving yet eccentric character.
He shared his enjoyable experience on the set of Breaking Bad, mentioning the unique filming sequence and the fun crew.
Danny expressed missing simple joys from his past, like fishing with his uncle, and shared insights into his family's hospitality and love for cooking.

01:17:57

Danny Trejo: Embracing Emotions, Inspiring Authenticity

Danny Trejo discussed the power of intense emotions and the importance of reclaiming them, contrasting the glorification of rage and violence in media.
Trejo shared his experience working on films and his refusal to portray violence in a certain way, showcasing his authenticity and courage in standing up for his beliefs.
The actor highlighted the emotional connection with his son during a film project, expressing pride in their collaboration and personal growth through the process.
Trejo's transition from a convict to an actor was rooted in his childhood survival tactics of acting, emphasizing the authenticity he brings to his roles and his dedication to helping others.
Through his life experiences, Trejo embodies a counselor-like figure, driven to help others overcome challenges, particularly in the realm of addiction, showcasing his commitment to sobriety and aiding others in similar situations.

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