Here’s to New Beginnings

High school is a big challenge: academically, socially, and personally. It’s also one of the most rewarding beginnings. Teens learn things about who they are, about topics, about people, and about society. It’s difficult, but hopefully one can find some inspiration along the four-year train ride.

Danny Trejo. This generation mostly knows him as the coldest and harshest, yet most family-loving uncle in all of children’s cinematic history. Yes, Machete from Spy Kids (2001). Although his character in this silly film is a closeted genius with mechanics where he prepares gadgets to help his secret agent family fight crime, and the villains were quite humorous, Trejo had been caught up in the crime world in his youth. He abused the practice of drugs as well asearned a record for robbery which led to years of running in and out of jail, and serving time in San Quentin. Eventually, through rehab, he cleaned up his act and earned a place in the spotlight. “Becoming a movie star was a happy accident, says Trejo,” reported Ryan Parker in the article Danny Trejo Celebrates 48 Years of Sobriety and Recounts the Moment in Prison That Changed His Life.

This garnished him major roles in Hollywood movies which earned him respect of at-risk teens. “‘I help at-risk kids. I go to high schools. I do whatever I can,’ he says. ‘That’s what I do. In many ways, that is my job. I am still a drug counselor.’” Parker went on to say, “He adds, ‘I will get their attention before you or a doctor or a nurse or a plumber or anybody. It helps me with what I love doing.’”Trejoovercame his addiction to become the dreamy influence and inspiration that children need to look up to and learn from. August 23 will actually mark his 50th year of sobriety.

TV has also brought us Judge Mathis, who teaches people not only of how to handle pressing matters in a judicial technique, but how to handle dignity in the courtroom. Perhaps he has such a great way with people because of what he had been surrounded with growing up. During his teenage years he dropped out of high school his sophomore year and focused on gang affiliation. This led to his criminal record of shoplifting, breaking and entering, as well as larceny. This built up to time in Wayne County Jail at the age of 17. His mother, disappointed and disapproving of this lifestyle, visited him in jail and he realized thathe needed to restore his life. In doing so, he chose an educational direction where he earned his GED and began to pursue his new life with a career in law.

Another media star who managed to turn his life around is Robert Downey, Jr., who portrayed the man behind the iron mask, Tony Stark. While he plays Iron Man in the movies, he is a hero to many in person. As a father, he has had a few ups and downs. Early in his career, he played a party animal in the film Less Than Zero (1987),and he could resonate deeply with the character he portrayed. Downey was addicted to cocaine and drug use which led to many charges and arrests from the use of the substance. Eventually, he faced his issues and dealt with them successfully. Now, he’s in some of the most popular movies of all time.

There are tons of ways to start over but the biggest step is actively moving forward. Pushing oneself into academics or the arts, or even with intentions of helping others to move forward are all inspirations that Danny Trejo, Judge Mathis, and Robert Downey Jr. share. Things don’t have  to go as far astray as they did for these three before starting over.

Danny Trejo Celebrates 48 Years of Sobriety and Recounts the Moment in Prison That Changed His Life by Ryan Parker, published Aug. 24, 2016. (https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/danny-trejo-prison-moment-changed-922560 )