Meet Jose Pereira | Adversity & Resilience Coach, Motivational Speaker and author

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jose Pereira and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jose, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I was a risk taker all my life but wasn’t taking the proper measures to mitigate risks ,until occurred my Hostage situation traveling abroad that kept me in captivity during % years until i came back through a miraculous prisoner SWAP , and now i am very much aware of the importance of mitigating risk, and today have a coaching program to help CEO’s and companies to mitigate and make risk assessment and management of thews risk when they are in international business tripe or international assignments as expats

Several risks that can impact your safety, health, and overall experience. Here are some common risks and effective ways to mitigate them:
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1. Health Risks:** – Risk: Health emergencies or illnesses in foreign countries.
– Mitigation: Research local healthcare options and have comprehensive travel insurance. Stay updated on vaccinations and health recommendations for your destination.
**
2. Safety and Security Risks:** – Risk: Theft, assault, or terrorism threats.
– Mitigation: Stay aware of local safety guidelines and avoid high-risk areas. Register with your embassy or consulate and keep copies of important documents.

*3. Cultural and Language Barriers:** – Risk: Misunderstandings or cultural insensitivity leading to uncomfortable situations. – Mitigation: Learn basic phrases in the local language. Research and respect cultural norms and customs.

4. Logistical Risks:** – Risk: Flight cancellations, lost luggage, or transportation issues.
– Mitigation: Have a contingency plan and keep essentials in carry-on luggage. Use reliable transportation services and check travel advisories.
*
*5. Financial Risks:** – Risk: Currency exchange fluctuations and unexpected expenses.
– Mitigation: Keep a mix of payment options (cash, cards). Monitor exchange rates and have a budget.

6. Natural Disasters and Environmental Risks:** – Risk: Earthquakes, hurricanes, or extreme weather conditions.
– Mitigation: Stay informed about local weather and disaster alerts. Have an emergency kit and evacuation plan.
*
*7. Legal Risks:** – Risk: Unfamiliar local laws leading to legal trouble.
– Mitigation: Research local laws and customs before traveling. Carry necessary legal documents and contact information.

*8. Communication Risks:** – Risk: Difficulty in staying connected with loved ones. –
Mitigation: Purchase a local SIM card or use international roaming plans. Share your itinerary with trusted contacts. By being aware of these risks and taking proactive steps to mitigate them, you can significantly enhance your safety and enjoyment while traveling abroad.

*8. Hostage Diplomacy risk
Pre-Assessment: Prior to your trip,
Conduct a risk assessment of your destination.
A) Check with your government
Check if The US government or your home country’s government had issued any travel restrictions, bans, or recommendations for that specific country.
B) Stay Informed:
Keep yourself updated about the political climate in your destination.
C) Cultural Understanding:
Gain knowledge of cultural differences, local laws, and behaviors.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I can share my unique story to others in how i started my speaking and Adversity & Resilience coaching program and my motivational speech “from Captivity to Freedom” , once I learned that I went through an event that marked my life, and could help to change lives, and after an extensive research i created the coaching program and the motivational speech

I understood that I can help others to survive any strong adversity and traumatic event or circumstances in their life, and can survive it , succeed and become successful and thrive
.
I share my story how I launched my personal program called LPSG – LIFE PILLS for a SURVIVAL GUIDE, to help anybody in adversity to overcome their ordeal,succeed and be successful based on my personal and unique experience i went through as a Hostage

I’m life proof of it

I also became an author and documented my ordeal based on 1000 letters i could smuggle in the food trash cans during 3 years with my wife , and they became like my memoirs and when i came back in October 1st 2022, she already had compiled and transcript in word, and that became my book “from Hero to Villain-The true story of the Citgo6”

I was held as Hostage & Wrongfully Detained in a Hostile Foreign Country during 5 years, and came back in October 1st,2022, through a prisoner Swap done by the American Government in a Caribbean Island

I now help others and also am advocating for All Americans Held as Hostage & Wrongfully detained worldwide and supporting with my voice to a wonderful Hostages Family Foundation: the Bring Our Family Home Campaign (BOFH) that I’m honored to be as ex- Hostage member and to other NGOs in speaking to raise the awareness to stop such evil practice that is the so-called “hostage diplomacy” , that is becoming an international and national security issue, due to are implemented by foreign tyrannies and authoritarian regimes

Never give up!!! Never lose hope!!!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Houston is an exciting, multicultural an diverse city, and being the Energy Capital of the world, the space town (NASA Base) and with one of the biggest Medical Complex Center in the US ,and has thousand of restaurants with variate of foods of all over the world

One of the most vibrant places to hang out is going to a Rock Convert that I’m big fan to the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in the Woodlands and see a concert in an outdoor landscape with the views of the stars

Houston has also vibrant monumental stadiums to all the sports, Minute Maid house of the World champions Astros for Baseball, NRG house of the Houston Texans for Football, Toyota Center house of the Houston Rockets for Basketball and the Shell Energy Stadium home of the Houston Dynamos for Soccer

All this place you can hag out, chill out, have good food and wonderful fun in the H-CITY

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to shoutout the Hostage Community Foundation that do a lot of impactful and silent job supporting families of hostage, hostage and former hostage in US;

-Bring Our Families Home Campaign
-Foley Legacy Foundation
-Hostage US
-Hostage Aid Worldwide
-Amer Fakhoury Foundation
-Richardson Center

Website: www.joseconnect.com

Linkedin: https://LinkedIn.com/in/jose-angel-pereira

Twitter: www.twitter.com/@pereirajap3

Facebook: www.facebook,com/JoseAngelPereiraRuimwyk

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtN06lSBTs4bxPzZwZQZ0pA

Other: www.instagram.com/@pereirajap3 www.threads.com/@pereirajap3 www.linktr.ee/jose_angel_pereira www.tiktok.com/josepereiraruimwyk

Image Credits
my wife Mervis