Angela Martinez: Owning Your Story, Defining Your Future

In Episode 11 of Season 2, Angela Martinez joins the show to share her extraordinary story of redemption, resilience, and reclaiming purpose. A first-generation college graduate and proud single mother of two, Angela reflects on her journey from a 10th grade dropout facing a 6–8 year prison sentence to graduating college with honors, earning 13 academic cords, and building a meaningful career dedicated to supporting others.

Angela discusses her pivotal turning points—including time in jail, recovery court, and transitional housing—and how she leaned into community, mentorship, and education as lifelines. Her story highlights the importance of programs like Thrive Transformation at Work, Women With a Cause, and Beyond Home in helping justice-impacted individuals and those in recovery rebuild their lives with dignity and hope. She also explores how self-advocacy, second-chance employment, and storytelling have been sources of personal power and transformation.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking inspiration, perspective on reentry and recovery, or an authentic conversation about how change is possible—even in the face of overwhelming odds. Angela’s voice is a powerful reminder that the road to success is rarely linear, and that sharing our full, unfiltered stories can create meaningful impact.

If you’ve ever doubted your ability to start over or wondered about the true role of community and support, this episode will leave you motivated, moved, and more committed than ever to owning your story.

Guest Information:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-martinez-b25764115/

References:

Thrive Home Page - Thrive - Employment Support: https://thrivecolorado.org/

GlobalMindED – Inclusive Success Network - Education Support: https://globalminded.org/

GlobalMindED - Emerging Leaders : Overview | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/globalmindedyp/?viewAsMember=true

BeyondHome (Arvada, CO) – Transitional housing program supporting families on the path to self-sufficiency: https://beyondhome.org/

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Credits and Acknowledgements:

Hosted, Produced, and Edited by Heather Pridemore. https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-pridemore-mba/

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Keep owning your story!