00:00 - Julio's Early Life and Turn to Crime 💔

• Background: Julio Almanza grew up in a troubled household in Chicago.
• Trauma: His father abandoned the family, which led Julio into gang life and eventual drug smuggling.

00:28 - Gang Involvement and Prison 🔒

• Criminal Activity: At 17, he was caught smuggling drugs, sentenced to four years in a Mexican prison, and later extended his prison time in the U.S.
• Gang Dynamics: After leaving his original gang, he joined a rival gang, resulting in threats to his life.

04:44 - Journey through Gangs 🏴‍☠️

• Gang Life: Julio began as a member of the Satan Disciples, later moving to the Latin Kings, which is not a typical transition for gang members.
• Culture: Chicago gangs are described as highly organized, resembling mob structures.

09:03 - Education and Overcoming Trauma 📚

• Struggles in School: Julio dropped out of school in fifth grade and learned to read and write while in prison.
• Mental Health Impact: He reflects on severe trauma and mental health issues stemming from his childhood experiences.

12:06 - Connection to the Cartel 🔗

• Cartel Relations: Julio discusses his early illegal activities that connected him to cartel members and the perception of gang life.
• Reflection: He realizes the severity of his past choices and differentiates between love and the toxic loyalty he felt towards gangs.

15:09 - Early Struggles with Money 💸

• Discusses how money was initially perceived as a tool to fit in during childhood.
• Expresses desire for luxury items, leading to drug dealing as a means to afford shoes.

16:15 - Betrayal and Violence ⚔️

• Shares a story about trusted friends who became jealous and betrayed him, leading to a near-fatal robbery.

20:08 - Rising Involvement in Drug Operations 🚗

• Recounts the transition from moving drugs to wanting to be actively involved in the operation as he became greedy.

25:14 - Arrest and Prison Experience 🚔

• Describes his eventual arrest in Mexico, detailing the violent treatment he received from authorities and the subsequent challenges he faced in prison.

28:40 - Prison Life and Violence 🏴‍☠️

• Provides insight into the harsh realities in prison, including violent encounters that await new inmates and the struggles with gang dynamics.

30:15 - Food Quality and Variety 🍽️

• Fresh Meals: Over 100 rotating meals, including Mediterranean and Asian dishes.
• Healthy Options: Meals use lean proteins, colorful veggies, and avoid 175 unwanted ingredients.
• Personal Favorite: Parmesan cream chicken.

31:43 - Prison Experience 🔪

• Violent Past: Discusses a mistake leading to stabbing and the personal toll it took.
• Cartel Relations: Managed valuable relationships, though these came with danger.

32:40 - Survival Skills 🛡️

• Understanding People: Emphasizes the importance of reading people’s behavior.
• Childhood Trauma: Reflects on mental struggles, including multiple personality disorder and PTSD.

36:22 - Legal Process in Mexico ⚖️

• Absence of Due Process: Quickly sentenced to 15 years without proper legal support.
• American Council Support: Received vitamins and supplies, which were sold for profit.

41:24 - Life in Mexican Prison 🏢

• Survival of the Fittest: Prison described as chaotic; inmates must pay for cells and food.
• Luxury and Downfall: Initially lived well but succumbed to addiction, losing everything.

45:19 - Prison Cuisine 🍽️

• Discusses the surprising quality of food in Mexican prisons, likening it to authentic Mexican cuisine.
• Mentions conjugal visits on Thursdays and Sundays, turning prison into a social bonding experience.

46:55 - Prison Amenities 🛌

• Speaks about the disparity in living conditions, where wealthier inmates could afford luxury items like big screen TVs and queen-sized beds.
• Highlights that drugs were prevalent and highly sought after, enhancing the survival mentality.

47:59 - Perception of Time ⏳

• Shares that, throughout the four years in prison, he never looked at a calendar, likening this to a disconnection from time.
• Reflects on how survival and getting high clouded his sense of time, making it go by faster.

51:18 - Unforeseen Transfers 🚔

• Describes a sudden transfer from a Mexican prison to an underground prison in El Paso upon release.
• Relates an experience of leaving in the desert, feeling lost and needing a ride to the city, leading to unexpected camaraderie with locals.

55:13 - Life After Release 💼

• Details quickly returning to drug-related activities after release, including connections made and a brush with gang life.
• Explains navigating the difficulties and dangers of the environment, including betrayals and potential threats to life from former associates.

1:00:24 - Profit from Deals 💰

• Discusses a profit of $180,000 from drug deals.
• Introduces the "180 boys" tattoo and the system created by his crew for efficiency.

1:01:19 - Smuggling Context 📦

• States that smuggling has always existed, akin to "cat and mouse" games, despite evolving circumstances.
• Points out that the only change over time is the type of drugs smuggled.

1:02:07 - Impact of 9/11 on Drug Trade ✈️

• Notes the improvements in technology used for border security post-9/11.
• Acknowledges the evolution of cartel strategies in response to law enforcement challenges.

1:06:06 - Shift to a New Life 🌅

• Shares his transition to Arizona after leaving a criminal lifestyle.
• Faces the temptations of strip clubs and quickly goes broke, leading him to seek legitimate employment.

1:09:38 - Turning Point in Prison 👮

• Describes a near-suicide experience leading to his arrest, which becomes a pivotal moment for change.
• Commits to personal growth by taking GED classes and accepting his struggles while in prison, ultimately leading to his release and desire for a better life.

1:15:32 - Life Reflections 🌟

• The speaker shares a moment of realization during lunch, feeling disconnected from previous chaos.
• He decides it's time for change, expressing regret about past choices.

1:16:44 - A Guardian Angel Encounter 🌟

• A correctional officer recognizes the speaker from a tattoo and questions his presence in jail.
• The officer later conducts a background check, leading to a transfer to a lower security prison.

1:17:44 - Educational Journey in Prison 🌟

• Upon arrival at Lampak, the speaker comments on the prison's unexpected similarities to a college dorm.
• He learns from other inmates about business and self-improvement, steering away from gang life.

1:22:05 - Transition After Release 🌟

• After release in 2017, the speaker struggles with old temptations but focuses on fitness, breaking records in powerlifting.
• He recognizes the need to shed his previous identity entirely.

1:27:16 - Life Today 🌟

• The speaker now runs a business, reconnects with his five children, and creates programs to help others avoid his past mistakes.
• He feels fulfilled and continues personal growth, emphasizing a positive life.