On the latest episode of Palm Harbor Local, Alex Delgado sat down with us to share his incredible journey, touching on everything from service in the Marines to his new role as COO of Gulf Coast Eye Care—and even his latest venture as a published author. His new book, The Four F’s: Seeking Self-Mastery in Faith, Family, Fitness, and Finances, pulls together the life lessons he’s learned along the way, aiming to help readers create balance and fulfillment. Here’s a look at some of the powerful insights Alex shared during his conversation.
Listen to the episode here:
A Heroic Moment That Sparked Change
Alex’s story kicks off with a remarkable act of bravery. While heading to one of his practice locations, he spotted a nearby house on fire. Without thinking twice, he alerted the family, called for help, and even carried an elderly, blind woman out of the burning home. “I was thankful to be there, to be honest with you,” Alex shared. “I was thankful, obviously, that I wasn’t harmed and nobody was harmed. And just to be there, willing to help, it was inspiring to see the community rally around this family in need.”
That moment turned into a powerful reminder of life’s fragility and the importance of helping others. He couldn’t say enough about how the St. Pete community rallied around this family, showing just how impactful community support can be in times of crisis.
Lessons in Leadership from the Marine Corps
A big part of Alex’s story is rooted in his time as a Marine, where he learned early on that leadership is much more than giving orders. He credits the Marine Corps with teaching him the core values of resilience and continuous improvement, traits he now brings to his leadership role as COO. In the military, he was given leadership opportunities at a young age, which helped him develop confidence and trust in his own decisions.
Alex explains that leadership is about empowering others, letting them take bold steps, and allowing them room to make mistakes. “Give people the kind of permission to be bold and make decisions, and if they can provide good rationale support it,” he said. “And if it doesn’t get the right result, you learn from it.”
For him, fostering a growth mindset in his team is what true leadership is all about. It’s less about perfection and more about progress—a philosophy that shows up again and again in his life.
The Four F’s: A Framework for Living Fully
In The Four F’s, Alex breaks down what he sees as the cornerstones of a well-rounded life: Faith, Family, Fitness, and Finances. He encourages readers to make small, intentional improvements in each area, noting that success doesn’t come from massive leaps but from steady, small steps. As he put it, “It’s just small steps, right? And those compounded over time, that’s what yields the massive results…in all areas, fitness, finance, faith, family—just baby steps.”
Faith
For Alex, self-mastery begins with faith. But he’s not talking about religion so much as a belief in something bigger than oneself. Faith, he believes, is the foundation that keeps us going even when life gets tough. He shared a deeply personal story about losing his brother, explaining how this tragic experience only deepened his resilience and faith, helping him find meaning amid hardship.
Family
Family is a grounding force in Alex’s life, and he stresses the importance of prioritizing relationships. His advice? Don’t wait to repair relationships that matter. “If there’s people you care about, put the grudges aside, put the animosity aside, and go repair that,” he shared. “Because life is so precious, and you never know how short it could be.”
Alex’s message is clear: family is what you make it, whether it’s blood relatives or close friends. For him, nurturing these relationships is crucial to leading a balanced and fulfilling life.
Fitness
As a former Marine, Alex knows a thing or two about staying fit. But now, he sees fitness as more than a job requirement; it’s a commitment to his own well-being. “I think fitness is super important,” he says, and he encourages people to take small steps toward health. Whether it’s a short run or a weekly workout, the key is consistency.
Finances
The final “F” is all about financial health, and Alex believes in making gradual progress here, too. He advises against viewing investing as something only for the wealthy. “The hardest part is, like anything, right? Breaking out of your own shell and taking that first step,” he explains, underscoring the importance of small financial investments that grow over time.
The Courage to Act
One of the standout qualities Alex brings to his work and personal life is his determination to take action, even when it feels daunting. From writing The Four F’s to promoting it with a skydiving stunt, Alex believes in stepping out of his comfort zone. “I want to take action,” he said. “And so I want to be able to demonstrate the ability to take a plan and execute on it, and then use that as a vehicle to, hopefully, inspire people to take action.”
For Alex, taking risks isn’t about being fearless; it’s about choosing to move forward despite any fear or self-doubt.
One Step at a Time
Alex Delgado’s story is a testament to the power of persistence. Through his journey, he shows us that self-mastery isn’t about reaching a final destination—it’s about progress, no matter how small. Whether it’s saving lives, leading a team, or sharing his life philosophy in a book, Alex believes that the journey to growth starts now. His advice? Don’t wait. Start with one step and let the rest fall into place.
If you want to hear more about Alex’s story and his book, The Four F’s, tune into the latest episode of Palm Harbor Local. As Alex says, “Let’s just get started”—a reminder that every journey begins with a single step.
CONNECT WITH ALEX:
- LinkedIn: linkedIn.com/AlexDelgado
- Instagram: @alexrdelgado
- Amazon book: The Four Fs: Seeking Self Mastery in Faith, Family, Fitness, and Finances
CONNECT WITH DONNIE:
- Follow Donnie: @donnie.hathaway
- Follow Palm Harbor Local: @PalmHarborLocal
- For more real estate information – https://palmharborlocal.com/search-for-homes/
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