Transcript

The Moment I Knew I’d Be Addicted to Drugs

From Grant Cardone · Episode page · Watch on YouTube

· 1 h 19 min · 17,017 words · 538 timestamped sections

This is the full, timestamped transcript of "The Moment I Knew I’d Be Addicted to Drugs", an episode of Grant Cardone published November 27, 2025 (1 h 19 min, about 17,017 words). It mentions 3 people, works and ideas, including Scarlett Cardone, Lake Charles, Louisiana, AA.

Who speaks in this episode?

What is discussed, and when

  1. – 10:00: Scarlett Cardone, Lake Charles, Louisiana
  2. – 1:18:32: AA

Notable quotes from "The Moment I Knew I’d Be Addicted to Drugs"

  • No. My name is Scarlett Cardone. I'm 14 years old. and today I'm going to be interviewing my dad if you haven't gathered that by now. He's the best.
    about Scarlett Cardone · at
  • Where, I, grew, up, I, grew, up, in, a, refinery town in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
    about Lake Charles, Louisiana · at
  • And, a, guy, came, to, me, and, says,, Hey, man, I apologize. Because in in those meetings, you want to make amends. One of the step is to make amends.
    about AA · at

Who and what is mentioned in this episode?

People

  • Scarlett Cardone — Person · Host / interviewer · 1 mention · first at
    Runs the interview and prompts the most personal stories (childhood, grief, drugs), positioning the episode as an 'inside scoop' on her dad.

Concepts & topics

  • AA — Concept · Framework · 1 mention · first at
    Mentioned in the context of recovery and making amends as part of the interviewee's journey to sobriety.

Places & events

  • Lake Charles, Louisiana — Place · Setting · 1 mention · first at
    Childhood hometown of the interviewee, where significant personal stories took place.

Full transcript with timestamps

Bro, nobody's ever asked me those questions. I'm, gonna, get, the, very,, very, inside scoop.

Do, you, know, the, story, about, me, burning down the force? Gary, told, me, something, about, that.

The, entire, freaking, block, is, on, fire., My mom says like we had rifles at 8 years old. We're shooting owls.

So,, we, replaced, the, champagne with Hello everyone. Welcome back to my interview show. Uh, if you haven't heard of it before, it's because this is our first episode. Um, we're here today with the GOAT, the one and only Mr. Grant Cardone. First of all, sir, it is an honor to meet you

dude., An, honor, to, meet, you. It, is, such, an, honor, dude., I, live, with, you,, bro.

This, is, the, peak, of, my, journalistic career. Uh, my people went through absolute hoops to get in touch with you. So, thank you for your time today.

Yeah. Um,, I'm, going, to, play, your, theme, song, so that you can really get high.

Oh,, dude., Well,, you, you're, coming, in hot man. I, know., I, have, a, lot, prepared.

Yeah., What's, What's, the, theme, song? Okay., That's, all, I, can, play., That's, all they

That's, all, they'll, let, you, play. Oh my god, you're so funny dude. So good to be with you. I'm so excited about this interview.

So, good, to, be, with, you., We've, done Now,, didn't, we, do, one, of these? We've, done, two, interviews, together.

Yeah., How, did, they, do?, How, did, they, do? You, noticed, they, did, great., Yeah.

The, most, viral, video, in, the, world, actually. Yeah. Ever. The tables were turned.

Okay., Okay. Uh, I, was, being, interviewed, and, now you're being interviewed.

Okay. Um, can, we, just, get, you, to, say, into, the camera really quick that this is going to be the best interview.

Dude,, this, is, going, to, be, the, best interview in the history of the world. She told me some of the stuff that she wants to go over and I'm like, "Bro nobody's ever asked me those questions."

I'm, gonna, get, the, very, very, inside, scoop and we're, gonna, learn, things, about, him, that we never have before. So, please stick around.

Yeah., I, mean,, she's, got, some, stuff, in here like I'm like, man, no one has ever asked me some of this stuff.

And, the, thing, is, like, the, stuff, you're, going, to, ask, me about my childhood, nobody's ever gotten into that. And you have to tell me cuz if you don't

and, some, of, the, other, dark, stuff, you know my, questions, just, fell, off, the, chair. Problem. Thank you so much.

And, then, some, of, the, other we're, getting, into, some, dark, twisted. I, don't know, if, I, want, to, know, half, of what's on this page.

Yeah., So,, but, before, you, get, started with me, you want to tell everybody which which daughter you are?

Okay., So,, which, daughter, am, I?, I'm daughter number two. Uh that's what they refer to me as in the household. They're like, "Come here, daughter number two." Um, no. My name is Scarlett Cardone. I'm 14 years old. Um, and today I'm going to be interviewing my dad if you haven't gathered that by now. He's the best. Thank you for being here with me today.

Thank, you. So,, we're, kind, of, going, to, go,, if, that's fine with you, in like a chronological sequence.

Okay. So,, I, want, to, start, with, you., We, grew, up very, we grew up very, very differently

obviously., Do, you, want, to, tell, me, a, little, bit about what your childhood was like and how it's different from mine? Well, I mean, like, it's so different like in so many ways. Like I we we grew up in a different town.

Yeah. So,, you, know,, when, you, when, we, had, you, you were you were born in Los Angeles California, up in the hills.

Um,, Leonardo, [clears throat] was our neighbor. Dr., Dre, was, right, in, front, of, us.

Wasn't, the, Walmart, people Walton, family, was, next, to, us., Kean, Ree was down the street. My my my heartthrob crush Halle Berry living in the house.

No,, Halle, Berry, was, down, the, street. So, do, I, look, like, maybe, I'm, actually, Hal's kid?

No., No., No. Okay,, dude., How, would, that, work?, No,, you, look more like Lion the neighbor, Leo. But, but um

Eminem, was, in, the, neighborhood., You don't look like him at all. What? So,, thank, God., Okay.

Um, so,, anyway., Yeah., and, Stan, Lee, was there and the guy that wrote all the Elvis hits was in front of us. Uh the the uh I mean there were so many famous people. Now now when I grew up

Yeah. where, I, grew, up, I, grew, up, in, a, refinery town in Lake Charles, Louisiana.

What, is, a, refinery, town? A, refinery, town, is, a, town, that, has, it's built. It's got a bunch of refineries taking crude oil and turning into gas refining the oil. They're taking crude oil. So every everybody in the town I worked in I mean it's a redneck town. It's in between. It's on a lake. The lake is got a lot of boats coming into it from Cameron. Cameron south of us. So, it's bringing in oil ships and taking refinery and gas out. And it's in between Bowmont and Houston and New Orleans, Louisiana. I mean, there's nothing not a lot there. It's a nice little town. Nice people.

And, my, family, lived, there, for, forever, but it was small, you know, probably at the time 40,000 people. Um, we've had that many people at an event before.

That's, crazy. That's, insane,, dude. That's, insane., That's, like incomprehensible.

Yeah., So,, I've, had, more, people, on, a stream before than than the number of people I grew up with.

Did, you, know, when, you, were, growing, up that you were in a small town that you were in like maybe

No,, no,, I, didn't, really, know, that., I didn't know that. I just knew that we were, you know, I felt like I was in a good situation. You know, we grew up on a I think it was 10 10 Let me ask my sister what the address was. Um we were we lived on 10th Street.

Mhm. 10X., [clears throat] 10X 10X., Um, text, Diane. We're, getting, the, inside, scoop, here.

What, was, the, address, on, 10th, Street? It was a little brick a vanilla brick house and had a little yard in front. We took care of my dad took care of the the grass. That was really important.

Do, you, think, that's, why, you're, such, a plant guy? Yeah,, probably., My, dad, was, very, He, was very into like order and making sure the the grass was trimmed. We had do Mr. Brown uh did our landscaping. My dad

You, had, a, landscaper? We, had, a, landscaper. Some, would, say, that's, for, the, the, upper middle class.

Well,, we, were, we, were, My, dad, had, at, that time my dad had entered the middle middle class, you know. So, we had we had two cars maybe. Yeah, I think we had two cars and we had the house and we had air conditioned. Uh, but you know, like my view from my room, your view, you have this expansive view of the ocean.

I, had, a, balcony. Yeah,, man., I, had, a, view., My, little window was this big. I live three kids three me, my brother, and my older brother lived in one bedroom.

Did, you, ever, feel, like we, had, bunk, beds? Privacy. No,, we, didn't, have, privacy., Yeah,, you have privacy. I didn't have any privacy. I didn't think about it. I didn't we I didn't think about us being poor. We weren't I mean we weren't poor, you know. My dad was going to work every day. So, we were on the upward at that time in my life when I'm a kid.

You, were on, the, up, and, up. We, were, on, the, up, and, up., Ice, cream., We could do ice cream. We had bicycles. We had a little go-kart, man. We This was the good part of my life. The first eight or nine years was unbelievable.

Yeah., It, was, great. And, then, what, happened? Well,, and, then, my, dad, died.

Yeah. Yeah., That, was, not, good, man., What?, And, then, the, go-karts, went away. The bicycles went away. Like

how, did, you, make, that, adjustment, as, a 10-year-old boy? Well,, that, was, hard., Yeah,, that, was, very hard,

you, know. I, could, not, imagine, that. Yeah,, it, was, hard., It, was, hard, because, you know, I didn't believe it first of all. That's that was the hard part. And he he was my hero, right? So, my dad was my hero. Probably like I don't know if I'm your hero or not.

You're, definitely, my, hero., Do, you remember when we were in France? Um, I had this dream one night that ruined the whole trip for me. I had this dream that you had died

and, you, kept, coming, to, me, in, my, dreams. Like when I was dreaming in my dream you kept coming to me and you wouldn't you wouldn't talk to me. You would just sit there on a stool and I would be like, "Where are you? Like are you coming back? Like what's happening?" And you'd just be like

and, it, ruined, the, rest, of, my, trip because then whenever I would see you, I was like "Oh my god."

Oh, my, god. Oh, my, god., So, I Yeah,, I, know., It's, tough,, dude. Yeah., [snorts]

So,, yeah,, I, didn't, like, losing, my, dad, at all, you know. So, I didn't understand really what was going on. He went to hospital, he had had a heart problem from for the last Well, actually, when Gary and I I'm a twin, as you know

as, I, know., Yes. And, we, were, born, in, 58., From, 58, to, 68, my dad had a heart condition. We were the fourth and fifth child. We were not planned. All the other kids were planned. Did you know that?

I, didn't. They, were, planned. They, were, like, meaning, they, mom, and, dad,, my, mom, and, my dad organized when they were going to have

do, the, do, the, do I, feel, like, doing, this, is, worse, than just saying whatever, they, would, do, the, da, da, da,, you know, when they got together to make a baby. So, so they um

they, planned, that, because, Pam, five, years later they they had a baby and, five, years, after, that., So,, I, think my dad was actually planning it financially. Wow.

Because, they, were, poor., But, he, w, when when they started they were poor but he wanted to he was very my dad was extremely ambitious. Yeah.

I, didn't, know, this until, 20, years, after, he, died, because, it his brother told me I met with his brother and his brother like your dad was extremely ambitious.

One, of, your, uncle and, no, one, had, ever, told, me, that. Wow. Yeah., I, did, not, know, that, when, he, was alive. I didn't know that for 20 years after he died.

What, was, he, trying, to, achieve? He, he, wanted, to, be, successful., He, wanted to get rich.

Yeah. He, wanted, to, provide, for, us,, you, know. He wanted to secure the American dream.

You, famously, talked, about, how, none, of your uncles really stepped in after your father passed.

Yeah,, they, did., Yeah,, they, didn't because my, you know, my dad died when I was 10. He went to the Houston hospital for heart surgery, a triple bypass. Everybody was freaked out. We stayed in Lake Charles and just worried about it. My mom and dad dad were over there and he was in intensive care 21 days. Intensive care is for a place you go for like 24 hours.

Yeah. You, don't, go, there, 21, days. And, the, day, we, thought, he, was, getting out the next day, your dad's recovering. He's he's getting out the next day and that's the day he died.

Oh, my, god. And, then, we, got, a, call., Man,, it, was, like gut-wrenching, you, know.

Wow. Yeah. That's, awful. I, remember, exactly, where, I, was, today. Where were you?

I, was, at, my, grandfather's, house. Did you pick? And, my, grandfather, was, like,, my grandfather was one of those said whatever was on his mind. I knew it. He wasn't going to make it. And I'm like "Oh my god, it's hitting me, dude. Oh [ __ ] this is really happening. Oh my god, this is like I'm 10 years old dude. I'm like small, fragile. My bones and arms are I'm a little guy, you know? I'm probably I'm not even I'm your height, you know, and I'm 10. I might have been smaller than you. And um yeah it was pretty brutal, man. And then everybody's freaking out around me and the adults are freaking you know, they're smoking cigarettes. I can smell the cigarettes and the coffee in the room.

So,, it, was, a, very, vivid, moment, for, you. Oh,, yeah., Excited. Who, was, there?, Cuz, your, mom, was, at, the hospital.

My, brother, was, there,, my, my, older brother was there, one of my sisters um my aunts, my aunt Marilyn Louise Uncle John, you know, everybody was there now getting together. It's happened. And I don't want to believe it's happened. You know, you go into this massive denial. I did like, God this isn't real. This is a dream. This isn't happening. And I would I I tried to talk myself out of this for probably a year.

Wow. After, my, dad, died, at, what, point, do, you, think, what, did anything happen?

Going, to, the, funeral., The, funeral, was terrible, man. Going to the funeral. My dad My dad was very popular in the town. He My dad loved everybody. He talked to everybody. Didn't matter whether you were mowing the lawn or working in the house or uh stranger on the street. My dad talked to everybody. Said hi to everybody. Doesn't matter who you were. Hey, how you doing? How you doing? He he he liked he liked people a lot. And so um I think I've gotten both those things from I love regular people. Regular people not

Oh,, definitely. Just, not, not not, important, people. Regular people I'm interested in and curious about it. My dad was too. And then and then I also, you know, I think I I got that ambition from him.

Yeah. Which, one, of, our, songs, says, that?, Is that Lil Wayne? Says, what? I, got, that, ambition.

I, got, that, ambition,, baby., Look, in, his eyes., I, don't, know what, song, that, is.

Yeah., Yeah., Yeah., Yeah., Yeah., So, anyway, and then we went to the funeral, man. The funeral was like, "Oh my god, that

How, soon, after, he, passed?" Terrible., Probably, a, week. I, don't, know., Four, days., So, fast.

It, was, terrible,, man., It, was, terrible. the there's flowers everywhere. I could smell the flowers like still today when I when I smell roses and stuff today. I still go back to that one time because the place was filled with there was thousands of roses and carnations and and the the smell of all that, you know. And then my dad's in this casket and he's laying there and he's you know, you know, it's clear he's not I mean he's dead, you know. And then everybody's going to see him and it's a big ritual around all that and it's just a lot for a 10-year-old

man. Yeah. And, how, do, you, think, like, could, you, feel a change in the household after that happened?

Oh, yeah., Yeah., Terara, swooped, in. Terara. Terara. Not grief. Grief was in the house for sure.

Your, father, was, the, bread, winner. He, was, he, earned, all, the, money., He earned all the money. He had all the connections. He knew everybody. He had a plan. Now, we didn't have the plan. We didn't have the connections. We didn't have any altitude in the community. It's my mom.

Back, to, zero. We, weren't, back, to, zero, because, he, did he did really well for us, right?

Mhm. Um but we weren't to zero, but we lost all the win in the sales. Man, imagine, Imagine.

Yeah., Imagine,, you, know,, imagine, if, I wasn't here like things would change a lot very fast, you know, just not not I mean your lifestyle wouldn't change a lot, but the flow would change like all the flows would change you know, we wouldn't have this engine this

the, thing, I, do, every, day., The, gas. Yeah. Yeah., Yeah., The, gas, is, a, good, word., I'm the gas. My dad was the gas for the for for the household. So he went to work every day. He worked his ass off. He loved to work.

What, did, he, do? He, was, a, stock, broker., So, he, went, and gave people advice on what stocks to own.

Oh, wow. Yeah., And, the, stock, market, was, really good the last five years that he was alive. So he was really starting to do great. We had that small house and then my dad right before my dad died maybe a year and a half, we moved to this big house

to, the, dream, house. To, the, dream, house. Man,, how, was, that? Place, was, crazy., So, this, was, like

So, I'm, eight, I'm, eight, and, a, half., We moved to the dreamhouse. The dream house was like my whole life changed, dude. We went from being middle class to like okay, we made it. We didn't have a boat but we had a pier. We had an acre and a half of land. We had a fairly big house. It was probably 2,000 square foot house.

And, this, was, just compared, to, what, you, live, in., Just imagine that. Okay.

How, many, square, feet, is, our, house? Uh, I, don't know,, 12,000., You, have, six our dream house. You live in six times our dream house.

That's, crazy. But, we, had, a, big, we, had, a, big, piece, of property. We had an acre and a half maybe two acres and we lived on the lake. So this was the best year and a half of my life was that year and a half

in, all, of, your, life. Of, that, part, of, my, life,, you, know,, of that part of my life. This was the best part of my life. My dad was happy because he got his dream house. I'll tell you a story and I've never told anybody.

Okay., This, is, our, second, house., This, is This house is on Pri Lake Road. Okay.

It's, I, got, We, got, a, Dr., Stevens, lives, on the right side of us and Dr. Morgan lives on the left side of us. Now, this is a big deal. This is 1966.

Okay. It's, 1966., My, dad's, alive., Everything's cool. Everything's fine. My dad's having heart problems all the time. He's probably stressed out. He's got five kids to pay for.

Yeah. Okay. He he had lost his company when he when I was like six. We don't know this. Kids don't know what the the parents are going through. [snorts] So, there's stress in the house because he lost his business. It was an insurance company

and, his, partners, took, it, away, from, him. You don't know a lot of the stuff that goes on behind the scenes. See

definitely, not, tells, me, stuff, sometimes from when I was really little. Yeah.

I'm, like,, how, was, that, happening? Yeah., Like, what? Like, what? We, can, talk, about, it, on, the, drive, home.

Okay. Yeah. He, lost, the, insurance, business, and, he then he then he had to start over. Now I'm six. He's four years from being dead. Four or five years from being dead. He's got to start his whole career over. He's 47 years old. He lost his job. He's got five kids. He's tripping. He had to be tripping. I didn't know it.

How, would, you, not, be, tripping?, Yeah,, you got five kids to pay for. That's, horrible.

You're, ambitious., You, lost, your business. You lost your company. He had a company and his partners ripped him off.

They, took, it, from, him., I, don't, know, who those guys are today. I'd probably go back and kill

dead. Sorry., Sorry., Sorry., That, was I, mean,, they'd, be, pretty, old, by, now.

They, were, 40s., They'd, be, very, old, by now. He had to start over and he did. And it and it was starting to be successful. Successful enough that he bought this dream house.

Yeah. Now,, I, don't, know, what, he, paid, for, that house. maybe 50 grand, but it wasn't even for sale. He went to the woman, Polly

I, think, her, name, was, Polly,, and supposedly the story is Polly was single. She was a divorcee or a a widow and he went, my mom told me, and went and

her, you, charisma., Charisma, is, the, word. He used his charisma lord, her to, get, her, to, sell, the, house, to, him.

That, is, so, cool. We, had, mud, fights., You, know, what, a, mud fight is? I, assume., It, seems, pretty self-explanatory.

Tell, me, what, a, m, fight, is. You, take, a, piece, of, mud, and, throw, it from, where?, Where, do, you, get, the, mud from?

The, creek. From, the, lake. From, the, lake., So, you We'd, go, into, the, lake.

You'd, swim. We'd, walk., We'd, walk, down, into, the, lake. We're swimming. Okay. And we go we play have mud fights. So we're we're in about this much water up to here. And but we're little. Why is that so funny?

I, would, love, to, see, you, when, you, were, a little guy. Oh,, dude., We, were, full, of, energy. Imagine Imagine me. Imagine me at eight years old.

Talk, about, energy,, dude. Dude,, that, would, be, scary. Endless, all, day, long., All, day, long playing. Okay. Like we had rifles at 8 years old. We're shooting owls. We We go

real, guns. We, go, out, into, the, forest., We, leave, our house and go out into the forest with real guns. We're shooting duck. We're shooting bird.

Your, parents, knew, about, this?, Yeah. Well, I don't Well, no, probably not. We, had, kumquat, kumquat., We, had, kumquat wars.

I, don't, know., Is, that, a, fruit? Yeah., Yeah., Kumquats, is, about, this, big and it's orange

and, we, would, put, them, in, we, would, put them in slingshots and we would we would hit hit, each, other, with, them, and, then, we had BB guns and we we we'd have BB gun wars and shoot each other with BB guns.

Can, you, tell, them, the, story? The, Trumps, did, this, to, each, other, too. The Trump boys. Eric told me the Trumps

How, did, they, get, away, with, that? Yeah, that's what boys do. They, were, just, shooting, each, other, and social security was like, "Yep, they're all good."

Yeah., Secret, security. Yeah., You, know,, it's, not, social security. Yeah., Yeah.

Um POTUS, kids, are, No., He, wasn't, pus, yet. Yeah. So, we would do that. We would play for hours, dude. I mean, all day long. We would go out at 9:00 in the morning and play till noon.

Were, you, not, in, school? Well,, during, the, summer. Yeah,, that, makes, sense.

Yeah., No,, no., When, we, went, to, school, how's my life different than yours? We went on a bus. The bus picked us up and brought us to school. You ever been on a school bus

for, a, field, trip?, They, took, me, to, go milk a goat. Yeah., Yeah. And, I, was, like,, "Get, me, out, of, here."

Yeah., So,, that, was, that, was, life,, dude. And then my dad died and all that crashed. That that whole dream world just disappeared overnight. But my my life was completely my life growing up was completely different than yours man.

Sounds, fun. You know, you'll call you'll tell me sometimes the, air, condition's, not, working. [clears throat], I'm, like,, "Bro, we we like we never complained about the air condition."

Like, ruin, my, thug,, my, appearance, of being a thug. Thank you. I, mean,, we, would, go, out., We, would, go out. I remember one day, well, my dad was actually in the hospital.

Oh. He, had, gone, a, year, early, to, Houston. Houston was a place you'd go if you had problems.

Why? They, had, the, best, the, best, surgeons. Oh,, I, see., I, see., So, he, was, gone I think about a year before he passed away and we were playing football in our with our friends in our yard. We had a yard big enough to play football in and I broke my ribs. I hit a I was running with the ball and they tackled me and I hit the steps.

Oh, going, full, blast., I, still, have, the indenture right here and broke my ribs. Man, I couldn't breathe for days. And at 9 years, my mom and my dad weren't there to help me. So my sister had to bring me. Yeah. N at 9 years old.

And, your, sister, would, have, been, 14. She, would, have, been, 50., Yeah., No,, she would. No, she was 19.

Oh,, this, was my, brother, was, 15., So, he, didn't, care. Okay. He, thought, it, was, Yeah,, that, was, funny.

He, was, like,, "Walk, it, off. Walk, it, off,, son.", Yeah., There, was, a, lot of stuff going on back then. We didn't I didn't know what's happening. You know you know it as a kid, but you don't. the next time he would go to the hospital we all knew something was up, but they didn't tell us. My dad was going in for the most complicated surgery a person could do and they had to keep it from us. And you know, parents aren't very good at keeping things from their kids. They try to, but they're, you know, something's going on. And then I have five K three three brothers and sisters, so they all know something's going on. And they their job is to keep it from us

because, you, were, the, youngest. We're, the, youngest. Yeah. They're, like,, "They, can't, handle, it. Nobody could handle this, dude.

Well,, what, happened, here?", Nobody, h could handle like you just can't handle. You're not Nobody's built to handle this. So, you know, I you know, anyway I hope you guys don't have to go I hope you get older to go through that.

I, hope, it, just, doesn't, happen, ever. Yeah., Well,, it's, going, to, happen., You know, I can't tell you it's not going to happen because it's going to happen one day. You know, most of my friends and my even my cousins, they they never had they didn't have a loss until they were like in their 30s or for they were 40 years old before they lost a parent. I lost my dad at 10. I would lose my older brother. He was only 25. Lost him when I was 20. And so by the time I was 20, I'm like you know, that really that really made me very um

hard. Hard. Yeah. I, remember, when, I, lost, my, brother., I'm like I remember okay, life sucks. Life sucks. Life's hard. This is no fun. I didn't think I would live till I was 25. I'm like, "Okay, everybody dies." And this this is kind of stuff I'm telling myself. I'm starting to get in trouble now. Yeah. You know, but I got a little ahead of myself there. But anyway, it got uh I don't think I ever got over my dad's loss until probably in my 40s.

Wow., Yeah. So,, 30, years. I, had, no, way, to, get, rid, of, the, loss., I didn't have any you know I didn't have a way to explain it. I didn't understand it. under I don't understand how you've like

Yeah. grown, past, all, of, this, stuff, that, you went through. Yeah., And, then, and, then, and, then, Monday after my dad died and after the funeral and everything, my mom's like, "Okay you're going back to school." And I'm like, "Bro, I ain't ready to go back to school. I don't I don't want, you know me and Gary. Neither one of us."

So,, you, just, went, back, to, third, grade. What, grade, was, I, in, by, then?

You, were, 10. Yeah., I, was, probably, in, the, fifth, grade. Yeah. Oh yeah, somewhere, in, there.

Yeah, that, is, insane. And, man,, sitting, in, that, classroom, was so hard with all those other people cuz I'm just broken. I'm fragile. I feel smaller than everybody. I don't know what to do. I don't know like how to make sense of this. I don't know. I don't know why I'm telling you all this because you asked me.

Yeah. Yeah. Ask, and, you, shall, receive. Yeah. Yeah. So then, you know, then one day you wake up and you got to get used to it. But you know what happened was actually what happened was my mom sold the house right away. So now you know something's going on.

Yeah. Now, she's, starting, to, sell, the, house, sell the cars. I'm like, "Oh my god what's happening?" Like we're getting rid of everything.

So, not, only, did, I, lose, my, dad,, but, I lost my dream spot. This was the place where I had the most fun of my life. Remember when we got rid of Priscilla? How big a losser was that for you?

Well,, I, was, older, when, that, happened, but when my my before that it was definitely rough

but, like, I, remember, when, we, got, we, left Regalia. Yeah. And, moved, to, another, place, and, we, we we we really didn't consult you and you were like, "Man, I like that other place."

And, I, didn't, ever, think, about, you, losing something. Yeah. But, now, I, know, because, I'm, h, having, this conversation. When my mom sold that house and we moved to the other house she didn't check with me.

Yeah., I, mean, I'm, 10,, but, I'm, like,, I, didn't, want, to lose that house. I was so angry at my mom for selling that house.

Yeah. So,, now, I'm, lost, my, dad,, lost, the, house, angry at my mom. Do, you, know, the, story, about, me, burning down the force?

Gary, told, me, something, about, that, and then I called you and I was like "What's this about you burning down?" So, my mom, I'm not telling you.

The, these, new, homes, were, being, developed across from O Park. This is on 20th Street. We've doubled our street number.

Yeah,, we, doubled, the, street, number and all the houses look exactly the same. It's a brand new subdivision. In fact, we're on the block. There's a house there's a there's a there's a uh

you, weren't, supposed, to, see, that. Yeah., Yeah., So,, so,, so, the, street, was like this is the street right here and there was a school right here.

My, mom, got, as, close, to, the, school, as, she could so she wouldn't have to drive us to work. I would be so upset

dude., I, had, to, look, at, that, school, every day. I, would, be, so, upset. Okay., The, school, was, here, and, then, there was a big empty lot right here that we we had to go work out. You know, we did gym and everything. Yeah.

And, then, I, had, to, look, at, this, house every day. So there was this street

and, behind, us, behind, us, the, street behind us right behind us. So a little alley, not a street is a little alley and then another block of homes just like ours. Ours looked that way. Their homes looked this way. Yeah. So, the garages were looking at each other and they're identical. Every one of these homes is

exactly weird. Exactly, the, same., They're, all, built, the same same size. The brick might have been a different color, but that was it.

Yeah. And, um Yeah. And and and the the the block behind me, directly behind us in our backyard, they weren't built yet.

So,, they, were, all, pine, trees., Mhm. And, we, moved, there and the first day we were there, me and Gary went back there and set the damn forest on fire.

Why? And, burnt, down, the, entire, block, with gasoline. When, did, you, At, what, time, did, Was, it dark out?

No,, it, was, it, was, uh, it, was, like, 2, or 3:00 in the afternoon. We started a gasoline fire. We were used to doing this out out in the country. We lived out in the country. We did everything we wanted out there. you we didn't the closest house to us was maybe you know we had a neighbor but everybody had like two acres of land so you could wander we would go out into the woods we would be lost for seven hours shooting owls and shooting rabbits and like you know we're out in the swamps man like like we're we're living life dude okay and and so now now we move into the city

houses, small, pond huh big, fish, small, pond. Yeah., And, Yeah., Exactly., And, then, we moved to We had this forest behind us.

And, why'd, you, do, it?, Just, you, were, just like "Nah we, had, some, gasoline., We, had, some, pine and we made the we made a little fire. We're bored. We're 10 years old. We're used to making fires and stuff. [snorts]

But, now, we, made, a, fire, in, the, city,, man. And the and it caught on the pine and it caught the gasoline. That happened."

No,, dude., No., We, didn't, want, to, burn, the place down. And the next thing you know we have a fire, raging fire right behind our house. We've been there four hours. raging fire. The entire freaking block is on fire. Okay. And me and Gary are freaking out. We smell like gasoline. You're tripping.

You're, going, to, jail, at, this, point, dude., I'm, like,, "Oh, my, god., Oh, my, god." I said "Gary, we're going to we got to get out of here." Okay. We run home. We run home. My mom's freaking out. And my mom says, "Deny everything." When they get here, deny it all. You know nothing. You did nothing. Nothing happened here. Deny. That was my mom, man. My mom was a gangster.

That, is, so, cool. So, the, fire, department, got, there., They grabbed my mom. They they asked us, "Did you do this? Did you do this?" "No, we didn't do that. We didn't do anything."

Deny, fire. What, fire?, What, are, you, talking, about, dude? I'm You know what does that mean?

And, then, my, mom's, like,, my, mom's, like, "No, they didn't do this. My kids would not do this. She defended us. Dude

that, is, such, a, good, mom." And, then, we, became, gangsters, for, life. Hey, if I said that was it right there.

If, I, set, a, forest, on, fire,, would, you turn me in? Dude,, I'd, be, right, there, with, you building it.

Come, on,, dog. Fire, up.,, Fire, up,, man., I, got the lighter. You, got, I, got, the, gas., Let's, go.

Should, we, Should, we, end, this, interview early? Um, so did no one see you doing it?

No,, nobody, saw, us. How, How's, that, possible? Well,, dude,, this, wasn't, a, big, city.

Everyone, was, just, in, their, house, at, the wrong at the right time. Everybody's, at, work., They're, at, the refinery working.

That's, a, good, point., Okay., This, isn't like the life you live, dude. You live on a street. You live on a street where nobody works. Okay. These people don't work where you live.

They're, home, all, day., They're, golfing. You You don't even know the life. No,, I, don't., I'm, like, not, even, going, to try to fight you on that. I totally don't know the life.

Yeah. How, does, that, make, you, feel, that, you don't know the life? I, kind, of, part, of, me, has, always, wanted to know the life a little bit.

Uhhuh. Obviously,, like, I'm, so, happy, to, have everything that we have. But you tell me some stuff and I'm like "That's cool."

Oh,, yeah. That's, the, coolest, thing, I've, ever heard. Yeah. Obviously,, I, wouldn't, I, mean,, I, live, an incredibly polished and pampered life but I mean, you have some cool stories.

Yeah. And, I'll, never, be, as, cool, as, you, are. I'll, never, I You're, cool,, man.

I'm, cool,, but, I'll, never, be, as, cool, as you are. Like, you went through the mud.

Yeah., Well,, you, know,, you, can, go, through the mud, too, dude. You I don't wish that on you, but

Thanks. Yeah. After, this, happened. Yeah. To, ask, a, loaded, question. When after your dad died, do you think you started doing drugs?

To, ask, a, loaded, question. To, ask, a, loaded, question. Yeah., So,, the, first, time, I, smoked, weed was

Was, that, the, first, drug, you, ever, did? Well,, well,, if, you, don't, count, alcohol, you know.

When, did, you, start, drinking? I, The, first, time, I, drank, alcohol, was, my dad was still alive. My sister was getting married and I got drunk.

Your, sister, was, getting, married? I, was, I, was, probably, How, old, was, I?, Nine

and, we, drank, a, couple, things., Champagne and got wiped out. I'll tell you another story I've never told.

That's, cool. No,, that, ain't, cool,, dude., That, ain't cool, dude. No, I threw up.

Okay. You, know,, anyway,, here's, a, story, I've never told. Okay. Me, and, my, brother

Jay, Cardone's, my, cousin. Jay, Cardone. Jay,, if, Jay, Jay, hears, this,, Jay, was younger than us. a year or two younger than us.

So, Jay, was, seven. Yeah., We're, nine., My, sister, got, married. How, old? Pam., Pam., Pam., I, don't, know., 20., She's 20. I'm nine. Let me see. I'm nine. She's

She, was, 10, years, older. Let's, see., 15., She's, 24. She's, Oh,, okay. She's, 24., So,, they're, getting, married. It's a big deal. My dad's the king. He's got his tux on. We come back to the house.

Come, to, me, on, the, day, of, my, daughter's wedding. kiss my ring ta you know. And so we we you know there's champagne. My dad dad's having everybody at the house. I've never told this story before. I don't even, know if, I, should., So, me, and, my brother me and my brother are stealing champagne. Okay.

You, got, to, remember, we're, the, fourth, and fifth kid. Yeah. So the parents

paying, attention, to, you. Nah., Nobody, nobody's, paying. The, first, one, they're, watching., The second one they're watching.

First, one, they're, watching,, dude., The second one they're pushing. The third one they're like, "Okay, maybe whatever." Fourth and fifth one. Like you guys still live here?

Charlie, Sheen,, bro., Okay., So,, we're freaking sipping al sipping champagne.

No,, I, mean,, you, know., No,, no,, no., We didn't like it, but we got hammered.

Me, and, my, brother., Now,, we, get, so, drunk that we decide to do what a nine-year-old would do to a seven-year-old.

No. Which, is, what? You, drugged,, you, spiked,, you, gave, your No,, we, didn't, want, him, to, drink champagne. So, we replace the champagne

with urine. Can, Are, we, allowed, to, keep, that? Yeah,, we, keep, it., Dude, that's, insane,, dude.

Does, Jay, know, Do, I, know, this? Jay, Cardone., So,, we, pissed, Jay, Cardone. We pissed in the urine in the champagne. So, he had he had a it's probably a terrible champagne, but by the way, so

that, doesn't, matter., That's, actually, not relevant at all. No the, fact, that, it's, cheap, champagne doesn't make it okay that you peed in it.

No,, no,, it, definitely, doesn't,, dude., I just remembered that. I've never told that story. So, Jay, I apologize, dude.

I'm, sorry., If, you, [clears throat], if you've ever if you've ever been upset with me, Jay, and you didn't know why you were upset with me

you, know,, it's, all, What, do, we, say? You're, an, apology. We, don't, say, that., No, one, says, that. So did he So it

then, he, got, drunk., So, there's, three little kids that are drunk you, know., He, got, drunk, on, my, urine.

Oh, my, god., What, year, was, that?, That, was That was like 1967. I, told, you, guys, I, was, going, to, get, the inside scoop.

Dude,, I've, never, told, that, story., I don't think your mom knows that story.

Yeah., Anyway, how, did, he, not, know? So, So, we're, back, to, the, drugs, now., So I'm 16 years old. Wait, we didn't finish the story. Yeah.

So,, you, were, 9, years, old., Did, anybody notice that you got drunk? Yeah,, they, did., They, did., We, got, in trouble,

you, know., Not, not, much, trouble, though because it would, you know. Fair, enough.

It's, too, late. Fair, enough., At, that, point. So,, that, was, the, first, experience, with any kind of like mind you know. But, but now when I'm 16, my brother Russell and Brian Brian Brian was a doctor's son. Russell was a lawyer son and these guys were smoking weed

babies. Yeah,, we, were, 16, and, my, brother, Ryan Brian and and Russell have all smoked weed, but I haven't.

It's, a, blunt, rotation, going, on. Yes,, it's, a, blunt, rotation., And, so, I'm at Brian's house. We're at Brian's house. These were pretty well to do people. We we thought they had a

They, were, like, the, the, ballers, of, the community. Yeah., Yeah., They, were, they, were connected. They you know they had money. They were upper middle class people and we were friends. Gary was friends. Gary was friends who I wasn't. And then I happened to be there.

He, had, a, pool, table., I'm, like,, "Damn, pool table. Who has a pool table, dude? That's amazing."

That's, rich, rich, right, there., Rich, rich., You, know,, and, and, they weren't refinery people.

Yeah. You, see, the, difference? Yeah. And, they, had, weed., And, dude,, I'll, never forget that little joint he passed me. And I'm like, I don't want to do this. I don't want to do this. I don't want to do this. And the next thing you know, I did it.

Why, dude?, The, peer, pressure., Yeah,, peer pressure was so heavy. And, I, was, curious,

you, know,, I, smoked, the, weed., I, got, a buzz. I'm like, "Oh what, was, that, first, experience, like?"

It, was, It, was, It, came, with, so, much guilt. Yeah. That, I, wasn't, able, to, enjoy, it., Yeah.

You, know,, like, you, know, what, I'm, saying? I, was, talking, to, an, adult, the, other, day about how I don't

think, I'm, ever, going, to, do, drugs, because it just doesn't seem like an enjoyable experience. Mhm.

And, this, grown, woman, started, convincing me like, "Oh, actually it's really nice." Like, you would be surprised. Oh my god, she's texting me right now.

Oh, my, god., Goodness., That no,, don't. Yeah. Insane., I, was, like, "What are you doing?" She was like

"We, got, to, get, rid, of, that, person." Yeah,, I, know. That's, a, bad, person.

Continue. So,, yeah,, I, smoked, it., That, That, was that. But but then the second time I smoked it, I was in a car. I was driving the car. 1966 Mustang

did, the, drive, pro, what's, the, dare program smoke, the, weed, and, I'm, driving, for, the first time and I feel like the car sliding

see, that, sounds the, the, car, Yeah, but, it, was, a, trip, it was like I I was having this like oh my god dude this is so cool that was the day I'm like

that's, when, you, were, hooked I'm, gonna, I'm, gonna, have, a, problem, with this I knew it that day man

I'm, gonna, have, a, problem, with, this within one year I was using drugs every day

just, weed no, anything. Yeah,, we, we, were, starting, to, experiment with anything.

Wow. It, was, terrible,, dude., I, would, tell everybody out there, all your friends out there, there's no upside to drugs. Zero.

See,, I, don't, think, so, either., I, don't really see the No,, that, chick, that, whoever, that, is.

So,, I, was, telling, her, I, was, like,, I, hate the feeling of not feeling like I'm in control of my body.

Who, is, this, person? We're, not, revealing, that, when they're, not, one, of, my, friends.

No., Why, would, your, one, of, your, friends be texting me? Well,, who, who, is, it, then?, How'd, they, get in your life? you you know this person just we'll tell

Is, it, the, uh, I, think, I, know, who, it, is. You, know, who, it, is., It's, a, person, that

Okay. Anyway,, I, was, like, I, don't, like, the feeling of not like when you're really tired and you can't hear like all words just sound like sounds. Like that is my worst. I hate that. Yeah. Nothing I hate more than not knowing what's going on.

Yeah., What, what, happens, with, drugs, people that are smoking weed, for instance, what they do is they all start thinking it's funny together.

See,, that, does, sound, fun., Yeah., And, it it is some of it is fun. And then and then you got to go back and do it again to try to you got to try to get that to happen again. And then it doesn't happen again. So you try more drugs to try to get the right combination.

Yeah. And, then, some, idiot, in, the, room's, not satisfied. So he's like, "Oh yeah, add this to it too, dude. Try this. Or how about this? Put this on top. Or how about putting this drip in here? You know, let's put some hashish oil on it. Or hey, how about we sprinkle up some of this fentanyl in Oh

dude., Uh,, hey,, how, about, we, smoke, some on top of that? We'll put some LSD drops on

like, a, drug, sandwich. Yeah., Then, the, next, thing, you, know, you're off and you're running. You're doing stuff. You don't even know what you're putting in your body. And then you're up and you're crashing. You're up and you're crashing.

So, fun, to, me. And, then, you're, starting, to, lose confidence. And then you got all these secrets and you're starting to keep secrets from your mom and your, you know, just my mom in my case and my brother and and my family and my school and the teacher and like all this is getting so complicated, right?

And, your, self-esteem, starts, dropping, and you're paranoid because you think everybody knows what you're doing.

It's, not, that,, you, know,, it's, not, that drugs create paranoia. There's a there's a there's a sense of I'm doing the wrong thing and I know it

and, you, know, you, are., So, then, you, think everyone else knows and, that, that, then, then, they, say,, "Oh, the drug's making you paranoid." No bro. You're doing

You're, making, yourself, paranoid. Yeah., Because, you, know, you're, doing, bad stuff

and, you, don't, want, anyone, to, find, out. Yeah., Exactly., You're, ashamed when, you, have, talked, bad, about, your friend and then your friend's like, "We need to talk." And it's like, "Oh my god."

Exactly. Did, you, hear, the, evil, things, I, said about you? Yeah. Yeah., The, police, officer

sirens, go, on, behind, you., Have, you, ever had that experience? I, mean,, yeah., There's, been, a, police police officer behind you.

Did, you, get, scared?, No. No., Because, you, haven't, violated, the, law yet.

Yeah. But, wait, till, you, run, a, couple, stop signs. Okay. Or go through a couple red lights, right? Or or run over a stop sign

and, then, the, lights, turn, on., You're going to be like, "Oh, they know. They know about me."

Happened,, guys., That, hasn't, happened, to us. What?, What, hadn't, happened?, You, hadn't run over stop sign yet.

You, will. Dude,, the, question, is,, will, you, do, it, by accident or will you do it on purpose?

See,, I, did, it, on, by, accident, once., Let me just come clean. He was teaching me how to drive.

Yeah., Yeah. In, a, Rolls-Royce, cullinin., That's, his bad. Yeah. I, was, like, this, tall.

9,000, lbs. I, was, like,, this, was, like, two, years, ago. I'm just I'm quite a short person, but I was shorter then. And making a turn. Can't see over the hood. All of a sudden, I'm over a curb. There's a stop sign in front of me. And I have my foot over the g the brake pedal. And I'm like

she's, tripping, out. I'm, like,, what, if, this, is, the, gas, pedal? I convinced myself that the brake pedal was the gas pedal. And when I stepped on it, we were just going to fly into the mall cuz this was in the mall shopping center parking lot

right, over, there. So, I, stressed, myself, so, much., I, was like, I don't know which one's it. The brake pedal.

So, we, just, kept, cruising, and, cruising and it was like slow motion stop sign just gets more and more and more and more and more bent until you pull the the park thing while we're moving. So that sucked. And then you got out of the car and I start sobbing.

Oh, my, god. I, have, a, picture, of, myself, next, to, it., I start freaking out while you're outside. I'm, like, "Oh, my, god,, he's, going to, kill me."

How, old, were, you? I, was, 12. Yeah. Or, I, just, turned, 12., And, then, I, was, like freaking out. I [snorts] was like "Oh my god, he's going to he's never going to talk to me again. Like this is I'm so scared right now." And then you got in the car and you were like

"What, can, you, do?" And, I, was, like,, "Got, that, out, of, the way." Yeah., Like,, "You, did, it., Good, job."

Yeah. So, yeah., I, I, didn't, get, mad, at, you. No,, he, didn't, get, mad, at, me, at, all.

Yeah., I, I, mean,, I, gave, you, too, much, to do. It was too much car. It, was, a, big, car.

So,, we'll, fix, it. I I'm sorry about that. I'm, sorry, about, that., You, definitely don't have to apologize about that.

Sorry. But, you, apparently, did, that, as, a pastime. No., Well,, this, is, another, story, nobody knows. Okay. Me and my brother I don't think did me and my brother talk about this what we used to do for a hobby.

Gary, was, telling, me, your, secrets, at, the last family reunion. Dude,, we, had, we, had, this, issue., We, had this cutless.

What? An, old, mobile, cutless. Oh,, it's, okay. And this is got this has got to be let me see 70 20 1978. Okay. And I'm going to show you the car. These cars were bu built different then. Old's Cutless. You guys remember that car? Old's Cutless Supreme. Four doors. Green. Look like that.

Oh,, that's, a, nice, looking, car. Yeah., Let, me, Let, me, get, a, green, one. Y'all don't remember this car? They were big, too, dude. They were like They were like that. Like that.

That's, a, nice, car, huh? You, never, seen, this, kind, of, car,, dude? How, old, are, you?

No,, I, was, born, 26. This, is, the, exact, car., This, is, the, exact car we had without the white the white top. Okay.

Okay., Let's, see., So, and, then, we, can, put, it, in, the Yeah,, we'll, insert, it., But, anyway,

wait. This, car's, heavy., This, car, is, real metal. Okay., That, So,, that's, like, It's, a, unit, if you will.

What, unit? Like, a, unit., Okay., Never, mind., I, don't even know what that means. A unit.

It's, like, like, a, unit., Like, a, unit, is like a a trusty piece of steel or something.

1983., Yeah., Yeah., Anyway, so, this, car, is, heavy. Yeah. Big, chrome, bumper, on, the, front.

That, is, so, cool. What's, that, good, for? Running, things, over. Running, things, over,, dude., So,, we're freaking driving down the road and we tend to go fast. Okay. Did I ever tell you the time about how we store stole the big the big the big tractors and the in the farm trucks?

No. Oh, my, god. How, did, you, manage, that? There's, so, many, things, you, don't, know about. You're a criminal.

So, me,, we're, driving, down, the, road, and we're driving down the road and we decide because they had all these beautiful little mailboxes in a in a neighborhood and we're we're we hate school. Me and my brother both hated school. We had tremendous amounts of energy. We're angry. We're still pissed off that our dad died. We're 16, 17, 18 years old now. We hate school. hate it. So, we'd leave school, we'd be in the car and Michael Jun's in the back seat.

I, don't, know, who, that, is. He's, a, friend, of, mine. Okay., Michael, Jun. He's, called, Punky.

Punky. They, call, We, call, him, Punky., And, then there's Ken. Ken. What was Ken? Ken.

What, was, your, nickname?, Wait,, was, it No,, my, name, was, I, didn't, have, a nickname. Then there was a guy named Ken. He was a He was a junkie. There was the Jagger boys. They were They were

How, many, people, did, this, car, fit? Uh,, you, can, be, a, lot., You, could, fit, a lot. You kind of bucket seat in the front, bucket seat in the back. So Gary I think it was Gary or me. I'm not sure which one of us did this first. We're driving down the road and you see a you see a bunch of mailboxes and there's you know, every every house has a mailbox and the next thing you know wham, he runs over a mailbox

just, with, no, like, group., He, just, did, it. No., And, we, all, started, laughing., Oh, my god, that was the funniest thing I've ever seen in my life. These these car these car cars all weighed 6,000 lbs. It's like taking a Hummer and running over something. Nothing happens. Like the car hits it and just bang, right?

Just, goes, down and, you're, like,, "Oh,, wow., That, was impressive." And the next thing you know, I'm like bam bam bam bam bam bam bam bam. We take out the entire street of mailboxes.

Poor, mailman, the, next, day. Dude,, there's, this, is, a, federal, crime now. We don't know that this is a federal crime. Okay? This is not a local crime, a city crime. This is a US

post, federal, prison, for, that. This, is, a, federal, crime., Destruction, of federal property. Okay? Now, what happens when you're using drugs and you're 17 and you hate life and you hate the teachers and you hate the system and everything's terrible, right? And you feel bad about yourself. Well, you start escalating all this. So the next thing we do

So, you're, like,, "One, mailbox, isn't enough." Yeah., No., No., In, the, entire, The, entire block's not enough. Yeah. Now what do you do?

Where's, the, biggest, mailbox, you, can find? Yeah,, dude., Bigger, is, better.

That's bigger, is, better., So, Oh,, guess, what? There's a speed limit sign. 35 miles an hour speed limit.

35, miles, an, hour, speed, limit. This, is, a, metal, sign, dude. And, we, take, that, cutless, and, run, right over it and it freaking boom. It went down. I'm like, "Oh my god." So, what do we do?

And, you, were, just, so, impressed, by, the fact that when you hit something, it

it, took, the, whole, thing, out., The, faster we go, the faster we would take it out. And we're in the back seat laughing man.

Just, laughing., Oh, my, god,, this, is, the funniest [ __ ] ever. Okay, this is hilarious. We're all laughing. The guys in the back seat are laughing. You know

no, one's, like,, "Hey, guys,, maybe, this isn't a good idea." No,, nobody., No,, nobody's, saying, it's, a bad idea there. I should have been there.

You, should, have, been, there. I, should, have,, been, there., And then one of my buddies, Mark, another buddy, Mark Diamond, Mark Diamond one night because we we started telling

Cool, name. Cool, name., He, was, the, quarterback., He was the coolest dude in the school. He was the coolest guy. Mark Diamond.

Yeah., And, Mark, was, his, girlfriend, was Jennifer. Jen Jen. Jan. What was her name? Jan. Anyway, I ended up being with Jan.

Jan, was, she, was, a, little, hottie., She, was a little short hottie. Uhhuh. LITTLE, COMPACT, PACKAGE.,

[gasps] OKAY,, GOT, IT. OKAY,, so, uh, once, we, did, this, a, couple times, then we would start telling the other friends about it.

Wfire,, man., Just and, then, and, then, other, people, started getting in on that.

He, became, like, a, local six,, seven, you know. Don't, do, that., Cut, that, out.

How, many, would, you, do?, Six,, seven. I, mean, you, okay? I, never, should, have, taught, you, that.

You, know, that?, Yeah, of, course, I, know, it. You, guys, know, you, know, that., Okay., You don't

because, they, don't, know, it., That's insane. That's a shame. You guys are really out of touch. Camera crew over here, guys. I'm just kidding.

So,, anyway,, we, we, Mark, Diamond, one, night decides to do it in his car. Now,, everybody's, car, back, in, that, day, unlike today.

They, could, take, it. They, they, could, take, it., Number, one. Number two, everybody was proud of their cars.

I, don't, think, people, have, the, same proudness. Do y'all think people are as proud of their cars today as they were?

I, thought, of, that. [snorts and clears throat], I, feel, like in every like movie that's

he's, really, into, it., So, he's, like, no never thought about it. Which means no. Okay. You actually don't give a [ __ ] Okay. So So we [ __ ] loved our cars, dude. Your car

every, movie, you, set, in, your, time, is like, "Oh yeah, that's Gary Bryan with the Mustangs."

Yeah., Exactly., Exactly., That, was, good, dude. So we didn't have Uber drivers.

No, you, didn't, have, somebody, pick, you, up that you didn't know. Bro, you had your own wheels, baby. [snorts]

Bro,, we, had, our, own, wheels., We, had, sound systems. M okay., The, entire, trunk, was, a, sound system. Like like if you owned anything you owned a sound system. If you had a car, you had to get a sound system. That was a, big, hustle.

If, you, didn't,, why, do, you, even, have, a car? You And, you, pounded, it, loud,, man., It, was screaming loud music. We're smoking weed. We're drinking beer.

Sounds, like, something. We're, starting, to, pop. No,, it's, not, cool,, dude., No,, I, don't want to make it sound cool. It's not

Okay., It's, not, cool,, guys., Don't, do drugs. And, then, we're, starting, to, pop, pills.

Okay. So,, in, addition, to, the, weed, and, the beer, is, that And, we're, skipping, schools., Huh?, Yeah, we're we're starting to pop pills cuz somebody got somebody's like, "Hey, try this."

Like, what?, Like, aderall? Uh,, no., Aderall, wasn't, a, thing, yet,, but Valium, Qua, uh, Mandre do.

These, are, hypnotics., They, They, kind, of They kind of make you just See,, that's, it., It, sounds, awful.

But, they, had, a, reverse, They, had, a reverse thing on me. Oh,, okay. The, hypnotics, would, get, me, all, boom.

It, was, You're, the, exception, that, makes the rule. It, would, just, get, me, like, it, it, would get me where I was like, "Okay, I can do no wrong. M

okay., I'm, not, going, to, get, caught., So anyway, Mark Diamond, we get him loaded one night.

And, now,, now, Mark, we were kind of the leaders. Of, course, Gary, and, I, were, the, leaders.

Of, course, you, were., Do, we, expect anything else from the Curtis twins? Now, Mark, Diamond,, he, was, the, leader, of the football team. Yeah.

We, weren't, part, of, the, football, team. Yeah. So, Mark, wanted, to, be, part, of, our, team, but Mark couldn't let us be part of his.

You, understand?, You, ever, been, in, a, group like that where they he wants to be part of your thing

but, he, will, not, bring, you, into, his thing? Yeah. So,, he, wants, to, be, part, of, the, cool, club over here, but he won't bring me into his club.

But, he, won't, let, you, be, around, the cheerleaders. Oh,, definitely, not., Cuz, he, knows, what that means. Had them all.

Dude,, a gangster straight up. Okay. Okay., So, one night Mark's in a car. His car. Forget what car this was. It was a very cool car. Mhm.

And, he's, driving, and, we're, drunk, and, I'm in the right hand seat. I'm like, "Mark take that out right there." It was a It was where the market basket was near my house. Near my house. Remember, my house was right here. And then there was a schoolhouse right there on the corner.

Right, across, the, street, from, that,, there was a grocery store. And in between that the the the the schoolhouse and the grocery store where I used to work, I worked in a grocery store. Okay. There was a roundabout. Mhm.

And, in, that, roundabout, was, a, bunch, of bushes. Like we have bushes in front of this house. There was bushes. And I said, "Mark, take out all the bushes."

What, did, the, foliage, do, to, you? Boom., The, village,, didn't, do anything to me. Mark hits the freaking accelerator. This is a gas car.

He's, not, even, like,, "Oh,, are, you, sure?" He's just like, "No." I, think, he, pulled, it, down, into, low, gear. Hit the damn hit the damn gas. Dude, we have at least a 50 or 60 foot head start to hit to hit the the the bushes. He's going to take out all this beautiful foliage and flowers and everything right? And he goes through there. He's driving through there and bam. Did that scare you?

Yes. We, hit, a, damn, concrete, post. Post. Gutted, the, engine, out, of, this, car., Total this car. Okay.

And, I, bet, Mike, Diamond, was, mad. Mark. Mark., Sorry. Not, Mike., Mark., Okay., Oh, my, god., Mark Diamond was so upset, dude.

Mike, Diamond, sounds, better. No,, Mark, D., Mark., So,, he, I, think, I, think he total his car. The whole engine gets like he was so pissed off at me. Oh my god.

Because, he, didn't, want, respons., He didn't want to take responsibility for it.

You, know, what, what, Mark, is, giving, to, me? Yeah., Yeah. I, didn't, know, the, gun, was, loaded.

Yeah., Exactly. Yeah. Yeah. It's, your, fault,, Mark., What, the, heck? Yeah., Exactly.

Okay. So,, he, never, got, over, it., And, then, he never got over that I got with Jan. That's valid. That's

He, never, got, over, that., I, wonder Did, you, take, Jan, while, they, were together

or, were, they? No,, I, actually, took, Jan, later., I, think Yeah,, Jan., Jan, got, around.

Are, we, surprised? I, think, it, was, Mark, and, then, it, was Mike. There was a Mark and a Mike. And I kind

I, knew, there, was, a, Mike, somewhere. There, was, a, Mike., Mike, Arman., Mike, Arman was a nasty dude.

Why?, I, thought, the, Harrison, was He, hated, my, guts. Why? I, don't, know., just, because, or

sometimes, you, get, in, these, clicks,, you know. Yeah,, I, have, some, people, that, I, hate, by extension.

Yeah., So,, anyway,, that, was, my, childhood, man. How long have we been talking about this? I don't know. It's pretty terrible dude.

But, it's, pretty, interesting. But,, dude,, it's, terrible., It's, terrible. It's not good. I just want you to know.

I'm, not, going to, go, following, I, can't Guys, let's be real with ourselves for a second. I'm not cut out for that.

Yeah,, you're, not, cut, out, for, that. I'm, not, going, to, make, it, in, the gangster.

No,, no., This, This, was, just This, was, for, fun, right, now. Yeah., Now, it, gets, then, it, starts, getting really

So, now, you're, kind, of, in, your, like, early 20s. Yeah. Yeah., Because, we, went, through

going, to, college, going, to, college, now. We got out of high school going to college

and, then, it, just, gets, worse, and, the drugs get worse and the drugs get more and I more decline and it's terrible man. It's not there's nothing good about it.

Yeah., You, know, having, to, keep, it, a secret for my mom and you know you don't have any of that to worry about dude. Don't either. Don't don't add it. Life's hard enough.

Yeah,, that's, true. You, know, as, I, was, saying,, I'm, not, interested, in doing drugs and getting peer pressured by random 30-year-olds.

Yeah, it's, very, strange,, but that'll, end, today., [clears throat] Where, do, we, go, from, here?

Well,, okay., I, feel, like, Okay., So, yeah., Anyway,, so, so, you, know,, I, knew, I had a problem. I was using drugs every day. So

so, what's, something, that, you, did, in, your I mean, obviously drugs is an obvious answer, but what's something that you did that you would just never want me to do?

Well,, I, would, Yeah., Yeah., Um,, well, don't don't don't run over signs in mailboxes.

No, more. Don't, don't, don't, pop, pills, and, don't become a drug addict because everybody that uses drugs every day becomes a drug addict.

And with, drugs,, is, it, just, like, because, you said that you did it once and then you did it the second time and the second time got you?

Yeah., When, did, I, know?, Because, I, feel like, you know, you do it on weekends and then you're like, "Oh, it's fine." Just every every time I'm at a party. Yeah. Then you start doing it on Friday evenings and then you do it on Wednesdays and then it's got you.

Yeah., I, I, got, to, where, I, couldn't, even be around people if I wasn't on drugs. Like I just started becoming dependent. I have to have this

to even, get, along. By, the, time, I'm, 20,, maybe, 20, or, 21, dude, my the color of my face is changing. My body's my body.

Did, people, know, that, you, were, on, drugs? Like beyond just your drug friends? Yeah.

Sorry,, that, sounded, kind, of, mean. No,, I, I, think, everybody, knew, I, was, on drugs.

Yeah. Yeah., I, was, on, drugs, all, the, time. Yeah. Every, day. Like, just, wake, up.

Every, day., Every, weekend. Every, Monday. Wow. Every, Wednesday. For, years., For, years.

Huh? How, much, money, do, you, think, you, went, to buying drugs? I, don't, know,

man., That's, got, to, be, a, lot., I, mean, yeah, that wasn't really You could always get money.

That's, true. You, know. Yeah., It's, terrible,, man., And, then, and then by the time I'm 23, I'm living by myself. I had this little little duplex. I know y'all have the duplex.

It's, a, little, tiny cuz, were, you, in My, whole, my, whole, house, is, as, big, as like as big as your bedroom that I lived in by myself. $275 a month

and, it, was, dirty, all, the, time. I didn't clean up after myself. I'd, go, weeks, without, sweeping.

You, open, the, refrigerator, up,, there's nothing in the refrigerator. There's, popsicles., I, lived, on, popsicles.

I, love, popsicles. I, lived, on, chocolate, popsicles, for, for sometimes months. I weighed 100 and uh how I weigh? I weighed 143 pounds.

Okay,, that's, more, than, I, weigh,, but that's not enough for a 20-year-old man.

Yeah. Is, that, No. Is, that, the, normal, weight? No,, dude., That's, 40, lbs, less, than, I weigh today. 40 lb take 40 30% of my mus my body mass off of me.

And, you, didn't, you, were, just, like, "Yeah, this is fine." I, lived, on, chocolate, pudding, sticks. The the the refrigerator the you remove the refrigerator over. There's roaches.

Oh, sticky, stuff., I'd, go, months, without cleaning it. I, didn't, have, a, maid.

Well,, yeah., Now, I, I, know., But, I, mean, do, you, make, your, bed?, Yes. Yeah., Well,, I, didn't, I, didn't, make, it for weeks and months at a time.

Wouldn't, change, the, sheets. Didn't, didn't, wash, the, sheets., Didn't have a washing machine and dryer.

There, wasn't, one, in, your, apartment. No. So,, you, just, never, went, to We'd, have, to, take, it, some, other, place. And I wouldn't take it. When you're a drug addict, you're not taking you're not taking your washing your your your your clothes out.

So,, at, how, to, what, age, were, you, on drugs? 25. 25., Okay., So,, you, started, at, 16.

23., You, know, when, I, got, beat, up?, You know about the beat up the, with, the, Yeah.

Go, ahead., Tell, the, story. No,, you, know, about, it. I, think, so., But so, it's, one, It's, one, rainy, night., The day before Danny Danny was the the the the gangster in Lake Charles. He was the drug lord gangster.

The, gangster. He, was, the, bad, guy., Everybody, knew, who he was. Everybody knew who Danny was. Danny was a criminal.

Yeah. Danny, is, a, criminal., Danny's, probably dead today. But Danny was a criminal.

Yeah., And, then Danny,, if, you're, alive,, don't, come, after us. No,, Danny., Danny,, come, on, after, us., But I'll put I have a reason to put you down,, son., And, [clears throat], I couldn't do it then because I was not certain about myself.

Yeah. And Well,, that, also, probably, wouldn't, have ended very well for you if you killed Danny.

Well,, Danny, tried, to, kill, me., So,, Danny was at my house the day before and Danny was in my bedroom. He wanted me to do something. I said, "No, man. I ain't never doing that. What you do? I I that's too much data.

No,, come., Did, he, want, you? So, I'm, like,, "No,, no,, no, blah, blah blah." And I said, you know, and I made fun of him in front of his people, but I knew it when I did it. I'm like, uhoh, I just tripped a damn

What, did, he, want, you, to, do? I, I, can't, say, it., I, cannot, say, it., Okay, I'm sorry.

So, I, tripped, when, I, did, it., I'm, like, "Oops, I just tripped a a landmine.

Just, went, too, far." That, was, that, day. The next night, Danny comes back over to the house under the pretense that we're going to do something better together.

He, leaves, the, house., I, was, on, my, way, to to to I was on my way to Miami.

Oh,, okay. Sounds, fun,, huh? That's, where, we, live., Wait,, why, were, you going to Miami?

Yeah,, exactly. Wait, so, I'm, going, to, Miami, because, now, Grant is about to take everything to another level

because, you, were, you, gonna, go, buy, drugs for them? Yeah. Okay. And they knew I had the money and accumulated the money to do it. Yeah. We You don't even have enough time.

Okay., Okay. So So, So, I'm, in, trouble, now., I'm, I'm, in total trouble in my life. This is I'm gone.

And, Danny, comes, in, that, night., Hey,, I want to just get you briefed up on all this and da da da what you're going to do and how it's going to go down. Da da da. And when Danny's leaving, he's like man, you got to put that dog up. Capo you got to put that dog. That dog freaks me out, bro. Put that dog up. So, he made me lock my dog in the back bedroom. That was the That was the the warning right there.

Yeah. And, so, Danny's, in, the, front, bedroom. There was not front bedroom, the front living room is connected to the front door. And me and Danny are up there. We're doing drugs. We're getting loaded. D, that's what everybody always did. And these guys were heavy drug user. These are heroin shooters. Okay. I was This

I, have, a, severe, fear, of, holes. Yeah. And, when, they, show, like, heroin, arms, in movies, This is where this is what's happening now.

Continue. These, are, heroin., I, watched, people, get have overdosed on heroin. They put them in a damn bathtub with with ice water to recover them from an OD because they couldn't bring them to the hospital. I saw all that. I saw that happen. Saw people dying on drugs. And so Danny this is who I'm hanging out with now. Danny Danny comes over, sets all this up, and they said, "Okay, man. Good luck tomorrow. Good luck on this trip." And they're walking out. It's pouring down raining outside and I let Danny walk out the front door and as soon as Danny walks out the front door, a guy comes in with a 45 caliber pistol. Boom. Jams it in my face.

Where, did, he, come, from? From, He, was, waiting, for, Danny, to, walk out. It was a setup

because, you, had, bullied, him, the, day before. Yeah., And, he, beat, me., He, beat, me., Put, 70 76 stitches in my head and face. My whole face. You couldn't even You wouldn't even know who I was. I don't have any pictures from that, but

I, wouldn't, want, to, see, it., My, mom, didn't know who I was. My girlfriend was there. Renee. No. No. Angela. Angela. She was back in the back bedroom with

She, was, there. The, dog., She, was, in, the, back, bedroom., He beat the f out of me. Left me on the ground.

I, think, if, there's, any, time, that, you, can curse, I think it's in I, was, I, was, I, was, in, a, room, maybe, this size. Maybe the little dining room area was about maybe half of this size. There was blood on every wall.

He, beat, me, in, the, middle, of, the, room. Yeah, he was. He beat Why, didn't, he, shoot, you?

Well,, why, shoot, somebody? He beat me in the middle. I don't know if he was trying to kill me or disfigure me.

Cuz, do, you, think, he, still, wanted, you, to do the deal in Miami? No,, he, did., He, He, ripped, He, stole everything I had.

They, stole, from, you,, too? Stole, all, the, money, because, he, knew, I was getting ready to go on this trip. So, it was a setup

dude. Yeah. So the next day I said, "Okay, I gotta quit now." Yeah., Too, far., And, I, actually,, do, you remember when we watched Blow with Johnny Depp? Yeah. This is just the plot of Blow. Your life is just the plot of Blow.

Yeah., And, And, it, all, goes, bad. Yeah., That, movie, Johnny Depp., It always goes bad, dude. You know, and it wasn't a movie. So anyway, it would be two years. Then I went to a treatment center.

Yeah. You, know, a, lot, of, people, say, that, that, doesn't work, but it did for you.

It, worked, for, me. Yeah. Yeah., But, you, could, have, sent, me anywhere. But, you, had, done, I, was, ready.

It, was, after, that, that, you, were, like two, years., Two, years, more. Two, years, more., So, after, that, happened, after the

the, great, beating. Yeah. You, were, like,, "Okay,, I, have, to, stop." Yeah. Did, you, have, some, failed, attempts, or, did you just not stop?

Oh,, no., I, try, to, stop, every, day., I couldn't. That's Yeah., Yeah., I, couldn't.

Cuz, then, I, feel, like, you, do, it, and, then you feel worse that you're doing it even then you ever feel I feel terrible.

God,, man., Because, my, plan, was, to, be, a drug lord. You, wanted, to, be, a, gangster.

I, was, going, to, be, because, I, was transitioning when I got the beating. I, was, going, to, be, like,, "Okay,, I'm, going to turn this into a career.

I'm, going, to, figure, out, how, to, like, man, that's, how, bad, I, was., I'm, telling, you, this was so bad. So terrible

you, know,, and, then, and, then, they, beat, me up and stop stop the career." So that's the good part of that.

Thank, God. Danny,, thank, you. Danny. Danny., Thanks. Danny, McGee. I, don't, know if, you

That, was, his, name., Danny, McGee., Danny McGee. Danny, McGee. Can, I, first, of, all, say, that's, the, most pathetic name I've ever heard in my life. It is so pathetic.

That, is, the, name, of, such, an, idiot. Idiot. If, there's, anybody, with, the, last, name McGee that's watching this, I'm sorry but your last name is quite dumb.

Yeah., Danny. Danny., McGee. McGee. Danny. Whoa. Yeah,, that, was, terrible,, dude., There's nothing romantic about that. There's nothing cool about that. For everybody watching,

did, your, girlfriend, break, up, with, you? No,, she's, a, drug, addict,, too.

Angela? Yeah, she was probably with Danny the next, day., Yeah., You, know what's, crazy was Yeah. Anyway

no,, no,, no., Go, ahead. Two, years, later,, I, was, in, a, meeting Yeah. for, drug, addicts.

Like, an, AA recovering., Yeah., Like, an, AA, meeting. Okay. And, a, guy, came, to, me, and, says,, "Hey, man, I apologize." Because in in in in those meetings, you want to make amends. One of the step is to make amends.

Yeah. And, I, said,, "You, want, to, apologize, for what?" Was, it, Danny? I, was, there, that, night. I was there that night. I'm like, "Oh, okay, man."

You, knew, what, he, was, talking, about. Yeah., I, said,, "How, about, you?, How, about you make him amends and give him my money back?"

How, much, was, it? I, don't, know., Everything, I, had,, you know, but you know, they took more than money from me. I I never even thought about the money really. They took my self-esteem. They took my career away from me.

You, were I, was, going to, be, one, of, the, great, ones, dude. I was going to be

gonna, be, the, next, Pablo, Escobar., Yeah., I was gonna be the next Pablo, you know

man. Pablo Escobar's daughter. Yeah,, exactly,, dude. Well,, I, doubt, I, would, have, come, to, be.

Yeah., Yeah., So,, you, know,, I, went, to, the treatment center. Two of my buddies died while I was gone. Two of my friends that I was using drugs with. Both got killed.

They, got, killed. Killed, by, Danny., I, think, one, of, them, was an FBI informant. I mean, uh, a DEA informant.

What, is, a, DA, informant? This, guy, worked, at, a, he, worked, at, a, drug enforcement agency.

One, of, your, friends?, Yeah,, this, guy, was a big dude. I forget his name now, but he worked he ran one of the gyms in Lake Charles,

and, people, from, that, time, would, know, who he was. Um and he was also sleeping with my girlfriend and he was shot on a boat and dumped in the river.

Was, he, like And, I, think, he, I, still, think, today, he was a drug. I think he was a rat.

I, think, they, were, collecting, information on me on, you. Yeah., So, me, me, getting, beat, up, actually interrupted. It saved my whole life dude. It saved the direction of my life. Butterfly effect. Yeah. What's the butterfly effect is like one thing happens that changes the course of everything. Like a butterfly flaps their wings. It's like you get in the car and you're out of gas. You can't go to work but you were going to take the I95 and the I95 was a huge crash and if you would have gotten in your car, you would have died.

Yeah. Yeah., Well,, this, definitely, probably saved me. Two of my buddies died while I was there. Then I went to the treatment center and that's where I met Phil.

I, know, Phil. Phil's, a Phil's, a, dirt, bag. Dirt, bag. Cowardly, disgusting.

Phil, actually, is, worse, than, Danny, McGee cuz, he, came, up, to, you., Okay., But, I, feel

Phil, is, in, Phil, is, in, an, institution where they're try help under the disguise of help and before I'm leaving you know, I'm 28 days and my insurance runs out. So you want the insurance runs out, you going they're saying, you know it's time for you to go now. We want to help you, but if you can't pay us, get out of our facility.

Yeah., Which,, okay,, whatever., So, they, replaced, the, drugs, I'm, on, with another drug called phenobarbital

to, wean, you, off. No,, they, said, you, have, to, be, on, this, new drug. And, I'm, like,, why?, I, want, to, get, off, of drugs. We'll take it while you're here. It's part of the requirement. They literally put me on the phenobarbital. Phil's give me tell me when you leave here you have to keep taking this. And I'm like, bro, I'm not taking it. I'm getting off of

Wait,, you, were, getting, off, of other, drugs,, but, they, believe, that, he Phil says, "Here, this was my last meeting with Phil. I've I've divulged my whole life to Phil everything that I'm going to be a star one day and I'm going to speak to audiences and I'm going to write books, Phil, and I'm going to be rich and one day, one day I'm going to have a company and I'm going to have employees and I'm going to be a big deal." And feels like that's why you're coming back. You're coming back because you're a grandiose, egotistical arrogant, self-absorbed, never satisfied individual.

Can, someone, pull, up, where, Phil, is, today? Yeah. Does, anybody, have, that, information?

No. Phil, was, way, worse, than, Danny. At, least, Danny, was, Phil, is, hiding

because, Phil, I, mean, Danny,, you, know,, you have a criminal. Yeah., Phil,, bro,, you, got, a, guy disguising himself as help. And and I don't know, may maybe Phil actually thought that all those things were going to kill me, but you know, he's like "You're a drug addict. You're always going to be a drug addict. You got a disease. You'll never overcome it." I'm like, "Bro, I'm making bad choices, bro. It's not that complicated.

You, just, stop, making, bad, choices. Stop, using, drugs." Yeah., It's, really, not, that

drug, addicts, can't, stop, on, their, own. I'm like, "What are you talking about? If I send you like you could stop anything on your own. And by the way you can stop it cold turkey. Like if I take a drug addict and throw him on an island or a cigarette addict and I throw you on or a gambling addict and I throw you on an island, there's no cigarettes no alcohol, no drugs.

No, poker and, no, poker., Guess, what? 30, days, later,, you're, going, to, be cracked.

You're, not, those, like, really, serious drugs that it'll like stop your heart if you like

Yeah., Well,, hey, man., I, knew, a, girl, who was dating a guy that was a heroin addict.

What? Yeah,, this, is, crazy., Basically,, she, was an ex-drug addict and she was recovered at this point and she was like, "Yeah my boyfriend was on heroin and he is one of the 2% of people who recover who don't die or continue doing heroin for the rest of her life." And she was telling that to me like it was supposed to make me think she was such a great person and that he was such a great person. You know what we found out about him? He was in an anti-scientology organization and he had like a tattoo that was like

"Oh, my, god." You, know,, it, was, an, awful,, terrible criminal guy. Dude,, how, do, you, Who, are, some, of, these people you're hanging out with, bro?

I'm, not, hanging, out, with, them., I I've, lost, control, of, you. I, don't, hang, out, with, her., I, just, knew her and she was Yeah.

For, some, reason,, people, tell, me, stuff about their lives without me ever asking them.

My, hair, stylist, was, telling, me, about, her divorce the other day. Oh, my, god. I don't know what about me makes people start talking to me about these things.

I, talk, to, you, all, the, time. You, do,, but, you, I, I'm,, you, know,, it's, a little different. We're related. We're blood. You can tell me about whatever you want, you know, and vice versa.

But, these, random, [sighs] Anyway,, continue. Yeah. Yeah., So,, where, where, are, we?

We, are, So,, you're, in, rehab, at, this point? Yeah., I, come, out, of, rehab, and, then that's when I threw myself into, you know, becoming who I am.

So,, this, is, when, things, turned, around. So yeah, if we're This, is, your, life., 9, 10

and, then, we, go, up. No,, way, down, though., Way, down., It, goes down down down down

down. And, then, it, starts, going, up. Well,, no,, not, really., It, starts, going sideways. It starts going sideways. It's just we had to get out of the mud.

Yeah. Now, we're, out, of, the, mud., Now, we're starting Okay. Just like because when you come home from treatment center, you know, you you

that, has, to, feel, terrible. Well,, I, don't, have, the, drugs, in, me anymore. I've never operated without 10 years I haven't operated without a drug.

That, is, like, I'm, only, 14. Yeah., It'd, be, like, from, four, years, old to 14

or, from, 14, to, 24., So, for, 10, years, I, went every day every single day using drugs. I did not know how to be around people without drugs.

So, now, I, have, to, come, back, to, this environment where I'm like everybody, knows, that, you're

and, I'm, like, I'm, looking, everywhere., I'm like everybody knows I'm the loser. I'm the drug addict and I'm so insecure dude. Like I'm so like every everybody's looking at me.

You're, untrustworthy, you, know?, It's, like, you, spilled something on your shirt

you, know? Everybody's waiting for me to fall again. And I know it. You know, I know it. And I'm not sure that I'm not going to make it. I I think I think I think half of me is like, I'm going to make it. and half the other half doesn't know.

But, you, did. Yeah. So, you're, the, goat, for, that. Yeah., Yeah., So, um, Yeah., And, then, and then I just threw myself into my work man.

That's, amazing., So, it, became, a, new, game for you, a new thing for you to chase.

Yeah. Oh,, and, you, were, car, dealing, at, this point? Yeah,, I, was, selling, cars.

Went, from, selling, drugs, to, selling, cars. I'm, slinging, freaking, I'm, slinging, sheet metal and glass, dude. And dude I'm

tires, and, rubber, dude., tires, and, rubber, and, four-doors and two doors and convertibles and trucks, man. And I'm Pontiacs and Toyotas and I'm

Well,, can, I, cut, you, in, the, South? I'm, like,, bro,, if, I, if, What, What, does Jay-Z say? If I could sell to

Oh,, that's, okay., If, I, I, I, sell, kilos, of coke, I think I could sell CDs in diamonds for

Yeah., I'm, like,, I, you, know, is, that, how, you, felt? Yeah. Were, you, like,, man,, I, can, sell, drugs.

If, I, can, sell, drugs,, I, can, sell, seats. Someone called Kanye. I, lost, my, self-esteem,, but, I'm, gonna, get complete.

So,, wow,, that's, insane. Yeah., Yeah,, dude., So,, so, I, got, I, threw myself into these car sales and I hated it. But I didn't have any choices. I wasn't going to work at a refinery. I'd lost my reputation. Nobody was going to hire me. No one no one was going to touch me. And um and I'm like, I got to rebuild, man. I got to rebuild. Every day I got to do the right thing. Every day I got to come in here and show up early. every day. I got to I got to do more than everybody else. I got to prove myself to me.

Is, this, what, you, think, built, the, most confidence? Cuz some would say you're a very confident man.

Yeah. So,, do, you, think, that, was, because, of, the having to take yourself back up to a point of being trusted?

Yeah., I, more, than, being, trusted, by, other people, I had to trust me. Yeah.

I, had, to, rebuild, my, trust., And, man,, I made my bed every day. I got to work first every day. Like I had all these things. I'm getting up when the sun gets up.

Yeah. And, as, soon, as, I, got, up,, dude,, I, got dressed as fast as I could. cleaned all my [ __ ] up and got to work as fast as I could.

So,, you, certainly, strict, discipline. I, didn't, very, a, tremendous, amount, of discipline and then and then figured out how to do that every day and and every day at lunch I'd go to a meeting.

Sometimes, I, go, to, a, meeting, in, the morning. I'd go to an AA meeting or an NA meeting.

Were, you, an, alcoholic, as, well? No., Okay., Just, for, fun. I, would, just, get, No,, I, would, I, would, go to those meetings though because I wouldn't I didn't drink for 26 years. Nothing. I'm like, I'm I'm I'm put my whole life together before I ever have another drop alcohol.

Wow., I, didn't, know, that. Yeah., Because, I, didn't, want, the, I, didn't want because the alcohol introduced me to the drug.

It's, a, gateway, drug., It's, 100%, a, gateway drug. Yeah. Anything, that, messes, with, your, mind, is, a is a drug, you say

pretty, much., So,, so, and, I, just, wanted, to be sure I wasn't didn't have problems with that.

Yeah. And, so,, um Yeah., What, was, I, say?, Oh,, yeah., I'd, go to a meeting sometimes. I'd go to a meeting, a prayer meeting, a Bible study.

I'd, go, to, Yeah,, dude., anything, anywhere people were meeting where they weren't using drugs

any if, I, didn't, if, I, wasn't, working I was going to go to a meeting where somebody was there

somebody, was, there, having, some, kind, of success some, kind, of, like, they, were, working, on some kind of improvement

so, that, was, my, first, really, that, was, my introduction to self-improvement

that's, amazing you, know, and, then, and, then, I, got, those tapes at 25 tapes

somebody, gave, me, a, tape, of, this, guy Jackie Cooper he was my my my my sales mentor And I listened to that tape and I got the tape and then I bought some more tapes and then I got I got become a junkie.

It, was, a, different, addiction, dude., I, was, successful, addiction. Total, I'm, like,, "Give, me, give, me, give, me some freaking self-improvement."

My, toe., Can, you, put, heroin, in, your, toes? Huh? Mom, told, me, the, other, day, you, could, you could put heroin in your toes.

Well,, you, can, put, anything, in, your, toes, dude. Dude, I'm starting to sling the metal, bro. Okay. Like, I am a junkie. This

You're, almost, a, transformer, with, how much you deal with automobiles. Totally,, dude., Like, this, has, become, I now become this is the this is the becoming.

This, is, when, Grant, Cardone, started becoming Grant Cardone. Totally. Yeah. This, is, the, And, but, this, is, low, level., I don't know I'm going become me but man I am going to rebuild my life here.

Yeah., The, decision, is, made., You're, not going to relapse. You're not doing you're not making any more ducks.

And, and, I'm, starting, to, get, a, little, bit of traction. You know how much money I'm making now?

No. Three, grand, a, month., But I'm starting to get a little traction, dude. It's more than

I'm, starting, to, feel, good, about, myself. Yeah. You, know,, so, I've, been, I've, been, away from I've been gone from treatment for maybe 90 days and I'm like starting to say like

you're, you're, you're, skiing, and, your life you were like climbing up the slopes. Yeah. And now you're starting to go down.

No. Okay., No. No., It, ain't, that, good., Not, there, yet. It ain't that good.

So, now, you're, like, the, mountain, is becoming less steep here. Yeah., No., No., Now, now, I, know, I, can, climb the mountain.

Okay. I, can, get, up, the, mountain, so, that, I, can ski one day. I I have no clue what's about to happen though. This is the end of episode one. Tune in to the next episodes to learn more about Grant Cardone and how he built his successful empire. We're going to talk about because we all know he was a bit of a player in his maybe 30s. So, we're going to get into that. We're going to talk about when he met my mom. We're going to talk about when he acquired his multi-billion dollar company. We'll see you next time. Good.

Questions about this episode

Who speaks in "The Moment I Knew I’d Be Addicted to Drugs"?

Scarlett Cardone (Host).

What is discussed in "The Moment I Knew I’d Be Addicted to Drugs"?

In order: 0:00 Scarlett Cardone, Lake Charles, Louisiana; 1:10:00 AA.

What is mentioned in this Grant Cardone episode?

3 people, works and ideas are mentioned, including Scarlett Cardone, Lake Charles, Louisiana, AA. Each one on this page links to its own page with every episode that mentions it.

How long is "The Moment I Knew I’d Be Addicted to Drugs"?

The episode runs 1 h 19 min; the transcript is about 17,017 words in 538 timestamped sections.

More from Grant Cardone

About this transcript: the episode's spoken words as captioned on YouTube, split into timestamped sections. Reclip.Me locates every person, work and idea in the text, keeps the time it is first named, and quotes the words around it verbatim. Last updated January 24, 2026.