Tremendous

1. Hustle is a Double-Edged Sword: Motivation Matters

The hustle nearly killed me in the early parts of my life, but the hustle also saved me in the end.

Early hustle. Joey Diaz's upbringing instilled a strong work ethic, or "hustle," learned from his mother's relentless pursuit of financial stability. This drive initially led him down a path of crime and addiction, highlighting the importance of ethical motivation. Hustling, in itself, is neither good nor bad, but the intention behind it determines its impact.

Dark paths. Diaz's warped motivation for hustling led him to drug dealing, robberies, and even kidnapping, showcasing the destructive potential of unchecked ambition. His early life was a "shitshow" fueled by a desire for quick money and a disregard for consequences. This period underscores the need for a moral compass to guide one's actions.

Redemption through comedy. Comedy became Diaz's saving grace, providing a positive outlet for his hustle and transforming his past failures into relatable stories. His ability to connect with audiences through his experiences demonstrates the power of finding a constructive purpose for one's drive and energy.

2. Early Exposure Shapes a Life: The Bar and Beyond

My mother didn’t believe in day care, so when we first moved to the United States, she brought me to the bar with her every day and then back again at night.

Barroom upbringing. Diaz's childhood in his mother's bar exposed him to a world of adult vices, gambling, and street smarts. This unconventional upbringing shaped his worldview and provided him with early lessons in survival and social dynamics. The bar was his classroom, and the patrons were his teachers.

Friendships and drugs. His mother's friendship with Zoraida, a drug dealer, normalized cocaine use and introduced him to a criminal element. These early exposures blurred the lines between right and wrong, contributing to his later struggles with addiction and crime. The influence of his environment cannot be overstated.

Female influence. Raised primarily around women, Diaz developed a deep appreciation and comfort with the opposite sex. This early exposure shaped his understanding of relationships and his respect for women, providing a positive counterpoint to the negative influences in his life.

3. Toughness is Learned: From Lunchbox Brawls to Street Smarts

Now I was dead set on never getting my ass kicked again.

Central Park fight. A humiliating experience on his first day of school, where he was beaten up for his Cuban lunchbox, ignited a fire in Diaz to become tough. This incident marked a turning point, pushing him to seek out ways to defend himself and navigate the harsh realities of the streets. The desire to avoid future victimization became a driving force.

Santeria and street life. His involvement with Santeria, through his godmother Beva, provided a spiritual grounding and a connection to his Cuban heritage. Simultaneously, his exposure to street life on 148th Street taught him the rules of survival and the importance of hustle. These contrasting influences shaped his complex character.

Bruce Lee inspiration. Bruce Lee's success as an immigrant who conquered the world of martial arts inspired Diaz to believe he could also overcome his challenges. Lee's example provided a model for self-improvement and a belief in the power of hard work and determination.

4. The Stepfather's Influence: Violence and Protection

We hopped in the car afterwards, went down to the Hudson River, and tossed the gun in the water together like a family.

Juan's presence. The arrival of his stepfather, Juan, brought a new level of intensity and violence into Diaz's life. Juan's no-nonsense attitude and willingness to use force to protect his family instilled a sense of fear and respect. Juan was a man of few words, but his actions spoke volumes.

Lessons in violence. Witnessing Juan's violent acts, including shooting a man in the leg and beating a cab driver, normalized violence as a means of resolving conflict. These experiences shaped Diaz's understanding of power and the consequences of disrespect. The line between justice and brutality became blurred.

Cuban heritage. Juan's strong belief system and dedication to his Cuban heritage instilled a sense of pride and cultural identity in Diaz. Juan's defense of San Lazaro's day and his violent reaction to animal abuse demonstrated the importance of upholding one's values.

5. Sex, Love, and Loss: Navigating Early Relationships

Women have the power to take a motherfucker down.

Early encounters. Diaz's early experiences with sex, including a failed attempt to get a blow job and voyeuristic encounters orchestrated by Puerto Rican Nelson, shaped his understanding of sexuality and relationships. These experiences were often awkward, confusing, and exploitative.

Nikki obsession. His first serious relationship with Nikki consumed his life, leading him to neglect his grades and abandon his other interests. The heartbreak of their breakup taught him the power of women and the potential for love to both elevate and destroy.

Summer school. The fallout from his relationship with Nikki led to academic failure and a summer spent in remedial classes. This experience highlighted the consequences of prioritizing love over responsibility and the importance of maintaining balance in one's life.

6. A Double Life Unravels: Drugs, Crime, and Lost Dreams

I felt like I was living a double life.

Conflicting paths. As Diaz entered high school, he struggled to reconcile his athletic aspirations with his involvement in crime and drug use. The pressure to choose between these conflicting paths created internal conflict and ultimately led him to abandon his dreams of playing basketball.

Basketball dreams. His dreams of playing basketball were crushed when he was benched due to racial prejudice. This injustice fueled his anger and resentment, pushing him further down a path of rebellion and self-destruction. The loss of his athletic aspirations marked a significant turning point.

Karate and crime. While karate provided a sense of discipline and self-defense, it ultimately failed to keep him on the straight and narrow. The allure of easy money and the thrill of criminal activity proved too strong, leading him to fully embrace a life of crime and addiction.

7. Descent into Darkness: Grief, Addiction, and Criminality

After Tati did the ceremony at our house, the house got dark to the core.

Mom's desperation. His mother's financial struggles and desperation to get his sister out of Cuba led her to make a deal with Tati, a dangerous criminal, that brought darkness into their home. This decision marked a turning point, accelerating their descent into chaos and despair.

Tati's influence. Tati's presence brought violence and negativity into their lives, further blurring the lines between right and wrong. The Santeria ceremony gone wrong symbolized the corruption of their values and the consequences of making deals with the devil.

Mom's death. His mother's sudden death plunged Diaz into a state of grief, addiction, and criminal behavior. The loss of his guiding force unleashed his darkest impulses and led him down a path of self-destruction. The world turned black and white.

8. Hitting Rock Bottom: Homelessness and a Glimmer of Hope

I was twenty-one years old, an orphan, and homeless.

Rocket ship refuge. Waking up in a rusty rocket ship in a park symbolized the depths of Diaz's despair and the complete loss of his former life. Homeless and alone, he was forced to confront the consequences of his choices and the wreckage he had created.

Mr. Bender's kindness. The Benders' offer of shelter and support provided a glimmer of hope in his darkest hour. Their kindness and generosity offered a temporary reprieve from his self-destructive path, but ultimately proved insufficient to overcome his addiction and criminal tendencies.

The offer. Mr. T's offer of help and a spot in a detox center provided a potential path to redemption. This act of kindness planted a seed of hope and set the stage for his eventual recovery, but the road ahead would be long and arduous.

9. Finding Redemption: Comedy as a Guiding Light

When I eventually found my stride with comedy, things started to take a turn for the better.

Early comedy. The encouragement from his karate coach and the support of his friends provided a sense of purpose and direction. Comedy became a way to channel his pain and anger into something positive, offering a glimmer of hope for a better future.

The stage. The stage became his sanctuary, a place where he could be himself and connect with others through laughter. His past failures became less important as he found validation and acceptance in the eyes of his audience. The stage was his new home.

Uncle Joey. Growing a fanbase that felt like family provided a sense of belonging and purpose that had been missing in his life. Becoming "Uncle Joey" gave him a new identity and a reason to stay on the right path.

10. The Power of Friendship: Loyalty and Support in Dark Times

My fanbase that quickly felt more like family to me than anything else.

Zoraida's promise. Zoraida's unwavering loyalty and support, even after his mother's death, provided a lifeline during his darkest hours. Her promise to take care of him and her consistent presence in his life demonstrated the true meaning of friendship.

Balzano family. The Balzano family's acceptance and support provided a sense of belonging and stability during a turbulent time. Carmine's mentorship and the family's unwavering loyalty offered a safe haven from the chaos of his life.

Comedy community. The friendships he forged in the comedy community, particularly with Joe Rogan and Marilyn Martinez, provided a sense of camaraderie and support. These relationships offered encouragement, guidance, and a shared understanding of the challenges and rewards of pursuing a career in comedy.

11. From Criminal to Comic: A Journey of Transformation

I was lower than low . . . but I came out the other side.

Sobriety and success. Diaz's journey from addiction and crime to sobriety and success as a comedian demonstrates the power of transformation. His ability to overcome his past and find a positive path forward serves as an inspiration to others struggling with similar challenges.

The hustle. His success in comedy is a testament to his relentless work ethic and his willingness to "show the fuck up" and practice his craft. His story highlights the importance of perseverance and dedication in achieving one's goals.

Second chances. Diaz's life is a testament to the possibility of second chances and the power of finding redemption through purpose and connection. His story offers hope and encouragement to anyone who has made mistakes and is seeking a path to a better future.

Last updated: February 24, 2025