34. Jose Pereira | CITGO CEO Turned Venezuelan Hostage For 5 Years

Jose Pereira was serving as CEO of CITGO (energy company) in 2017 when he was on his way to complete one last business trip before retiring after a 35 year career. 
During his trip to Venezuela, local officials captured and arrested Jose and his 5 colleagues falsely accusing them of being American spies. Jose was held hostage in brutal conditions for 5 years as a political pawn, while Venezuela angled to get America to remove sanctions. 
During his 5 year captivity, Jose snuck out 1,000 letters to his beloved wife. He turned those letters into a book titled "From Hero To Villain: My True Story of the Citgo 6." 
This is a story of perseverance, optimism, faith, and strategy. It wasn't by chance Jose and his fellow hostages made it out alive. 
Jose is a remarkable individual and I'm so excited you are going to hear his story and lessons today. 
Jose has been interviewed by Anderson Cooper, and featured by multiple major news outlets. 
Please enjoy and let me know what you think. 
Never forget... we are all the CEO of our own lives. 
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