Pass It On Today - Success Stories

Success Stories

Anthony Banaag

My government name is Paolo Antonio Yulo Banaag, but my friends and associates call me Anthony. I'm writing this to give thanks and to acknowledge a program with its staff that personally helped me in getting my life back on the right track. First let me tell you a little bit about my background...

I'm a product of the typical American household of a divorced family, I'm not blaming my upbringing as the root or cause of my delinquency, but its just a fact. I grew up with different family members who would take me in and I lived a descent life, not in poverty, not in posh luxury either. Around late middle school and early high school I got involved with Asian gangs. I craved the notoriety and the fringe benefits that came with it, money, cars, oh and of course girls. I was on a hiatus until I hit a dead stop in February 10 1999. when I was involved in a shooting. I was charged and convicted with attempted murder and sentenced to 35 years plus 4 months to life. I didn't think I was ever going to get out, especially with the politics of paroling a lifer, but as luck would have it my appeal came through and my sentence was reduced to 10 years plus 4 months. I was extremely happy as one can imagine, but a new thought came into my head, "I'm going to be 28 years old when I get out". I started to prepare for my release, I knew that most people that age had a bachelors, a decent income and probably starting a family with a first mortgage. One thing about me is I don't like being looked down upon or be below or behind to others comparable to my age.

So I set forth in a new life. I went to lower custody prisons, that had no programs for people that wanted a change. The best they had was narcotics anonymous and alcoholics anonymous, I had no drug or alcohol problem so that didn't help. I finally found a program that would benefit me in prison and that was the college program in Ironwood State Prison and Chucawalla Valley State Prison where I earned and associates in less than 2 yrs and graduated cum laude.

In the late third quarter of 2007 I was fortunate enough to be in a facility where there was going to be some motivational guest speakers. I was in Bakersfield in McFarland where I attended Pass It On. The flyer caught my attention because it read, the secrets to success and making lots of money etc. I attended out of curiosity , as did so many others. The message that helped transform my life was that everything begins with you, not your outside factors. After receiving some free books and tapes I seen those tapes and books being circulated around, people were genuinely interested in the information. At the first event where Pass It On made a presence at McFarland I met Bret Treadwell and Scott Evans. I had the opportunity to speak with them after the presentation and asked if they would return, much to my surprise they did. I asked Brett if he would give me his email address or website to see if he can give me some advice and mentoring when I get out, and he did ( I was skeptical though if it was authentic).

Upon release I decided to email Bret and was surprised that he did give me a real address and that he responded. We have been keeping in touch through email and talks on the phone. Through speaking with Brett I feel more confident about the future, I incorporate his advice and ideas in my life. I am certain I am moving in a good direction with success at the end. He doesn't have a magic wand to make everything better, but his philosophies and exercises make me think.

Since speaking with Bret and being introduced to his abf program I set goals and act upon them. I focus on the future take focus away from the past and negativity . I'm more aware consciously than I have ever been and know that the power of your thoughts can influence your future.

Many good things have been coming my way. I am getting myself on my feet. I worked two jobs, started to build my credit. My supervisors have all gave me high evaluation marks and i feel confident of a promotion in the future. I was also recently awarded the VIP Mentors Outstanding Achievement Award in trying to successfully complete parole at the Wyndham hotel in Orange County, which Thomas G. Hoffman , the CDCR director of Adult Parole signed.

In the future I see myself successfully completing parole. I have been trying to start a business and know that it will come into existence. I look forward to the future and am grateful for the guidance and support the people from Pass It on have provided as well as Bret Treadwell who continues to share his wisdom and teachings to me.

Mike Dunn

Hi Jeanie,

Now that we’ve had a few weeks together as coach and student, I’m writing, as you had asked me to do, about how I feel up to this point. I have to say that our coaching calls together have had a very positive impact on me so far in several areas.

I suppose the most exciting part is how my girlfriend and I have renewed our bond together and have realized almost a new born love for each other just by talking through important things for the two of us and our son Spencer. We’ve struggled in certain areas the past few years, but now it’s like we’re reinforcing our love by communicating so much better than we had been doing. It’s exciting to talk about a marriage date and our future together. (Yes, I know Jeanie, I need to get off my duff and get this done!) But we’re very excited with our attitudes toward each other and not just banging our heads against the wall about our jobs and bills and all the other negatives that go in this direction.

As for me personally, I feel much stronger about the pursuit of becoming a public speaker. I’m in the process of releasing my fear of being without Luhr Bros., Inc.; the Company I’ve worked for the past 23 years. I’m not saying that I’m completely fearless of leaving, but I feel much more confident today about moving on than I did a year ago. I really want to be able to put the travel and 12 hour days, and the negative environment that I’m surrounded by every day, behind me and move on.

This coaching has opened my eyes to exactly how much negativity I’ve been surrounded by all of my life, not only with family and friends, but the massive amount that shows up at work day in and day out, it’s almost unbelievable.
I suppose one of the biggest changes for me, in regards to your coaching, has been the accountability factor. Sure we all go to work and do our job and bring home a paycheck, but when it comes to actually writing down personal goals and discussing them weekly with a mentor, it’s a feeling of accomplishment beyond any fuzzy feeling you could ever get a work. I’ve thought through ideas time and time again, but have stopped short of putting the pen on the paper.

You’ve really given me the opportunity to see myself as a coach or mentor someday, outside of any other goals I’ve talked about. When I sit and quietly daydream I can visualize myself in your shoes, helping someone else in their pursuit of a dream. Or as we should be saying, to “Pass it On!”

The toughest part for me has been to try and maintain our schedule while working out of town living out of a hotel room. The exciting part is that I will be able to share that someday and let others know that, yes, it can be done! Yet another true feeling of accomplishment.

If I had to sum things up briefly, I believe the simplest way to say it is like this. The coaching program has helped me to realize that success is a journey that can be traveled by anyone, happiness is a state of mind, and we really do wake up each day with a choice to walk out into the world and be somebody at another level than we previously believed was possible. I am so glad I made the phone call and started the process to becoming more than I gave myself credit for being able to become. Your encouragement and support has shed a new light for me, and I plan to pass it on and be grateful for that gift you’ve shared. I want to walk in your shoes someday!

Talk to you soon, Jeanie, and thank you very much.

Mike Dunn