Conversations with David Figueroa

Today we’d like to introduce you to David Figueroa.

Hi David, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I was born with Cerebral Palsy in May of 1991 four months premature in the town of Caguas, Puerto Rico. During the early years of my life growing up, I couldn’t read, write, walk, and had a very limited vocabulary. Doctors told my parents there was very little hope in that I could lead a very happy, normal, and healthy life.

I would alternate between living with my dad and stepmom in Puerto Rico and my biological mom in Florida during certain times during the years until her tragic death in 1999 at 23 years of age. Three months after her death, I began walking, and then my stepmom made the biggest decision of her life choosing to take care of me because she saw unlimited potential in me and wanted to give me the life I was never supposed to have. I then started my educational journey in Puerto Rico completing the 1st grade with honors but due to the school system not being inclusive and accomodating for me I ended up moving to Florida with my family to improve my education and life.

After I moved to Florida in 2000, I completed elementary, middle, high school there and went on to obtain my Bachelor’s degree from UCF in 2016. In 2017, I began serving with Americorps as an academic assistant to middle school students and in 2021 I began working as a youth advocate for My Brother’s keeper Orlando. Despite the obstacles faced in my life, I am now a Motivational Speaker, Disability Advocate, Youth Advocate, and Podcaster.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I faced some discrimination in the school system early on in life but since then with the proper support system, my determination, courage, and my family. I have been able to overcome the educational, physical, and self-esteem obstacles and challenges related to my cerebral palsy.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a motivational speaker, disability advocate, and podcaster host of the Cerebral Palsy and Fitness Podcast. I specialize in Cerebral Palsy and Fitness.

Usually, I’m all about sharing my journey of living with CP, but over the years, I have come to realize that inviting others to share their own personal stories gives them an opportunity to not only share their own stories but to do it in a place that is judgment-free and have a voice to reach out to others around the world. I’m most proud of the fact that I am able to make an impact on so many people’s lives.

For example, I had a guest who ended up listening to my podcast and it helped her overcome suicidal thoughts and depression. I also had another guess start his own fitness journey right after listening to my podcast. What sets me apart from others is my ability to make an impact right from the first time I meet them it’s almost like they know everything will go well and surprisingly it does!

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I was relatively shy growing up always kept to myself and I was very active in sports and loved playing video games, over time as I got older, and I started feeling confident about my disability, I became social and I realized around the age of 25 that it was ok to have a disability and embrace it and I wanted to help others do the same.

Contact Info:

• Email: davidscpfitness@gmail.com
• Website: https://linktr.ee/davidscpfitness65
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidscpfitness/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CerebralPalsySpeaker/
• Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCbBwDx9ba9wHPfnNCobD9XA?view_as=subscriber
• Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-cerebral-palsy-and-fitness-podcast/id1589683379