Daily Inspiration: Meet David Soto-Griego

Today we’d like to introduce you to David Soto-Griego.

David, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin? 
Readers digest version: I’m 56 years old now, born youngest of 6, different from the beginning, bad relationship with mother entire life up until my 40’s. Molested from age of 5-12 drugs and alcohol problem 17-21. came out of the closet at 21. Family disowned me early on. At 21 my life took a drastic turn from 21 – 26. I drank heavily 26 went to AA meetings was sober for 7 years, challenged my beliefs and understanding of life, started drinking again but from 26-33 worked on myself counseling but the biggest change and significant pivotal point in my entire life was when I met a Native American Shaman and studied with her for several years. Changed my life forever showed me I’m much more, and I have a purpose. I’ve dedicated my life to helping others and became a massage therapist in 1991 as well as a Reiki Master Teacher, begin doing yoga at that time as well. Life took another turn I moved to San Diego and had a series of events that led me to using Crystal Meth for the next 3 years from 33ish to 36. I was homeless for most of the time I was in San Diego lived on floors of friends in cars, and bathed in public libraries. What got me out of that was helping a friend who was in deeper than I. I got him clean and then worked on myself getting clean. Moved back to Phoenix back in with my mother and with my friend. Was thrown out of my mother’s house for many reasons on being our relationship, the other being my niece was pregnant and needed a place to live. Oh, that was the 3rd suicide attempt, moved in with my sister and got a job. Started working at Banner Desert became a coordinator of the department and then worked for a medical device company as an onsite specialist. From there my contract ended and was out of a job started doing massage again at 45 became a certified person trainer. Worked for another company for 8 years and was fired right at the pandemic. Right before the pandemic hit, I was in Peru doing an Ayahuasca ceremony where I was giving the vision of opening my facility. Then came back and was fired. Sorry my life has been a series of events. After being fired I started working online with my clients training them and when things started opening I started it as a business. My mother died on Christmas day and from that, I got a small inheritance which afforded me to open my Holistic Fitness studio where I share my gifts as a personal trainer Massage therapist yoga instructor Reiki master teacher, and Qi Gong instructor. Like I said there has been a lot that has led me here and even though some of those events were tragic I was able to climb out and come out on top. I’ve been together with my now husband of 12 years, and 8 of them married. I’ve been able to use my experience to help guide others out of addiction and other emotional issues and fulfill my purpose or what I believe is my purpose. This story translates better in person or verbally as there are too many details to explain including 9 deaths in the past 3 years. I am now the proud owner of Conxion (connection), where I live my dream daily with gratitude and grace. Please reach out if you’d like me to condense a portion of this experience. I made it. I’m alive. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not a smooth ride at all, challenges with personal beliefs unsupportive Mother and siblings. Working through the pandemic, with supply needs and shipping demands… working with half a facility finished because of these demands. Learning curve as I’ve not ever owned a business like this before. People and situations were placed in my path to help. One of my clients is a corporate real-estate agent, that helped me with my lease and another friend is a small business consultant she was able to help me with a lot of details I had not ever thought of. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a business owner and a 1 man show I have personal training clients, massage client yoga clients, and qi gong clients. I also teach workshops on Manifestation, Chakras, and Breath Empowerment. What I’m known for is my compassion and skill as I am a self-proclaimed muscle nerd, I’m amazing at modifications and understanding injuries and how to overcome them, both in massage and personal training. 

My heart sets me apart from others. I intuitively know others and how to handle them and their issues. 

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out.
Keep your passion in your focus and don’t get caught up in business. Marketing is key, make sure you have a budget for this. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.conxionmbs.com
• Instagram: conxionmbs
• Facebook: conxionmbs