Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Cai Garcia of Gilbert

We recently had the chance to connect with Cai Garcia and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Cai, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
I think a lot of people quietly struggle with giving themselves the credit they deserve. In a media-saturated, performance-driven culture, it’s easy to feel inadequate, especially when you’re passionate about something and constantly exposed to curated images of others “doing more.” Our media is built to fuel that sense of lack, always pushing us to want more, be more, do more. Because of that, I believe it’s important to develop an internal metric for success, one that reflects personal growth and authenticity, before seeking external validation. For me, being proud of what I’ve accomplished matters more than how it’s received by others.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Cai! I’m a dancer, movement coach, and the co-founder of Arizona Wildfire, a dance company that blends the grit of country swing with a bit of unexpected storytelling and flair. We’re known for being welcoming and family-oriented, with the company headed by me and my wife Katie. Our mission is to make dance more accessible, fun, and authentic, whether you’re preparing for competition or just stepping onto the floor for the first time.

My background is rooted in both the arts and behavioral science, and I’m passionate about creating systems that help people grow on and off the dance floor. Right now, we’re working on expanding our event offerings and refining our approach to training so dancers of all levels can build confidence, technique, and their own unique style.

At the end of the day, I love helping people connect through rhythm, movement, and a little bit of mischief.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
I used to be incredibly hard on myself. I went through some heavy, emotionally difficult losses in my younger years that closed me off for a long time. I spent years trying, and failing, to find myself again, until I eventually gave up. After such a long internal battle, I came to the conclusion that this was just who I was now. I was broken, and there was no getting better. It’s a dark thought, but oddly enough, it was exactly what I needed to finally begin healing.

What I hadn’t realized at the time was that all of my efforts to improve myself were skipping over something essential: the need and the space to process. I was so focused on “getting better” that I never gave myself permission to just be. Every morning, I’d look in the mirror and tell myself that I was going to be better today, but in doing so, I was unconsciously reinforcing the idea that I wasn’t enough as I was. What I thought were positive affirmations were actually negative mental punches in disguise, and they left no room for true healing.

It wasn’t until I fully accepted where I was, stopped fighting it, and asked it what it had to teach me, that I stopped letting all the negative thoughts take up space in my heart. Once I stopped trying so hard to escape the darkness, I finally began to see the light. That shift in mindset allowed me to grow into the life I have now, with my beautiful family and a sense of peace I didn’t think was possible.

Now, I’m not saying this path works for everyone. But what it taught me is that sometimes, the grind itself can be the thing holding you back. Constant forward motion isn’t always the answer. In a culture that glorifies hustle, it’s easy to mistake rest for failure, but your dreams aren’t going anywhere. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is pause, be present, and give the answers a chance to find you.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I get this question a lot, and my honest answer is that I wouldn’t say anything. I wouldn’t want to risk changing a single choice he made, whether it was right or wrong. Every decision, every mistake, every victory led me to where I am now, and I wouldn’t trade that journey or this life for anything.

There’s a quote by Stephen Colbert that’s always stuck with me: “I learned to love the things I most wish had not happened… what punishments of God are not gifts?” That line has always resonated deeply with me. It reminds me that even the hardest parts of life serve a purpose. As he also said, “It is a gift to exist, and with existence comes suffering, there’s no escaping that.”

If we are to be grateful for the life we have now, then we have to be grateful for all of it, the beauty and the pain, the growth and the setbacks. Because without the ugly parts, it wouldn’t be life. And that, in itself, is something worth honoring.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
I’m not sure if it’s traditionally considered a “value,” but something I hold close is the sense of home and belonging that comes through food. I grew up around my Hispanic family, and even when they weren’t around, I found myself drawn to the culture I was born into, especially through cooking. Food became more than just nourishment; it was connection, memory, and love all wrapped into one.

To this day, I love cooking for others and making sure my friends and family feel welcome in my home. Sharing a meal feels almost sacred to me. It’s a way of saying, you matter, and you’re cared for. One of the things I hope to pass down to my kids someday is the importance of a home-cooked meal, not just for the food itself, but for the togetherness it creates.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I’m gone, I hope people remember me as someone who showed the importance of kindness, empathy, and respect. More than anything, I want to inspire others to become the best version of themselves, not just for their own growth, but so we can all contribute to a kinder world.

One of my favorite belt buckles has the engraving: “Nothing can stop me.” At first glance, especially sitting on a first-place buckle, it might come off as a bit arrogant at first glance. However, it’s meant to be deeply ironic and intentionally layered, highlighting the importance of being curious and the dangers of making assumptions too quickly. For one who simply judges a book by its cover would think the saying to be pompous and overly confident. The curious, however, would inquire and learn that the phrase was introduced to me by a good friend who had it tattooed on his arm. It’s not meant to be a boast, it’s a reminder. “Nothing can stop me,” speaks to the idea that our spirit lives on in the way we treat others. We all leave a mark, and that mark can either be the pain we caused or the kindness we shared. I want my legacy to reflect the latter. Not because I was perfect, but because I tried to lead with heart.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_kviro_project/?hl=en & https://www.instagram.com/arizona_wildfire/?hl=en

Image Credits
NEW BOOT MEDIA