From Survival to Wealth: Leah Garcia on Breaking Family Cycles | Dr. Steve Hudgins

What happens when you grow up in circumstances that seem to define your future, but you decide to create a different path?

In this episode of Coached Soul, Dr. Steve Hudgins sits down with Leah Garcia, a “Dynasty Builder,” to explore her journey from childhood poverty and family adversity to building wealth, resilience, and a new future for her family.

Growing up on the east side of San Jose, Leah experienced poverty, family addiction, abuse, and circumstances that could have shaped the trajectory of her life. Through courage, determination, education, and the influence of important mentors, she began making different choices and breaking patterns that had been passed down through her family.

Leah openly shares the challenges she faced, the lessons she learned through adversity, and how she moved from simply surviving to creating greater financial security and opportunity. Her story highlights the power of recognizing inherited patterns, redefining what is possible, and becoming intentional about the future we create for ourselves and those who come after us.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How childhood circumstances can shape our beliefs about ourselves and our future
• The impact of poverty, addiction, and family patterns on personal development
• Why breaking family cycles often begins with one courageous decision
• The powerful role mentors can play in changing the direction of a person's life
• How Leah moved from survival toward financial empowerment
• Why redefining your relationship with success and wealth matters
• How adversity can become a catalyst for personal growth and transformation
• What it means to build a different future for the next generation

Key Moments:

00:00 Childhood questions about wealth disparity

03:21 Feeling out of place growing up

08:16 Childhood experiences with shame

12:13 Supportive teachers during tough times

14:57 Leaving for College at 18

19:20 Taking in sister's children

20:29 Persevering through challenges

25:21 The power of relatable mentorship

27:34 Mental health journey advice

Leah's story is ultimately about more than wealth. It's about choice, resilience, courage, and the decision to become the person who changes the trajectory of a family.

Whether you're overcoming difficult circumstances, working to break generational patterns, or trying to create a better future for your family, this conversation offers a powerful reminder:

Where you start does not have to determine where you end.

Tune in to Coached Soul for an inspiring conversation about moving from survival to wealth, breaking family cycles, and creating a new legacy.

About the guest:

Leah Garcia is a Wealth and Legacy Strategist with The Miliare Group and the creator of The Dynasty Builder approach to financial planning. With more than two decades of experience in financial services, she works with individuals, families, entrepreneurs, and business owners to bring greater clarity and intention to wealth building, protection, retirement planning, and generational legacy. Her approach emphasizes coordinating financial strategy with the appropriate legal, tax, insurance, and estate-planning professionals so that wealth is not simply accumulated, but thoughtfully protected and transferred to future generations.

How to connect Leah :

Website : https://leahgarcia.io/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahgarciaceo/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Leahgarciaceo

About Coached Soul™:

Coached Soul™ is an empowering podcast hosted by Dr. Steve Hudgins, a mental health professional and author, and co-hosted by Kenya Whaley, a transformational therapeutic coach. With a focus on self-improvement, Dr. Steve covers many topics, including mental health, relationships, education, and more. He fearlessly tackles sensitive subjects like depression and anxiety, creating a safe space for open conversations. They offer valuable insights and lessons through podcast but a supportive community that inspires personal growth and provides the necessary resources for transformation. Their expertise and genuine approach make Coached Soul a must-listen for anyone seeking to improve their life.

For more details, visit https://coachedsoul.com/