Today, I celebrate my 65th birthday, not just as a marker of time, but as a moment of deep reflection and profound gratitude.
From the early days of my life in Dakar, Senegal, where I first learned to dream in French, to the bold leap of immigrating to the United States, where I built a future in English, to my journey across Latin America, where Spanish became a bridge to hearts and opportunity, to the years I lived in Lisbon, Portugal, reconnecting with my Cape Verdean roots and deepening my fluency in Portuguese Language has been the thread that wove together my global life and purpose.
These four languages are not just tools , they are portals of connection, allowing me to inspire, serve, and lead across more than 88 countries and 500 cities.
A Journey of Leadership, Reinvention, and Risk
Over the past 45 years, I’ve worn many hats:
• Top-performing field distributor in the direct selling profession
• International expansion executive, opening markets on nearly every continent
• CEO of a global wellness company, Mannatech, leading thousands of entrepreneurs
• Mentor and motivator, helping others find freedom, purpose, and belief
I’ve climbed the corporate ladder, achieved personal freedom, and then chose to return to corporate life , not out of necessity, but out of calling. I now stand at a powerful intersection of experience, faith, and clarity.
From The Motivation Equation: The Road Less Traveled
My book, The Motivation Equation, is more than a biography , it’s a blueprint.
It reveals the defining crossroads, the risks I took, and the faith it took to say yes when the path wasn’t clear. I hope it inspires the next generation to stop waiting for permission and start trusting their own voice — even if that voice speaks in more than one language or walks through more than one world.
My Greatest Wealth: Family, Mentors, and Legacy
On this day, I must honor those who made this life possible.
🕊️ To My Mother, Maria Alicia Barros Bala
Today marks the second birthday I celebrate without her blessing.
For 63 years, her voice graced every celebration. Her absence today is a quiet ache , but her love still surrounds me.
Mãe, your spirit lives in everything I am.
👨👩👧👦 To My Father, Lucidio, and my siblings Olivier, Robert, Belmiro, and Adelina
You have been my first team, my foundation. The legacy of our parents lives on in our unity.
❤️ To My Children — Sabrina, Alain, and Joshua
You are my greatest pride. Watching you become leaders in your own right is the joy of my life.
💍 To My Wife, Johanna
Your love and faith have reignited my passion and purpose. You’ve brought Colombian fire and joy into every corner of my world.
💞 To Stephanie, Catherine, and Andres
Thank you for letting me love you as my own. Together, with our seven grandchildren, we are building a living, breathing legacy.
🌟 To My Mentors
You know who you are — near or far, seen or unseen. Your words lit my path. Your belief fueled my rise.
Success is a team sport, and I had the best team.
So… What’s Next?
I looked in the mirror this morning and said:
I’m not done. I’m just getting started.
I have energy in my spirit, purpose in my steps, and a fire in my heart to keep building. The next 20–30 years of my life will be devoted to:
• Mentoring the next generation of purpose-driven entrepreneurs
• Teaching across cultures and continents — in French, English, Spanish, and Portuguese
• Inspiring others to live on their own terms — with faith, clarity, and courage
• Creating content and experiences that help others design lives of freedom, impact, and legacy
65 Lessons in One Sentence
After 65 years, here’s what I know:
Take the risk. Embrace the stretch. Honor your roots. Build your future. And never let others define your worth.
The Best Is Yet to Come
To everyone who has walked with me, family, friends, mentors, associates, and strangers who became companions and best friends,thank you. You are etched into my legacy.
And to those I haven’t yet met, but will…
Let’s build something that lasts.
Because the best is not behind me.
It’s ahead of me.
And if you’re reading this, I believe it’s ahead of you, too.
Let’s go.
— Alfredo Bala
The Motivation Guy
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