Lead from the Heart: Justin ITee Walker on Self-Leadership & Cybersecurity Protection

Note: Taken from this podcast episode with Positive Talk Radio:

On this episode, I sit down with Justin ITee Walker to talk about the purpose of positive thinking and how it changes lives. Justin has faced some very hard times in his past but found a turning point that put him on a much better path.

After a near-death experience, Justin realized he needed to shift how he viewed himself and his purpose in life. Through new choices and self-improvement, he began to heal, help others, and focus on making a real difference.

Key Takeaways

• Positive thinking and purpose can change your life.

• Personal struggles and big turning points shape who we become.

• Helping others and working for change leads to a better path.

Why Positive Talk Matters

What the Show Sets Out to Do

My main goal for Positive Talk is to share real and uplifting stories that show our true potential. I want to help answer big questions, like “Why am I here?” and “What is my purpose?” I believe that everyone has something important to offer. By showing these examples, I hope people start to see how knowing your purpose changes everything.

Here’s what I focus on:

Focus Area What It Means Finding Purpose Exploring why we’re here and what we’re meant to do Personal Growth Sharing how people overcome tough times Human Connection Reminding us to connect and support each other

By watching, you get to hear about different journeys and maybe find the spark you need to chase your own dreams.

Inspiring Stories From Around the World

I bring people on the show from all over the globe to share their stories. I believe everyone has a story that matters, no matter where they live or what they’ve been through. By listening to the experiences of many, we start to understand the world a little better.

• We talk about struggles, change, new beginnings, and hope.

• These stories show that you are not alone, even when life gets hard.

• Hearing others talk about finding their strength can be the push you need to keep going.

Positive Talk isn’t just about talking. It’s about building a community, learning from each other, and feeling inspired to make real changes.

Get to Know Justin I Walker

My Early Life and Where I Come From

I grew up on this planet just like everyone else, but my childhood was far from easy. The people around me, including my parents, made things tough. It wasn't a happy time, and it left some marks that took years to heal.

Looking back, I can see that those early struggles shaped the person I am today. The road was rough from the beginning, but that's part of my story. I was just a kid, trying to figure things out in a world that didn't make much sense to me.

Facing Hard Times and Finding My Way

I've been through my share of problems, including issues with drugs and alcohol. I even spent some time behind bars. These weren't just bumps in the road—they were huge obstacles.

The turning point for me came on a New Year’s Eve when I overdosed. After two years sober, I slipped back into old habits. That night, after drinking and using drugs, I found myself in a dangerous place. I couldn't even use my phone to call for help. I blacked out, fell, and ended up in the hospital with serious injuries.

During that time, I had a powerful experience. I heard a voice telling me my life wasn't over, that I was meant to help others. After that, I started working on myself through therapy, coaching, and changing how I thought about life. I left behind my old ways and focused on leading myself in a better direction.

Now, I help others find their way too. My purpose is to show people that no matter how tough things get, it’s possible to come back and build a better life.

Hard Times and Major Changes

Difficult Early Years

Growing up was not easy for me. My childhood was full of pain caused by my parents and others around me. Those early years were tough, and I had to face a lot of problems at home.

I had to learn how to get through some really hard situations as a kid. This rough start shaped a lot of who I became later.

Struggles With Substances

Later in life, I turned to drinking and drugs. For a while, I managed to stay sober, but I never fixed the way I thought about myself or my problems.

On New Year’s Eve in 2023, I went back to drinking and cocaine. That night, I overdosed. I couldn’t even use my phone because I couldn’t see straight. I tried to get help from a neighbor, but then everything went black. Later, I learned I fell down the stairs, hit my head, and my body was really hurt.

Substance Effect on Me Alcohol Loss of control Cocaine Overdose, blackout

Jail Time and Finding My Way Back

My actions landed me in jail, and that was a huge wake-up call. While I was locked up, I realized I needed to change.

I started going to therapy and learned about leading myself and taking responsibility. I had to leave my old way of thinking behind. It took a lot of effort, but I started to understand my real purpose in life and what it means to be human again.

Key steps in my recovery:

• Therapy sessions

• Mindset changes

• Learning self-leadership

My Brush with Death

How the Overdose Happened

On New Year’s Eve in 2023, I went out for what I thought would be a fun night. I hadn’t had a drink in two years, but I started drinking and using cocaine again. Things quickly got out of control.

I began to feel strange and couldn’t see my phone screen. I tried to get help by knocking on my neighbor’s door, but by that point, I was losing control of my body. After that, everything went black for me. Later, I learned that I collapsed and fell down the stairs of my apartment. I ended up with a brain bleed and injuries to my back, neck, and knee. The next thing I remember, I was in the hospital, and the nurses in Newport Beach told me I had overdosed in the ambulance.

Facing Something Beyond Life

While I was in between the ambulance and the hospital, my heart stopped. I entered a strange place that didn’t quite feel real. It felt like I was in another world, or maybe it was just the drugs, but something happened.

During that time, I heard a clear voice. It told me that my life was not over and that I still had a reason to be here. I remember the voice saying I was meant to help and serve others. This message stayed with me and made me start thinking differently about my life.

Important Changes That Followed

After that experience, I had to put in real work to understand what I had been told. I went through therapy, started coaching, and learned about self-leadership. This helped me shift my mindset and let go of my old identity.

Here’s what I learned:

• I needed to leave behind the habits and thinking that led to my overdose.

• My purpose is about helping other people and making real connections.

• To heal, I had to rediscover what it means to be human.

These lessons pushed me to make changes, both in my life and how I try to help others. Now, I focus on leading myself well and supporting other people to find their own purpose.

Growth and Recovery

Turning to Counseling and Changing My Thinking

When I went through my overdose, it was a clear sign I needed real change. I did not just stop using alcohol and drugs—I got serious about attending therapy and working with coaches. This helped me understand my own thoughts and emotions better. I learned that just being sober was not enough; I had to rewire how I saw the world and myself.

How counseling helped:

• Gave me a safe place to talk through my experiences

• Helped me notice old patterns and beliefs

• Encouraged me to practice new ways of thinking

Moving Past My Old Self

One key part of my journey was realizing I could not stay the person I used to be. My old habits and ways of thinking had brought me down a dangerous path. I had to let go of that identity—even if it was hard or scary at first.

Old Identity New Direction Partying Seeking growth Running from pain Facing it in therapy Acting alone Asking for help

Giving up the old version of myself opened up a new future. I discovered parts of myself I never knew before.

Steps Toward Leading Myself

Learning to direct my own life meant more than just making better choices. I took time to study what self-leadership really means. I realized my purpose was not just about working in IT or healthcare, but about lifting others up as well.

What I do now:

• Use my story to support people finding their own path

• Help others look for purpose, not just a job

• Remember the importance of being human and connecting with others

• Focus on removing fear and building up confidence—both for myself and people I help

Every day, I try to use what I learned on my own journey to guide and support others who feel stuck or lost. My experience showed me that real change is possible if you are willing to put in the work.

Finding a Different Direction in Life

Discovering Meaning and Helping Others

After everything I have lived through, I learned that my life still has meaning. I realized I am here to help people and be of service, not just to myself but to others who are struggling. My journey showed me the value in reaching out, listening, and giving support where I can.

I did a lot of work on myself—therapy, coaching, learning new ways to lead my life. It helped me understand what real purpose feels like and why helping others matters.

Here is what I focus on now:

What I Value Now How I Practice It Listening to others Taking time to be present Supporting growth Sharing my story and lessons Leading by example Practicing self-leadership

Changing My View of Success and Humanity

Before, I thought success was about things or titles. That changed for me. I learned that being human means caring, connecting, and growing beyond old patterns.

I had to let go of my old self to become who I am now. Now, I try to bring back a sense of real humanity in myself and others. We often forget what it means to be truly human, especially after dealing with addiction or pain.

• Success for me now is:

  • Being true to myself

  • Connecting with honest intention

  • Helping others find their own path

Lifting Others Through What I’ve Learned

Today, I use my experiences to guide and support people who need it. I help others find their own purpose and take steps to improve their lives. It matters to me that people understand their power to choose and change.

I am open about what I faced—my lessons and mistakes—so others know they are not alone. That honest approach helps people see that growth and healing are possible, even after tough times.

In every step, I want to give hope and real guidance, using what I’ve been through as a roadmap for others.

My Present Focus and Advocacy Efforts

My Experience in IT and Online Security

I work in IT and cybersecurity, mainly supporting the healthcare field. This job pays the bills, but it also lets me solve problems and help others in practical ways. I use my skills to keep systems safe and make sure everything runs as it should.

Here’s a simple table about some of the work I do:

Area Focus IT Support Computer and network help Cybersecurity Protecting information Healthcare Systems Keeping data safe

Helping Others Discover Their Calling

After everything I have gone through, I now try to help people figure out why they are here and what they want for their lives. I talk to others about finding their purpose, not just at work, but also outside of it. I encourage people to look inside, leave their past behind, and move toward a healthier mindset.

I use these steps when guiding others:

• Share my story so they know change is possible.

• Listen to their hopes and struggles without judging.

• Suggest tools like self-leadership and therapy.

Encouraging Real Connection and Growth

I believe connecting with other people is very important. For a long time, I felt lost and forgotten what it meant to really be human. Through healing, I found my own humanity again. Now, I invite others to do the same.

Some ways I work to build connection and healing:

• Have clear and honest conversations.

• Remind others they are not alone.

• Support people as they face fear and become their true selves.

My goal is to help others remember their own value and grow as humans, not just workers. I hope that by doing this, more people feel stronger, safer, and more connected to life.

Steps for Deep Change

Deciding to Move Forward

I realized that lasting change had to start with a choice. For a long time, I stayed in old habits, thinking I could just stop certain things and be better. But nothing worked until I took an honest look at myself and chose to leave my past behind. I had to decide I was done repeating old cycles and ready to become someone new. That moment was not easy, but it was the first step toward healing.

Some things I did to push myself forward:

• Recognized what was holding me back.

• Accepted responsibility for my own actions.

• Decided not to let my past define me.

Ways to Grow and Improve

Growth took a lot of work and new habits. I went to therapy and worked with a coach. I learned about self-leadership and how important it is to understand myself and my own needs. I focused on changing my mindset, not just my behavior. I learned to leave behind the old version of me that struggled so much.

Some tools and strategies that helped me:

Strategy How It Helped Me Therapy Addressed my past and trauma Coaching Built better habits Self-Leadership Helped me set new goals Mindset Training Changed how I viewed myself

Simple actions like these made a real difference in my life. Now, I try to help others do the same by sharing what I learned and encouraging them to grow beyond their past.