What I Learned About Success by Never Belonging Anywhere
BY DR. TONY ASTRO
Filipino immigrant. Epileptic kid who lied to join the Navy. 32 years. 7,877 people counseled. From Manila poverty to Navy Chief to PhD.
March 20, 2026 + Free First Chapter
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Born in seven-dialect apartment on Felix Huertas Street. Epileptic kid with seizures. Watched Mama Elena navigate impossible choices. Learned: survival requires adaptation.
January 1991: Lied about epilepsy to join the Navy. 23 years active duty. Never made Senior Chief despite top evaluations. But helped 7,877 people find their path.
Created Navy Career Wise - first online career counseling platform in U.S. Navy history. 7,000+ sailors served. Proved technology could scale human connection.
Standing at Rota Spain Air Terminal. Wedding in Philippines planned. Then: "Turn on the TV!" Leave cancelled. Wedding cancelled. Everything cancelled. Except commitment.
2018: Behavioral and Social Sciences PhD complete. CAREHQI® framework formalized: Cultural Intelligence, Agency, Resilience, Empathy, Humility, Quest, Identity.
2024: Fleet & Family Support Center educator. Teaching 100+ per week. Documenting system failures. Preparing Book 2: "Broken Promise." The reform work begins.
That's not a problem to fix. That's your preparation for impact.