Reviving the Trades: Santiago Rivera on Tough Love, Structure, and Second Chances

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Most welding instructors teach technique. Santiago Rivera teaches transformation.

From learning to weld left-handed for a car… to surviving addiction… to rebuilding a welding program that changed hundreds of students’ lives—Santiago’s story is one of grit, redemption, and unwavering purpose.

In this episode, Santiago opens up about the journey that shaped him, the students who motivate him, and the leadership philosophy that’s helping revive the trades for the next generation.

It’s not just about welding. It’s about building people.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How a simple deal with his mom launched his entire welding career

• The leadership mindset Santiago uses to build trust and structure in his classroom

• Why honesty and consistency matter more than talent

• How he grew a welding program from 42 to 123 students

• The role of mentors, tough love, and accountability in shaping young welders

• What today’s trade students are really struggling with—and how to reach them

• How personal purpose fuels professional impact

Timestamps:

3:00 – The origin story: learning to weld left-handed for a car

9:00 – “I was a functioning crack addict”: Santiago’s personal turning point

14:00 – Growing the program: from 42 students to 123 and securing a $700K grant

20:30 – “I want to teach you how to do life”: structure, character, and honesty

22:45 – His mother’s legacy: running 105 welders in the 1970s

31:30 – Kayak Fishing with Christ: the 6,000-member ministry changing lives

Resources:

Join our Facebook Group for conversations that will help grow your business: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Dspnz4Qt5/ Connect with Santiago on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/santiago-rivera-5584b230/ Learn more about Northern Virginia Community College’s Welding Program: https://www.nvcc.edu/academics/programs/welding.html

Lights Out Podcast: https://makingchips.com/show/lights-out/ Buy the Numbers Podcast: https://makingchips.com/show/buy-the-numbers/