EPISODE 6 WITH VICTOR SAUCEDA: FROM INCARCERATION TO INNOVATION
- defyingtheoddspodc
- Jan 26
- 7 min read
INTRODUCING VICTOR SAUCEDA
Victor Sauceda is a software engineer, entrepreneur, and social advocate dedicated to empowering justice-impacted individuals. A formerly incarcerated individual, Victor defied the odds by transforming his life through education, mentorship, and relentless perseverance. Now, as the co-founder of Victory Code, he helps others break into the tech industry, creating opportunities for those who have faced the same struggles.
DEFINING THE ODDS: VICTOR’S PERSPECTIVE
For Victor Sauceda, defying the odds is about persistence and breaking through mental roadblocks.
"Overcoming something that is challenging to overcome and refusing to give up—that's defying the odds. Too many of us get stuck in the status quo, but you have to push through. It’s all about mindset. If you believe you can’t move forward, then you won’t. But if you’re willing to fight, everything changes."
Victor’s story is proof that your past doesn’t define you—your actions do.
FROM SURVIVAL TO SUCCESS
A CHILDHOOD OF CHALLENGES
Victor’s journey begins in Santa Ana, California, where he was raised by his mother after his parents separated when he was just five years old.
By 10 years old, Victor was already experiencing gang violence firsthand, living in an environment where survival often meant making difficult choices.
His mother struggled with addiction, and without strong role models, Victor turned to older gang members for guidance. By 15, he was fully involved in gang life.
"I had to grow up fast. My mom wasn’t around, my dad was in another state, and the only people I could rely on were in the streets. That became my family."
PRISON SENTENCES & A WAKE-UP CALL
By 13, Victor was in juvenile detention. By 18, he was serving his first state prison sentence. But it was his second conviction at 21—where he faced a potential 36-year prison term—that became his breaking point.
"I did the math… I was going to be 50 when I got out. That’s when I knew—I wasn’t playing in the little leagues anymore. If I ever got another chance at life, I was going to make the best of it."
Determined to rewrite his story, Victor started searching for mentors and programs that could give him the skills and mindset to change.
FINDING MENTORS & CHOOSING A NEW PATH
Victor credits much of his transformation to the mentors he met behind bars, including:
Jason Davis, a fellow inmate who introduced him to books, personal development, and structured discipline.
Jerry Durand, a respected gang leader who gave Victor permission to focus on education rather than prison politics—a decision that changed his trajectory.
"If it wasn’t for Jerry, I’d have been looking over my shoulder every day. He gave me an out, and I took it."
With this newfound opportunity, Victor poured himself into education, entrepreneurship, and tech training. He completed the Defy Ventures entrepreneurship program, a coding bootcamp, and various self-improvement courses—determined to be ready for life after prison.
REENTERING SOCIETY & BUILDING A CAREER
Victor was released in 2019, and this time, he had something he didn’t have before—a support system.
"One of the biggest differences this time? I had a community behind me. People who believed in me, people who gave me a shot. That changed everything."
He landed his first job at ModPizza through a Defy Ventures connection, but his sights were set on tech.
With support from mentors, Victor landed an internship at Murphy & Associates—his first corporate role in tech.
Troy from Unloop reached out with a fellowship opportunity at Code for America, where he worked on developing a resource app for formerly incarcerated individuals.
Code for America was so impressed, they offered him a full-time role as a software engineer.
From prison to tech professional in under a year, Victor had defied every statistic.
KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM EPISODE 6
1. YOUR NETWORK IS YOUR NET WORTH
"I wouldn’t be here without the people who stepped up for me. But that only happened because I showed up first."
2. YOU HAVE TO MAKE A CHOICE TO CHANGE
"Defying the odds starts with a decision. If you don’t decide to change, nothing else will change."
3. MENTORS & COMMUNITY MATTER
Surrounding yourself with positive influences is the key to staying on track and growing.
4. EDUCATION IS FREEDOM
Victor taught himself to code in prison, proving that skills and knowledge can break any barrier.
5. DON’T LET REJECTION STOP YOU
"I filled out application after application, got rejected a hundred times… but I kept going. And eventually, I got a yes."
6. SUCCESS IS ABOUT GIVING BACK
Victor didn’t just break into tech—he founded Victory Code to help others do the same.
7. SHOW UP, EVEN WHEN IT’S HARD
"The difference between success and failure is who keeps showing up. Just don’t stop."
CONTACT VICTOR SAUCEDA
Victor is open to mentorship, speaking opportunities, and collaborations in tech and social entrepreneurship.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION & SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE!
What are your thoughts on Episode 6? What challenges have you faced that required you to defy the odds? Share your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear your experiences!
For more strategies, insights, and behind-the-scenes content, subscribe to our Defying the Odds Member List to get exclusive resources, bonus materials, and early access to upcoming episodes!
HIGHLIGHTING OUR SPONSORS
Until next time—keep pushing forward, stay resilient, and never stop defying the odds.
EPISODE 6 WITH VICTOR SAUCEDA: FROM INCARCERATION TO INNOVATION
INTRODUCING VICTOR SAUCEDA
Victor Sauceda is a software engineer, entrepreneur, and social advocate dedicated to empowering justice-impacted individuals. A formerly incarcerated individual, Victor defied the odds by transforming his life through education, mentorship, and relentless perseverance.
Now, as the co-founder of Victory Code, he helps others break into the tech industry, creating opportunities for those who have faced similar struggles.
DEFINING THE ODDS: VICTOR’S PERSPECTIVE
💡 "Overcoming something that is challenging to overcome and refusing to give up—that's defying the odds. Too many of us get stuck in the status quo, but you have to push through. It’s all about mindset. If you believe you can’t move forward, then you won’t. But if you’re willing to fight, everything changes."
🚀 Key Insight: Defying the odds isn’t just about survival—it’s about taking action, believing in change, and refusing to quit.
FROM SURVIVAL TO SUCCESS
🔥 A CHILDHOOD FILLED WITH CHALLENGES
Raised in Santa Ana, California, Victor’s early life was shaped by family struggles, gang violence, and instability.
By 10 years old, he was already experiencing gang-related shootings in his neighborhood.
Without strong role models, he turned to older gang members for guidance and by 15, he was fully involved in gang life.
🗣 "I had to grow up fast. My mom wasn’t around, my dad was in another state, and the only people I could rely on were in the streets. That became my family."
🚨 PRISON SENTENCES & A WAKE-UP CALL
By 13, Victor was in juvenile detention.
By 18, he was serving his first state prison sentence.
By 21, he was facing a 36-year prison term—his life-altering moment.
🔑 The Turning Point:
💬 "I did the math… I was going to be 50 when I got out. That’s when I knew—I wasn’t playing in the little leagues anymore. If I ever got another chance at life, I was going to make the best of it."
🔥 Determined to rewrite his future, Victor started searching for mentors and programs that could help him develop skills and a new mindset.
🤝 FINDING MENTORS & CHOOSING A NEW PATH
✅ Mentors Who Changed His Life:
Jason Davis – A fellow inmate who introduced him to books, personal development, and structured discipline.
Jerry Durand – A respected gang leader who gave Victor permission to focus on education rather than gang politics—a decision that saved his future.
💡 "If it wasn’t for Jerry, I’d have been looking over my shoulder every day. He gave me an out, and I took it."
🎯 Victor’s New Strategy: ✔ Enrolled in Defy Ventures’ entrepreneurship program ✔ Completed a coding bootcamp ✔ Focused on education and self-improvement
🏆 REENTERING SOCIETY & BUILDING A CAREER
📅 Released in 2019, Victor knew this time would be different—because he now had a support system.
💬 "One of the biggest differences this time? I had a community behind me. People who believed in me, people who gave me a shot. That changed everything."
🚀 Career Milestones Post-Prison:
1️⃣ First job at ModPizza through a Defy Ventures connection 2️⃣ Internship at Murphy & Associates – His first corporate role in tech 3️⃣ Fellowship at Code for America, where he developed a resource app for formerly incarcerated individuals 4️⃣ Hired full-time as a Software Engineer at Code for America
💡 From prison to tech professional in under a year—Victor had defied every statistic.
🔥 KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM EPISODE 6
💡 1. YOUR NETWORK IS YOUR NET WORTH "I wouldn’t be here without the people who stepped up for me. But that only happened because I showed up first."
💡 2. CHANGE STARTS WITH A DECISION "Defying the odds starts with a decision. If you don’t decide to change, nothing else will change."
💡 3. MENTORS & COMMUNITY MATTER Surrounding yourself with positive influences is the key to staying on track and growing.
💡 4. EDUCATION OPENS DOORS Victor taught himself to code in prison, proving that skills and knowledge can break any barrier.
💡 5. DON’T LET REJECTION STOP YOU "I filled out application after application, got rejected a hundred times… but I kept going. And eventually, I got a yes."
💡 6. SUCCESS IS ABOUT GIVING BACK Victor founded Victory Code to help others break into tech and find second chances.
💡 7. SHOW UP, EVEN WHEN IT’S HARD "The difference between success and failure is who keeps showing up. Just don’t stop."
📌 CONTACT VICTOR SAUCEDA
Victor is open to mentorship, speaking opportunities, and collaborations in tech and social entrepreneurship.
💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION & SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE!
📢 What are your thoughts on Episode 6? 💡 What challenges have you faced that required you to defy the odds? Share your thoughts in the comments!
📩 Subscribe to our Defying the Odds Member List for exclusive resources, bonus materials, and early access to episodes!
🎉 HIGHLIGHTING OUR SPONSORS
🚀 Until next time—keep pushing forward, stay resilient, and never stop defying the odds.
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