Daily Inspiration: Meet Aurelio Bocanegra

Today we’d like to introduce you to Aurelio Bocanegra

Hi Aurelio, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Early summer of 2006. I’m sitting in my apartment. Wondering what I should watch. I had just moved in. So all I had were DVD’s until they installed my cable. Looking around and I see the Latin Kings of Comedy DVD. I put it in and it’s like a lightning bolt hit me. That’s what I am meant to do!!! I struggled for so long to find my purpose. In Highschool I was introverted and shy but super outgoing in sports. In the Air Force I discovered I was funny. I used to make everyone laugh. Even when others I was serving with said I needed to try comedy. I never thought it would be something to pursue as a career. In college I took a career assessment class to help me pick my path in life. I thought business or finance was going to be my career. I landed in banking yet I never felt like it was what I was born to do. Then I put in that DVD in 2006 and it was life changing. I knew I wanted to be on stage entertaining people. I knew that’s what I was born to do. .

2yrs after starting in comedy I landed my first independent movie role. 3yrs after starting I filmed a comedy special called “The Cholo Comedy Slam”. 4yrs after starting I had shared the stage with every single member of the Original Latin Kings of Comedy. 5yrs after starting I performed in my first military tour for the troops on bases all over Europe. My life changed and I found my purpose the second I put in the DVD.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I hit a huge obstacle early on when I first started. Comedy is a sport. Like football. Everyone gets a trophy when you’re a little kid. But to make it to “college” and the “pro’s” it takes talent. Drive. Perseverance. When I first started I was filled with so much confidence. All my early shows were filled with people that knew me. So all my friends and family were telling me how great I was doing. After only performing for 6 months I decided I was going to try out for Last Comic Standing. I slept on the concrete outside the world famous Hollywood Improv. I waited for my turn and finally got my shot. This was the year comics from seasons past were judging. I was supposed to get 2mins. I got 30seconds because they stopped me. It was bad. They all knew I was way to inexperienced. I even had a comic tell me comedy isn’t for everyone. I was crushed. Confidence gone. I literally left that day and was shaking in bed. I had a gig a week later and I was beyond nervous. I just knew I needed to fight through it. So that’s what I did. I kept fighting through it. I kept going up. Finding spots. Hanging out. Asking for opportunities to open the show etc. a year and a half after that terrible audition I was booked to perform in a huge corporate sponsored comedy show at the Hollywood Improv. The headliner? The comic that told me that comedy isn’t for everyone. After my spot he came up to me and said “great job man”. We laughed about it later. I had him on my podcast. But if I had let that early defeat beat me I wouldn’t be here still performing today.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a full time comedian. I perform at comedy clubs, casinos, cruise ships and private events. I am also a rising social media influencer. My content ranges from comedy, sports, travel and politics. I have videos with millions of views, accounts with thousands of followers and a couple of social accounts that still need to catch up. Most recently I have once again been focusing on politics. I wish I didn’t have to do political posts. But the things happening in our country and to my Latino community specifically, demand I speak up. As a proud US Air Force Veteran and Mexican-American born in this country I have the right to peacefully voice my opinions. To stand up against bullies and hopefully make people laugh in the process.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
I think it’s a gift if you think of your parent/parents and get to say “I have the best mom in the whole wide world”. Because I truly believe that. My mom was young when she had me. But she never ever stopped in giving me the absolute best childhood. One year I wanted to be a ninja. Where do you get a ninja outfit in the early 80’s when there was no party city?! My mom searched all over LA and didn’t stop till she found it. My mom worked all day to provide for her kids. Drive in traffic just to get home exhausted and still take us to football practice. She saved and watched every penny so she could take us on vacation. She’s helped me so much in my life. I am truly blessed to have her as my mom. The older I get the more I appreciate everything she’s done and continues to do for my family to this day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ComedianAMB.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comedianamb
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/comedianamb
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ComedianAMB