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What happens when a boy from the Amazon jungle finds himself thrust into the concrete jungle of New York City, and later becomes a commissioned officer in the United States Navy? Lesley Prasad's life story reads like an epic journey of resilience, faith, and transformation.
Growing up along the Demerara River in Guyana, Lesley spent his early childhood "literally like the kid in the jungle book," running through the rainforest in loincloths, learning to catch fish, set traps, and identify safe foods to eat. When his family immigrated to Queens, New York in the mid-1980s, nine-year-old Leslie faced the crushing weight of culture shock. Five family members sharing a single room, struggling with English in school, and navigating the dangerous streets of New York during the height of gang violence shaped his early American experience.
The turning point came when Lesley joined the Navy, seeking escape from the perilous streets of his neighborhood. His naval journey reads like a masterclass in overcoming obstacles – from a protracted battle for citizenship to failing the MCAT after years of preparation for medical school. Yet these apparent setbacks revealed themselves as divine redirections. Through deployments to Bahrain, Hawaii, and aboard the USNS Comfort during the devastating 2010 Haiti earthquake (where his team performed 845 life-saving surgeries in just 45 days), Lesley discovered his true calling in leadership and service.
Perhaps most powerful is Lesley's spiritual evolution from his Hindu upbringing to finding Christianity, and how his mother's six-year illness – while devastating – allowed him the precious gift of preparation for her passing. Today, as a commissioned officer serving as Safety Officer for USS John F. Kennedy, Lesley embodies his philosophy of "compound blessings" – the belief that each generation should build upon the sacrifices of those who came before.
Want to understand what happens when unwavering faith meets determined resilience? Leslie's story will challenge your perspective on adversity and inspire you to see setbacks as setups for something greater. Share this episode with someone who needs a reminder that their current struggles might be preparing them for an unexpected but perfect destination.

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