Continuation of Bilingual ESPN Anchor Alfredo Lomeli: Undocumented in America and Gaining Citizenship [Part I] [INTERVIEW]; Voy a triunfar el doble: ESPN Anchor Alfredo Lomeli Shares the Importance of Bilingualism & Thoughts on Citizenship [Part II] [INTERVIEW]; New York Knicks' Carmelo Anthony and Bilingual ESPN Anchor Alfredo Lomeli Thoughts on Sports and Athleticism in the Lives of Children & the Impending Playoffs [Part III] [INTERVIEW]

With many screen and stage appearances in his pocket, bilingual ESPN anchor Alfredo Lomeli has a great many successes that he can easily recite, and he is grateful for all of the opportunities that he's been afforded because of his parents' relentless support and because of a 'can-do' spirit.

Lomeli stated that his greatest success in life, so far, is being able to triumph in the face of adversity. He further explained, saying that in the television industry people will tell you no all of the time... you simply must get used it. You have to apply to jobs with the mindset that you're probably not going to get them, but be prepared as if you're going to get the job, nonetheless. He understands the difficulty, and the competitiveness that required, but stated that it's a small price to pay if you're able to do what you truly love.

"Stay optimistic in everything that you do, you can't let yourself get jaded by a couple of rejections. You've got to keep your head up, and cliché as that sounds, you've got to keep working and be optimistic. If you're always optimistic, you'll always be happy... you won't be depressed ... because you're optimistic towards the next chapter in your life. It's when you give up that you start to get really down on yourself. Nobody likes a Debbie Downer."

"But, I don't feel like I'm some success. I just feel like I've been very blessed and very lucky. And, hardheaded ... not to give up," Lomeli said, reinforcing a remarkably down-to-earth attitude regarding his success.

For inspiration on a personal level, Lomeli looks to his family. He has aunts and uncles who've overcome a great many things, including the death of loved ones and poverty; and these same individuals now own a chain of restaurants in San Antonio.

"You came from 'this much,'" Lomeli stated, directing the statement to his aunts and uncles. "You now have, basically, riches. You grew up in the biggest hood in town, and now you have your own restaurants, and your kids can go to whatever college they want to... if they're smart enough to get in, of course," Lomeli said with a sharp smirk. "And, my parents are great. My dad came to United States and he had to be the stereotypical lawnmower because he couldn't find a regular job. And, he had to work at a stable, under some people who weren't very nice. He tells us stories about how he was looked down upon and spoke down upon, and now, my father has his very own jewelry business, and he's thriving. I look to that as inspiration."

Because of his parent's ability to grow nothing into something, he believes that if you're a U.S. citizen who can speak English and Spanish and you're unable make it in this country, you have no one to blame but yourself. He indicated that there are countless examples of people who've done so much with so much less and have been able to flourish.

"I try to tell that to my friends, to my little cousins and to my younger brother... who's 14 and incredible. I just try to remind them that we have everything in this country; we have access to everything we could possibly want or need. Whether or not you take advantage of it, that's on you," Lomeli said, conclusively.

When it comes to professional inspiration, it was difficult for Lomeli to narrow it down, stating that he works with a dream team, who are at the top of their game. He listed Hannah Storm, Jay Crawford, and Chris Berman as motivators.

"I see these people on the regular, and they're just so dedicated to what they do. It inspires me."

He also disclosed that many athletes and actors inspire him, recognizing any of the "classics," who struggled to make it while confronting difficulty. He remarked that there were countless examples, but named Brad Pitt as one example; acknowledging that Pitt has worked avidly at his craft. In Lomeli's eye, Pitt, like many others in a number of occupations, isn't given the credit that he deserves. Lomeli clarified that those individuals struggled to "get where they are and to stay where they are."

Lomeli believes that their success, like his own, is driven by passion and determination. Work in television happens to be only one of his many passions; the 28-year-old also named an interest in acting and music as others.

"I'm a dreamer, I'm always going to do what I love... and I love a lot of different things... so that's what I'm going to keep doing." Lomeli said. "And, I'm extremely proud of anyone who does what they love."

Lomeli has a little music studio at home where he records and does covers of John Legend songs. While he has real musical talent, he does music simply for himself, though he's not opposed to an opportunity to put out music that he's proud of. Music is like therapy for the young host, who explained that if the world didn't have music, it would be a dull place.

"I'm never going to stop doing music, or playing the piano... or singing... even if annoys the person next to me," Lomeli said with a winning smile.

Tweets by @Alfredo_Lomeli

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