A Father’s Journey: Juan Mena on Building Legacy and Embracing Growth

Juan Mena at Petco Park continuing his MLB stadium tour (photo - Mic Davenport)

On a trip to Los Angeles, our host Mike sat down with longtime friend and father of three, Juan Mena, to chop it up about parenting, marriage, and legacy. Their conversation offered an inside look at how two dedicated dads navigate the highs, lows, and learning curves of raising children in today’s world.

Juan, originally from Medellín, Colombia, arrived in the U.S. at just two years old. The hustle began early, and growing up in Queens shaped his mindset. “I was always on my grind,” he says, reflecting on how he tried to find a path—first through soccer, then later through a track scholarship that landed him in Baltimore. That’s where he crossed paths with Mike, bonding over shared ambitions and a willingness to put in the work.

Now, Juan is a father to three: eleven-year-old Aiden, two-and-a-half-year-old Legend, and three-month-old Egypt. He admits juggling each child’s unique personality is no easy feat. Between schooling, routines, and extracurriculars, life can move at warp speed. But he’s all about building a network to sustain them. “It’s a balancing act,” Juan explains. “I’ve got a support system—my mom, my sister, my mother-in-law. We built a village.”

Of course, fatherhood didn’t come without some bumps. Juan gets honest about his earlier struggles—especially the custody battle for his oldest son, Aiden. It was a pivotal moment that inspired him to level up. “He was my wake-up call,” Juan reveals, recalling the court proceedings he initiated to ensure he could be present in his son’s life.

Now married to Nina, Juan openly credits her for helping him channel his frustration into positive change. He recalls when he spent too much energy complaining about child support and the system. “She told me, ‘Do something about it.’ I was used to venting, but she challenged me,” Juan says. “It was the first time in my life a woman pushed me to step up to the plate. That’s when I knew she was different.”

These days, Juan’s focus goes beyond day-to-day survival. He’s passionate about real estate and wants to pass on financial literacy to his children. He remembers how moving from cramped apartments into a home transformed his outlook. Now, he’s normalizing that for his sons. “I see my kid playing in a cul-de-sac,” Juan explains. “He thinks it’s normal to have a nice house. I want to show them how money works, so they know they have options.”

Sitting across from Juan, Mike resonates with the grind. A dad himself, Mike shares how fatherhood reoriented his priorities. One heartfelt moment: he routinely checks on his daughter at 2 a.m., just to watch her sleep. It’s a moment of reflection that sums up what parenthood can be—tough and demanding, yet filled with a love that erases

the day’s frustrations.

Throughout the conversation, the laughter and friendship shine through. Juan and Mike remind us that even a quick getaway to L.A. can become an opportunity to reconnect and talk about what really matters: building stronger families, mentoring the next generation, and refusing to let the challenges of fatherhood knock them off their path.

They close out the interview looking ahead to the future. Juan hopes to deepen his family’s spiritual foundation—praying more and leaning on faith as they grow. He also wants to expand his real estate ventures and pass down the game to his kids. There’s no question these two are determined to raise children who feel supported and empowered.

At the Black Daddy Country Club, we celebrate fathers like Juan Mena and Mike—men who aren’t afraid to share their journeys, vulnerabilities, and victories. Because fatherhood isn’t about doing it perfectly; it’s about showing up, learning daily, and leaving a legacy that resonates. Juan’s story reminds us that no matter where you start, it’s all about where you’re headed—and building the right village along the way.

At the Black Daddy Country Club, we celebrate fathers like Juan Mena and Mike—men who aren’t afraid to share their journeys, vulnerabilities, and victories. Because fatherhood isn’t about doing it perfectly; it’s about showing up, learning daily, and leaving a legacy that resonates. Juan’s story reminds us that no matter where you start, it’s all about where you’re headed—and building the right village along the way.