The Trajectory Podcast

Roots & Wings: Derek’s Adoption Story - Trajectory Podcast Episode 5

Episode Summary

In this heartfelt episode of the Trajectory Podcast, host Scotty Carlisle welcomes Derek Gutierrez, a mortgage and real estate broker, speaker, and best-selling author who shares his deeply personal story of adoption, identity, and reunion. Derek opens up about growing up as an adopted child in Corona, California, with a unique family dynamic—a blonde-haired “toe head” in a proud Gutierrez household. He recounts the emotional journey of writing his chapter for the Trajectory book, grappling with self-doubt about whether his story mattered, and ultimately discovering its profound impact. From his parents’ creative way of revealing his adoption (“You’re from Pluto, we’re from Mars”) to his decades-long search for his biological family using Ancestry and 23andMe, Derek’s tale culminates in a tearful reunion with his siblings and birth mother, Luanna, at age 53. This episode explores themes of resilience, belonging, and the courage to seek connection, offering inspiration for anyone navigating their own journey of self-discovery.

Episode Notes

• Guest Introduction: Derek Gutierrez, a lifelong resident of Corona, California, joins the podcast as a special guest and Trajectory family member. A husband, father, mortgage and real estate broker, and now a best-selling author, Derek is also an AI enthusiast and a passionate advocate for personal development.
• The Trajectory Movement: Scotty and Derek discuss how their aligned values of vitality sparked the creation of the Trajectory movement and its mission to help people “Thrive in 2025” through personal growth and transformative storytelling.
• Derek’s Story: Derek shares his adoption journey, from learning about his origins as a child to reconnecting with his biological family after 53 years. Highlights include:
  • His parents’ infertility and the serendipitous adoption arranged through a friend’s gynecologist.
  • His mother’s sneaky peek at the attorney’s file, revealing details about his biological family—three older siblings and a mother named Luanna.
  • The challenges of writing his story for the Trajectory book, questioning its relevance and struggling with storytelling despite his skills as a motivational speaker.
  • Using Ancestry and 23andMe to finally connect with his biological siblings and mother, who had been searching for him too.
• Key Moments: Derek reflects on the emotional highs and lows—his fear of rejection, the overwhelming joy of being welcomed by his biological family, and the contrast with his adoptive family’s gradual drift apart.
• Takeaways: Derek encourages listeners to take risks in pursuit of connection, emphasizing that “you might get really lucky” and find a new sense of belonging, as he did.
• Call to Action: Visit trajectoryglobal.com to grab a copy of Trajectory: Volume One, featuring Derek’s story among 17 transformative tales. Join the Trajectory community to attend local meetings (Wednesdays) and engage with a movement dedicated to uplifting lives.
• Hosts: Scotty Carlisle, JK Tamara, and Derek Gutierrez bring warmth and depth to this episode, blending humor, introspection, and inspiration.