Warrior Parent Interview - about Mia Ojeda with her dad, Joel

Joel was born in El Paso Texas and raised in Sunland Park, New Mexico. Joel attended New Mexico State University and graduated in 2001 and started working in ophthalmology surgery. Joel also attended the University of Texas at El Paso and graduated in 2014. He currently works for Southwest Eye Institute and Vista Surgery Center. He created the nonprofit organization, “The Gold Corner”, and also started the YouTube channel under the same name. He uses this platform to speak with parents whose children have been affected by cancer. He created this channel to raise awareness where these little warriors are showcased as they are, heroes. Whether these children were already called home or are currently fighting.  

Joel is also a member of the worldwide brotherhood “Bearded Villains” where he serves as the Charity Head Officer. Bearded Villains is a charity-based worldwide brotherhood. 

He is also an ordained minister, author, motivational speaker but his passion is martial arts. 

Joel works as a referee and judge for professional and amateur mixed martial arts fights and is licensed with several sanctioning bodies. This is where he got his nickname “The Bearded Ref” 

He welcomed his daughter Mia into the world on July 17th, 2015, But his world turned upside down in Sept of 2017.  

See more about his organization at thegoldcorner.org

As always, you can visit noraswarriors.com for more information!