I’m the the cofounder of Boys to Men Mentoring Network with my friend Craig McClain. My life has been a perfect storm to prepare me to create Boys to Men Mentoring. I was a teenage father, marrying my sister’s best friend and adopting her 2-year-old daughter. My wife and partner of 47 years Nancy and I have two children and seven grandchildren. I’m an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous with thirty-five years of sobriety. I have been active in the Mankind Project doing interpersonal work for the past twenty-nine years. My experiences in both these programs have given me insight into what I believe is lacking in our society, especially teenage boys. I have worked with thousands of men and boys around the world. I know that inside every boy is a desire to be a good man. Boys to Men has developed an approach to help boys become good men by listening accepting and encouraging boys to follow their dreams. These principles are the result of my path through life and recovery.
About Joe Sigurdson
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My wife Nancy and I enjoy celebrating birthdays and holidays in our home with our children and grandchildren. Nancy is a 3rd grade teacher’s assistant at the Nazareth School at the Mission where she is a beloved rock star! Our Daughter Ericka is a senior buyer at Jack in the Box, and our son Gabriel is a machinist. Our grandchildren range from 9-21 with three in college.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I spent 45 years in the printing industry, 10 years running presses, 4 years as an owner. and 31 years in sales. Simultaneously I have helped grow Boys to Men Mentoring from a neighborhood program to an international movement.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Trust the process, do the footwork, and let go of the outcome.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I see myself handing the reigns over to younger smarter people and being the resident grandfather in our community circles, listening, accepting, and encouraging our boys to follow their dreams.
Joe Sigurdson & Our Community
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Greek Chicken, Brigantine, Farmer’s Table
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I was born here in 1958
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Billy Moore. He runs ABC Youth Foundation. Billy and I have been comrades in creating safe places for children to thrive.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Seaport Village, Nan and I were living on a shoestring budget as young parents, Seaport Village was a great place for us to pack a lunch set up in the park, and let our kids explore and enjoy the beauty of our city. We would wrap up the day with an ice cream and a carousel ride.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
The Beaches, I’ve been surfing for 55 years, San Diego has a variety of wonderful world-class breaks.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Oprah, I’m fascinated by her ability to connect with such a diverse audience, I’d like to pick her brain and discover some of her secrets on how to create the levels of comfort and trust she creates, that allows people to share deeply about themselves.
For Fun
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
And Justice For All
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
At one time I was the strongest man in La Mesa.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Heramos on a 10ft North Swell during a Santa Ana, you can ride that wave from outside PB Point to the Tourmaline parking lot, freaking amazing!
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My Partner and Co-Founder Craig McClain
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Family, Love, Comfort
