Name: Israel Medina
Age: 36
Title: Executive Chef at DeSoto Central Market and Owner of Izzy’s Pantry
Married/Single: Married
Kids: Four kids: 3 girls (Anabella, Taelynn & Cataleya) and 1 boy (Kaisyn) + two pups we consider our kids as well (Squigee & Ooti).
City you live in: Scottsdale
A typical day in my life includes…
passionately living life through loving my kids and my amazing wife. We appreciate the simple life. Taking the kids to school, watching them excel through academics and sports, cooking home cooked meals and embracing the beautiful chaos of a family as big as ours.
I was born…
Incline Village, Nevada.
My favorite thing about Arizona…
there’s always something to do! It’s a paradise for a fitness enthused foodie who thrives off being able to constantly try new places and things.
I’m listening to…
country and underground hip hop. I like Country Music because of my beautiful wife and the story the music tells. It’s humbling and oftentimes relatable. Helps bring you back to reality sometimes.
My family…
is my purpose. We strive to be the best versions of ourselves daily and love each other through and through.
If I could have dinner with anyone, it would be…
Dwayne Johnson!
One thing I cannot live without…
my wife and family!
When I was younger, I wanted to be…
a race car driver.
I’m inspired by…
my wife…she is the smartest person I have ever met! She is my biggest support and is always telling me to never settle for mediocracy and always be the best father and husband. It’s because of her that we have such a beautiful family!
The one person who motivates me is… my wife. She is always pushing me to excel, and never sell yourself short. Never get taken take advantage of and reach further within my self to advance both personally and professionally.
If I could change anything in the world, it would be…
finding a cure to T1 Diabetes to give back my daughter the lost time she has given to this unforgiving disease at such a young age.
The perfect day would be…
walking the coastline of the Fjords in Norway with my wife and family.
My first job was…
at a beach grill cooking burgers, chicken sandwiches and hotdogs!
My favorite escape…
day trips to the mountains! My wife and I love impromptu trips to little towns we’ve never been to taking pictures and trying new restaurants.
My life…
is a work in progress. Each day I try to live through passion, ambition, conviction and triumph. I thrive in a challenging environment and just hope one day I can look back and know I made the best decisions I could for my family.
I’m currently working on…
getting back in shape with my wife both mentally and physically!
Always…
do the right thing and be real especially when no one is looking, that’s when you truly are yourself, my wife taught me that. And ALWAYS fight for love and family.
Never…
give up in what you believe.
Favorite Quote…
“Skills can be taught. Character you either have or you don’t have”.
Biggest Dream…
to take my wife and family to Norway. My wife is in LOVE with Norway! Everything about it is so beautiful!
My Pet Peeve(s)…
not being on time. I can’t stand when people are late.
