Former US Marine hopes to inspire more people to live their best lives

And now the former Sergeant Major in the US Marines is hoping to share his story in an effort to help others live their best lives.

Mr Garcia was born in Mexico before being adopted by two US Marines.

He said his start in life is what influenced him to serve his country.

"I was a very under-confident kid and had low self-esteem due to being bullied for being adopted," he said.

"So I was really drawn to the idea of becoming a Marine and what made me want to do it more was that everyone in my life - my teachers, my friends, even my parents - didn't think I could do it, let alone get through basic training.

"Well not only did I make it through but I graduated with honours and even returned a few years later as a Drill Sergeant myself."

The US Marines are widely regarded as one of the world's most elite fighting forces.

Mr Garcia said he had faced off against terrorist combatants in Iraq and Afghanistan in his time with the marines.

And he has now turned his 24-year military service into the basis for a new career in motivational speaking.

He said a particularly devastating tour of Iraq in 2004 inspired him to want to help others.

"During my second tour of Iraq we were attacked on September 11, 2004," he said.

"One of my marines was hit in the face after an improvised explosive device strapped to a light pole exploded but we all survived, but the next day we were attacked again, this time we had two marines almost die of blood loss, one lost a foot and my platoon commander was killed in action.

"The next day I was told that we had to get back out there, that the company was waiting for me. They gave me more marines and extra materials to replace what we had lost the day before but as soon as we got into position a terrorist drives a car into the middle of my marines and blows himself up.

"There were so many casualties we couldn't get them all onto the helicopter so we were told we'd have to med-evac them out ourselves.

"As we were driving out of there we were still being attacked and soon we were in the middle of a firefight. I have never been so afraid in my entire life.

"I can remember having to shoot out of the passenger window left-handed and in that moment I thought to myself, 'if I get out of this alive I am going to make the most of myself and try to help as many other people as I can to do the same'.

"It was a real 'come to Jesus moment'."

Mr Garcia said facing off with the likes of the Taliban and Al Qaeda was challenging.

"It's pretty scary because it's a non-traditional way of fighting," he said.

"Often they are the unseen enemy as they are dressed like average people walking past you in the street.

"Often a big explosion will go off and suddenly you're under fire with no idea where it came from."

The proud expat said dealing with the fallout from that event, including severe PTSD, inspired him to help his fellow troops.

"I started doing research on success and overcoming adversity... and soon people were coming to me for advice," he said.

"And I enjoyed being able to help them and give that support.

"I went from leading 50 marines, to 100, to 300 and then leading the largest unit of marines in the world, with 1200 of them."

Mr Garcia said he was soon invited to speak at leadership conferences, gala events, graduation ceremonies and more.

He also wrote a book alongside author of The Secret, Joe Vitale.

"I loved being able to do that and I knew then for certain what I was meant to do with the rest of my time on this planet," he said.

Mr Garcia said his time with the Marines was not without its difficulties, but it did have some upsides.

"I was a part of the initial invasion of Iraq back in 2003 and soon after we got there a lot of the marines were flown home, but we for some reason were told that we would be coming back by ship," he said.

"We didn't understand why because it was going to take us an extra two months to get home but during that trip we spent five days in Sydney and on the last day there I met my wife, Carolyn.

"Three years later we got married and five years later we had our daughter."

Mr Garcia said his wife grew up in Camden and he had always loved coming to visit the region between tours.

He said it was a natural decision to move to Macarthur when he decided to leave the military.

"I always joke that I only married my wife so I could live in Camden," he said.

"Everyone in Camden is ultra nice and welcoming and the town is full of history.

"It's such a nice area to live in.

"I have been to more than 70 countries and out of all the cities I have visited, Sydney is the best. Show me a better city and I will go there - but I'll be shocked if there is one.

"We can and will make it through this current crisis if we look after each other and remember that we are #mightymacarthur."

To find out more about Mr Garcia or to book, visit: www.maxgarcia.biz.