I grew up in Hunts Point, in the South Bronx, one of the poorest neighborhoods in the country. Where I come from, you learn early how to survive, how to read people, and how to show up for each other. You also learn how to protect yourself, stand your ground, and be ready for anything.

And I love Hunts Point. I wouldn't change where I come from for anything. It was rough on the outside, but on the inside there were big hearts. People carried a lot of pain, and it never stopped them from loving each other and showing up for each other. I carry that with me everywhere. Those years shaped me, and they're the reason nothing has been able to break me.

My whole life, people have come to me for answers. As a kid, it was "Louie, what's the number for the Chinese place?" Phone numbers, restaurants, clothes, books, job leads, you name it. My mother used to joke, "You're going to work for Bell Atlantic!" And I'd tell her, "I'd love that." Answering people's questions and helping them always felt natural to me.

As I grew up, the questions got bigger. "Louie, can you help me with my resume?" I spent my whole career helping people, personally and professionally. Family, friends, coworkers, the lady in line at the store. "Ask Louie."

Teachers, people at church, folks I'd meet on the street, and people I've worked with at almost every job. They welcomed my ideas, encouraged me, and saw something in me long before I could see it in myself. And I doubted it every time.

Then social media came along, and strangers started saying it too: "You're going to be big." "Where's the cookbook?" "You've got the best vibe." Now, finally, I'm starting to see it, and believe it.

I didn't plan any of it. People just feel comfortable talking to me, maybe because I don't pretend. I'll tell you about my flaws, my ups and my downs, and the stuff going on at home that most people keep quiet. That's real life, and I've never been good at hiding it.

A few years ago, real life caught up with me. On a trip to Puerto Rico, I fell and broke my arm. Every move, every breath hurt. And because I weighed about 496 pounds, the paramedics couldn't lift me on their own. They called for firefighters and police, and even the hotel staff jumped in to help carry me down. Everyone was kind. They told me not to worry. But lying there, I knew this was the end of living that way.

I had been scared of weight-loss surgery for years. My breathing made anesthesia risky, and I was afraid I wouldn't wake up. I was also afraid of what I'd look like after. But I found the nerve. In December 2017, I had the surgery to save my life.

I didn't do it alone. The people following my AskLouieNow page cheered me on, shared their own stories, and waited for my updates. They saw strength in me when I couldn't. I held on tight to that support, and I still do.

I was scared I'd be stuck eating salads forever. So I got in the kitchen and found out healthy food can still taste amazing. I lost more than 250 pounds. In April 2018, I started sharing those meals in a Facebook group called Eating Healthy But Still Yummy, and Coffee Time with Louie grew right out of it.

Coffee Time was already brewing when the pandemic hit. Suddenly everyone was home, lonely, and looking for somebody to talk to, and those mornings became something bigger. That's when it clicked. Why should only my family and friends get the advice they always came to me for? So I took it to social media, and the table got a whole lot bigger.

My followers say it feels like sitting at my kitchen table. You sit down, you're welcomed, and you leave a little lighter than you came. Some have told me Coffee Time helped them through depression, anxiety and real crisis.

One of them called me the Hope Dealer, and it stuck. Because that's what I do. I remind you it's going to be okay. Hold on. Don't let go.

Next stopOur new Coffee Time kitchen, coming soon

I started cooking for my little brothers because somebody had to. Somewhere along the way, the kitchen became my happy place, and sharing it with you became my path. Today I'm living in Central Florida with my husband, Ruben. I'm a proud dad to my son and Papa to three grandbabies, a lifelong animal lover, and I'll talk to you in English or Spanish.

Pull up a chair. There's a seat here with your name on it.

Let's work together