MBA life wasn’t just textbooks and case studies—it was Panda Express lunches, weight struggles, and courses that broke the mold.

Disclaimer

• All characters and events in this chapter —even those based on real people—are entirely fictional.
• The following chapters contain coarse language and situations and due to its content it should not be read by anyone.

Chapter 24 “Not your classical business school courses”

The eternal struggle of maintaining a healthy weight while living in the U.S.—especially as a student—was one I came to know all too well. Between the convenience of fast food and the siren call of indulgent treats, it felt like healthy choices were always just out of reach.

During the MBA program, my friends and I frequently found ourselves at Ackerman for lunch. The options? Panda Express or Sbarro. Sure, there were a few token salads scattered around, but let’s be honest—no salad could compete with greasy noodles or a loaded burger. And dessert? Westwood had no shortage of ice cream spots and sugary temptations.

Two years of this routine left me with a rather unwanted souvenir: over 15 kilos of extra weight. At 2 meters tall, I could hide it reasonably well, but a 20% increase in body weight was hard to ignore.

Losing the weight afterward was no small task. It took commitment—cutting back, hitting the gym, and even flirting with Weight Watchers. In hindsight, I wish I’d been more mindful during the MBA program itself. But hey, at least I eventually got back on track once I landed back in Mexico and hired a nutritionist. Vitamin T Baby!

The second year of business school wasn’t just about shedding weight; it was also packed with some of the most fascinating courses I had ever taken. One standout was a marketing elective taught by none other than the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of Procter & Gamble and Sanjay Sood (A legend in Anderson and the teacher who almost took us to Africa). It was rare to learn directly from someone at that level, and the class turned out to be an eye-opening experience.

The course wasn’t your standard lecture-and-textbook affair. Guest speakers streamed in from companies across industries, each offering a unique perspective on the evolving world of marketing. This was during a transformative time—social media was just beginning to emerge as a major force, and the entire landscape was shifting beneath our feet.

One of the guest lecturers in the class was the controversial owner of a lavish amount of the water in California. She had bought them in some fly by night deals with the government back in the light eighties. One chapter of the TV Series Goliath was based on her and her husband. Obviously the mogul didn´t come to talk about water , she spoke about marketing her food and drink products which were her business façade. We all thought about asking the thought questions, but feared the retaliation.

Beyond the classroom, the course included field trips to some of the country’s most renowned advertising agencies. Getting a behind-the-scenes look at how campaigns were developed and executed made the theory come alive in ways I hadn’t anticipated.

Reflecting on that class, I realize just how fortunate I was to have been part of it. It wasn’t just informative—it reignited my passion for marketing and continues to shape my thinking to this day.

But the surprises didn’t stop there.

I also enrolled in a class co-taught by Peter Guber—a titan of the entertainment industry. If his resume wasn’t impressive enough (film producer, owner of the Golden State Warriors, founder of Casablanca Records), his reputation certainly was. The other instructor? Anderson’s dean.

I’ll admit, I hesitated at first. The dean’s somewhat awkward interview with David Geffen was still fresh in my mind. But the chance to learn from Peter Guber was irresistible.

And the class delivered.

Each week, guest lecturers filled the room with stories of leadership, innovation, and success. The CMO of the Los Angeles Lakers talked about sports marketing, while Bob Iger, CEO of Disney, dissected the nuances of strategic leadership.

Then came the wildcard—Will.i.am from The Black Eyed Peas. His lecture wasn’t just about music but about the intersection of technology, creativity, and entrepreneurship. It was fascinating to hear how innovation extended beyond traditional industries and into the arts.

Later, I found out that this class had a track record of hosting big names. Previous years had seen visits from LA Laker, Magic Johnson and even Gene Simmons of KISS.

It became clear this wasn’t just another MBA class—it was a backstage pass to the minds shaping entertainment, sports, and business.

Looking back, that class wasn’t just a highlight of business school; it was one of the most enriching experiences of my academic life. The eclectic mix of guest speakers, the stories, and the insights left a lasting imprint—one that extended well beyond graduation.