Today we’d like to introduce you to Ricardo Martinez.
Hi Ricardo, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My name is Ricardo, although most people know me as Rick, and some also call me Riko. I was born in Santa Bárbara, Chihuahua, and when I was six years old my parents brought me to the United States in search of a better future. Since then, I’ve grown up and lived in the southern part of Kansas City, a community I truly consider my home.
Professionally, I work as a Master Fire Door Inspector, but my greatest passion is podcasting. Through this project, I aim to tell stories, share experiences, and connect with our people in an authentic and meaningful way.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One of the biggest challenges has been staying consistent and continuing to invest time and money without seeing immediate rewards. Editing each episode and creating clips for social media takes many hours, and it also requires a significant investment to achieve the level of quality we aim for.
Over time, I learned that the reward I was looking for wasn’t immediate, it came during the process itself: during recording sessions, while reliving the best moments during editing, or when adding effects that help better represent our guests and the platform.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At my core, I’m a storyteller and a builder. Professionally, I work as a Master Fire Door Inspector, specializing in life-safety compliance and ensuring that buildings meet fire and safety standards that ultimately protect lives. It’s a highly technical field that requires attention to detail, accountability, and a strong sense of responsibility, qualities that carry over into everything else I do.
Creatively, I’m best known for my work with Ozone Lair Media. Through the podcast, I specialize in creating a safe, intentional space for people to share real stories—stories about struggle, growth, faith, trauma, success, and identity. I’m particularly drawn to conversations that touch on the spiritual, the unexplained, and the deeply human experiences we don’t always talk about openly.
What I’m most proud of is the trust people place in us. Guests open up about things they’ve never shared publicly before, and that’s something I don’t take lightly. Knowing that our platform has helped people feel seen, heard, or less alone is far more meaningful to me than numbers or views.
What sets us apart is that we live between two worlds, professionally, culturally, and creatively and I embrace that fully. We balance structure with creativity, discipline with vulnerability, and professionalism with authenticity. We don’t chase trends or controversy. We focus on substance, respect, and purpose. Ozone Lair Media isn’t about chasing attention, it’s about creating impact, preserving stories, and building something that truly represents our community.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I don’t believe in luck, good or bad. I believe that God places people and opportunities in our lives when the time is right. Looking back, every major moment in my life and in my work happened exactly when it needed to, even when I didn’t understand it at the time.
There were seasons that felt like setbacks, such as job pauses, uncertainty, and loss, but those moments created space for growth, reflection, and ultimately for Ozone Lair Media to exist. What some might call bad luck, I now see as preparation. And what others might call good luck, I see as alignment, being ready when the opportunity presented itself.
Faith has been the foundation of how I move through both life and business. I focus on showing up, doing the work with integrity, and staying open to the lessons along the way. When you move with purpose and patience, the right people, conversations, and doors tend to appear, not by chance, but by design.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ozone_lair_media?igsh=cTFwcnA0NGZ5endj&utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@ozonelairmedia?si=xj4VfU6F0oHlJP4e
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@ozone_lair_media?_r=1&_t=ZP-92povGIaOMg
