ABSTRACT
A contrasting double portrait is painted, through two in-depth interviews with our colleagues José Manuel Valenzuela (JMV) and David M. Boje (DB), each with 30+ years as academics. Being from Mexico and the USA, respectively, the double portrait shows how they progressed differently from the standard career routes within their national contexts. Both biographies reflect the role of their different environments in the genesis and development of their relationship to academic and social norms. Both find ways to succeed in mixing social activism, beliefs about society, and research values. They adhered to their philosophies in the face of the numerous obstacles in their lives. Accordingly, they took risks and overcame challenges. They are entrepreneurs in the broadest sense and real warriors; and, any individual no matter their background, or age, can learn from their experiences, and follow their examples.
