A Million Miles Away based on the inspiring true story of Jose Hernandez
Prime Video’s A Million Miles Away is based on a true story, it stars Michael Peña as Jose Hernandez, the first migrant farmworker to travel to space for the United States.
Mr. Hernandez story of going from a migrant farm worker to an astronaut is also an emotional one. We get to see how the things that were instilled in him from his parents, his wife and community helped him to overcome rejection (NASA rejected his application 6 times) and not give up on his dreams.
In an emotional scene we get to see Mr. Hernandez played by Michael Peña ball up a rejection letter from NASA and throw it to the ground.
I had the opportunity to speak with Mr. Hernandez about the people who played a pivotal role in his success and the things his parents instilled in him as a child:
His father’s recipe:
- Define your purpose in life
- Recognize how far you are
- Draw yourself a road map so that you will know how to get there and stay focused.
- Prepare yourself for the challenge
- Develop a work ethic that’s second to none
And he adds a 6th ingredient to his father’s recipe and that’s PERSERVERANCE…Never Give Up!
His mother’s recipe:
Study Habits!
Every day after school she would sit us down at the kitchen table for a snack, but then she wouldn’t let us get up until we cracked open our books. She was the disciplinarian with respect to education.
His wife’s encouragement:
After being rejected by NASA 6 times it was his wife’s unwavering support that encouraged him to apply again.
She asked that fundamental question, what do they have that you don’t have?
A Million Miles Away starts streaming on Prime Video Friday, September 15th.
