#79 - “Big Tony” Alvarez. Know Your Rootz

The Mark Schulein Passion Project · May 1, 2026 · 1h 41m

Big Tony.

For thirty years, that’s all I had known him as and I’m guessing I’m not alone. Like “The Rock”, Sting, or Bono, he doesn’t need more than one name. “Big Tony” is enough. It carries weight. It means something; and it fits.

But behind the name is the man: Tony “Big Tony” Alvarez.

And while a lot of people know the name, far fewer know the full story. The truth is, his path is deeper, broader, and more impactful than most would expect; and certainly more than I knew. The accomplishments span decades and the stories behind them are even better.

As Tony tells it, he’s lived two…