Monty Pereira: The Hardest Challenge of My Life Taught Me to Let Go
In this heartfelt episode of Greater Good Radio, Monty Pereira, General Manager and Sales & Marketing Director of Watanabe Floral, shares the most difficult experience of his life — his daughter’s devastating concussion and the lessons it taught him about faith, patience, and letting go. From his Hawaiian roots in Hilo to his 29-year journey leading one of Hawaiʻi’s most beloved floral companies, Monty opens up about family, resilience, and the deeper purpose behind his work: bringing happiness and connection through flowers. His story is one of love, loss, and learning to trust life’s process — a powerful reminder that sometimes the hardest moments shape us the most.
A Journey Rooted in Family and Faith
When you meet Monty Pereira, you quickly sense a man whose success is grounded not just in business acumen, but in deep love for family, humility, and faith. Born and raised in Hilo, Hawaiʻi, Monty grew up surrounded by strong family bonds, daily visits to his grandparents, and the simple beauty of island life. Those early years instilled in him a profound respect for his elders, the importance of compassion, and an enduring sense of gratitude.
That foundation would later prove vital when life presented him with one of its hardest tests — one that would change the way he viewed control, strength, and faith forever.
The Hardest Challenge: His Daughter’s Injury
In 2017, Monty’s youngest daughter suffered a severe concussion during a high school soccer tournament in Phoenix. What began as a normal game turned traumatic in an instant. After being struck by another player in an off-ball collision, she hit her head, and the family was thrust into a frightening medical journey filled with uncertainty.
Doctors said it would take weeks for her to recover. Instead, her symptoms grew worse — constant headaches, blurred vision, loss of balance, and cognitive struggles that left her unable to read or process simple math problems. For months, Monty and his wife watched their daughter fight to regain her abilities, not knowing if she would ever fully recover.
“She couldn’t function,” Monty recalled. “Everything was blurry. She couldn’t concentrate. We saw 14 doctors. It was terrifying because you just don’t know if it’s going to come back.”
Through it all, Monty did what he could — bringing his daughter to work with him, keeping her close, and holding on to faith that she would heal. But as a father and leader used to solving problems, he faced the painful reality that this was beyond his control.
Learning to Let Go
For someone accustomed to being in charge — whether managing a company, leading boards, or coaching youth sports — Monty’s greatest challenge wasn’t logistical, but emotional.
“I’ve always been a family-first person,” he shared. “But this was the first time in my life where I truly had to let go. I couldn’t fix it. I couldn’t control it. I had to surrender it to God.”
That surrender became a turning point. Rather than asking “Why is this happening to me?” Monty began to see it as “Why is this happening for me?” — a subtle but powerful shift in perspective. Through prayer, faith, and patience, he came to understand that not every battle can be fought through willpower alone. Some require trust — in the process, in others, and in something greater than yourself.
Finding Strength Through Community
Throughout the ordeal, Monty was supported by the Watanabe Floral ʻohana, whose understanding and compassion allowed him to prioritize family without fear of losing his footing at work. “They never once questioned me,” he said. “They told me, ‘Take care of your family first.’ That’s why I’m so loyal to them — because they live by their values.”
That sense of community and empathy has long shaped Watanabe Floral’s culture. For Monty, flowers are more than a product — they’re a symbol of emotion, a way to connect people through life’s most significant moments: love, loss, and celebration. “We’re not in the flower business,” he said. “We’re in the feelings business.”
Legacy and Letting Go
Today, Monty continues to lead with the same heart-centered philosophy that carried him through those dark days. His daughter recovered fully and continues to thrive — a living testament to perseverance and hope.
Looking back, Monty sees the experience not as a tragedy, but as a teacher. “That was the hardest challenge of my life,” he said. “But it taught me patience. It taught me faith. And it taught me that sometimes the best thing you can do is let go.”
In a world where control often feels like the measure of success, Monty’s story reminds us that true strength sometimes comes from surrender — from trusting that even in the most uncertain moments, grace and growth can still bloom.
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