Leo Flores was born in a picturesque region of the state of Hidalgo, Mexico, as the eldest son of José Pablo Flores Jardines and Inés Martínez Ramos. Together with his siblings José Luis, Lorena, Anayeli, Saul, José Pablo, Guadalupe, Juana, and Misael, he grew up in a modest yet deeply hardworking home. From a young age, Leo learned the true meaning of effort, dedication, and perseverance as he was immersed in the demanding rural labor that defined his family's life.

At the age of seven, Leo accompanied his father to the maguey fields, where he learned the craft of cutting the leaves and extracting the fine mixiote leaves, an essential ingredient in preparing a traditional dish from the region. Alongside his father, he also ventured into the hills to collect cerro soil, a valuable natural fertilizer for the household plants, which they carefully packed into sacks for later sale. This routine, despite its hardships, instilled in Leo a deep understanding of family commitment and continuous hard work.

The money earned from selling the mixiotes and cerro soil was crucial for the family's survival. While his mother took the products to the nearby town market, Leo responsibly took on domestic duties: helping in the kitchen, maintaining the house's cleanliness, and looking after his younger siblings. This sense of duty to his family, far from being a burden, became a constant source of motivation in his life.

The month of December was highly anticipated for Leo, not only because of the holiday celebrations but also because it marked the beginning of the moss harvesting season. A sack of moss sold for a good price since it was used to decorate Nativity scenes placed next to Christmas trees.

Each day of that month brought new motivation for Leo. The more money he could collect, the higher his earnings would be, and that meant something very special: his mother could buy them a new set of clothes or, if they were lucky, a pair of shoes. During the year, this was almost impossible, as the life they led was very precarious.

Usually, Leo and his siblings wore clothes their mother got from the market, thanks to donations from others. But in December, through hard work and determination, there was a chance to have something of their own. This made moss harvesting more than just a job, it was an opportunity to experience a moment of happiness amid their struggles.

Despite his numerous responsibilities, Leo never lost sight of the importance of education. Although he deeply enjoyed school and the learning offered there, economic hardships and the urgent need to contribute to the family's well-being inevitably led him to distance himself from the classroom. Inside, he carried a mixture of resignation and nostalgia for not being able to continue his studies, yet he understood that his priority was to ensure the well-being of his loved ones.

From a young age, Leo took on immense responsibility with maturity, renouncing the childhood that other children his age could enjoy, with the firm conviction that his effort and sacrifice would help build a better future for his family.