I am a mom, a relationship coach, an international speaker, and the author of Your Breakdown Is Your Breakthrough, and I am fully committed to my life.
How did I get here? It’s been a long, crazy journey, and it “only” took me 38 years to discover who I really am and what I am here for.
I grew up in Colombia with a single mom and a younger sister. At age 18, I moved out to seek a life of my very own. Confused and afraid, I had no idea who I was. Life seemed a very scary place. I thought the only way to survive and be liked was through my looks. I became a model, and I did well for a couple of years, appearing in magazines, commercials, etc. None of this made me happy, however. I didn’t know my self-worth, and inside I was still confused and completely miserable.
I didn’t like myself, and for nearly 10 years, I struggled with an eating disorder. I was always running from place to place, from one career or job to another, all the while thinking that God had abandoned me! I wanted to feel loved and accepted. Nothing I did helped with my feelings of unworthiness. I repeated the same mistakes over and over.
I was tired of all the running. I was exhausted from people-pleasing, and from trying to prove I was good enough. And, even though I was married and living a very high-end existence, it felt as though I was giving up on life — merely settling. On the surface, things looked sparkly and ideal. I became a mom at 27. My husband gave me everything I could possibly dream of — a beautiful home, a nice car, jewelry, great vacations — you know what I mean!
I know now that we had come together as a couple because in so many ways we were mirroring each other. The purpose of our marriage, for me, had been to have my children and to realize MY OWN VALUE — to take a stand for myself, to finally find my place in the world.
While, of course, I’ll never know for sure what he learned, I can certainly talk about my own experience — and now, I realize that my marriage saved my life! Why is that, you may ask? Because every struggle that I went through with him made me into the woman I am today.
When my marriage eventually broke up, we went to court for three and a half years. We spent half a million dollars on attorneys, mediators and evaluations. And all we did was end up angry and miserable. Finally, after running out of money and energy, we were done! One day, we met at our local bookstore and agreed to fire our attorneys and go to a mediator for two hours and sign an agreement.
There is much more to the story, but what I realize now is that if I had a chance to go back, I would do things so much differently. I wish I could have my 40-year-old woman talk to the 32-year-old me and teach her all the tools that I know now.
When I became a single mom, I had no idea who I was without a man in my life. And, despite everything I went through with him, I was always a very dedicated, loving mom. But, ultimately, I wasn’t happy. Something was still missing inside me. Even before my divorce, I had started going to therapy, and I continued for many years. Nothing, however, seemed to wake me up and get me out of the sadness, the lack of purpose with which I was living my life.
Finally, one day, I decided to make a big investment in my life. I signed up for a two-year master’s program in Spiritual Psychology. Also, I hired a life coach, and my journey of self-discovery began! I was now making a CONSCIOUS DECISION to change my life and find my life-purpose.
My life changed rapidly. I learned to take responsibility for my own issues, and most important, I learned to love myself and to feel self-compassion as I underwent my own process. I discovered that the more I loved MYSELF, the more I could love and understand OTHERS. And, the more I received love as a result.
I started to notice a change in all of my relationships, my kids, my parents, my sister and my ex. It was — and continues to be — truly magical. My life became filled with PURPOSE. I realized the calling of my heart and what my mission was. I was now living life to the fullest.
What had previously just been my issues, I now realized, were opportunities for me to look closely at myself and to grow into a better human being. What I now understand is that every time we RESOLVE an issue, we lighten our baggage and expand our FREEDOM. We become free from our own self-judgments and free from what we think other people think of us. From that perspective, life becomes more pleasant, more productive, and more meaningful.
Now, I’m COMMITTED to living my highest life and to follow the calling of my heart. This is why I want to help you wake up! There is no time for sympathy or self-pity, my friend. What we need is someone who can see the diamond inside us and who has the tools and skills to help us bring it out.
I know it’s not about how many degrees I have. Instead, it’s about who I am being in the world. But in case you’re curious, here’s what you should know:
- I have a masters degree in Spiritual Psychology from the University of Santa Monica.
- I hold a professional coaching certification with Steve Chandler.
- I have a certification on the Enneagram which I incorporate in my coaching.
- I write for the Huffington Post
- I facilitate a monthly women’s group on different topics.
- I have been featured on MomWho.com, InspiredParenting.com, and KidsInTheHouse.com
If I could get out of my own deep hole by changing how I thought about my life, by learning to love myself, and by developing the clear action steps to make LASTING POSITIVE CHANGES, I’m certain you can do it, too!
Like I said, it’s a matter of making a decision.
TOGETHER, let’s discover just how worthy you are.
