Lauren Valdez is an interdisciplinary coach, entrepreneur, and public health advocate dedicated to fostering equitable communities and empowering individuals through education. She co-founded Forte Labs, an online platform that helps professionals enhance their productivity, and Grad App Academy, where she has supported over 500 students in gaining admission to elite graduate programs.

In this episode, we dive into a deeply reflective conversation that explores the intersection of creativity, self-expression, and personal growth. Lauren shares her journey of integrating multiple identities—artist, entrepreneur, and public health advocate—and reveals how her approach to group coaching creates transformative experiences by allowing people to witness each other’s growth and confront shared challenges. We discuss the importance of embracing contradictions within ourselves, using creativity as a form of healing, and how authentic self-expression can guide us through life’s struggles. Lauren also emphasizes the role of somatics—understanding our experiences through the body—as a powerful tool for grounding ourselves in truth and fostering deeper connection, highlighting how the body can be a guide in both personal and collective transformation.