Ch*ngona Revolution

2020 was a hard year for everyone, but so many small business owners went through it. Brick-and-mortar buildings were closing and so many people had to pivot to save their business or else risk losing it all. The added stress of your livelihood being in danger, while also being a person and dealing with the effects of the pandemic, AND having family members fall ill is incredibly hard. Going through such a tough time all on your own can feel incredibly isolating. That's why this week we're talking to Kat Novoa, someone who has been through the lowest lows, pushed through it all, and gotten into some of the highest points in her life.

Kat Novoa is an influential wellness expert and the visionary Founder + CEO of Babes of Wellness. As a Nike signed Trainer, she has left a global imprint, being among the first pioneering 50+ trainers launching Nike's Well Collective. With diverse qualifications, including Trauma-Informed Coach, NASM Certified PT & Nutrition Coach, PPSC Coach, USAW Olympic weightlifting coach, and Mindfulness coach, Kat is a beacon of expertise. Notably, she established Los Angeles' first all-women's queer gym and Compton's premier boutique studio, fostering inclusivity and accessibility in the wellness space. Kat's zest for matcha, mindfulness, & movement epitomizes her unwavering commitment to empowering others through holistic wellbeing.

In this week's episode, Kat tells us how she was able to save her gym during a pandemic, make smart business decisions, and reach the best point of her career so far. She went from potentially losing all her clients to having a gym filled with loyal customers and landing brand deals with some of the biggest names in fitness, including Nike! Kat also talks about creating a safe community for other queer people, and how she grieved her father's death due to COVID.

TW: This episode includes mentions of loss and a death in the family

Connect with Kat:

IG: @‌supernovoa

IG: @‌babesofwellness TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@babesofwellness

Website: http://www.babesofwellness.com

Website: www.theerikacruz.com

Follow Erika on: Instagram @‌theerikacruzTikTok @‌theerikacruzLinkedIn

How to work with Erika: Join the waitlist for Courage Driven Latina here.

Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST.

If you love when we talk about the four M's manifestations and tarot cards, this episode is for you. Whether you're trying to manifest a new life or trying to interpret all the signs you've seen around you there is an answer waiting for you. You just have to find it. Today we're diving deep into all things spirituality and consulting with a professional, Jasmin Alejandrez-Prasad.

Esoteric Esa (Jasmin Alejandrez-Prasad) is a first and second-generation Mexican-Peruvian American Latina who has been advocating the breaking of generational curses, and negative misconceptions in taboo Latinx spiritual subjects such as Brujeria and ancestral reclamation since 2017. As the host of the two-time People's Choice Award-winning Podcast, Better Work Bitch!, she has championed raising awareness among BIWOC voices in the spiritual realms. Esa is an Astrologer, Certified Reiki Practitioner, and Bruja. Her written work has been published in BuzzFeed PeroLike, Cosmopolitan, Popsugar, HipLatina, MiTu, and Remezcla. As a second-generation psychic tarot reader and intuitive, Esa centers resources for the Latine community that welcomes curiosity while simultaneously exploring authentic embodiment as a means of reconnecting with the intuitive self.

In this week's episode, we're speaking to Jasmin on spirituality and how we can manifest our own reality. Jasmin and Erika have been working together for a few years now and she is one of the only people that Erika trusts with her spiritual experiences. Jasmin helps Erika interpret the signs she's been seeing and how she can use these signs to give her exactly what she wants. Jasmin also explains the bias against spirituality within the Latino community and how you can heal from it if you choose to.

Connect with Esa: http://www.instagram.com/esoteric_esa http://www.tiktok.com/esoteric_esa http://www.patreon.com/esotericesa http://www.youtube.com/esotericesa

http://www.souliminati.com

Website: www.theerikacruz.com

Follow Erika on: Instagram @‌theerikacruzTikTok @‌theerikacruzLinkedIn

How to work with Erika: Join the waitlist for Courage Driven Latina here.

Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST.

Are you struggling with the idea of being the perfect first-generation daughter? So many Latinas are dealing with this unrealistic expectation our culture has put on us. We are told we have to be married, have kids, and be "successful." But no one ever says that we can be happy, or deviate from any of these expectations. That's why this week's guest is helping us break the cycle and be who we are truly called to be.

Mariela is a mentor to WOC leaders. She elevates WOC into in-demand thought leaders who make more money by being who they are, but louder. Through her unique blend of marketing, mindset, and leadership coaching, her clients turn what they used to get in trouble for, into their competitive advantage.

As the eldest daughter of Mexican immigrants who left a 16-year Marketing career, Mariela has broken out of every conventional box so she could help other daughters of immigrants do the same. She has since built a 3/4 of a million dollar business as a single mom and worked with 6-7 figure CEOs, and even women leaders in the United Nations.

In this week's episode, Mariela and I sit side by side and talk about the cycles we're breaking and how to make money while doing it. Mariela tells us how she went from the "perfect" first-generation daughter to proudly doing whatever she wanted. She says it wasn't until she was 31 that she realized she wasn't in control of her life. She had to start asking herself some hard questions, but once she did, she finally felt like she was living.

Connect with Mariela: Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/mariela.delamora LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/marieladelamora

Website: http://www.marieladelamora.com

Website: www.theerikacruz.com

Follow Erika on: Instagram @‌theerikacruzTikTok @‌theerikacruzLinkedIn

How to work with Erika: Sign up for the Courage Driven Latina Program here!

Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST.

If you identify as an introvert, this episode is for you. Many people come to me and tell me that it's easy for me to get up and promote myself because I am extroverted and they can't because they're introverted. But that's not true! You can achieve great things by unleashing the power of your voice as an introvert, and this week's guest is here to help us do just that!

In 2019, Alejandra quit her job, stuffed a backpack half her size, and purchased a one-way ticket to Peru. After cycling through 5 career paths in 6 years, she decided to stop chasing and start soul searching. After her trip to Peru, she became an intern at the age of 27 and then broke into career coaching in January of 2020. Since then, she has helped increase their salaries between $10,000 - $40,000, get promoted into their first Manager or Director level role, change careers, quit toxic jobs, and feel confident as leaders at work. Alejandra is a first-gen Latina Leadership Coach on a mission to empower Latina professionals to get promoted into leadership roles, make more money, and feel confident. She is the Founder of the coaching business, empowHER change, and lives in Miami with her fine husband and perrito, Bentley Bear.

In this week's episode, tells us how she unlocked the power of her inner introvert and how she helps her clients do the same. Over the years, she's been able to pinpoint what is actually holding her back and how to move past them. Insecurity and cultural conditioning play a huge part in our everyday lives, and Alejandra teaches us how to work through these issues in order to be our most authentic selves.

Connect with Alejandra: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aihernandez/ Website: https://www.empowherchange.com/

Website: www.theerikacruz.com

Follow Erika on: Instagram @‌theerikacruzTikTok @‌theerikacruzLinkedIn

How to work with Erika: Sign up for the Courage Driven Latina Program here!

Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST.

Breaking generational traumas is not easy. It can take a lot of work and heartbreak to get to where you want to be. Which is why we encourage people in the Courage Driven Latina program to make connections with everyone else in the program. It's easier to be courageous when you know your friends have your back. That's why it's incredible that this week's guests are sisters and joined the Purpose Driven Latina program together, one of the first versions of the Courage Driven Latina program.

Tania Cruz-Sanchez was born in Toronto, Canada, and is the oldest of Salvadorean parents. She is currently a Grade 6/7 teacher in a French Extended program school in Toronto. After 5 years, she is finally loving what she does as she is finally taking the time to figure out the work/life balance in her life. Much of this is thanks to Purpose Driven Latina, now Courage Driven Latina. The more she learns about herself and specifically how she does things, how she learns, and her pace (and embracing all this) - the more flexible and creative she becomes in acknowledging and being open to figuring out how to best support and guide the diverse learners/thinkers/doers in her classroom. As a Leo sun and Aries Rising, Tania re-charges with an expresso shot, an amazing lake view, and her journaling notebook with pens/highlighters of all the colors.

Arely Cruz-Sanchez is a first-generation Canadian (born and raised in Toronto) and a proud Salvadoreña! She is the youngest of two daughters and the first to pursue a doctoral degree in the family (currently a PhD Candidate in Cell & Systems Biology/Behavioural Neuroscience). She considers herself a total nerd as she is a neuroscientist who is a huge Harry Potter/Star Wars/Marvel/DC fan, reads romance-fantasy novels (shout out to 'A Court of Thorns & Roses' Fans!), and loves dying her hair different colors. She loves physical activity (for the past 4 years she has explored CrossFit, Olympic Lift training, and bodybuilding) and values family and loyalty (her sun sign is Cancer and she is a Sagittarius rising). Her sister, Tania, introduced her to CDL and she is finally embracing a new version of herself that she has been looking for a long time.

In this week's episode, Arely and Tania open up about what it's like to navigate life, break away from generational trauma, and face new challenges side-by-side. They joined Purpose Driven Latina to gain the confidence to take control of their own lives. Arely touches on dealing with manipulation in a graduate program and the hilarious "Are you okay?" email that left them both dying with laughter. Listen to hear more about how these two purpose-driven sisters became courage-driven Latinas.

Connect with Tania: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tania-cruz-sanchez-55530b201

X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/MlleCruzSanchez

Connect with Arely: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arely-cruz-sanchez-636153162/

Website: www.theerikacruz.com

Follow Erika on: Instagram @‌theerikacruzTikTok @‌theerikacruzLinkedIn

How to work with Erika: Join the waitlist for Courage Driven Latina here.

Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST.

Are you tired of struggling with procrastination? Do you find yourself putting off the things you really want to do, only to feel shame and frustration because they're not done yet? I've been there too. That's why I created my free workshop, From Procrastination to Purpose: Kick Off Your Courage Project in 90 Days. You'll go from Procrastination to Ponte las Pilas after this workshop because you'll learn WHY you procrastinate and, most importantly, how to overcome it. I'll share with you a proven strategy that has helped me and countless clients finally start the courage projects we had been delaying.

What is a Courage Project? It is a project that excites you, scares you, and it will make the world a better place. Imagine feeling clear about your purpose and knowing exactly what steps to take to start and finish the project that you've dreamt of.

Listen to hear the hard truth as to why you procrastinate and how to stop.

Website: www.theerikacruz.com

Follow Erika on: Instagram @‌theerikacruzTikTok @‌theerikacruzLinkedIn

How to work with Erika:

Join the Courage Driven Latina program here.

Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST.

Welcome to the Ch*ngona Revolution Podcast's 100th episode!!! I am so grateful that I've been able to make 100 episodes for you all and I am so proud of the friends I have made along the way. While recording these episodes and working through the Courage Driven Latina program, I met this week's amazing guests, Liz Fernandez and Mariela De La Mora.

Liz Fernandez is a Therapist turned Multi-6 figure Identity & Business coach. She is the founder of Aligned Coaching AND the Podcast host of Latina CEO Identity. She helps Latinas become 9-5 optional by helping them start and grow their coaching businesses and start booking their first 4-figure clients.

Mariela elevates WOC into in-demand thought leaders who make more money by being who they are, but louder. Through her unique blend of marketing, mindset, and leadership coaching, her clients turning what they used to get in trouble for, into their competitive advantage. As the eldest daughter of Mexican immigrants who left a 16-year Marketing career, Mariela has broken out of every conventional box so she could help other daughters of immigrants do the same. She has since built a 3/4 of a million dollar business as a single mom, has worked with 6-7 figure CEOs, and even women leaders in the United Nations.

Liz, Mariela, and I have the most amazing friendship. As friends, we are always there for each other and lift each other up. And as colleagues, we share insights, tips, and resources on how to make it as an entrepreneur. Our friendship has only grown stronger over the years and in this week's episode, we are going to tell you why cultivating life-changing friendships is essential to becoming a more courageous person.

Connect with Liz:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifewithhliz/

Website: Aligned Coaching

Connect with Mariela: Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/mariela.delamora LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/marieladelamora

Website: http://www.marieladelamora.com

Website: www.theerikacruz.com

Follow Erika on: Instagram @‌theerikacruzTikTok @‌theerikacruzLinkedIn

How to work with Erika: Join the waitlist for Courage Driven Latina here.

Join the waitlist for the Magnetic Mastermind here.

Sign up for Erika's Free Workshop here.

Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST.

If you remember anything from this podcast, remember this: finding your purpose is not linear. Everyone online, including myself, may look like we have it all together. But in reality, our paths are just as messy as yours, if not more so. This is why I want to share two purpose-driven paths with you to give you the confidence that you need to start your courage project.

Candelaria (Cande) González is a First-generation Mexican-American blogger and life coach. Her Siempre Evolving blog is all about self-development, positive growth, and spirituality. After ending a long-term relationship and engagement at age 35, Cande has committed to owning who she is with confidence and authenticity. She is a proud dog mom, homeowner, and vegetarian. Cande is also a Life Coach for Latinas and WOC who are ready to drop the societal conditioning and live life on their own terms. Her mission is to do her part in helping raise the collective consciousness of the world!

Tatiana Szulc is a trauma and somatic therapist, and a holistic coach. She possesses training in Somatic Experiencing, a body-oriented approach to trauma healing. Tatiana's expertise lies in regulating the nervous system to guide women on a journey toward discovering their inner confidence, peace, and purpose through holistic living and somatic practices. She owns a private practice as a trauma therapist, offering both one-on-one and group services. Tatiana's roots trace back to being a first-generation Latina, born to Colombian and Guatemalan parents.

In this week's episode, will be speaking with two current Courage Driven Latina clients about their paths to their purpose. Cande shares how she had to get over imposter syndrome and a fear of being seen in order to be her most authentic self. And Tatiana tells us how she had to heal her traumas and believe that she was enough in order to build up the people that she wanted to help. Listen to hear how two courageous women took a leap of faith and found their purpose.

Connect with Cande:

Instagram (@siempre.evolving)

Website - Siempre Evolving

Tatiana Szulc is a trauma and somatic therapist, and a holistic coach. She possesses training in Somatic Experiencing, a body-oriented approach to trauma healing. Tatiana's expertise lies in regulating the nervous system to guide women on a journey towards discovering their inner confidence, peace, and purpose through holistic living and somatic practices. She owns a private practice as a trauma therapist, offering both one-on-one and group services. Tatiana's roots trace back to being a first-generation Latina, born to Colombian and Guatemalan parents.

Connect with Tatiana:

Instagram (@tatiana.holistic.coach)

Counseling | Tatiana Szulc, LMHC | Franklin, MA

Website: www.theerikacruz.com

Follow Erika on: Instagram @‌theerikacruzTikTok @‌theerikacruzLinkedIn

How to work with Erika: Join the waitlist for Courage Driven Latina here.

Join the waitlist for the Magnetic Mastermind here.

Sign up for Erika's Free Workshop here.

Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST.

Taking courageous action can be very lonely. Especially if you are surrounded by people who don't really get what you're trying to do. And whether that's launching a new business, writing a new book, or just trying something entirely new, having a courageous group of women on your journey makes all the difference. That's why the Courage Driven Latina coaching program was created and why Lisa Annabel is here to share her story with us today.

Lisa is a recent member of the Courage Driven Latina program and has launched her own coaching business. As a resiliency coach and author, Lisa is guided by the core values of equity, continuous improvement, collaboration, communication, integrity, and accountability. Through coaching and mentorship, Lisa empowers individuals to become the best version of themselves, fostering growth, and inclusivity. She works together with her clients to achieve their goals and live their lives with purpose and authenticity.

In this week's episode, Lisa shares how taking courageous action and focusing on writing her book, And I Felt It All, was the best thing that ever happened to her. She shares the guilt that she felt leaving the education sector and the joy she felt when her readers shared that they came to a book event just to purchase her book. Listen to this Courage Driven Latina's episode now and discover the beauty of taking mindful action.

Connect with Lisa Annabel: Instagram: @lisaannabel_coaching

Website: https://lisaannabel.com/

Purchase Lisa's book And I Felt It All here: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/and-i-felt-it-all-lisa-annabel/1143733650

Website: www.theerikacruz.com

Follow Erika on: Instagram @‌theerikacruzTikTok @‌theerikacruzLinkedIn

How to work with Erika: Join the waitlist for Courage Driven Latina here.

Join the waitlist for the Magnetic Mastermind here.

Sign up Erika's Free Workshop here.

Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST.

You've heard of machismo, but have you heard of marianismo? As Latinas, we have been told that we have to be a certain type of woman to gain the respect of our community. We have to be the type of women that are constantly selfless, self-sacrificing, and accepting of the machismo around us. But by becoming this kind of woman and by embodying these marianismo ideals, we not only let ourselves down but we let our community down.

In this week's episode of the Ch*ngona Revolution podcast, we will be talking about why marianismo ideals only serve to hurt us, and how we can break away from the ideals and meet all our own needs while still loving and serving our community. It's time for us to take control of our own lives! It's time to self-actualize and I am going to give you the three steps on how to do it yourself.

Website: www.theerikacruz.com

Follow Erika on: Instagram @‌theerikacruzTikTok @‌theerikacruzLinkedIn

How to work with Erika: Join the waitlist for Courage Driven Latina here.

Join the waitlist for the Magnetic Mastermind here.

Sign up for Erika's Free Workshop here.

Podcast production for this episode was provided by CCST.