This week, we’re joined by Diana González, the visionary founder of Cactus Foods, a woman-owned snack brand turning the cactus (nopal) into delicious and sustainable plant-based snacks. While managing a diagnosis of Hashimoto’s and inspired by her family’s history of colon cancer, Diana embarked on a journey to create healthier snack options — blending her nearly two decades of sales and marketing experience (including at NBC/Universal) with a passion for wellness and innovation.

Diana’s mission is to transform cacti — nature’s wonder — into snacks that are as good for the planet as they are for you. Her vision? To become a leading innovator in plant-based snacks that support biodiversity, reduce environmental impact and inspire global culinary exploration.

In this episode, host Arianna sits down with Diana to explore how she stayed rooted in her mission even while navigating chronic illness and launching a business

📍 Recorded in Pasadena, CA.

💫 Catch the Conversation

Diana offers candid insight on aligning business with values, embracing plant-based innovation, and staying resilient through the unknown.

🎧 Available wherever you get your podcasts.

🙌 Special Thanks

Season 2 Sponsors:

Empowered with Gina - Empowerment isn’t a trend - it’s a lifestyle Learn more: empoweredwithgina.com

NAMI San Fernando Valley — championing mental health awareness & community care. Learn more: namisfv.org

Cactus Foods — reinventing snacks using cactus, celebrating health, sustainability & flavor. Explore more: cactus-foods.com

Host: Arianna Lemus

Producer: Brenda Hernández

Editor: Brenna Cherry