Persistence in Adversity with Dr. Adame

Dr. Yvette Martínez-Vu is a Chicana mother-scholar who works as an academic coach and consultant. She has a Ph.D. in Theater and Performance Studies from UCLA. She is the producer and host of the Grad School Femtoring podcast and founder of Grad School Femtoring, LLC where she empowers first-generation students of color as they navigate higher education. Dr. Martinez-Vu is the co-author of the forthcoming The Grad School Femtoring Guide: Successfully Navigating Graduate School Applications with the University of California Press. In this episode she share about her early years, her adversities and what helped her persist as well as some life advice.

J.R. Gonzales is a native from Mercedes Texas and has become accomplished business owner, entrepreneur, political strategist, and public speaker who has dedicated his career to advocating for issues affecting Latino and minority communities. With over 20 years of experience in leadership positions at the Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce (TAMACC), he has established himself as a respected voice in the Hispanic business community. In addition, he serves on the Export-Import Bank of the United States Council on Small Business. Prior to his current positions, Gonzales served as Chairman of the Board and president of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

In this episode he shares a bit of his early years, childhood memories visiting his grandmother, and why he is a Latino advocate. He talks about how the "Bewitched" show influenced his college major in Adverising and Communications.

JR shares his biggest adversity was having to work while in college. One of those summer jobs was swimming with a pig. The moment that changed his life was when he realized that he had to look at situations through a positive lens. He believes that you're the total sum of your experiences, he describes himself as the fajita police, and talks a bit of why became a podcaster.

He's visited the Great Wall of China 13 times, has met 5 US Presidents, 3 presidents from Mexico, other presidents, and shares what he would tell his 18-year-old self if he could.

Attorney Deborah Cordova shares about her childhood growing up in the Rio Grande Valley. She talks about the importance of education, changing majors in college, and why she chose law school.

Deborah graduated from St. Mary’s University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in accounting. She received her law degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law in 2002. Deborah also graduated from the University of Texas Pan American with a Master of Business Administration in 2003. She is a founding member and partner at Walsh McGurk Cordova Nixon, PLLC.

In this episode she also shares that she's most proud of being family oriented and everyone needs to get involved in the community and give back. Deborah is currently a member of many boards and organizations such as Teach for America and the Hispanic Women Network of Texas (HWNT). She recently received the Women Making History Award by HWNT, and was named La Jefa by RGV Vision.

Deborah served on the Board of Directors for the State Bar of Texas (SBOT) from 2019-2022, is a Past Chair of the Women and the Law Council of the SBOT, and a Past President of the Texas Women Lawyers. She was recognized as a Texas Rising Star from 2007-2015. She had been awarded many other recognitions such as Woman of the Year in 2016 for her outstanding community service on behalf of the citizens of Mission and was a recipient of the Rio Grande Valley Walk of Fame by the City of Hidalgo in 2017.

Chicas in Class Podcast share their story on this episode. Zuleyca and Jainette met in Grad School, they talked about their adversities, how they juggle work, mom duties, the podcast and much more. They provide life advice and talk about some life challenges they have faced. Zuleyca's biggest adversity was having no one to pave the way for her. Jainette's biggest adversity was an abusive relationship. However, she shares that with God's help she was able to overcome and how that has shaped her life for the better.

Both Zuleyca and Jainette have an MBA, and also have similar definitions of success. Success for them has evolved through the years and now strive to look at the positive in life, focus on the good, and showing up and being authentic.

En este episodio Nincy Erazo nativa de Guatemala comparte sobre su vida y de como llego a los estados unidos cuando solo tenia tres añitos. Comparte sobre un impactante accidente que sufrio ella y su familia. Tambien habla de como fue victima de abuso fisico y mental, hasta que un dia por medio de un sueño, decide salir de la relacion.

Tambien comparte de como decidio escribir un libro. Hoy ha escrito varios libros, tiene un Podcast donde comparte que Dios la ayudo a perdonar y a ser una nueva persona apesar de que ella nunca habia ido a la iglesia.

Iliana Villalobos is a lawyer at the Villalobos Law Firm in McAllen, working alongside her parents, Attorneys Jesse and Margie Villalobos. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Iliana is a recent graduate of the University of Texas School of Law in Austin, and recently passed the Texas Bar Exam.

In this episode Iliana shares about the time she was depressed and had low self-esteem. She shares her biggest adversity was being bulimic as a teenager. She talks about how she overcame and how we need to focus on being real and be an example for the younger people.

Iliana is the Founder of RGV Book Club, Board Member of South Texas Literacy Coalition, Member of Organization of Women Executives, Member of RGV Hispanic Chamber, and other organizations!

Daniel Chavez, Electrical Engineer and native from Las Milpas shares about having to work since he was 10 years old. He grew up in a migrant home with many obstacles, but his biggest adversity was being poor. It was an electrical shock that triggered his interest in electricity and years later he turned it into a career. Mr. Chavez talks about his faith in God, and how He has blessed him in every aspect of his life. Some life advice he shares is to hang around with the right people, the best books out there are the people with knowledge, it's important to give back to the community, live a simple life, be an integral person, respect people, and help others. Everything he does is with one goal in mind, going to heaven when he dies. He's also a businessman and a community member that makes an impact in others every day. Some examples are,opening his company doors to the local PSJA school district for job shadowing, provide scholarships, share knowledge, and more!

In this episode Reene Bentacourt, judge, shares a bit of her story. She describes about growing up in the valley, her migrant family, and why she decided to study law. She relates about being a mom of three girls, adversities she had to overcome, and also provided life advice. Echale ganas mija is a motto she lives by, something her dad used to advice her since the begining, to keep going.

Kijuan Amey, shares his life experience from being a student and business owner, to falling into what he calls, depression setting and a very dark scary suicidal moment. He thanks God that He rescued him. Kijuan an Air Force Veteran and now an author, talks about a dramatic accident which left him with a broken back and blind. He provides life advice and says, you need to take action after your faith. Kijuan mentions, it does not matter how big the mountain is, be still and watch Him work. In addition, he states, I may have lost my eyesight, but I have not lost my vision.

Teresa Capistran, superintendent, shares about growing up in the valley. She has two masters and is an educator at heart. She serves in many boards such as United Way, RGV LEAD, RGV Focus and others. Mrs. Capistran shares about her struggles growing up and talks about some of her life experiences. Some advice she provided is to "never give up, adversities will always come, and ask for help when you need it." She talks about being involved with your children and not comparing them to others. Also touches on the social media and the technology risks and how this affects our children's social skills. Teresa talks about the plate only being so big, therefore we need to prioritize and discuss with family on major decisions and get their support in order to be able to juggle the diverse responsibilities, work and personal life.