Counselor Mandy Eppley speaks with mother and teacher Maritza Ortiz about how, as a child from a Puerto Rican family living in New York City, she was marginalized as a minority in many different ways. She was judged by her skin color, by the way she talked, and by the way her hair looked. This caused her to feel much shame and developed low self-esteem. In her adult life she found a training program called The Institute for Life-Leadership and Coaching (ILC) that changed her life. In this program she learned how to honor the authentic nature of her spirit and started falling in love with herself. She also learned about the “6 Keys” – created by Chris Saade - which are a tool for discovering your authentic self and can also be used as a formula for joy. She and Mandy are currently writing a book about the 6 Keys that will be published in 2016. They also talked about the importance of service and how it is a key for healing.

Currently Maritza Ortiz is a mother, teacher, mentor and volunteer in her community. Maritza is a part-time Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System Homebound Teacher, works as an organizer, and is in the process of co-creating a book. Maritza was on the journey to self-actualization when adversity catapulted her to enter the rooms of Al-anon, and she has followed the bunny trail ever since without looking back. She was rebirthed when she entered the rooms of the Institute for Life-Leadership & Coaching. From her experiences she began a women’s group in order to have a space where women could stop wearing masks and share and honor the paradox of life. She also serves in the world by tutoring Hispanic children who are in similar situations to what she was in as a child.