What if you could sit down with a Latina millionaire and ask her exactly how she transformed her life from poverty, survival mode, and bounced checks into abundance, purpose, private jets, and freedom?

And what if the biggest thing standing between you and the life you want isn’t your past… but the story you keep telling yourself about it?

In this episode, I sit down with Hazel Ortega, author of From Bounce Checks to Private Jets, to talk about transformation, personal development, manifestation, and what it really takes to go from survival mode to building a life beyond your wildest dreams.

Hazel shares her journey from growing up in poverty in Los Angeles with immigrant parents, gangs, violence, and instability to becoming a Latina millionaire, author, philanthropist, and transformational leader.

We talk about the power of environment, dreaming bigger, personal development, mindset shifts, and how small inspired actions can completely change the direction of your life.

This conversation is a reminder that your past does not define your future.

Hazel and I talked about:

• Growing up as daughters of immigrants in Los Angeles and how survival mode shaped our early lives
• How changing your environment can completely expand what you believe is possible
• Why education alone didn’t create fulfillment, confidence, or freedom for either of us
• The personal development work that helped us rewrite old stories and limiting beliefs
• How Hazel used vision, manifestation, and small inspired actions to transform her life
• Why many Latinas struggle to dream bigger because we were taught to focus on survival
• The importance of celebrating yourself and speaking your accomplishments out loud
• How mindset, environment, and community can shift your relationship with abundance and success

Books Mentioned in This Episode

• From Bounce Checks to Private Jets by Hazel Ortega
• The Art of Bragging by Peggy Klaus

You can also grab Hazel’s free Vision Guide here:
The Mastery of Miracles Vision Guide: https://www.themasteryofmiracles.com/

This episode is a powerful reminder that your circumstances do not determine your future. With vision, personal development, and the willingness to believe bigger for yourself, your life can become completely unrecognizable in the best way.
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What if the real skill that will determine your success in 2026 isn’t confidence or discipline… but your ability to learn fast?

In this episode, I talk about something essential for building the life, business, and career you want in today’s world: learning agility.

The pace of change is faster than ever, and many of us were raised to believe we needed to already know everything before trying something new. But that mindset will keep us stuck.

I share why becoming a beginner again is powerful, how to stop feeling behind, and the three mindset shifts that will help you adapt, grow, and stay relevant.

I talked about:

• Why learning agility is the skill that matters most in 2026
• How AI and technology are changing business and career opportunities
• Why many women, especially Latinas hold back 
• How shame, perfectionism, and fear block our growth
• Why the future belongs to people who learn quickly and adapt often
• How to become a beginner again without making it mean you’re behind

3 Ways to Build Learning Agility

1. Shift your identity around learning - Stop seeing yourself as behind and start seeing yourself as a learner who is growing.
2. Learn by doing, not just consuming - Use the tools, test the strategy, and practice in real life.
3. Build a feedback loop - Try something, review the result, adjust, and try again.

Why This Matters Right Now

• Microsoft’s 2025 Work Trend Index says organizations need employees to build AI literacy, share what they are learning, and apply those learnings into daily work as human-AI collaboration reshapes roles and priorities. https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/worklab/work-trend-index
• LinkedIn’s 2025 Workplace Learning Report says learning and career development are key drivers of adaptability because companies need critical skills to move faster as business needs change.
  https://learning.linkedin.com/resources/workplace-learning-report
• IBM’s 2025 CEO Research says 31% of the workforce will need retraining or reskilling over the next three years, and 67% of CEOs say differentiation depends on having the right expertise in the right positions.
  https://www.ibm.com/thought-leadership/institute-business-value/en-us/c-suite-study/ceo

This episode is a reminder that you are not behind. You are living in a rapidly changing world, and the women who rise in this season will be the ones willing to learn, adapt, and grow in public.

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What if anxiety isn’t something you need to fix… but something you need to learn how to move with?

In this episode, I open up about what I’m personally going through right now and how anxiety has been showing up in my life. I talk about why anxiety is a normal part of the human experience and why trying to avoid or get rid of it doesn’t work. 

Instead, I share how I’ve learned to “dance” with anxiety and use it as a tool to move forward, especially during seasons of uncertainty.

I talked about:

• My personal experience with anxiety during a challenging season in my life
• Why anxiety is not something to fix, but something to understand and manage
• How anxiety is actually energy without direction
• Why we tend to numb, avoid, or spiral when anxiety shows up
• How anxiety is often a sign that you care deeply about something
• Why productivity alone won’t solve anxiety

The 4 Steps I Use to Move Through Anxiety:

• Step 1: Name it
  Call out what you’re actually feeling. Naming the anxiety helps reduce its intensity and brings awareness to what’s really going on.
• Step 2: Ground yourself
  Bring your body back to center through breath, movement, or connection so your nervous system can regulate.
• Step 3: Get present and take one small step
  Focus on what’s right in front of you and take a small, doable action to start moving forward.
• Step 4: Ask yourself, “What can I control right now?”
  Shift your focus away from uncertainty and into what you can actually take action on in this moment.

This episode is a reminder that anxiety doesn’t mean something is wrong with you. It  means you really care about something. 

And when you learn how to move with it instead of against it, it can actually guide you forward

Even top clinical guidance shows treatment is about reducing symptoms and improving functioning, not permanently removing anxiety from your life.  

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/anxiety/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350967

Please share with me how this was helpful for you either on Social Media at: https://www.instagram.com/wendyamara/

Or through email: [email protected] 

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What if science and transformation actually go hand in hand when it comes to creating results in your life?

In this episode, I break down three powerful truths that connect science, psychology, and transformation work so you can understand why this work is not just “mindset” or “spiritual,” but actually rooted in how your brain and body function.

As a life and business coach, I talk about why your life and business are deeply interconnected, and how real growth doesn’t just come from strategy. It comes from who you are being.

I walk you through how your brain is wired, how your nervous system impacts your ability to execute, and why your identity is the foundation of everything you create.

I talked about:

• Why your life and business are not separate and how they influence each other
• The difference between the horizontal (strategy, actions, results) and the vertical (identity, beliefs, internal state)
• Why transformation work goes beyond mindset and into identity and embodiment
• How entrepreneurs must constantly step into the “new” to grow in business

The 3 Science-Backed Truths I Shared:

1. Your brain is wired to keep you the same - Your brain prefers what is familiar, even if it’s not helping you grow. That’s why change feels uncomfortable.
 ➡️ Transformation happens through repetition and building new patterns

2. Your nervous system determines your results - If your body is in stress or overwhelm, it will block your ability to execute, decide, and move forward.
 ➡️ Regulation creates clarity, consistency, and capacity

3. Your identity drives your results - Your actions will always align with who you believe you are.
 ➡️ You don’t get what you want, you get who you are being

If you want to go deeper into the science behind what I shared in this episode, here are a few key areas to explore:

• Neuroplasticity (how the brain rewires through repetition): https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-brain-plasticity
• Polyvagal Theory (how your nervous system affects safety, stress, and regulation): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9131189/
• Affect Labeling (how naming emotions can reduce emotional intensity): https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/between-cultures/202109/why-it-helps-to-put-your-feelings-into-words
• Identity & Behavior Change (how identity shapes action and results): https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/automatic-you/202206/the-key-behavior-change-is-identity-change

You can’t always control what’s happening around you. But you can control your thoughts, your nervous system, your beliefs, and your identity.

And that is where real power lives.

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What does it take for a 19-year-old mom to go from selling hot dogs outside a church to owning two thriving franchise locations in Los Angeles? Susana Cabrera is living proof that following your heart and betting on yourself changes everything.

In this episode, I sit down with my client Susana Cabrera, an inspiring entrepreneur whose journey started as a street vendor and led her to owning two successful franchises in Los Angeles. 

Susana shares her powerful immigrant story, growing up watching her mother hustle through different small businesses and learning resilience at a young age. From becoming a young mother and working in fast food to starting her own street vending business, her path has been anything but easy.

What makes Susana’s story so powerful is the mindset shift that helped her move from employee to owner and eventually step into the identity of a CEO.

We talked about:

• Susana’s immigrant story and the entrepreneurial lessons she learned from her mother
• How she went from working in fast food to starting her own street vending business
• The moment she realized she wanted to create a healthier impact in her community
• How she discovered the opportunity to work with Everytable
• The transition from employee to franchise owner

Key Lessons from Susana’s Journey:

• Your background is not a limitation. The skills you learn from life, family, and survival often become your greatest business strengths.
• You don’t have to feel ready to take the next step. Growth often happens after you say yes, not before.
• Don’t undermine your experience. Many immigrants and first-generation entrepreneurs underestimate how capable they already are.
• Challenge the voice in your head that says you can’t do it. Look for evidence in your life that proves you are already capable.
• Betting on yourself can change everything. The moment you decide to work just as hard for your own dreams as you do for others, everything shifts.

Today, Susana owns two successful Everytable franchise locations and continues to grow as a business owner and leader.

Her story is a powerful reminder that where you start does not determine where you can go.

Connect with Susana:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soysusanacabrera/

Source: Everytable https://share.google/aEoztGBNSqMYdgae5

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This episode is me speaking honestly about what it feels like to live as a woman of color in the United States right now. I’m sharing reflections after our recent retreats and naming the real emotional and nervous system toll that ongoing political attacks on immigrant communities are having on us.

I talk about why pretending things are fine is not helping anyone and why naming what’s happening matters. This episode is about how we stay regulated, connected, and supported so we don’t burn out or disconnect while everything feels heavy.

I talked about:

• The emotional weight many women of color are carrying right now
• How political decisions are directly impacting immigrants and small business owners
• Why community and embodiment are not optional if we want to stay resilient
• What I witnessed during the Mastermind and Restore & Reclaim retreats

In this episode,  I give you five tools I’ve been using and teaching to get through this moment. These are not mindset hacks or bypassing strategies. They’re practical ways to support the body and nervous system so we can keep showing up.

The 5 Tools I Shared:

1. Naming that we are under attack and telling the truth about what’s happening instead of bypassing it
2. Stating what you’re feeling and allowing yourself to name it honestly
3. Writing down and sharing what you’re feeling so it doesn’t stay trapped in your body or mind
4. Doubling down on what’s already working and supporting you, without adding more effort or pressure
5. Being in community with your people, consciously and gently, by choosing spaces that feel aligned, safe, and supportive

This episode is a reminder that care, connection, and rest are not luxuries. They’re how we survive, stay present, and continue doing the work that matters.

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A grounded conversation on Latina self-care, political resilience, and the power of stepping away to reconnect.

In this episode, I sit down with my friend and fellow podcaster Brenda Gonzalez, creator and co-host of the Tamarindo Podcast, to talk about how Latinas are navigating this current political climate, especially as immigrants and children of immigrants.

We talk honestly about the emotional toll of what’s happening right now, why self-care is not a luxury but a necessity, and how spaces like the Encuentro Retreat in Puebla, Mexico create real restoration, clarity, and community. We also share behind-the-scenes stories from last year’s retreat and why we decided to bring it back.

We talked about:

• Why Latinas are feeling the weight of political uncertainty and immigration stress more deeply right now
• The importance of combining activism with self-care instead of choosing one or the other
• How community spaces help us stay grounded, energized, and connected
• Why getting out of the U.S., even briefly, can shift perspective and restore a sense of safety
• The role of culture, land, and ancestral connection in healing and clarity

Tips + Takeaways:

• If you feel exhausted or overwhelmed, it may be time to pause instead of pushing harder
• Self-care is essential if you want to stay present and effective in your work and community
• Traveling and stepping out of your routine can expand your sense of possibility
• Healing happens faster in spaces where you feel culturally seen and emotionally safe
• Community experiences create lasting support systems, not just temporary relief

🌿 About the Encuentro Retreat (Puebla, Mexico)
We also share details about the upcoming Encuentro Retreat, happening April 30 – May 4 in Puebla, Mexico. This experience blends transformational workshops, wellness practices, cultural immersion, historical tours, rest, and joy for Latinas and like-minded women.

✨ Limited-Time Offer:
You can receive 15% off your retreat registration when you apply and confirm before the end of this month. This discount translates to hundreds of dollars in savings!

✨ Additional Savings:
Bring a friend and share a room to save $400 each.

🔗 Learn more and apply here: https://www.tamarindopodcast.com/encuentro-26

If you have questions, you can also reach out directly to Brenda or DM me on Instagram. If this experience is sparking something in your heart, that’s your sign to apply.

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The breakthrough didn’t come from strategy. It came when I asked: What do you actually want, and what belief is stopping you from claiming it?

In this episode, I sit down with Heidy De La Cruz, host of The American Dream in the Eyes of Immigrants, for an honest conversation about immigrant identity, using our voices in this current climate, and what it means to build platforms that truly serve our communities.

We talk about the power of podcasting as a leadership tool for Latinas and why telling our stories is both personal and political in this season.

Coaching Session with Heidy
During our conversation, I coach Heidy live as she steps into the next phase of her work. We focus on clarifying her vision for her new podcast, strengthening her relationship with visibility and monetization, and identifying the fear that has been quietly holding her back. Together, we shift from strategy alone into belief, embodiment, and aligned action, mapping out practical next steps she can take with confidence.

Me and Heidy talked about:

• Why sharing immigrant stories matters now more than ever
• What it means to redefine the American Dream as immigrants and first-gen women
• How podcasting can be a platform for Latina leadership, visibility, and impact
• The mindset shifts that unlock consistency and monetization as a creator

Tips + Takeaways:

• Get clear on your real “why” before building your podcast or brand
• Build consistency in a way that fits your real life, not someone else’s formula
• Use SEO and keywords so your episodes can actually be found
• Monetization starts with self-worth and the belief that your work is valuable
• Identify the fear that’s keeping you stuck, and take one aligned action anyway
• Give yourself deadlines and accountability so your ideas turn into results

If you’ve been feeling the pull to share your story, start your podcast, or build something bigger this year, let this be your reminder that your voice matters. You don’t have to be fearless, you just have to be willing.

Learn more about Heidy’s work and listen to her podcast here:

• Website: https://heidydelacruz.com/
• Podcast: The American Dream in the Eyes of Immigrants
  https://open.spotify.com/show/1cieU8Wg7IRJG33nn0cAzP?si=1a0e7dd44db34f93

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What if the reason your vision board hasn’t worked isn’t a lack of action, but a lack of embodiment?

In this episode, I talk about why vision boards don’t work the way most people use them and what actually makes them powerful. As we move deeper into the energy of 2026, this conversation is about shifting from surface-level visualization into real embodiment so your goals stop living on a board and start showing up in your life.

I talked about:

• Why I don’t fully trust traditional vision boards and where people usually get stuck with them
• The difference between the horizontal world of doing and strategy and the vertical world of being, identity, and embodiment
• The two main types of vision boards and why feeling-based vision boards are more effective than object-based ones
• How to identify the real feeling behind what you want, like freedom, confidence, safety, purpose, or joy
• A step-by-step embodiment practice to activate your vision, including
  • Naming the feeling you actually want behind the goal
  • Finding where that feeling already exists in your life right now
  • Visualizing yourself fully immersed in that feeling
  • Bringing gratitude into your body instead of just thinking positive thoughts
• Why gratitude and embodiment are what shift your energy and create alignment
• How to recognize and document moments when the feeling starts showing up more in your daily life
• Why fewer visions create more results and how to focus on one area at a time for 2026
• How being aligned with the feeling changes the actions you take and the opportunities you notice

I also share why this inner work is what allows the outer strategy to actually work and how embodiment supports manifestation in a grounded, sustainable way.

Films mentioned in this episode:

• The Secret (2006): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0846789/
• The Answer (with Reverend Michael Beckwith): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2612010/

Free Webinar: Rooted First
I’m hosting a free live webinar called Rooted First, where I’ll help you create your Success Blueprint for 2026 and apply this work in a deeper, more intentional way.

Register here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/uQrVIKqqQTufcG33VyWo4A#/registration

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Preparing for 2026 starts with understanding how different calendars view time, energy, and action.

In this episode, I explore what the Chinese calendar and the Mayan calendar reveal about 2026, where these two systems align, and where they offer very different guidance. Rather than treating calendars as tools for prediction, I talk about how they can be used as frameworks for awareness, decision-making, and intentional goal activation.

I break down what each calendar teaches about cycles, momentum, and timing, and why understanding these perspectives matters if you want to move into 2026 with clarity instead of confusion. This conversation is about learning how to work with energy and seasons, not forcing progress through pressure.

I also share concrete steps and reflective questions you can use right now to activate your goals for this year and prepare for what 2026 is asking of you.

I talked about:

• What the Chinese calendar says about the energy we are moving into in 2026, and how that contrasts with the Mayan calendar’s view of cycles and timing
• The similarities between the Chinese and Mayan calendars, especially around momentum, leadership, and movement, and why both point to preparation rather than rushing
• The key differences between the two calendars and how each one frames action, rest, and responsibility in 2026
• Why understanding these calendars matters if you want to stop setting goals that don’t stick

I also walked listeners through specific steps and reflection questions to activate their goals this year, including:

• Deciding how many goals you actually need to focus on instead of overloading yourself
• Identifying where your current goals are coming from, whether they are driven by alignment or pressure
• Looking at how you move your body, your energy, and your time, and whether that movement supports the year ahead
• Noticing patterns from past years that you are being asked to complete or close out before 2026
• Clarifying what kind of capacity, courage, and structure you need to build now to meet what 2026 will require

This episode is about using calendar wisdom as a practical tool so you can make cleaner decisions, activate your goals intentionally, and enter 2026 prepared rather than reactive.

Free Webinar: Rooted First
Wendy invites listeners to join her free live webinar Rooted First, where she will guide participants in grounding their energy, clarifying priorities, and creating a personal success blueprint for the year ahead.

Register here:
 https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/uQrVIKqqQTufcG33VyWo4A#/registration

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