WELLTHY Generation Podcast!

36. Reclaiming Health, Hormones, and Power to Serve Others Better with Cecilia Hernandez [Client]

• Naihomy Jerez • Episode 36

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Join us on the Wealthy Generation Podcast as we sit down with Cecilia Hernandez, one of my coaching clients, a driven entrepreneur and financial planner who opens up about her battle with hormone imbalances and repeated hospital visits. Cecilia shares the turning point that made her reevaluate her life goals and prioritize self-care, especially as a first-generation Latina balancing immense family responsibilities. This episode unpacks the critical balance between professional ambition and personal well-being, offering invaluable lessons for anyone juggling high-stakes career goals and health.

Imagine transforming your health just by changing simple habits. Cecilia's journey showcases how eliminating oat milk and better food pairing can revolutionize one's well-being, addressing everything from hormonal imbalances to painful periods. We dive into practical strategies for co-managing meals and exercise with a partner, recognizing emotional eating triggers, and the broader impact of these changes on mental health and relationships. This episode provides a blueprint for sustainable lifestyle changes that can significantly improve your quality of life.

Traveling and staying healthy can be a daunting challenge, but Cecilia shares her secrets for maintaining wellness on the road. From intuitive eating to setting up travel-friendly dietary plans, she emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy and confidence in social settings. Hear how small, consistent habits like taking vitamins or drinking bone broth can make a significant difference amidst life's disruptions. We round out the episode with a powerful discussion on the emotional balance between caregiving and self-care, highlighting the long-term benefits of prioritizing one's health. Don't miss this transformative conversation that promises to inspire and empower.

Connect with Cecilia on LinkedIn

Thank you so much for listening!


Naihomy:

Hi friends, Welcome back to another episode of Wealthy Generation Podcast, that is W-E-L-L-T-H-Y. Today I have a very special guest with me. She is a current client and she or well, I invited her to come on if she'd like to, to talk about her experience so far with health coaching and to get to know her a little bit better, and I am so excited she is here today. Cecilia, how are you? Please introduce yourself?

Cecilia:

Thank you so much for having me. I love your podcast name Trademark. That, like yesterday, so good. Hi everyone, my name is Cecilia Hernandez. My pronouns are she and her. I'm 31 years old, grew up in the Bronx, live in Jersey City. Now adjusting to that, my family is from Dominican Republic. I am a full time entrepreneur. It's crazy, it's been a year and a half I try to time it before I joined this call and I work on financial planning, mostly supporting entrepreneurs on their business and personal finances.

Naihomy:

That's awesome, thank you, thank you. Thank you so much for being here, so I want to start off by painting a photo or picture, or whatever, of where your health was before we started working together, like what was it that you were struggling with before and what led you to health coaching?

Cecilia:

Oh, I like to think of my life like pre-COVID A lot of us are thinking of it in that way and then post-COVID pre-COVID, my health was at an all time low. It was a build up throughout the years, but COVID really showed me that I needed to figure something out. I was hospitalized a few times. Really dealing with some health issues was really working a lot. I was working a full time job and working on my business on the side and it was hard to navigate my health. So I was always at the bottom.

Cecilia:

To put things into perspective, there was a time where I was working till 1, 2 am. I was not eating, I was not drinking water and you know, when you're younger, you're like, yes, it's fine, I can do this. And then, as I got older, like that became obviously an issue and I had to be hospitalized because I was dehydrated, I wasn't eating, I. It was really a low point of my life which really put things into perspective of what I needed to do to make things better and there were a few other things going on. But I try to navigate that on my own and it felt like I was alone.

Cecilia:

I would go to one doctor, they would say one thing, and then another doctor would say another thing, and then I would just talk to my family and it felt like I was having an outer body experience, trying to navigate my health. Like I'm obviously going through these things physically and then I'm still supposed to work, I'm still supposed to show up, I'm still supposed to be a good friend, a good family member, and I just didn't know what to do. Honestly, I was just going through the motions and then I got a little better, but then I saw the end results, right, like I had gained the weight from all the medication. I was breaking out really badly. My mental health wasn't the best, so it was like me trying to navigate the after effects of everything and realizing that I actually needed the help.

Naihomy:

Yeah, you said something really key here that I think is very common in our community and is how hard you were working and how, when you're younger, you can just push through, but it seems like it started to catch up to you.

Cecilia:

Yeah, and the interesting part about that is that I didn't see any other way. Like I always thought I was going to climb the corporate ladder and then I was going to have my business, and then I was going to do it for X amount of years until I made the most money, until I was the most successful, and then I lost myself along the way. So I had to ask myself, like, what is it that I'm chasing? What is it that I actually want? And that's like such an important conversation when we think about health, especially for first gen Latinas. What do I want for myself? Right, I did everything. Right, I got the college degree, I got the job, got my family out of poverty. Like, no more evictions, hey, let's go out to eat, let's get some food. Right. Like which were moments that were transformational for not only for myself but for my family, and like that was great, right. But I kept going and never really asked myself what is it that is going to help me?

Naihomy:

Yeah, I love that and thank you for your vulnerability, honestly, for sharing these things, because that's all we see. I think a lot of times and as First Gen Latinas, as you're saying it's like how can I climb this ladder, the corporate ladder, how can I make more money, how can I help my family? And I think that oftentimes it comes at a cost which is our own health overall, physical and mental, and it seems like that's something that you experienced. I just really like to paint a picture for you to be seen Right and by you I mean like the listener of you're not alone in these experiences is not just happening to you.

Naihomy:

You, I know sometimes for me it's like, oh, it must just be me, I must work hard, I must do this, and you don't realize, like how much is impacting you and how much is hurting you and how there really is another way to build wealth, where and and whatever your goals are really, and take really good care of yourself. So that's what we try to do here. So what was, let's say, a moment where you were like things have to change and maybe you started looking for different solutions as to how to help yourself. What did that moment look like for you?

Cecilia:

This is such a great question. For me it was definitely becoming a full-time entrepreneur and running a financial well-being business, and for me it was very much like mental health, right, like money, psychology how do we understand your actions? And of course, I knew that that also consists of your physical health and how it all comes together. And it came to a point where I'm like I'm doing this work, I'm honestly better than I was before, so great my health is improving. I'm very happy and grateful for that.

Cecilia:

But it felt like I was sort of a fraud when you're preaching financial well-being but then you're like I don't feel, like I know how to fully navigate my health journey. And that's not to say like, oh, like I'm a terrible person or I don't know. I think the system is set up that way, right, that like I asked a doctor a or I don't know. I think the system is set up that way, right, that like I asked a doctor a question and he's like yeah, no, just don't take it, or take this and like just move on, right. So it was like navigating all these things. So it was just more of like am I gonna continue going down this path of just like saying yes to whatever is being told, or not really understanding how my body is working. And it was just one of those moments where I had to decide like no, that that's not going to be me anymore.

Cecilia:

I'm going to fully step into my mission and by doing that, I really need to embody what I'm feeling like my mental health, my physical health, and like my mental health was like check, check, check in terms of like me knowing that that was a priority in my life, like I, this is like a really good point for me is that I go to therapy and I've been going to therapy three times a week.

Cecilia:

Like that's massive. And I know some people are like wait what? Like let me rewind. Like three times a week, like, yes, like I take care of my mental health, like a lot, right. Like I want to make sure that I am healing as much as I can, as like the wealth healer is the name of my business and I'm able to support my clients in that way as well, and my work can be heavy at times. But also, I know that I needed to add that physical component to it, know that I needed to add that physical component to it, but to my surprise. I didn't really realize how much that physical component and that mental health work that I was doing, how it was all going to relate, and you've done such a great job of meeting me where I was at.

Cecilia:

Like every single time we just had a call yesterday and I was like this is I'm at, let's go through it, right. And those were like really, those are really important moments, but just like really being able to be like okay, like this is where I'm at and this is what I need to change, and that's exactly what you were able to do, and are still doing with me during where that current work oh awesome.

Naihomy:

Yeah, cecilia and I have been working together for nearly a year, so we can talk a little bit about how did you decide that you needed longer and what made it okay for you? Actually, yeah, just, is it okay to share? And before we get into like where, how we started the first half and then going into the second half of our work together.

Cecilia:

Yeah, so do you want me to talk a little bit about the first half? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. So do you want me to talk a little bit about the?

Naihomy:

first half. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, talk about the first half. I was, I. I remember everything that you were going through, but please you share.

Cecilia:

No, yes, feel free to jump in if I forgot any of those important points. I just there's so much here Like I just remember me just not even have the having the basics of like proper food education and like one of the most transformative things that you did in our first call, I was having oat milk with oatmeal every single day.

Naihomy:

Oh, oat milk day.

Cecilia:

Oh, oat milk, cecilia. Um, I think this is like leading to all your inflammation and all your acne and all your extra weight. And my life was transformed after our first call. Like, I'm not even exaggerating, I was able to eliminate that from my diet and like really pair foods in a way that makes sense and you can learn more about that from Naomi. But that was the impact, right. Like I was having like only foods as like food and like snacks and thinking that I was healthy, but I actually wasn't.

Cecilia:

The result of our work together and my investment was seen automatically. In less than a month, I lost over 10 pounds. Like it wasn't for me, it wasn't necessarily like, hey, like, this is what I, this is what I want, like the losing the weight, but I was starting to feel uncomfortable in my body right Like, after, also like in my recovery period, I'm like, oh, like this is not me, right, and like I saw the results right away and for me, that was so empowering because I was the one who decided to invest in myself and then to see like, trust yourself. Right, like, if you're listening and you have a gut feeling of like you know what. Like I want to do this, but I'm not sure. Trust that gut feeling, because that gut feeling is what led me to get to like all these improvements that really led me to be like where I am now and this health well-being journey.

Naihomy:

Yeah, and I know like I think the weight loss for you and you can like correct me if I'm wrong was like a happy side effect of everything you came initially for, which was you were having a lot of acne and they wanted to put you.

Naihomy:

You were going to the dermatologist, they wanted to give you steroid creams and put you on antibiotics and all these kinds of things, and I don't remember if you actually went through with it or not, but I just know that it wasn't working for you. And you also had debilitating periods which can really wipe you out. Like you were in bed for days. You couldn't function well again. You were not eating. Like you were in bed for days, you couldn't function well Again. You were not eating, and if you were eating were things that were spiraling your blood sugar and we worked a lot on your hormone balance in that way and you were like, oh, you know my period, we need to work on my hormones and I'm like, yes, but the hormone we need to work on is actually your blood sugar. You remember that?

Cecilia:

Yes, I remember I was like yes, but the hormone we need to work on is actually your blood sugar. You remember that? Yes, I remember. I was like wait, tell me more, Like what's going on here?

Naihomy:

Yeah, when are you now on that?

Cecilia:

Yeah, that's the beauty of the connection between all of it. Like you do such a great job of like hey, this is how this works together and this is like where you are now and this is what you need to improve. I know exactly what happens to my body?

Cecilia:

if my period is painful this month, I'm like oh you know why that is like come on right, like I'm very much informed about if I get a pimple. I'm like you are not managing your blood sugars, or like sometimes, like hey, like it is my period coming on, I'm able to like really identify what I'm doing to my body and like what's the end result, which is so empowering again. And then what we also haven't talked about today is the impact of me being able to like manage my blood sugar and be like okay, like this is what's happening and this is what I need to be doing in my well-being journey, and like educating my partner and my family on this journey as well, and us working together on that. Like Monday.

Cecilia:

This past Monday was just like such a reminder of our work together where my partner and I woke up, we made breakfast together, right, like we, we work a lot, so we hold each other accountable. Like hey, here's lunch. Like this is like the walk that we're gonna have afterwards. Like right, like he had to, he worked out. I didn't because I had to work right, but like all of that to say is that it doesn't have to be like this a hundred percent. Like oh, it needs to look this specific way, but also like the impact of, like how you can take care of yourself and you can learn to take care of those around you as well, and like how you begin to show up differently.

Cecilia:

It's like oh you know what, like, we're gonna go on this dessert, we're gonna have this dessert, we're gonna go on a walk. Um, like, those have been really important decisions for me. And then also that mental health component really understanding like why do I cope with sweets right? Like, why am I running to these particular foods after a long day? Now, every time I like I remember like walking home from therapy, like I usually go on Thursdays. I go into the office and I'm like I used to be walking. I'm like, oh, I want the chips or the candy. After a while I was like, oh, I know why I want the chips and the candy, because that therapy session was really really hard and that has honestly been such a good moment for me to be able to really put it all together.

Naihomy:

That's awesome. I love the things that you're bringing up because actually, the podcast episode that's going to release after this I talk about all of these emotions that we go through on the journey and you're you're painting such a beautiful picture of the emotions that happen. So come back, listen to the next episode after this and then come back and listen to Cecilia again so you can piece it together. It's really important, and one of the things that I like that you mentioned is how this journey doesn't just impact you and doesn't just serve you. It serves your partner, it serves your family members. So how has this journey have and you like already gave some examples, but I don't know if there are others of how it goes beyond you and it has such a positive effect on your loved ones as well?

Cecilia:

the funny thing is, like we had pizza over the weekend and like we go, like I remember I was talking about like hey, if you're gonna have it, it's totally fine, you can have it, right, but like have the best quality that you can possibly have. So we go to that. Yes, we go to this place here in Jersey. We love it. It's like it's funny because it's called Brooklyn Pizza here in Jersey, and like it has good quality ingredients. And like we're like we're like going home, we're like excited to have it. And then my partner's like so I'm gonna heat up some broccoli.

Cecilia:

Okay, in my head I was just like it was one of those moments where I really just wanted the treat. And then I was like you know what? Yes, we gotta manage our blood sugar and have this broccoli first. And that's the impact because, like he's doing it for himself. Obviously we want to live like long lives we just recently got married but like he also knows what I need.

Cecilia:

He knows that, like me having like the pizza by itself, it's not gonna be like something that's gonna help him either. Right, because I'm gonna be grumpy, because I'm gonna like, yeah, sugar's gonna be everywhere, but he knows that like it may cause a breakout and that I'm gonna be grumpy as well. Right, so it's like it impacts him as well, but, like now, he knows like what I also need, and he knows that, like it's also benefiting him, and he's like he knows what to do. Like okay, we have to have this first. And I thought that was such a good example before because, like before, we just be like okay, like this pizza is going to get cold. It's like we want it right now. It's been a long week. Let's just have like this treat, and for me, that was just like such a beautiful moment and such a reminder of like oh, this works, we know what to do now.

Naihomy:

Yeah, and I know that you guys as like me too, and by relationship like one of the ways that you guys hang out together and spend time together is going out to eat, experiencing new restaurants and I remember in the beginning.

Naihomy:

It. Would you mind sharing a little bit of how these conversations had to shift and how were you able to communicate these new needs, because I think it's a point where it's not really spoken about. When we start on a health journey is not in isolation and it's not in a bubble. Even if you don't have a partner, live on your own. There is always other people involved, because food is a cornerstone of community and spending time together and showing love to each other, to each other. So how do you still? Well, you shared one example, but how are other ways that you guys are still able to show love to each other and to spend time together through food, but in a way that benefits the both of you?

Cecilia:

This is so good. Okay, so like I first want to note that I am a terrible cook. That's not my expertise. So, like, if you're listening to this and like, oh, like I don't even know how to cook, or like I'm not a great cook, like, would this work for me? Like, yes, I would say yes, yes, yes, I am not a good cook at all. My partner is a better cook than I am. Um, I lean on family. My sister's a great cook, um, but ultimately a lot of it's like what am I gonna feed myself because I don't want to cook. Like I cook here and there, right, like I've come up with a schedule with my only that works for me. Um, but, with that said, back to your point on sweets. It's like we eat like, especially like on the weekends, right, like we had a long week. We go out to eat and we're gonna have the dessert. Like, yeah, these dessert companies and the bubble tea company, they were taking all my money.

Cecilia:

They knew it like it was seriously an addiction. I also want to say, like, also candy, right, like, the sour patch, like the chocolate was like something that, like, we used to have like consistently, just because it was like our comfort, right, right, I didn't want it to be one of these things that I could just say, like, yeah, we're going to do this, and then I fall short. Right, Like I didn't want to pull him on this journey with me if I couldn't prove to myself that I was fully committed. So that was such an important step because, like, I think I see this in our community a lot too Like, we need to save everyone and we need to bring everyone with us as well. So, like, I just want to make clear that I had to make the choice for myself first and then really stand my ground of what it was going to be like hey, we're not going to get the dessert. Like, I don't want it. Right, like, once you, once you start doing things like that, when you constantly do it, your partner or like whoever is going to like say like hey, what's happening here? Right, so they're going to become curious. So that's what began to happen. Once I stand my ground, okay, like, yeah, we're going to dessert, we're gonna go for a walk while we're having it, or like no, we're not having this, or like no, we're not having bubble tea. Now we have, like once a month and we're like, wow, like cool, like we're not. We've been able to change our behaviors, but we still have a great time through food, because that's the thing that we love to do, right, especially because I don't like to cook. But it has changed.

Cecilia:

Like we went to Spain recently and it was just mind-blowing to me. Like Spain, like amazing pastries, right, a bunch of carbs, a bunch of bakeries everywhere, and we will go into one of these places and be like, yeah, let's split an almond croissant and we're gonna walk. Split an almond croissant, like what. We never split anything. We used to get two big portions. We never used to walk and we've had a great time. And what I think was also very interesting to know is that we didn't need more. Like we weren't like, oh, I wish I would have gotten one for myself. It really just hit the spot. It was like, okay, like we, like we're in Spain, we went on a walk, we just had a pat of a croissant and this was great.

Cecilia:

So, it changed like how we were interacting with ourselves and how we interacted with food. And it's still fun and it's so great and we can still travel and we can still have like a good experience with food.

Naihomy:

Yeah, I'm glad that you said that at the end, because one of the follow up questions was going to say I was going to say is you're saying no, no, no to a lot of things? And I was going to ask you did this feel restricted? Did this feel like you were restricting yourself? What did that feel like to be like? No, I'm not having this. After you felt like it was an addiction and this is how you would comfort yourself through boba and sour patches and things like that.

Cecilia:

I would say that time period of feeling restriction felt so short compared to the outcome, like I can't even remember feeling restricted Because, at the end of the day, like the signs and you can explain it right Like we, like I was no longer addicted to it after a while, like, and it was very much like being in tune with, like my emotions, of why I wanted those things, so I was able to connect things really quickly and like find other ways to connect with my partner or connect with myself or get support.

Cecilia:

So I would say, yes, I'm sure I felt restricted and I'm like, oh, like I want, like this is normal for me, right, like it was also like on autopilot of like it's Friday, saturday, sunday. This is what we're gonna do, because it's what we've been doing and my partner and I have been together for like over eight years, right, so it's one of those things we're like yeah, I'm sure we were like okay, so what do we do now? But that period I don't even remember it, because now I'm on the other side of like you know what, like I know how to manage this.

Naihomy:

So I would say, like that's the power of just like getting started yeah, something that I I also talk about a lot is how sometimes we like to rebel and it's like, oh, I can't have it, so I'm gonna have it. That's one. Or we have not created enough evidence within ourselves to know that these certain, whatever food it is, doesn't, just doesn't serve you anymore. So did you experience any of that where you would go back I know you're laughing because I did you experience any of that where you would go back to these comforts because this is what you knew and what felt safe and what would be the outcomes and what made it okay down the line to be like, nah, I don't even need this oh, so so good.

Cecilia:

Yes, yes, yes. So we've had this conversation multiple times. I'm like maybe, like you know, test the waters. Um, last week I wrote to you and I was like you know what? Like I had Shake Shack for the first time, like in over a year, and I didn't even like it. It was salty. Like I was like what is this? And it was one of those moments where I was like I wanted to be like better, let me check it out, let's see what's going on here, let me see if this is going to provide me the comfort that I want. Right, and it didn't. It really didn't, but I found myself doing that Throughout my journey, right, and like I think the beauty of our continued work and for me to continue this journey, is that something that I probably have to, like you know, battle and go through for the rest of my life, right up, like hey, like how do I, how do I find comfort in these things that no longer serve me, that I know that no longer serve me, but I may be tempted to try again.

Cecilia:

And we were having this conversation yesterday in our coaching call of like these acts, like feel, like they feel unsafe even though they're safe or these foods feel comfort, even though they're not come like they're not comfort. I can only speak for myself but, based on like my lived experiences and like the traumatic things that I went through, I know that my body and my mind may want to go back to those places and how I managed those times. But the beauty of it is I continue to get the support and not wanting like, not saying like okay, I need to be perfect throughout this journey because like yeah, there there's where those times, especially in the beginning, where I was going back to like the old ways yeah, and I remember you would say like, oh my and you mentioned this like my face would break out or I would be back to feeling depressed or like being in bed for days not feeling well around my cycle.

Naihomy:

So it's also really beautiful how intuitive you became and how good you became at listening to your body and just like realizing when things were off. And I think a beautiful skill that you've learned to is pinpointing if something, if you feel something, something's happening. It's like oh, I know exactly why these things happened. It's not just random, it's not that I'm falling apart, is that my body likes things a certain way and things are a little bit different, for whatever reason. And I got X, y, z results. Yeah, so something you mentioned is that you recently went to Spain and I know you and your partner love to travel as well, and there's one thing of having your routine at home and knowing exactly what you're going to do at home and it's a lot easier because most of the time it is on autopilot or it's on repeat. But when you're consistently being put out of your routine, you're traveling places, you're crossing time zones. How is this different?

Cecilia:

like, how is this an actual lifestyle for you, rather than something you do for a little while, similar to a diet this is really really good as well, because I think it's important to note that, like, I do have an anxiety disorder where, like structure for me is like everything right, like I try to have as much control as I can to like be regulated, obviously like it's life. One of the things that, like, I worked through in therapy and I worked together is like, how do you like regulate right, how do you like, how do you go through these emotions and like be okay, right. So getting getting out of like my routine is like an alarm in my system, like oh no, like there's chaos, right. Like how are you gonna manage that? And at the beginning it was hard, right, because I would feel like if I was traveling, which is something that I enjoy, that I couldn't bring like the person who I was becoming with so good because I felt like travel meant that I was gonna overeat and that I was gonna have all these things right.

Cecilia:

So I did travel a lot last year. So I think in the first few trips I was like you know what, let me see if I still like the old Cecilia, which is like what we were talking about previously, and I would just, you know, overindulge and like do vacations how I did it in the past and I will come back and I'm like I feel terrible, like now I have to get back to like the routine, like this is not great, like I know that this is not how I want to live my life, and but as I continue to go on more trips, it was like implementing one new thing that I was like already doing at home right, like the vitamins, the bone broth, right Like now you find me traveling. I'm like where's the keeper? I send you a picture of like hey.

Cecilia:

I found the keeper, I found the bone broth. Right, like, I found all these things. I'm gonna bring my vitamins, I know how to what I need to bring on the plane. Like what do I need to eat? Right, like, how do I? What is it that I'm looking for? Right, when I get to these places, and like also providing myself with grace. Like, yeah, like I was in Spain, so that meant that. Like, hey, sometimes I, like I had the carbs first. I'm like that was fine, right, like, how do I know that? Like the next meal was another opportunity for me to do better.

Cecilia:

So now travel for me looks different. Right, like I'm bringing whether it's a local or international trip, I'm bringing as many things as I can to be set up. If it doesn't have, like, if it doesn't have a fridge, like where do I buy these things if there is? Like this is so, so good, because I got married a couple of weeks ago and we stayed in a hotel in the city and this hotel didn't have a fridge. But then I saw a note that you can ask for a fridge. So I asked for a fridge and put, like, the things that I wanted in there and for me that was so different from Osilia because, like, initially, I don't want to ask for what I need, right. Like, yeah, no, I need a fridge and I need you all to bring it over here and we're gonna do what I know I need to do. Right. So that's the power of knowing what you need and then like advocating for yourself and then also being able to navigate, like these different places, whether you're doing domestic or international travel.

Naihomy:

Just the difference in your confidence and like knowing what it is that you need, your intuition, and not being shy about knowing that and advocating for yourself is so, so, so beautiful. Because oftentimes it's like, no, we don't want to bother anybody.

Naihomy:

Because oftentimes it's like no, we don't want to bother anybody, we don't want to ask, we don't want to do this and then, we're the ones that always end up with the short end of the stick, unfulfilled on underserved, when it just takes one or two seconds to ask, or to research, or to be willing to be a little different from anybody, everybody else. What about in your group of friends and when you're hanging out with people and all of a sudden you're not eating and maybe engaging in the same way as before? What has that experience been like for you?

Cecilia:

For me, it's been more of standing in my power of what I believe in, like, right, like, if people are asking these questions or want to know why I'm like no, like I'm very confident in my decision right now. This is what I want, this is what I want, um, the waiter or waitress to do with my food, or this is what I'm not gonna do. And that took a while, but I remember I was having a conversation where, like, at the end of the day, it's us right, like it's gonna be me with the stomach ache, or me with the pimple, or me or me trying to navigate these things right. So like, how do I show myself love and enough confidence that I can navigate that? And how are the people around me responding? Are they respecting it? Right? Like, are these people that I want around?

Cecilia:

Because one of the things is, like, as you continue to heal and go into that next level which is also something that I talk about, like in my financial planning business so like, who are you leaving behind and how different you're becoming, and like this is something that we talk about a lot as well, naomi. So it's like, who's going to be with me in this next chapter is so important? Because, like, one of the reasons that I did continue our work together to answer that question is that I had accomplished so so much at the end of our coaching, at the end of those six months. But then I was faced with a time of people who I really care about being very sick, right, like stage four cancer. Right, like things that impacted me be spending a lot of time in the hospital.

Cecilia:

Right, that was a lot of my beginning of the year and then, knowing that I needed that support to continue to up-level and continue my healing journey. So, my friends, right, like if I don't have the time or if this is what the time we have, to like engage and like if you're not gonna respect how I'm behaving, or like what, how I'm showing up, then like noticing that like, hey, perhaps these people are not the individuals that I need in my life, and that is that is a journey within itself, right, especially if you have people through like that you've known for a long time, but like really just again trusting yourself in that journey. Yeah, and yeah, you you've known for a long time, but like really just again trusting yourself in that journey.

Naihomy:

Yeah, and yeah you've. You've had a tough beginning of the year just being participating as a caretaker and just seeing a lot of illness within your loved ones, is it? And I know that one of the things when we started a second round was that you had a hard time creating that space to take care of yourself, because other people, other loved ones, really needed your support and it was really tugging at your heartstrings.

Naihomy:

And, if you don't mind just sharing, how did you navigate that? Because it is very common for like us women to just give, give, give, give and not take that space to take care of ourselves, because of guilt or because, you know, we feel so privileged. It's just so many things and and it feels selfish. So how did you navigate? Is just so many things and it feels selfish. So how did you navigate those times where it was you had to take a step back or two to really take care of yourself.

Cecilia:

So that you could be a good caretaker to your loved ones. I would tie this to my entrepreneurship journey, right, because entrepreneurship for me was that first time where, like, yeah, I'm quitting my six figure job, I'm doing this for myself, I'll figure it out, and working with you. That first time around was in that for lack of better word honeymoon stage. Right, like I am figuring it out, right, I have the time, I'm like you know what, I'm ready to do this. And then, and it's still, it's still a lot to realize that you are walking in a different walking, a different path than those around you. So, like that requires its own healing and its own acknowledgement. But I just want to distinguish that, because when we work, when we're working together now in part two, it was like what's going on?

Naihomy:

Like I don't.

Cecilia:

I don't even know, like, let me try to navigate this. Like that honeymoon stage was gone. So I was at this stage where I have to. I had to really lean into, like really really lean into my health journey. And there are moments in time, time and time again, as me as the caretaker, right like that person who got my family out of poverty, right, like trying to navigate all these things, like I went back to that. Oh, and this makes me emotional, because the reason that I'm going on this path is so I can heal and heal others around me, and for a specific moment of time, I didn't think it was possible for me again that I was going to be me living my life for others.

Cecilia:

And when you see those around you sick, that can be triggering within itself.

Cecilia:

Right, especially as you're navigating your own health journey and feeling guilty that perhaps, like you, you don't get to go through these things, where you're trying to make different choices, right, like I know, like there's luck and there's just, like you know, choices that we made in life that lead us there, and it was one of those moments where I was lost again and then, like I needed to work with you and I'm so glad that I did, to be reminded that I couldn't serve those around me, I couldn't be in a hospital taking notes if I wasn't fed and I wasn't working.

Cecilia:

Like my brain wasn't working right, like it was those moments where I wouldn't eat for hours, but like it was like us coming back together and realizing that like why am I doing this journey and how can I better serve them? But leaning into that I am worthy of healing, I am worthy of a different life. My end point, because we talked a lot about this where, like my, I already like working together. In the beginning, I was like I already see myself in the hospital bed, right, like I already see myself with this right like being like that doesn't have to be me. I can make a different choice or I can at least say that I gave myself a chance yes, facts.

Naihomy:

Thank you so so much for sharing that and yes, it has been a very emotional journey and I'm so glad that you trusted yourself and you leaned in, because fear can can really stop us in our tracks and just get engulfed in everything. But you know, we really truly are working as a community you as a financial healer, me with health and wellness and just so many of us and trying to get our community just past these super tough moments into a different lifestyle. And yeah, it's like how? How are you going to be fully present? How are you going to be clear minded enough to help loved ones make decisions that are really hard and listen and advocate for them when you're not getting what you need? And it's not selfish, it's actually out of love for them that you treat yourself well. So, thank you, where are you now? Like, where's your health now? How are you feeling now? How is your life different? Nearly a year later, what's happening?

Cecilia:

So so, so good. So, as I mentioned before, I got married and like it felt like I was already ready for my wedding dress, like it was like one of those most empowering moments because I didn't have to worry about, like, how my body was gonna look, that I needed to go on this crazy diet to fit into the dress and that all of these things were going to happen. That for me, was such a beautiful moment because for me, like even like dress shopping was like, oh, and this looks great, I feel great and like now I just have to choose which one I really like. Right like which one I'm gonna go with. And for me, that was the power of our work. Right like stay ready, so you don't gotta get ready yeah, you said it.

Cecilia:

You said it and that was so empowering because, like to give um the audience more perspective, I had we were planning to get married next year, right, um, we moved um the wedding just for, like you know, for our family to be there, with all the health things that are going on. So it was just more like, okay, it's time to go shopping. I got it right and like that was all the months that I worked on myself, right, all those times where I trusted myself to feed my body, to move my body and like how I needed to and wanted to and sometimes moving your body was like, hey, I'm just gonna walk 10,000 or 8,000 steps, whatever.

Cecilia:

That was right, like really redefining that. And I just get emotional because, like I can't thank you enough for making that experience like even just like wedding shopping, like dress shopping like such a positive one, because, like I navigated this journey, I went through it and like now it's just me getting to that next level. I have healed so much physically and mentally in the last year alone and it's just like continuing to trust myself that I deserve that good life, that abundance, that I deserve to continue to take care of myself, that I deserve everything that I want. Right, because I think that's the biggest thing for me now Really accepting where I'm at, like the stage of being grateful of this life that I've created. I don't want to look back and say like, oh, I didn't enjoy that and that was my prime. So right now I'm working on really just leaning in and becoming the better version of myself, because I know that I can.

Naihomy:

Man, you're making me cry over here.

Cecilia:

It's so emotional.

Naihomy:

It's very, very powerful. Yeah, and I just I really want to commend you for doing this work, because it's not easy. I really want to commend you for trusting me and I always say like, when I started doing this work, it felt very heavy for me holding so much space, for I quickly learned that it was not just food and exercise, it was a lot of these emotions, of these traumas, of these experiences that really hold back our women from pursuing their health or thinking that is a priority or important at all. And when I realized that, I was like, wow, I don't know if I'm qualified to do this work, I don't know if I'm able to do this. It feels really heavy. So something that I leaned on a lot was just asking God to work through me. So that has been part of the process for me because, as you can hear from, cecilia's story is heavy, it's a lot, it's. It's real, real, real life. And thank you for trusting me. And also, this is what I want for all women.

Naihomy:

I just picture, like, if Cecilia were not here, would she still be an entrepreneur? How would her wedding be like? Where would she be as a caretaker for others? And this is the power of just taking care of yourself, taking care of your health, knowing that you know, knowing that you are deserving of that, because if that is the core of everything we do, she is an amazing entrepreneur changing the financial wealth space. And if you're not feeling well, then how are you going to do that?

Naihomy:

And sometimes it feels like we need to choose between taking care of ourselves and all of our other responsibilities, but in reality it can be weaved together and they really can go hand in hand. So with that, is there anything you would like to share with anybody who maybe does not know about health coaching? This is the first time they're hearing about it. How has this experience? I know it's a lot of questions, but you can just use whatever connects with you, like how is this experience different from, let's say, going to visit a doctor? And how? How would it be beneficial for somebody that's thinking about it, especially if they resonate with your stories of like jumping from doctor to doctor, not feeling well in their skin, kind of feeling defeated a little bit and feeling kind of like, oh, this is it, I can't do anything about it how is it different from going to the doctor?

Cecilia:

it's extremely different. Like, as I mentioned before, is someone just going to give you the pills or just like, just say, like here, come again in a year, right, but is that really gonna heal you? Right? Like I really want to focus on that healing component and not that band-aid fix. If you want that band-aid fix, continue to do what you're doing, because that's going to be the band-aid. It was going to be like maybe I would have not been an entrepreneur. Like probably not right, because I would have been like like I wouldn't be able to keep up or I would have been a very bad one. Those would have been like band-aids, or me just like navigating life in a way that I didn't want to. Health coaching is literally like being like I don't want to use the band-aid anymore.

Cecilia:

I want to heal, I want to make sure that, like, it looks nice when I take off the band-aid and that I can be proud of like my arm or wherever the band-aid was. And this is such a life mission for me as well, because a question that we may get is like, especially as a financial planner, can I afford this? Is this worth it? Right, and one of the things that this connects to, like the finance is that, like hey, you may not see that impact right away, or you may not even think that you can with your budget, right, but how do you give yourself a chance? How do you become curious? How do you get on the payment plan and make it work? Because what's going to happen is that you're going to have to continue to put that band-aid all the time and then the band is going to become expensive anyways because you need to replace it.

Cecilia:

Right, because you got a shower and it's sweaty and like do we want to live our lives like being, like, hey, I have to continue to pay for this as a temporary fix, or am I gonna invest in myself? I'm, like, I really love the name of your podcast and what you stand for, because it is redefining that well, right, like what is it that's holding you back? Is it that job? That's like you need to work 12 hours a day? Is it that family that's like, hey, like we need you every second?

Cecilia:

Right, because at the end of the day, when we look back, when we look like into the future, like 10 years, like who do we want to be? And then when we look back, it's like what did I invest in? Right, like I know that in 10 years from now, I am going to be so, so grateful that I trusted myself, I trusted you and that I invested in this to change my life. And when we think about it, health care costs the medicines and, like the system that we live in, it's more expensive to try to navigate that than give yourself a chance. So it's this experience for me goes hand in hand with my therapy, like it's literally a compliment. I don't think therapy alone is not even. I think therapy alone is not providing me what you've been able to do with me through coaching, through the education, through the mindset, work through work, through the ugly tears that I've cried multiple times in this journey.

Naihomy:

Yeah, thank you so much for sharing. Is there anything else you would like to share with whoever, with our community, community, with women who need support, anybody? Oh, I know it's very open and yeah, that's.

Cecilia:

That's I always like to think of like my life through navigating, like mentors and coaches, like I've always had, like a coach to help me get to that next level, or mentors to help me get to that next level, and it's I would ask you all to ask yourselves, like what is it that you need to get to that next level? And you probably already know, but, like, really reflect on that and then take action. Because if you're listening to this episode and you don't do anything afterwards, it's like okay, you just wasted your time, right. Or like you're planting seeds hopefully right To get to that next level. But we want to make sure that, like, you implement something to make you get to who you want to be.

Naihomy:

Yeah, that's beautiful, at least planting seeds and understanding and hearing that. There's a different way. Honestly, I started my healing journey the same way and I would just listen to a bunch of podcast episodes and I would start threading together like commonalities, and one of the commonalities that people would always say is how someone helped them. That's always part of it. Someone helps you you.

Naihomy:

If you think about it, you never really do something 100% on your own, because you have learned a skill from somebody, you have gotten knowledge from somebody, even if you don't know them. Even if you're just listening to us and you have no idea who we are, there's something of value for you, and you're not listening to this for no reason. So see what it is that you came to get from this. So I really love that. Cecilia, thank you so much for your time. Thank you so much for your vulnerability. Cecilia, thank you so much for your time. Thank you so much for your vulnerability, sharing your story and your experiences and hopefully, helping many, many people feel seen through your story. If they want to connect with you, chat with you. How can people find you and support you?

Cecilia:

Yes, I'm currently on LinkedIn. My full name is Cecilia Hernandez. Feel free to catch all the work that I'm doing there, awesome, thank you.

Naihomy:

I will put Cecilia's LinkedIn in the show notes so you can go ahead. And what is it called on? Linkedin? Private message you.

Cecilia:

I guess the right message in me or.

Naihomy:

DM her on LinkedIn. Yeah, yeah, follow her.

Cecilia:

Yeah, follow me. Yes, because everyone has to follow. Yes, and I always like to connect with people who follow me or send me a message, so I'll make sure to reach out Awesome.

Naihomy:

Thank you so much, you guys, for listening. If you feel like this resonated with you and you're like man, I need this type of support, I also invite you to book a consultation with me, follow me on Instagram, sign up for my newsletter, keep listening to this podcast and thank you so much for being here. I appreciate it. Make sure to share this with somebody who will also feel seen and validated by this story, and I will catch y'all next week. I'll see y'all soon. Bye.