127: The Science of Transformation: How Your Brain, Nervous System, and Identity Shape Your Results

131: How to Build a Personal Brand That Actually Gets You Clients with Monica Rivera

What if building a powerful personal brand had less to do with creating 100 social media posts, and more to do with learning how to clearly communicate your value? In this conversation, brand and communication strategist Monica Rivera and I talk about what it really takes to build visibility, trust, and opportunities in today’s world. From navigating survival mode as daughters of immigrant parents to building successful businesses through relationships, public speaking, and consistency, this episode is packed with practical strategies and mindset shifts for women who are ready to stop hiding in plain sight. Monica and I talked about: * Why every woman now has a personal brand whether she realizes it or not * How growing up in survival mode impacts visibility and entrepreneurship * Why many women struggle to communicate their value and expertise * The importance of public speaking in building trust and attracting clients * How to land speaking opportunities even if you’re just getting started * Why networking and local community still matter more than ever * How to stop relying only on social media for business growth * The power of consistency, follow-up, and relationship building * Why rejection is part of entrepreneurship and how to stop taking it personally * How to create opportunities instead of waiting for someone to choose you * How to tap into the frequency of abundance This episode is a reminder that your visibility matters, your voice matters, and your story matters. You do not need permission to take up space, build your brand, and create opportunities for yourself. Connect with Monica Rivera, Brand and Communication Strategist: Instagram: @YouWannaDoWhat [https://www.instagram.com/youwannadowhat/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Monica Rivera’s Visibility Guide: https://www.youwannadowhat.com/ Connect with Wendy: Inspired Action Website [https://www.wendyamara.com/programs/inspired-action] Join Wendy's Email List [https://wendyamara.ck.page/28c332254e] Wendy’s Website [https://wendyamara.com/] Wendy’s Instagram [https://instagram.com/wendyamara?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==] Wendy's LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachwendyamara/] Wendy's TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@thecoachwendyamara?_t=8o5TAlS50IM&_r=1] E-mail Wendy [Hello@wendyamara.com]

130: The Transformational Work That Helped Hazel Ortega Build a Million-Dollar Life

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 [https://www.amazon.com/Bounced-Checks-Private-Jets-Miracles/dp/1722107944] * The Art of Bragging by Peggy Klaus [https://www.amazon.com/Brag-Tooting-Your-without-Blowing/dp/0446531790] You can also grab Hazel’s free Vision Guide here: The Mastery of Miracles Vision Guide: https://www.themasteryofmiracles.com/ [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. Please share with me how this was helpful for you on IG: https://www.instagram.com/wendyamara/ Connect with Wendy: Inspired Action Website [https://www.wendyamara.com/programs/inspired-action] Join Wendy's Email List [https://wendyamara.ck.page/28c332254e] Wendy’s Website [https://wendyamara.com/] Wendy’s Instagram [https://instagram.com/wendyamara?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==] Wendy's LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachwendyamara/] Wendy's TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@thecoachwendyamara?_t=8o5TAlS50IM&_r=1] E-mail Wendy [Hello@wendyamara.com]

129: ⁠The Most Important Skill for Career and Business Growth in 2026 (Especially With AI)

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 [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 [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 [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. Please share with me how this was helpful for you on IG: https://www.instagram.com/wendyamara/ Connect with Wendy: Inspired Action Website [https://www.wendyamara.com/programs/inspired-action] Join Wendy's Email List [https://wendyamara.ck.page/28c332254e] Wendy’s Website [https://wendyamara.com/] Wendy’s Instagram [https://instagram.com/wendyamara?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==] Wendy's LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachwendyamara/] Wendy's TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@thecoachwendyamara?_t=8o5TAlS50IM&_r=1] E-mail Wendy [Hello@wendyamara.com]

128: How to Calm Anxiety When Everything Feels Overwhelming

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: podcast@wendyamara.com [podcast@wendyamara.com]  Connect with Wendy: Inspired Action Website [https://www.wendyamara.com/programs/inspired-action] Join Wendy's Email List [https://wendyamara.ck.page/28c332254e] Wendy’s Website [https://wendyamara.com/] Wendy’s Instagram [https://instagram.com/wendyamara?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==] Wendy's LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachwendyamara/] Wendy's TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@thecoachwendyamara?_t=8o5TAlS50IM&_r=1] E-mail Wendy [Hello@wendyamara.com]

127: The Science of Transformation: How Your Brain, Nervous System, and Identity Shape Your Results

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 [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/ [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 [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 [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. Connect with Wendy: Inspired Action Website [https://www.wendyamara.com/programs/inspired-action] Join Wendy's Email List [https://wendyamara.ck.page/28c332254e] Wendy’s Website [https://wendyamara.com/] Wendy’s Instagram [https://instagram.com/wendyamara?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==] Wendy's LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachwendyamara/] Wendy's TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@thecoachwendyamara?_t=8o5TAlS50IM&_r=1] E-mail Wendy [Hello@wendyamara.com]