The Level Up Latina Podcast

Welcome to Season 3 of the LUL Podcast, Episode 200

What a milestone! Today, LUL drops its 200th episode and with it we celebrate 3 seasons of the Level Up Latina podcast. Two hundred shows full of laughter, friendship, tears, confessions, learning and leveling up. If you're new to our show or someone that's seen us evolve over the years, this feel-good show is for YOU!

It'll inspire you to go after your dreams and stick to them with the utmost consistency. Stream it to hear about our favorite moments, the challenges in between, and all the special things that surprised us on our podcasting journey! Thank you for coming along with us. We are so proud of this work and hope to bring you many, many more seasons of community, support, guidance, and judgment-free amistad!

If you want to celebrate this milestone with us, let's do so virtually! Get more info. at LevelUpLatina.com for our next zoom event happening this weekend.

DON'T MISS IT!

From Medellin, Colombia to the Runway with Fashion Designer Claudia Ochoa, Episode 199

Don't miss this fascinating show where we talk with founder of CLO INTIMO, a lingerie line owned and designed by Claudia Ochoa of Medellin, Colombia. Claudia's a successful designer paving the way for other lingerie designers across New York City. Her brand was created with Latinas in mind and today you can shop CLO INTIMO at Victoria Secret, Anthropolgie, CLOstudio.com, and more. So much to learn from Claudia's resilience, hard work, and passion.

Note: while the episode begins primarily in Spanish (translated in show description)... it quickly shifts to English. As such, we hope to make it accessible to all. 

Transcript of Guest’s Stories (Spanish to English abridged & summarized):

Intro:

Cecy: “I think this is the first time we have a fashion design on the show.”

Claudia (guest): “Thank you. Makes me so happy to be opening a path for you all.”

Story # 1 : Journey of fashion started with a sewing machine:

Claudia (guest/abridged): Claudia’s mother and father meet, married and didn’t have much money. They live with her father’s family. Mom wants something more. Dad offers to buy a TV or sewing machine. Mom says she wants sewing machine and begins making her own things to sell. Claudia was born exactly 8 mos. after her parents were married and many gossiped about that. But the point is Claudia was in her momma’s “tummy” hearing her mother sew and work for others sewing. So Claudia came along and began working very young. Her family wanted her to contribute and work, so she did, even if her friends didn’t. She began with a strong work ethic and philosophy to appreciate things she worked hard to earn/have.

Story #2: Growing up in the “Narco Era” in Medellin, Colombia:

Dangerous and superficial era and it was tough to get away. She didn’t agree with it. She did have a boyfriend involved in Narco activity. She had exposure to this life, but her mother didn’t agree with this and told her she had to decide on another pay. She was only 16 years old. She knew deep down she didn’t want this life and figured she had to breakup with her boyfriend as her mother demanded. Mom pushed her for good and she was ready to break away and decided to break up with him since she also was not into him as she used to be. She went on with her life and a year and a half after that her mother got a call and a woman told her “I am sorry for the loss of your daughter.” Her mom says my daughter is fine — and the person says ””wow, isn’t he the girlfriend of so and so who was killed by hanging in one part of town while his girlfriend was hung in another?” And in shock Claudia and her mother realized that she had saved her daughter. Claudia has since thanked her mother for saving her life. She says this life was scary and dangerous and she’s seen people killed at random in nightclubs for simply leaning on the wrong person. She was maybe 22 years old when she says someone was killed next to her for nothing at all and she was so ready to leave to the US. She was going to school, studying English, and wanted out of the Colombia where people were dying often during a time of violence and drug trafficking. She began on a path to leave that behind for a life in the U.S.

Random Show, Episode 198

Here it is... the random show where we talk about kids on break, redecorating our homes, interior design styles, and even embarrassing moments like choking on our white wine! Clearly, when we say random... we mean it! You know what else we mean.... we mean business at our next virtual event. Save your spot for the Leveling Up Your Career Guilt-Free Webinar happening on Sat., May 13th 11am-1230pm PST. Get more info. & tickets at leveluplatina.com!

The real versus fake bodies debate & what do men really want? Episode 197

Today we get into a hot topic brought to us by a loyal listener. She mentions how men always say they prefer natural bodies but then we see who they date or what they follow on social media & it's anything but natural.

The women of LUL chime in on everything and get super real with their under-the-knife choices, their husband's preferences, and even men & their new found fascination with cosmetic surgery. This is a super juicy topic, so don't miss it.

Annnnd, in the show you'll get your "fresh off the presses" info on our next LUL event. This virtual event is going to be so relevant for all women. Stream now to be the first to get all event details or visit leveluplatina.com!

Lessons Learned from Time Alone, Episode 196

Today, we bring you a short and sweet reflective show to share a little about our quiet and simple moments of solitude. In a world that is go, go, go all we often need is a chance to slow down solo. Listen to this episode to find a bit of inspiration even if you find alone time is your jam. There's something for everyone in this week's episode.

And as we approach episode 200, we want to remind you we love bringing you the Level Up Latina podcast. If you have show ideas we'd love to hear them.... share your feedback online find and follow @leveluplatina on instagram where you can DM your ideas or send a note via email admin@leveluplatina.com. And while you're at it, rate us wherever you listen to your favorite pods!

8 Steps for Communities of Color To Conquer the Stock Market, with Author Linda Garcia, Episode 195

It’s not ok to have favorites as a parent, but what about as podcast hosts? One of our absolutely favorite guests is back. Ms. Linda Garcia a.k.a Luz Warrior is dropping her book this month and we have her on the show sharing every thing about her journey to becoming a published author in a field where women of color are deeply underrepresented! This book is for US, mujeres!  We know Linda’s wise words will change so many lives! If you’re ready to get your hands on  Wealth Warrior 8 Steps for Communities of Color To Conquer the Stock Market, coming  out on April 11, 2023, you can pre-order it now on Target.com, Walmart.com and Amazon to name a few. SoCal listeners, don't miss a bonus book release event taking place at the Barnes and Noble at the Glendale Americana in LA at 7pm on April 11th 2023! This is an event YOU don’t want to miss and after hearing the show you’ll know exactly why. Let’s cover this amazing author and our friend (@luzwarrior @inluzwetrust) in community and support as she launches into the stratosphere with a book meant to make our very communities wealthier and wiser.

A Random One To Make You Smile, Episode 194

Today we bring you a feel-good show full of amistad and girlfriend banter. Need a random pick-me-up, take a listen. Need a friend, listen even sooner! Need support, listen NOW! Monthly we get together to talk all things RANDOM, and in this one, we touch on food, fighting, and fraud! Don't miss it, friends! 

And while you're at it....don't forget to visit LevelUpLatina.com to learn more about our 1:1 coaching & our booming community group: the guilt-free squad! Both are growing like CRAZY!

How to Be Health Care Strong and Go Viral with Nurse Georgie, Episode 193

Today we have the amazing Georgina Villareal, better known as @nurse.georgie, on the show. Georgie is a registered nurse who has taken health care to another level. She is an Online Fitness and Nutrition Coach that helps women take charge of their health one day at a time.

The pandemic made Georgie realize she was pouring from an empty cup and that she needed to level up her own lifestyle. So she did just that by getting healthier than ever before, growing a huge online presence, and never looking back.

We’re excited to have her on for all to feel deeply inspired by her journey into now thriving entrepreneurship ventures. Her entire experience from a challenging nursing school journey and years of battling self-discovery to finally finding her way developing a  booming business will inspire all Latinas. Women will leave this show ready to follow Georgie's lead and their own hearts' greatest desires!

Managing Rejection During the Job Search, Episode 192

Many on the job hunt today are feeling the sting of constant job rejection! You land a 2nd and 3rd interview, feel good & right for a work role and then bam - rejection. Today, we tackle how to handle job place rejections, and more critically, what to do while you're waiting for a YES in a sea of NO.

There's something for everyone in this episode even if you're not looking for a job since one day you may be down the road, or better yet, you may be in a position to choose candidates. In today's show we share great tips on how to navigate this all as productively as possible!

The Power of Menstrual Cycles with Special Guest Alejandra Hernandez, Episode 191

In today's episode, we have special guest Alejandra Hernandez on the show sharing her expertise and expansive knowledge on women's health and more specifically menstrual cycles. What a wonderful topic to focus on the power of our bodies, and using them to better our everyday lives and overall well-being. Via this important show, we gladly kick off International Women's day acknowledging just how strong women's bodies can be.

There's so much to learn from Alejandra's journey to understanding our bodies better including learning to embrace them just as they are... showing ourselves more self-love and grace. So, let's dive right into talking about a topic our momma's definitely avoided. Don't miss this one & learn how to use your next period to optimize your personal and professional performance!