The Courage to Thrive: Stephanie Ramirez's Guide to Living Authentically

SPEAKER_03 0:00

Welcome to the Living the Dream Podcast with Curveball. If you believe, you can achieve.

SPEAKER_02 0:14

Welcome to the Living the Dream with Curveball Podcast, a show where I interview guests that teach, motivate, and inspire. Today's guest is someone who has proven that it's not all about titles, emotions, and checking off goals, but it's about living a life that truly fulfills you. Stephanie Ramirez is a first-generation Latino entrepreneur, as well as a certified coach, speaker, and a former corporate leader who made everything look good on the outside, but achievement was not good enough for her, so she decided to rededefine herself by starting her own business and participating in things like dancing, the voiceover, and now she helps professionals redefine their life. So we're going to be talking to Stephanie about her journey and everything that she's up to and gonna be up to. So Stephanie, welcome to the show.

SPEAKER_00 1:22

Thank you so much for having me.

SPEAKER_02 1:24

Why don't you start off by telling everybody a little bit about yourself?

SPEAKER_01 1:28

Yeah, absolutely. I feel like you definitely hit on all the diff uh the big topics of my of my career. But yeah, I've definitely embarked on a journey that is definitely one where I it's the most rewarding, I would have to say. I think growing up in just a first flight, like you said, first generation Latino, I had to do everything by the books, follow all the rules. Honestly, just I feel like a lot of people can relate just for pure acceptance and survival and love and security and all of that. And I think we all kind of like got into that like mindset of being on autopilot of you have to follow certain rules and certain structures to achieve a certain type of success. And once you achieve all of that, you're like, okay, well, what now? Because I don't really feel so fulfilled anymore. So I feel like I hit that point and now I've like left corporate world, I've started my own business, um, have become a coach of sorts that just honestly wants to encourage other people to truly live aligned the lives that they've always wanted to and kind of get over the limiting like limiting beliefs that like stop them from being able to do that. And I do that by not only coaching them, but also embodying that and living that life myself so I can be a pure example for others.

unknown 2:32

So yeah.

SPEAKER_02 2:34

Well, I know you achieved a career that most people dream about, but uh, when was the moment that you realized success and failment and fulfillment aren't always the same thing?

SPEAKER_01 2:46

Yeah, I feel like for me, success has always been growing up for actually for most of my life was always determined by other people. It was always something external. And it wasn't until I found honestly fulfillment outside of work that truly filled me and lit me up and made me feel so much more lighter that I realized a lot of the success that I had thought was success to me might made me feel heavy and it didn't feel like my own. And it didn't feel like I was the one choosing what determined success. Like I think growing up, obviously, like you're in school, so they tell you what the what to do to get an A on your homework. Or like in corporate, they tell you how to move up the corporate ladder. And once you hit these milestones, that's when you've achieved success. But it was always determined by other people. So it wasn't until like I honestly was working at a job that I really loved and I honestly burnt myself out for good reasons, but it wasn't a good feeling to be burnt out until like honestly, I had a lot of friends and family and loved ones say, you know, why don't you find something to do outside of work that also could fill you? And for me, I always tied my identity and my worth to work. Like work was me, I was work. Like there was no separation. And so I'm like, oh, I guess I could find a hobby, but it would take away time from work. But eventually I did, and that's when I found dancing. And the fact that I was able to find love and joy and like fulfillment in something else kind of was like the wake-up call for me of like, wait, there's more to me than just work. More than me, like there's more to me than just output and the things that I can produce. Like I can just be who I am and do something that I love. And that also made me feel fulfilled just as much as work did. So that was kind of like the catalyst to like living a more fulfilled life that wasn't just work, work, work. Like, I don't think there's true work-life balance, but at least I found some sort of like, like some sort of balance in the meantime, some sort of integration that I could do other things and feel fulfilled just as much as my work. So it kind of expanded my definition of success at that point.

SPEAKER_02 4:37

Well, I know leaving a stable corporate career takes courage. So, what fears did you have to overcome uh before taking that leap into entrepreneurship?

SPEAKER_01 4:48

Yeah, I think for me, like there was it was a lot of moments. I think like off the bat, I wasn't ready. I know so many people kind of like are born in that entrepreneurial mindset. For me, obviously, corporate was always the like the path forward. I didn't really see anything else until I had gone through three layoffs. The first one, I was like, oh, I guess everybody goes through it. I'll find another job. And I did. And then the second one, I'm like, oh, this happened again. Okay, like I'll continue on again and I found another job. And then it wasn't until the third one where I felt like I was wise enough in my career. I had enough years of experience under my belt. I had gained a lot more confidence in myself at that point. I had gone to like like senior leadership. I had made it to a certain extent. And so then I'm like, you know what? I feel like if I don't take a chance on myself now, then when? I just felt like it was a sign from the universe. It had been after the pandemic as well, like just after it, where I was pro like I was able to get a promotion, work from wherever in the world with just my laptop, and still be successful at my job. So then when I got laid off, I had gotten a taste of what freedom actually felt like. I could actually do a good job, do really well in my in my in my role, still travel the world, do all of my hobbies that I wanted to do, have a flexible lifestyle because I wasn't going into an office anymore. They're like the nine to five structure wasn't there anymore because of the pandemic. That that's when I'm like, wait, if I don't do it now, then when? And I think that's kind of how I lived my life. Like, of course, we can always continue on doing the things that we do, but until we actually like are aware of our actions and why we're doing them, then we can actually make a change. And so I just wanted to take a bet on myself. And I knew that I had a good enough resume that if I wanted to go back to corporate, the door was always open. I at least I like that's what I believe. So I'm like, if I don't do it now, why not? Like, why wait? So that's when I started to like make that momentum and let something go to be able to welcome something new in. And then that's when the opportunities and momentum and energy just shifted for me. And yeah, I can't really look back now. It's just it's a path forward that I just want to keep carving, and I know more and more people are also want to take that path as well. So just trying to help anybody who who wants to do that as well.

SPEAKER_02 6:50

Well, how does your background as a first-generation Latino entrepreneur shape the way that you lead, define the way that you lead and define success today?

SPEAKER_01 7:06

Yeah, that's such a great question. Um, I think my upbringing has a lot to do with how I lead my life and and my values and just how I proceed with everything moving forward. I think for me, it's always kind of thinking in the back of my head, like I like my parents came to this country for a better future. And so it's always like, I'm always conscious of like I always want to do what's what would make them proud. But now I feel like I'm confident enough in myself to like, I'm not able to pour from an empty cup. So if I'm not doing things that bring me joy that I feel proud of, then I can't like be have anybody else be proud of me. Like it has to start with me first and then others. And that was definitely like a hard, hard thing to go through because I feel like everybody, I mean, who doesn't want to make their parents proud and doesn't want to be a disappointment to anybody? But it's really kind of like putting my needs and my priorities and everything that I want for myself and my future first. But always thinking in the back of my mind, like I just want to be a good representation of what they came here to do. So always like doing that and then also just being a person of diversity, that's always very, I'm very mindful of that. Like I there, like a lot of opportunities weren't given to me. One, being a woman and then being a woman of color. It, it's not, it's not easy. So I always, always try to give opportunities to those who are are similar in my path to always like build tables with that in mind of like I want to be able to build a seat at the table for people just like me and who have gone through what I've gone through. And to make sure like the visibility and awareness and acknowledgement is always there for them and again to cater to that audience because we're not really spoken to as much as others. So I want to make sure that whatever I do is always aligned with those values. And I I allow like the more that I can proceed forward, the more that I'm helping others in the same path as me also lead forward. So just very mindful in everything that I do that I always give opportunities and acknowledge those minority groups.

SPEAKER_02 8:50

Well, I know many people stay in situations that no longer serve them because they fear they are known. So, what would what advice would you give somebody that's standing at that crossroads today?

SPEAKER_01 9:04

Yeah, I feel like, yeah, so many people are going through that. So it's very common. It's it's so normal. And I think it's just ourselves, like we're just trying to protect ourselves, you know, we're just trying to remain safe and do what's what's best for us in that moment. But I feel like that like what I've learned is that confidence comes from taking action. And by staying frozen, by staying still, by staying in your comfort zone, like that's not where growth lives. Growth lives when you're bold enough to take that action, you're bold enough to move, you're bold enough to, even if it's not the right direction, you'll follow. Like the more that you move forward, the more that you'll learn what the right direction is. And you won't know until you take that first step. I mean, like you just need data. You need to be able to like make mistakes and see what worked and what didn't and continue to move forward. I think that's that's just life in general. Like, I think staying safe is never really gonna get you to something really meaningful and rewarding. And time is gonna pass either way. And I hate using fear or urgency as like a pressure point, but like it is true, like life is gonna continue moving. And it's either you take advantage now or you wait until later. And so I rather like live the life that I want to live now and make the mistakes now because failure equals success. Like you can't have one or out without the other. So I feel like the right path, the success that you're looking for is out there, but you're constantly defining that with every move and every step that you take. So just like kind of like taking that into mind, and hopefully that will get at least one step moving forward to like putting the limiting beliefs behind you and being able to like really create the life that you want.

SPEAKER_02 10:34

So I know that you embrace things like voiceover work, singing, dancing, and public speaking later in life. So talk about what those experiences have taught you about growth and overcoming self-doubt.

SPEAKER_01 10:48

Yeah, I think for me, it's like I I feel like we're all like multidimensional people, but some people like to define themselves by like one thing or kind of be known for one thing. But I I love to embrace all the passions I have in life. Like I like to say that I'm multi-passionate. Like there's so many things that like bring me joy for different reasons. So I think leaning into that has given me a this feeling of freedom that I'm capable of doing so many things. And I think for me, work has been that one singular thing throughout my whole life that's like made me feel very capable. But now that I could do other things, it's it's taught me so many life lessons, like diving into voice acting, diving into dance, diving into like movement and fitness and travel. And oh my God, the list is endless. I think I always find a new hobby every month. Um, but I think for that, like what I've learned so much is that it's so good to be a beginner in things. I think being a high achiever, obviously being first gen, always wanting to make people proud and being that people pleaser, like I've always been somebody that's been a high achiever. So I've always been looking for results and perfection and always trying hard and hustle harder because like that's what's gonna get you the results. But the more that I've been able to take a step back and do things that don't require such achievements, it's just doing it for the pure joy and fun of it. It's taken the pressure off. So it's allowed me to really enjoy the process versus before I just want to be perfect right off the bat and like that doesn't really feel humanly possible. I think the journey, it's made me really appreciate the journey more than the destination, like the trial, the error, the like mistakes, the all of that. Like becoming a beginner on in new things has really shifted my mindset to appreciate the process and the time that it takes to build something great. Because you'll you'll definitely get there. It's just having the patience to go through the ebbs and flows of a process. And I think with like such uh like a high-moving like generation that we are now with always on our phone, we want that instant gratification. And like hobbies have allowed me to really just enjoy and settle in and be present, which I couldn't really do moving in corporate so fast and trying to live a life that just didn't feel like me. And now it feels more like me in that sense. So it's been it's been able to like teach me a lot about myself.

SPEAKER_02 12:53

Well, when working with professionals who feel stuck or unfulfilled, what is the biggest mindset barrier you see? That's holding them back.

SPEAKER_01 13:02

Yeah, I think by coaching a lot of like high executive women, particularly, like the common theme that I hear is that they tend to define success by other people's definition of it. And it's usually that voice in their head constantly, in their mind that's going through and telling them all these limiting beliefs. And then it's I have to kind of dig deep with them and really push them to challenge them and see whose voice is that? Is that you or is that somebody else telling you that? Is it your parents? Is it your boss? Is it a colleague? Is it your partner? Like it, like who is that voice? And most often not, like the not, it's always somebody else. And it's usually somebody within their family, like a loved one, and somebody putting that pressure onto them, and it's not their voice. So it's it's a lot of like making them aware of all the different like conditioning that they've been put under to achieve all the success that they're at now, and now shifting for the voice to be them instead of somebody else. And that's such a like a long process, but it's something that's like really rewarding because when you can finally hear your own voice and know that you're living your life by what you want and not by what somebody else is telling you, that's when you're able to make a lot of change and you're able to start making progress towards a life that you want to live. And it's hard because it's setting boundaries, it's it's pushing back, it's like feeling like you're disappointing people because you're not doing or living the way that they want you to. But it's acknowledging that, being aware that it's their voice and not yours, changing that narrative in your mind, and then starting to live that life. And it's hard, but it's completely, completely possible and doable for people to start living a different life, but by d dictated by themselves and not by others.

SPEAKER_02 14:40

What tell us about any upcoming projects that you're working on that listeners need to be aware of?

SPEAKER_01 14:46

Yeah, for sure. I think for me, I'm definitely really focusing on like coaching and really kind of diving into what that looks like, particularly. Like I'm offering a group program this fall. Um, and it's called like it's called Goldstone Mentorship. And it's really focusing on identity reinvention and just transformation of oneself, like being able to be in a crossroads or a transition and just figuring out like how can I get to the next step and knowing, knowing in yourself that you're ready to decondition, stop the limiting beliefs, and start making change in your life to be able to transform into the person that you've always wanted to be and live the life that you've always wanted to. So I have that coming up in the fall, and I'm opening up spots for one-on-one coaching as well. And yeah, just honest, honestly, just really creating more content and value for people across my social media channels to be able to just help as many people as I can wake up and start living the lives that they that they want.

SPEAKER_02 15:40

So listeners can keep up with everything that you're up to, though at your contact info.

SPEAKER_01 15:45

Yeah, for sure. You can go to steframiras.com to contact me, learn more about me and my services. Um, and then you can follow me at Stephanie Ramirez across Instagram, TikTok, all the different social media channels.

SPEAKER_02 15:58

All right. Close us out with some final thoughts, maybe if that was something I forgot to talk about that you would like to touch on, any final thoughts you have for the listeners.

SPEAKER_01 16:06

Yeah, I think for me, it's like it's so easy to get caught up in your day-to-day routine life. I know that I've everybody's life looks different and it's always going to be like one of just busy and productivity. And I feel like every everybody I speak to loves that feeling of always being busy. But if there's any advice I could give to anybody, it's getting quiet and getting and moving very slowly, if there is at least five minutes a day, if not more, to be aware with your own thoughts. And I know that sounds crazy, or like, oh, I don't like silence or it sounds cringy and all of that. I think the biggest insights for me is leading with my curiosity. Whenever I hear like repeating thoughts in my mind, uh, whenever like I'm making my coffee and I'm just waiting for it to be done, or if I'm waiting for like the traffic light to change, or even if it's in those small moments, you get downloads and you're able to hear your own voice. And what is that voice telling you? Like, take notes, even if it's in your in your phone or a journal, like take notes of what your thoughts are saying to you and lean into those repeating thoughts because that can sometimes lead to your biggest breakthroughs. For me, like whenever I get like a recurring thought, I'm like, oh, I should really see what why I'm keep thinking about this. And then that's led me to another opportunity to another hobby. It's led me to so many more layers of my life that I'm now building that I wouldn't have known if I just kept moving to the fast pace of life. So if there's any way anybody can just slow down on a regular basis and just be with your thoughts, I think that can honestly lead you to a lot of great things. So yeah, that's what I would say.

SPEAKER_02 17:35

So is it stephramirez.com or stephanamirez.com.

SPEAKER_01 17:39

So it's stephramirez.com, and then my email is also steph at stephramirez.com.

SPEAKER_02 17:44

Gotcha. All right, ladies and gentlemen, stephramirez.com to keep up with everything that Stephanie's up to. Follow rate review, share this episode to as many people as possible, especially those who are feeling stuck and unfulfilled and want to uh begin to live the life that they were truly meant to live. Stephanie can help with that. Also, to keep up with all things live in the dream. If you haven't done so, please visit www.curfall337.com. Make sure you share the website and the show to everybody that you know. And keep up with all things living the dream. Do it with your friends. Thank you for listening and supporting the show. And Stephanie, thank you for all that you do, and thank you for joining me.

SPEAKER_00 18:31

Thank you so much for having me.

SPEAKER_03 18:33

For more information on the Living the Dream with Curveball Podcast, visit www.curveball337.com. Until next time, keep living the dream.