I was a college dropout

I was a college dropout. Yea, I totally was.

I made it maybe 1 semester and boom, back home. Took me 4 years to finally get back into school- community college. But I stuck with it and got my associate's and bachelor's all while raising a family and working. I often was the oldest in the class, the only one with kids, it was isolating at times but also kept me very focused.

I also failed one class 3 times in my doctorate program.

In my cohort there were about 12 of us that started. I was the youngest, the only Latina, and the only one with 3 kids. My youngest son had just turned 1(I was still nursing him), my daughter 11, my oldest son 14. I had NO idea what I was getting myself into, I just knew I had a goal.

Right around this time I also decided to start my online coaching practice- because, why not right?

Just as my doctorate program began, the pandemic happened.

I went through 4 preceptors- it's difficult to obtain just 1...let alone 4. Each time I thought I was settling in somewhere bam, something would happen, and it was like starting all over again.

I had to toss my entire study and start over after a year because I had to switch hospitals...the hundreds of hours of research and writing...I had to scrap and start over.

I continued to work in the ICU and taught throughout the beginning of the pandemic. The emotional, mental, and physical toll it took on me and my colleagues I will never be able to forget. It haunts me.

But still I pressed on determined to finish...for who?? ME!!

Fellow students were dropping- "taking a break" they said for various reasons

At graduation, there were only 3 of us who were hooded, crossed that stage, and were called Dr.

When I think back I had SO many reasons I could have "taken a break" I didn't even mention how life was lifin' during these 4 years as life does, especially when you have 3 kids...and throw on top of that a pandemic.

Often people say they are waiting for "the right time" or when this this and this happens then I'll...or after x,y,z then I'll...

Listen, that's no way to live your life. That's a recipe for mediocrity.

I've always had people tell me "oh you're so inspiring...how do you do it all..."

I just do. I am. I commit. I decide. I take action. I ride the waves, I don't expect calm waters because it will NEVER be calm, flat, or still.

I don't do excuses, I have had it with excuses or reasons why someone says they can't because I had EVERY and ANY reason to not complete my degree or do so many other things in my life. Even looking back at getting my associates, or my bachelors...so many fucking reasons I could have just said nope, I can't do this anymore, and gave up- and people would have understood, like they would totally have been like you tried...we get it...that was rough, that was hard, blah blah blah...

So it came down to me, to push myself. To demand so much from myself. To be accountable to myself. To be my reason why- yea I love my kids and my husband, and my family, yes, but when people ask me who my inspiration is or my reason why...it's ME, no doubt about it.

It's a standard. A frequency. A way of being. Dedication. And it can be oh so lonely, especially as a woman and a Latina to have this kind of drive and grit in a world that has such low expectations for you.

It was heartbreaking to see NOONE who looked like me at any of the C Suite meetings. No preceptors that met the requirements that I knew that I could call on. No teachers in my program who looked like me.

Yet another reason for me to finish, to see it through.

To BE that face, take that seat, build that table, be that lifeline for another young Latinas coming up from the Southside who knows there is so much more in this world for her, so much more.

Anything is possible for you. There is evidence all around you...and this post isn't just about a degree, school, or education...look at your LIFE

Be open, trust, decide, commit, do the work, ride the waves, you CAN do anything.

Who will you BE in 2024?