All Huddle is a production of the NFL in partnership with iHeartRadio.

All Huddle is a production of the NFL in partnership with iHeartRadio.

Let me talk about talk here we go.

Let me talk about talk here we go.

He said, you live in life as a ringo, where you questioned when you fit in every time you mingle, they say you do this with.

He said, you live in life as a ringo, where you questioned when you fit in every time you mingle, they say you do this with.

Not my raps.

Not my raps.

Life as a le Yes, Yes, Hello, and welcome to a very special episode of Life as a Gringo.

Life as a le Yes, Yes, Hello, and welcome to a very special episode of Life as a Gringo.

I am dramas.

I am dramas.

Of course, I know you're thinking I was talking a big game about being on vacation, taking some time off, being on a hiatus, right, But here I am bringing you a brand new episode. But your boy got a really cool offer, a really dope kind of collaboration that I'm excited about, and scheduling wise just didn't work out until we were kind of in between seasons. And I really want to make it happen and really get to meet these amazing people who are part of the l Huddle podcast, which is an NFL weekly football preview show. It's hosted by Will Selva from A Good Morning Football and mj Acosta Luiz from NFL Total Access and just really exciting stuff that they're doing over there. And I was so honored that I would be asked to be a part of that. We wanted to kind of do a really dope collab of bringing our audiences together. So I couldn't turn that down. I'm a football fan, my Tampa Bay Buccaneers. We are in first place right now, we are holding our fate in our own hands. Baker Mayfield is Bacon right now. So I am beyond excited about NFL. I couldn't turn this down. I had to, you know, kind of pop out of my cave a little bit. Which, let's be honest, y'all. If you know me, I've been I've been working this entire time. Basically, I just have been doing podcasts. But anyway, okay, so what's gonna happen is I'm gonna bring you an interview that I did with mj ac Coosta Ruiz, who is just an incredible human being, really really excited to have gotten the opportunity to sit down with her. So we are going to bring you that interview, right and then also you'll be able to hear the interview that I did because I went on their show, El Huddle, which was amazing, and I got to do an interview with both of them, which was incredible. And again L Huddle. You gotta go check it out. It's a really dope podcast. It's with a little spanglish twist talking about the NFL and man, just amazing to see our people out there in areas that were not quote unquote supposed to be right. So really just amazing. I'm excited to bring you this special episode. I felt really just motivated and empowered and just warm and fuzzy inside after having this conversation with MJ. So I hope you all feel the same, and I hope you are enjoying an amazing holiday season. Without further ado, let's get into my interview with MJ Acosta Luiz as a part of our Mihente segment. My guest today is one of the hosts of the l Huddle podcast and also reporter for the NFL Network.

Of course, I know you're thinking I was talking a big game about being on vacation, taking some time off, being on a hiatus, right, But here I am bringing you a brand new episode. But your boy got a really cool offer, a really dope kind of collaboration that I'm excited about, and scheduling wise just didn't work out until we were kind of in between seasons. And I really want to make it happen and really get to meet these amazing people who are part of the l Huddle podcast, which is an NFL weekly football preview show. It's hosted by Will Selva from A Good Morning Football and mj Acosta Luiz from NFL Total Access and just really exciting stuff that they're doing over there. And I was so honored that I would be asked to be a part of that. We wanted to kind of do a really dope collab of bringing our audiences together. So I couldn't turn that down. I'm a football fan, my Tampa Bay Buccaneers. We are in first place right now, we are holding our fate in our own hands. Baker Mayfield is Bacon right now. So I am beyond excited about NFL. I couldn't turn this down. I had to, you know, kind of pop out of my cave a little bit. Which, let's be honest, y'all. If you know me, I've been I've been working this entire time. Basically, I just have been doing podcasts. But anyway, okay, so what's gonna happen is I'm gonna bring you an interview that I did with mj ac Coosta Ruiz, who is just an incredible human being, really really excited to have gotten the opportunity to sit down with her. So we are going to bring you that interview, right and then also you'll be able to hear the interview that I did because I went on their show, El Huddle, which was amazing, and I got to do an interview with both of them, which was incredible. And again L Huddle. You gotta go check it out. It's a really dope podcast. It's with a little spanglish twist talking about the NFL and man, just amazing to see our people out there in areas that were not quote unquote supposed to be right. So really just amazing. I'm excited to bring you this special episode. I felt really just motivated and empowered and just warm and fuzzy inside after having this conversation with MJ. So I hope you all feel the same, and I hope you are enjoying an amazing holiday season. Without further ado, let's get into my interview with MJ Acosta Luiz as a part of our Mihente segment. My guest today is one of the hosts of the l Huddle podcast and also reporter for the NFL Network.

MJ.

MJ.

Of course, Louise, how you feeling.

Of course, Louise, how you feeling.

I'm feeling so so good, especially getting to be on with you today. This is this is awesome. We need more conversations.

I'm feeling so so good, especially getting to be on with you today. This is this is awesome. We need more conversations.

The beauty of having you on the show is a You're from New York originally, right, so we have that in common over here. I also love that you called your husband of New Eurek and right I feel very much at home because my father still calls me a new Eurek and because he was born on the Islands.

The beauty of having you on the show is a You're from New York originally, right, so we have that in common over here. I also love that you called your husband of New Eurek and right I feel very much at home because my father still calls me a new Eurek and because he was born on the Islands.

So yeah, so I'm feeling very much at home right now in all of this.

So yeah, so I'm feeling very much at home right now in all of this.

But I think, what's what's incredible at you and what I really was excited to have you come on the show was because this whole show is about like living in your otherness, right, and embracing your otherness.

But I think, what's what's incredible at you and what I really was excited to have you come on the show was because this whole show is about like living in your otherness, right, and embracing your otherness.

And you exist in otherness in a variety of different ways.

And you exist in otherness in a variety of different ways.

Right.

Right.

You are first and foremost a woman in sports, right, which is a minority. You are a woman of color in media, which is a minority. You are a Latina in the.

You are first and foremost a woman in sports, right, which is a minority. You are a woman of color in media, which is a minority. You are a Latina in the.

World of football, which is you know, more of a minority.

World of football, which is you know, more of a minority.

And then also when it comes to our culture, you represent a part of our culture that sadly traditionally hasn't seen much representation, that is as an Afro Latina. Right. So when when I talk about the idea of embracing your otherness, what comes to mind for you?

And then also when it comes to our culture, you represent a part of our culture that sadly traditionally hasn't seen much representation, that is as an Afro Latina. Right. So when when I talk about the idea of embracing your otherness, what comes to mind for you?

I think it's that I think it's it's not only leaning into the otherness, but making sure that you can stand on that proudly while you recognize that there are others that are in that otherness, right, So like for me, growing up, I never saw myself reflected on the screen, so I never thought that a career in this space was even available to me, you know. But for me, the otherness feels very much like a superpower. It has been something that I've worn like a badge of honor where many times. And to be completely frank, I operate in a space where straight white men are the norm and they are the majority. So walking in there, it's easy to get intimidated, right, It's easy to try and have to shrink yourself. And certainly the industry and bosses along the way and folks along the way have tried to minimize me for my otherness, and I did the exact opposite. I said, uh huh, this is what makes me stand out. For you, guys, it's for the worst on occasion, right, because of your stigmas, because of your inherent biases, because of whatever stereotypes or tropes you have about me and my culture or whatever you think the perception is. But for me, I know how powerful this makes me. So I'm gonna walk in here. If you feel uncomfortable, that's on you, homie, because I'm here to do my job, and I can do it well, and I can do things that you could never even Right.

I think it's that I think it's it's not only leaning into the otherness, but making sure that you can stand on that proudly while you recognize that there are others that are in that otherness, right, So like for me, growing up, I never saw myself reflected on the screen, so I never thought that a career in this space was even available to me, you know. But for me, the otherness feels very much like a superpower. It has been something that I've worn like a badge of honor where many times. And to be completely frank, I operate in a space where straight white men are the norm and they are the majority. So walking in there, it's easy to get intimidated, right, It's easy to try and have to shrink yourself. And certainly the industry and bosses along the way and folks along the way have tried to minimize me for my otherness, and I did the exact opposite. I said, uh huh, this is what makes me stand out. For you, guys, it's for the worst on occasion, right, because of your stigmas, because of your inherent biases, because of whatever stereotypes or tropes you have about me and my culture or whatever you think the perception is. But for me, I know how powerful this makes me. So I'm gonna walk in here. If you feel uncomfortable, that's on you, homie, because I'm here to do my job, and I can do it well, and I can do things that you could never even Right.

I love that you said superpower because I always say authenticity is your superpower, right.

I love that you said superpower because I always say authenticity is your superpower, right.

And it is.

And it is.

But you know, the tough part about owning that superpower is also you bear the weight of everybody else not wanting to celebrate you in the way that you see yourself, right, because I think you know, traditionally people are just trained to want to see more of what they're used to, right. I mean, it's why media has looked the same way it's looked for as long as it has, right, and you're fighting and pushing against that. But even for you, more than anything, you're going into a culture that has that stigma in general when it comes to people of color. But b you're now going into a sports world that you said is like you said, is dominated by mostly straight white men.

But you know, the tough part about owning that superpower is also you bear the weight of everybody else not wanting to celebrate you in the way that you see yourself, right, because I think you know, traditionally people are just trained to want to see more of what they're used to, right. I mean, it's why media has looked the same way it's looked for as long as it has, right, and you're fighting and pushing against that. But even for you, more than anything, you're going into a culture that has that stigma in general when it comes to people of color. But b you're now going into a sports world that you said is like you said, is dominated by mostly straight white men.

You have a lot of.

You have a lot of.

People that are your coworkers who were maybe pro athletes at one point, right, were involved in the game in some sort of way, And I can imagine you have to push back from day one against this stigma of what the hell does this woman know.

People that are your coworkers who were maybe pro athletes at one point, right, were involved in the game in some sort of way, And I can imagine you have to push back from day one against this stigma of what the hell does this woman know.

About our sport?

About our sport?

Right? So I'd love to hear maybe about how you were able to man just push back against maybe some of that inevitable fear or you know, yeah, I don't know. It's just uncomfortableness that comes along with stepping into a space.

Right? So I'd love to hear maybe about how you were able to man just push back against maybe some of that inevitable fear or you know, yeah, I don't know. It's just uncomfortableness that comes along with stepping into a space.

Like this, Yeah, you know it. Recently was at an event celebrating black Latino and AAPI folks in Hollywood here and America. Frera got up there and she said exactly that to your words, that being the first and being the only means that you have fought against friction on a concrete basis that does not want to be shaken. Those words are going to ring true with me for so long because that's exactly what I've endured, not just in my life culturally and as I was growing up and finding who I really was and still I am, but certainly in the world of sports and media and television. And so for me, what I've learned is you have to push back, even if your voice is quivering, even if you're scared as hell, and even and especially when there are real big consequence is on the other side, because those moments are so defining, not just for a peak moment in your career or in your life, but against that system that doesn't want to change and desperately has to change to adapt to what not only the audience and what the people inside are asking for and pleading for, but for for the greater good, so that everyone can feel like they're represented. And that inclusion part is something that I think a lot of corporations still don't get. So if I have to take the burn of it, and I certainly have across my career, then I will. But at least I'll sleep okay at night.

Like this, Yeah, you know it. Recently was at an event celebrating black Latino and AAPI folks in Hollywood here and America. Frera got up there and she said exactly that to your words, that being the first and being the only means that you have fought against friction on a concrete basis that does not want to be shaken. Those words are going to ring true with me for so long because that's exactly what I've endured, not just in my life culturally and as I was growing up and finding who I really was and still I am, but certainly in the world of sports and media and television. And so for me, what I've learned is you have to push back, even if your voice is quivering, even if you're scared as hell, and even and especially when there are real big consequence is on the other side, because those moments are so defining, not just for a peak moment in your career or in your life, but against that system that doesn't want to change and desperately has to change to adapt to what not only the audience and what the people inside are asking for and pleading for, but for for the greater good, so that everyone can feel like they're represented. And that inclusion part is something that I think a lot of corporations still don't get. So if I have to take the burn of it, and I certainly have across my career, then I will. But at least I'll sleep okay at night.

Yeah, yeah, no, I love that.

Yeah, yeah, no, I love that.

And what's what's fun to me is like we can kind of write off, Oh, it's just media, it's entertainment, it doesn't really mean anything, right, But I think what a lot of people fail to realize is it shapes the way that we sort of see the outside world, right, and what is normal to us on the television screen is and neviably going to be normal to us outside of that as well when we step into real world, you know. So, I mean, for anybody that tries to kind of, I don't know, kind of maybe try to take away a bit of the work that you are doing, right and myself include I mean, what's kind of your messages, why it's so important to fight for inclusion in the world of entertainment as a whole one.

And what's what's fun to me is like we can kind of write off, Oh, it's just media, it's entertainment, it doesn't really mean anything, right, But I think what a lot of people fail to realize is it shapes the way that we sort of see the outside world, right, and what is normal to us on the television screen is and neviably going to be normal to us outside of that as well when we step into real world, you know. So, I mean, for anybody that tries to kind of, I don't know, kind of maybe try to take away a bit of the work that you are doing, right and myself include I mean, what's kind of your messages, why it's so important to fight for inclusion in the world of entertainment as a whole one.

I think, especially for the Latino community. We are and let's just talk about the US specifically, right, because god forbid, we talk about what's going on outside here a whole other podcasts. We are the fastest growing demographic in the United States, So we cannot and should not be ignored, not only with our spending power, but also the impact that we're having culturally on this country. So I think when even if you're just talking from a purely business standpoint, which of course you and I you know, we don't see it that way, but it's a demographic that cannot be ignored and we won't keep quiet because inherently that's just not what we do, right. You and I know that we're here. But the importance of the representation, and I think the intersectionality part of it with the black community within the Latino community and how those two bleed together, the AAPI community as well the LGBTQ community. There's so much intersectionality, and so when one of us is speaking up and showing that we can not only succeed, but we can break these norms, all of us start to come together a little bit more and all of us are reaching for that collective inclusion.

I think, especially for the Latino community. We are and let's just talk about the US specifically, right, because god forbid, we talk about what's going on outside here a whole other podcasts. We are the fastest growing demographic in the United States, So we cannot and should not be ignored, not only with our spending power, but also the impact that we're having culturally on this country. So I think when even if you're just talking from a purely business standpoint, which of course you and I you know, we don't see it that way, but it's a demographic that cannot be ignored and we won't keep quiet because inherently that's just not what we do, right. You and I know that we're here. But the importance of the representation, and I think the intersectionality part of it with the black community within the Latino community and how those two bleed together, the AAPI community as well the LGBTQ community. There's so much intersectionality, and so when one of us is speaking up and showing that we can not only succeed, but we can break these norms, all of us start to come together a little bit more and all of us are reaching for that collective inclusion.

Yeah, that's so well said.

Yeah, that's so well said.

And I think even you know, we've talked to obviously right now kind of as the greater good, the whole you know itself, but kind of going a little bit more into our culture, right because we still have work to do within our own culture as well, no question, And I for me even you know, because this conversation of after Latinos, after Latinas is a far more new conversation, right as far as real representation goes, and making that distinction, and even within that, I've sort of had to check my own privilege, right and learn right and be quiet and learn and listen to other people within the community who have had struggles that I can't personally relate to, right. And I would love to hear a bit more about you growing up, you know, as in Afro Latina, because I mean, I can imagine, you know, it's got to be difficult in sort of explaining to somebody what your background is or who you are, right. The immediate perception is that you are a black woman, right, And that's true in some ways, but also there's more to it, right, So I love to kind of hear, even just within our own culture, kind of your own experience as an Afro Latina and kind of figuring out who you were within that.

And I think even you know, we've talked to obviously right now kind of as the greater good, the whole you know itself, but kind of going a little bit more into our culture, right because we still have work to do within our own culture as well, no question, And I for me even you know, because this conversation of after Latinos, after Latinas is a far more new conversation, right as far as real representation goes, and making that distinction, and even within that, I've sort of had to check my own privilege, right and learn right and be quiet and learn and listen to other people within the community who have had struggles that I can't personally relate to, right. And I would love to hear a bit more about you growing up, you know, as in Afro Latina, because I mean, I can imagine, you know, it's got to be difficult in sort of explaining to somebody what your background is or who you are, right. The immediate perception is that you are a black woman, right, And that's true in some ways, but also there's more to it, right, So I love to kind of hear, even just within our own culture, kind of your own experience as an Afro Latina and kind of figuring out who you were within that.

Yeah, I mean how much time you got it to your point? It is complex, it's very layered, and it's a really really nuanced My family is from the Dominican Republic, right, so I think it's a key piece of my journey, of my struggle, and I think a big part of that is also bringing the generational traumas, right, the colorism, which is a very very real thing within the Latino community, but certainly Anispaniola in the Dominican Republic. If you just see how the Haitian community is treated by the Dominican community, and not all, of course, not of course, not all, but like an overwhelming part of the folks on the island still see iol like pianos as a different thing because they think they don't speak Spanish. And I say they think they don't speak Spanish, they most certainly do. So it's it's again, it goes back to that intersectionality, the colonizing, the generational trauma of being told the more Eurocentric you are that ties it directly to perro Malo. I mean, I think I got a hair relaxer when I was like nine or ten years old. Why why? And again, this wasn't coming you know, my theas and my mom and my grandma's they weren't coming from a place of malice, right, wanted me to be as successful as possible. And what they were taught and what their ancestors were taught before that, was that the closer to whiteness you are, the more accepted and the more palatable, and the more successful you will be. So there was a lot of deprogramming that I had to do along the way. And still, you know, now I'm all almost forty years old, and it's really taken a long time to really sit with who I am, what my ancestry really is. That we are black, that we are Latino, and both of those things and so much more exists all at the same time. They're not mutually exclusive of each other. And that's something that I think still so many of my family members and generations to come will still have to work through. But it's a very deep conversation and it goes back through trauma that has been passed down to us for so many centuries. So I hope that more folks than our community will lean deeper into that, into really understanding our history and the history of our islands and how we got here, because it's a long, lifelong journey for all of us to fully understand where we come from and why we feel the way we do about certain things.

Yeah, I mean how much time you got it to your point? It is complex, it's very layered, and it's a really really nuanced My family is from the Dominican Republic, right, so I think it's a key piece of my journey, of my struggle, and I think a big part of that is also bringing the generational traumas, right, the colorism, which is a very very real thing within the Latino community, but certainly Anispaniola in the Dominican Republic. If you just see how the Haitian community is treated by the Dominican community, and not all, of course, not of course, not all, but like an overwhelming part of the folks on the island still see iol like pianos as a different thing because they think they don't speak Spanish. And I say they think they don't speak Spanish, they most certainly do. So it's it's again, it goes back to that intersectionality, the colonizing, the generational trauma of being told the more Eurocentric you are that ties it directly to perro Malo. I mean, I think I got a hair relaxer when I was like nine or ten years old. Why why? And again, this wasn't coming you know, my theas and my mom and my grandma's they weren't coming from a place of malice, right, wanted me to be as successful as possible. And what they were taught and what their ancestors were taught before that, was that the closer to whiteness you are, the more accepted and the more palatable, and the more successful you will be. So there was a lot of deprogramming that I had to do along the way. And still, you know, now I'm all almost forty years old, and it's really taken a long time to really sit with who I am, what my ancestry really is. That we are black, that we are Latino, and both of those things and so much more exists all at the same time. They're not mutually exclusive of each other. And that's something that I think still so many of my family members and generations to come will still have to work through. But it's a very deep conversation and it goes back through trauma that has been passed down to us for so many centuries. So I hope that more folks than our community will lean deeper into that, into really understanding our history and the history of our islands and how we got here, because it's a long, lifelong journey for all of us to fully understand where we come from and why we feel the way we do about certain things.

Yeah, no, one hundreders. I love how you said the idea of like deprogramming, right, And because you know, to your point, our family members weren't moving from a place of like negativity or malice. They legitimately thought this was the best way to give my kids an opportunity you know that I didn't have, right. I mean, it's the reason why I don't speak Spanish fluently, even though both of my parents are one hundred percent flu in Spanish. Right, it's because they chose English was going to be my main thing to give me an easier path in life.

Yeah, no, one hundreders. I love how you said the idea of like deprogramming, right, And because you know, to your point, our family members weren't moving from a place of like negativity or malice. They legitimately thought this was the best way to give my kids an opportunity you know that I didn't have, right. I mean, it's the reason why I don't speak Spanish fluently, even though both of my parents are one hundred percent flu in Spanish. Right, it's because they chose English was going to be my main thing to give me an easier path in life.

Right.

Right.

And you know it's as the world changes, right, as we begin to know more, we begin to do better and all these things. And I think, you know, we have the privilege of just access to the world as a whole, right, in a far deeper and best way than our parents did, so we can get a lot more information and resources than the previous generations. All right, I'm gonna hop in here real quick. We'll take a pause on the conversation. We'll take a quick break, and then we'll be right back. All right, we are back now. I'm curious you know on this, this idea of deep programming on your journey of like really walking in your authenticity, right, because I think I've seen them, like your social media even just talking about the idea of authenticity before. Was there like did you have like a come to Jesus moment where you were just kind of like I'm stepping into like my ownness and whoever can't accept it, so be it.

And you know it's as the world changes, right, as we begin to know more, we begin to do better and all these things. And I think, you know, we have the privilege of just access to the world as a whole, right, in a far deeper and best way than our parents did, so we can get a lot more information and resources than the previous generations. All right, I'm gonna hop in here real quick. We'll take a pause on the conversation. We'll take a quick break, and then we'll be right back. All right, we are back now. I'm curious you know on this, this idea of deep programming on your journey of like really walking in your authenticity, right, because I think I've seen them, like your social media even just talking about the idea of authenticity before. Was there like did you have like a come to Jesus moment where you were just kind of like I'm stepping into like my ownness and whoever can't accept it, so be it.

Oh, no question. I work from at the start of my career was in local news, so I think any of you, if you just flip through the local news channels, it's very much it's changing a bit, but it's very much a cut and paste. You wear this color, your hair is like this, you talk like this, and that is my design, right because I think a lot of it is not detracting from the story, not making it about you, and I agree to a point, but there's also something about reflecting the audience that you serve. Right, So we're not stepping into these spaces and certainly on a screen in our full authenticity. How is our community supposed to feel like they can trust us? So when I was working in local news and I had moved now away from the East Coast, where I had a lot of access to other Dominican hairstylists who could work with my curly hair that could, you know, make it pin straight, because that's what I was told would make me, not just what would make me successful, but was the only option for me to step through those doors to have the position that I had. This is the box. You got to fit in it or you gotta get out. And so I was working in San Diego in southern California, and it got to a point where I thought my hair was going to all fall out. I had no more Dominican hairstylists. Had to do this on my own. I was damaging my hair. I was like child, I'm about to be bald, Like this is not this is not gonna be cute for anybody now. So one day I walked into work and I had my natural resource and I was like, Lord Jesus, I didn't run this by anybody. I didn't say anything to anybody. Let's just see. I mean half the staff didn't even recognize me, right, I'm like, guys, it's still my face.

Oh, no question. I work from at the start of my career was in local news, so I think any of you, if you just flip through the local news channels, it's very much it's changing a bit, but it's very much a cut and paste. You wear this color, your hair is like this, you talk like this, and that is my design, right because I think a lot of it is not detracting from the story, not making it about you, and I agree to a point, but there's also something about reflecting the audience that you serve. Right, So we're not stepping into these spaces and certainly on a screen in our full authenticity. How is our community supposed to feel like they can trust us? So when I was working in local news and I had moved now away from the East Coast, where I had a lot of access to other Dominican hairstylists who could work with my curly hair that could, you know, make it pin straight, because that's what I was told would make me, not just what would make me successful, but was the only option for me to step through those doors to have the position that I had. This is the box. You got to fit in it or you gotta get out. And so I was working in San Diego in southern California, and it got to a point where I thought my hair was going to all fall out. I had no more Dominican hairstylists. Had to do this on my own. I was damaging my hair. I was like child, I'm about to be bald, Like this is not this is not gonna be cute for anybody now. So one day I walked into work and I had my natural resource and I was like, Lord Jesus, I didn't run this by anybody. I didn't say anything to anybody. Let's just see. I mean half the staff didn't even recognize me, right, I'm like, guys, it's still my face.

Like yeah, right.

Like yeah, right.

And I was like, but this is it, this is what you get today. And a couple folks were like, oh, well, this is a look like this is how it girls out of my head. But sure, we'll go with that. And to my pleasant surprise, the reaction from the viewers was so positive. My daughter has curly hair, my girlfriend has curly hair. The players that I was speaking to, yo, my kids have hair like yours. What are you using? Blah blah blah, And I was like, okay, and it seems so trivial, right, but like, especially for women, especially for black and brown women, your hair is a big deal. It's a big deal. So for me leaning into that part, I felt more like myself than I ever had, certainly in my entire career and probably in my whole life. And I think that, yeah, to be honest with you, the validation that other folks felt it too definitely served as an impetus for me to keep going and to fully lean into it. And that was January of I think twenty eighteen and I have not straight my hair since.

And I was like, but this is it, this is what you get today. And a couple folks were like, oh, well, this is a look like this is how it girls out of my head. But sure, we'll go with that. And to my pleasant surprise, the reaction from the viewers was so positive. My daughter has curly hair, my girlfriend has curly hair. The players that I was speaking to, yo, my kids have hair like yours. What are you using? Blah blah blah, And I was like, okay, and it seems so trivial, right, but like, especially for women, especially for black and brown women, your hair is a big deal. It's a big deal. So for me leaning into that part, I felt more like myself than I ever had, certainly in my entire career and probably in my whole life. And I think that, yeah, to be honest with you, the validation that other folks felt it too definitely served as an impetus for me to keep going and to fully lean into it. And that was January of I think twenty eighteen and I have not straight my hair since.

Wow, that's beautiful.

Wow, that's beautiful.

It's funny, like yeah, no, And it's funny like I always kind of like say this when speaking about kind of what holds people back or even what is just so empowering about one person co signing what you do. It's like sometimes that's all we need to Like I was just then go down the right path, you know what I mean, like and to tell you exactly exactly, And it's funny like as human beings, as connected as we are, I feel like societally we've been trained to think all our problems are our own and they exist in a bubble, right, We're not universal in those things. And it's just so funny like when you just that door creeps open for you, just how inviting and it's inviting you literally, like your whole life changes and the course kind of changes them. Speaking kind of like you know, for myself, like what I I you know, my big star was in like radio and like top forty radio, right, so like I was trying to sound like the top forty radio people and I wasn't getting great feedback on it, right, It was like, you know, a box that had to fit into it was exactly and then ironically, when I just started kind of speaking like myself like I normally would, that was when doors started opening, you know for me. And that's when, you know, a my career began to kind of start to happen.

It's funny, like yeah, no, And it's funny like I always kind of like say this when speaking about kind of what holds people back or even what is just so empowering about one person co signing what you do. It's like sometimes that's all we need to Like I was just then go down the right path, you know what I mean, like and to tell you exactly exactly, And it's funny like as human beings, as connected as we are, I feel like societally we've been trained to think all our problems are our own and they exist in a bubble, right, We're not universal in those things. And it's just so funny like when you just that door creeps open for you, just how inviting and it's inviting you literally, like your whole life changes and the course kind of changes them. Speaking kind of like you know, for myself, like what I I you know, my big star was in like radio and like top forty radio, right, so like I was trying to sound like the top forty radio people and I wasn't getting great feedback on it, right, It was like, you know, a box that had to fit into it was exactly and then ironically, when I just started kind of speaking like myself like I normally would, that was when doors started opening, you know for me. And that's when, you know, a my career began to kind of start to happen.

But be I felt more like myself than ever.

But be I felt more like myself than ever.

And it's just funny how it's just that small like Coaston that you need to like keep pushing you to kind of explore, explore, explore until you've gone down this path that you probably can't recognize yourself.

And it's just funny how it's just that small like Coaston that you need to like keep pushing you to kind of explore, explore, explore until you've gone down this path that you probably can't recognize yourself.

Anymore, no question, no question. And I think that once you for me, it was less about the validation and more so a responsibility like, Okay, there are other folks who need this too. It's not just me to your point, Like, you're not in a vacuum. None of this happens in a vacuum. Right, But especially for those in media, we do serve a community, right. We're not just talking here for ourselves, like, yeah, the information that we're disseminating, the conversations that we have or for the greater purpose not to get all phostopical or whatever. Sure, but it is important for the folks that we serve to understand where we're coming from. And more often than that, when you do that genuinely, it reaches the people that really need to hear it. And for me, once that happened, I was like, Okay, there's a bigger there's a bigger push here than just you know, me embracing this huge part of my culture and me feeling more more in tune with who I am and really accepting myself. Other people need this too, so that was really important for me.

Anymore, no question, no question. And I think that once you for me, it was less about the validation and more so a responsibility like, Okay, there are other folks who need this too. It's not just me to your point, Like, you're not in a vacuum. None of this happens in a vacuum. Right, But especially for those in media, we do serve a community, right. We're not just talking here for ourselves, like, yeah, the information that we're disseminating, the conversations that we have or for the greater purpose not to get all phostopical or whatever. Sure, but it is important for the folks that we serve to understand where we're coming from. And more often than that, when you do that genuinely, it reaches the people that really need to hear it. And for me, once that happened, I was like, Okay, there's a bigger there's a bigger push here than just you know, me embracing this huge part of my culture and me feeling more more in tune with who I am and really accepting myself. Other people need this too, so that was really important for me.

Yeah.

Yeah.

No, And but the irony is on the flip side of it.

No, And but the irony is on the flip side of it.

It's also a burden that you carry, right because you're not just speaking for yourself, You're speaking for an entire group of people, right, and you become the representation for maybe people who don't have any sort of idea about you know, Latin culture whatsoever. You are now the one Latin person they know. Yeah, exactly. So like everything you do or say they think speaks for every single Latino, right. And then also maybe what you don't say or what you don't respond to also speaks v O andes, especially in the social media era that we live in, right, So I'd be curious how you navigate that a little bit right, because you know you're in this sort of you know, I mean, I'm sure it's gotten better, but you know, traditionally speaking or generally speaking, it's a perfect sort of recipe for toxic masculinity. Right a workplace where it's just all former jocks essentially, right, and all in one place, right, and just talking about man stuff all day, right, Yeah, and when one of them be your co host, somebody on the network, whatever it is, might say something that is off putting or offensive or doesn't represent what you feel right, what your values are. And it's almost like, if you're sitting there, you have this choice to make where you have to kind of I don't know if you have to kind of respond or whatever. I'm sure there's some sort of pressure. I'm curious how you navigate that a little bit.

It's also a burden that you carry, right because you're not just speaking for yourself, You're speaking for an entire group of people, right, and you become the representation for maybe people who don't have any sort of idea about you know, Latin culture whatsoever. You are now the one Latin person they know. Yeah, exactly. So like everything you do or say they think speaks for every single Latino, right. And then also maybe what you don't say or what you don't respond to also speaks v O andes, especially in the social media era that we live in, right, So I'd be curious how you navigate that a little bit right, because you know you're in this sort of you know, I mean, I'm sure it's gotten better, but you know, traditionally speaking or generally speaking, it's a perfect sort of recipe for toxic masculinity. Right a workplace where it's just all former jocks essentially, right, and all in one place, right, and just talking about man stuff all day, right, Yeah, and when one of them be your co host, somebody on the network, whatever it is, might say something that is off putting or offensive or doesn't represent what you feel right, what your values are. And it's almost like, if you're sitting there, you have this choice to make where you have to kind of I don't know if you have to kind of respond or whatever. I'm sure there's some sort of pressure. I'm curious how you navigate that a little bit.

Sure, I will say my current where I am now, I'm very very lucky because I think also, and I cover specifically the NFL now, but I've covered every sport under the sun before you get to the NFL network, And in a league where they are seventy percent if not more, of the players are black identify as black. Most of the former players that I work with are also black, and so we have this organic connection because we share that in common. And even the ones who aren't, I think being a woman in the space, so many of them, their wives are very so they get so I have I'm closer with a lot of my coworkers' wives that im right, And I take that as a point of pride, right like write, sis, what do you need? What can I do for you? And vice versa. Right, they support me, they lift me up. But it's such a beautiful, fulfilling aspect of the job that I do that I can have the connection with these people, with these former players, with small of famers, really and it's been a point of pride for me because I think that they see me for who I really am. Many of them have daughters, so they it really means a lot when they're like, my daughters look up to you. I hope that they can use you as an example of resilience of strength, and I'm like, I hope that they don't have to be this resilient and this strong.

Sure, I will say my current where I am now, I'm very very lucky because I think also, and I cover specifically the NFL now, but I've covered every sport under the sun before you get to the NFL network, And in a league where they are seventy percent if not more, of the players are black identify as black. Most of the former players that I work with are also black, and so we have this organic connection because we share that in common. And even the ones who aren't, I think being a woman in the space, so many of them, their wives are very so they get so I have I'm closer with a lot of my coworkers' wives that im right, And I take that as a point of pride, right like write, sis, what do you need? What can I do for you? And vice versa. Right, they support me, they lift me up. But it's such a beautiful, fulfilling aspect of the job that I do that I can have the connection with these people, with these former players, with small of famers, really and it's been a point of pride for me because I think that they see me for who I really am. Many of them have daughters, so they it really means a lot when they're like, my daughters look up to you. I hope that they can use you as an example of resilience of strength, and I'm like, I hope that they don't have to be this resilient and this strong.

Right my back hurts.

Right my back hurts.

I don't want their back to her. I'm I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna do it, but it's heavy. But I have been in situations where I'm like, Okay, one of two things is gonna happen. I mean, they're gonna get fired or I'm gonna catch a case because if this person talks to me like this one more time, and they will always try you. You know, the great part of it is it's never been an athlete. And I think that's partially a big misconception. The guys are used to being in slightly more diverse areas because a lot of them come from that space, or a lot of these athletes were raised by strong women, so they have no problem with it. It's the insecure men who could not make it right. Hear it to the league who want to talk to me like I've never played a snap of football. When's the last time you laced them up?

I don't want their back to her. I'm I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna do it, but it's heavy. But I have been in situations where I'm like, Okay, one of two things is gonna happen. I mean, they're gonna get fired or I'm gonna catch a case because if this person talks to me like this one more time, and they will always try you. You know, the great part of it is it's never been an athlete. And I think that's partially a big misconception. The guys are used to being in slightly more diverse areas because a lot of them come from that space, or a lot of these athletes were raised by strong women, so they have no problem with it. It's the insecure men who could not make it right. Hear it to the league who want to talk to me like I've never played a snap of football. When's the last time you laced them up?

Only like right?

Only like right?

But you know what, let me not get let me not got petty, let me get it.

But you know what, let me not get let me not got petty, let me get it.

That is that's a great double standard that's not spoken about enough. Is like like people will be like, well, what does a woman know about sports? Well what does a guy who just sits on his couch every day every Sunday drinking beer know about like genuinely playing the game, You know what I mean?

That is that's a great double standard that's not spoken about enough. Is like like people will be like, well, what does a woman know about sports? Well what does a guy who just sits on his couch every day every Sunday drinking beer know about like genuinely playing the game, You know what I mean?

But We're okay with that. That's ever question.

But We're okay with that. That's ever question.

Please stop talking to me about your fantasy league. I'm the number one bottom almost in the playoffs in both of you to say, But like many many, many men who covered sports were considered experts who never stepped foot on the field, but never questioned ever question. By contrast, I was on the field a different capacity. I was an NFL cheerleader and I wear that one pride. But it's very few people who get access to the field that closely. And I was already a sports reporter when I did cheer for the Miami Dolphins, so I had not only the best seat in the house, the best Spanish point to watch the game develop in front of me, a game that I was already covering because I already knew the game. So I got this develop in a different way. I got to hear the calls I got, so I could tell you if that was a catcher mm hmmm, gonna uh so it it? And I learned the business side of it working for you.

Please stop talking to me about your fantasy league. I'm the number one bottom almost in the playoffs in both of you to say, But like many many, many men who covered sports were considered experts who never stepped foot on the field, but never questioned ever question. By contrast, I was on the field a different capacity. I was an NFL cheerleader and I wear that one pride. But it's very few people who get access to the field that closely. And I was already a sports reporter when I did cheer for the Miami Dolphins, so I had not only the best seat in the house, the best Spanish point to watch the game develop in front of me, a game that I was already covering because I already knew the game. So I got this develop in a different way. I got to hear the calls I got, so I could tell you if that was a catcher mm hmmm, gonna uh so it it? And I learned the business side of it working for you.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Well, so, I think there's there's so many things that a lot of people at the beginning of my career were like, oh, you shouldn't tell people that you were a cheerleader. Excuse you how hard it was to make this team?

Well, so, I think there's there's so many things that a lot of people at the beginning of my career were like, oh, you shouldn't tell people that you were a cheerleader. Excuse you how hard it was to make this team?

First of all?

First of all?

Yeah, Second, it is still to this day one of the biggest learning points in my professional journalism and sports career for sure.

Yeah, Second, it is still to this day one of the biggest learning points in my professional journalism and sports career for sure.

Yeah, but I mean to to the to your point about, uh, deciding if you're going to catch a case or not, I think it's it's it's like again when we talk about the unfair burden, right, that's like placed on our on our shoulders, because it's like you have to hope that you have a person in a position of power that gets it and backs you up for like defending yourself or understanding in that moment that if you don't speak up, you're going to then be crucified on the other end of it, right, And that is walking a very fine line. And then it's on top of all that, right, because that's something I can relate to. But on top of that, then it's the stereotype of you're the angry woman or the angry black woman. Right, All of those things begin to then tack on exactly right, right, exactly, so it's like you're walking in an even finer lineup. And I mean, I'm not trying to get you like sell anybody out or anything. But I'm you know, how do you navigate that? Like mentally and and sort of like I guess where do you pick and choose your battles?

Yeah, but I mean to to the to your point about, uh, deciding if you're going to catch a case or not, I think it's it's it's like again when we talk about the unfair burden, right, that's like placed on our on our shoulders, because it's like you have to hope that you have a person in a position of power that gets it and backs you up for like defending yourself or understanding in that moment that if you don't speak up, you're going to then be crucified on the other end of it, right, And that is walking a very fine line. And then it's on top of all that, right, because that's something I can relate to. But on top of that, then it's the stereotype of you're the angry woman or the angry black woman. Right, All of those things begin to then tack on exactly right, right, exactly, so it's like you're walking in an even finer lineup. And I mean, I'm not trying to get you like sell anybody out or anything. But I'm you know, how do you navigate that? Like mentally and and sort of like I guess where do you pick and choose your battles?

Would be the way that to.

Would be the way that to.

Asset the reality of it is it's a lose lose, right, So you you got to pick which consequence you want to deal with? Right? Do you want to deal with being disrespected, with being minimized, with being marginalized, with being made to feel small, with people shutting you out, with people try to bury you, with not being able to advance really the way that you want to, or do you deal with while having to step into your boss's office more often than not? I chose the latter. I chose the latter because even though and I think a lot of Latinas can relate to this, and I'll only speak for myself here, sure, I because we're not a monolistic I was raised very much to mind my p's and q's right, don't talk back to people, don't ruffle feathers, just keep your head down and go and you'll be okay. But in the same breath, I would see my mom and my pisk cut somebody out if they were doing this, that wasn't right, you know one is it?

Asset the reality of it is it's a lose lose, right, So you you got to pick which consequence you want to deal with? Right? Do you want to deal with being disrespected, with being minimized, with being marginalized, with being made to feel small, with people shutting you out, with people try to bury you, with not being able to advance really the way that you want to, or do you deal with while having to step into your boss's office more often than not? I chose the latter. I chose the latter because even though and I think a lot of Latinas can relate to this, and I'll only speak for myself here, sure, I because we're not a monolistic I was raised very much to mind my p's and q's right, don't talk back to people, don't ruffle feathers, just keep your head down and go and you'll be okay. But in the same breath, I would see my mom and my pisk cut somebody out if they were doing this, that wasn't right, you know one is it?

Yeah?

Yeah?

And I think the point of it is is the juice fort the squeeze, and for me, when it comes to my integrity, when it comes to my knowledge, and when certainly when it comes to my job, because this is my livelihood. This is how I put food on the table, this is how I'm making things better for generations to come in my family. I'm not going to stay quiet, and I'm not going to sit here and be like, mmmm, Okay, well, I don't know, maybe I misunderstood that. No, he said what he said, she said what she said, and I know exactly what they meant when they said it. So for me, I can't sit I'm an EmPATH, so I wear my heart on my sleeve. I'm not going to sit here with this not in my stomach or this lump in my throat because it also affects my job at the end of the day regardless. So I can't perform because I'm feeling and I'm bearing and I'm holding all of these things. It's not good regardless. So I rather get it out, say what I have to say. Sometimes in a corporate clap back, right. I maintain my position on these thoughts is I said what I said, So sometimes you have to find a way to say it right. It's not what you say about how you say it. But I am of the mindset you always speak up for yourself and you always say what's right. You know. Sometimes again, even if you're scared to, that's the time when you need to do it the most. And it's not an easy thing to do at all.

And I think the point of it is is the juice fort the squeeze, and for me, when it comes to my integrity, when it comes to my knowledge, and when certainly when it comes to my job, because this is my livelihood. This is how I put food on the table, this is how I'm making things better for generations to come in my family. I'm not going to stay quiet, and I'm not going to sit here and be like, mmmm, Okay, well, I don't know, maybe I misunderstood that. No, he said what he said, she said what she said, and I know exactly what they meant when they said it. So for me, I can't sit I'm an EmPATH, so I wear my heart on my sleeve. I'm not going to sit here with this not in my stomach or this lump in my throat because it also affects my job at the end of the day regardless. So I can't perform because I'm feeling and I'm bearing and I'm holding all of these things. It's not good regardless. So I rather get it out, say what I have to say. Sometimes in a corporate clap back, right. I maintain my position on these thoughts is I said what I said, So sometimes you have to find a way to say it right. It's not what you say about how you say it. But I am of the mindset you always speak up for yourself and you always say what's right. You know. Sometimes again, even if you're scared to, that's the time when you need to do it the most. And it's not an easy thing to do at all.

No, absolutely, But I think on the other side of it, it's, you know, we're blessed to be doing jobs that we've dreamed about doing.

No, absolutely, But I think on the other side of it, it's, you know, we're blessed to be doing jobs that we've dreamed about doing.

I'm sure you know, for since we were kids.

I'm sure you know, for since we were kids.

But it's a part of the dream is not muting myself right, Like the part of like I'm not actually living my dream if i feel like I'm not getting to be authentic, if I'm constantly censoring myself, if I'm living in fear of losing everything based upon me being myself right, And I think that is sort of I think the mentality a lot of people have to adapt, you know what I mean that, I think it's important to stand for something right more than being able to get a checker, more than being able to say that you have this job at the end of the day, to feel comfortable in this situation and feel like you're not being sort of stepped on, You're not being put in a corner somewhere. I think that is something that money can't buy at the end of the day, right, That's a real spiritual connection to yourself.

But it's a part of the dream is not muting myself right, Like the part of like I'm not actually living my dream if i feel like I'm not getting to be authentic, if I'm constantly censoring myself, if I'm living in fear of losing everything based upon me being myself right, And I think that is sort of I think the mentality a lot of people have to adapt, you know what I mean that, I think it's important to stand for something right more than being able to get a checker, more than being able to say that you have this job at the end of the day, to feel comfortable in this situation and feel like you're not being sort of stepped on, You're not being put in a corner somewhere. I think that is something that money can't buy at the end of the day, right, That's a real spiritual connection to yourself.

That that I think is essential.

That that I think is essential.

For all of us to truly be fulfilled, you know, like legitimately be fulfilled as human beings.

For all of us to truly be fulfilled, you know, like legitimately be fulfilled as human beings.

I mean, you hear a lot in the Latino community. I partially grew up in Miami. After New York, we moved down to Miami, and you know, my Cuban counterparts, they'll always say to do X, Y and Z, to do the same thing my parents and then leave to Midicanary Republic for me to be meet for me to not take full advantage of the sacrifices they made. My dad was a doctor in the Dominican Republic. He was a medical examiner, he was an OBG. He'd done sort of everything. Same with my mom. She left her career there to come to the United States and literally sweep floors and be janitors and clean offices and work in a shoe factory. For me to have the opportunity to pursue these things, so I would be doing them and their sacrifices a disservice. And yes, i am the oldest daughter of immigrants, so I'm not okay, but I'm trying. I'm trying because we also carry that right. All my oldest daughters know what the hell I'm talking about right now. You have to help raise your siblings. I'm the oldest of four. You have to make dinner for people while pursuing your dream, while seeing your parents struggle. But try to carry it all with grace and with pride. And it's very That's really the main reason that I work so hard. Why I pushed so hard, because I'm not gonna let them down. Not because they put this on me. They didn't put this on my shoulders. But I'll be damned, I'll be damned if I let all of that be for nothing. All Right, I'm hopping here real quick.

I mean, you hear a lot in the Latino community. I partially grew up in Miami. After New York, we moved down to Miami, and you know, my Cuban counterparts, they'll always say to do X, Y and Z, to do the same thing my parents and then leave to Midicanary Republic for me to be meet for me to not take full advantage of the sacrifices they made. My dad was a doctor in the Dominican Republic. He was a medical examiner, he was an OBG. He'd done sort of everything. Same with my mom. She left her career there to come to the United States and literally sweep floors and be janitors and clean offices and work in a shoe factory. For me to have the opportunity to pursue these things, so I would be doing them and their sacrifices a disservice. And yes, i am the oldest daughter of immigrants, so I'm not okay, but I'm trying. I'm trying because we also carry that right. All my oldest daughters know what the hell I'm talking about right now. You have to help raise your siblings. I'm the oldest of four. You have to make dinner for people while pursuing your dream, while seeing your parents struggle. But try to carry it all with grace and with pride. And it's very That's really the main reason that I work so hard. Why I pushed so hard, because I'm not gonna let them down. Not because they put this on me. They didn't put this on my shoulders. But I'll be damned, I'll be damned if I let all of that be for nothing. All Right, I'm hopping here real quick.

One more time.

One more time.

We'll take a quick break and then we'll be right back. All right, we are back. And another part of this whole conversation I want to touch on it. It's like MJ the person, right, because the other nuance to this is you have a job that is very demanding of you mentally, time wise, has you traveling constantly doing things like that, and that is out of the norm of the traditional American household, right the mindset of it's usually the husband, the father, the dad that's the one traveling for business all the time, doing these different things, right, And I'm curious how you find that balance of having the family life, you know, which is obviously incredibly important and goals, but also striving to achieve at such a high level in the amount of demand that comes from you, you know, really putting your all into this career.

We'll take a quick break and then we'll be right back. All right, we are back. And another part of this whole conversation I want to touch on it. It's like MJ the person, right, because the other nuance to this is you have a job that is very demanding of you mentally, time wise, has you traveling constantly doing things like that, and that is out of the norm of the traditional American household, right the mindset of it's usually the husband, the father, the dad that's the one traveling for business all the time, doing these different things, right, And I'm curious how you find that balance of having the family life, you know, which is obviously incredibly important and goals, but also striving to achieve at such a high level in the amount of demand that comes from you, you know, really putting your all into this career.

It's a loaded question for sure. Shout out to my husband, who is the most supportive partner I could have ever asked for. I mean, at every single turn. And this is a Puerto ricommand okay life works in a male dominated industry, and he's never once flinched at me having to do an assignment, has never ever questioned how my trips went. He knows one who I am and how I rock and how I am how I navigate things, but two always leads from a place of what can I do for you? How can I make this easier on you? What can so we've found that balance with in our relationship. We've been together eleven years. We found that balance of our family life and what our reality looks like. I don't do a normal job, neither does he, and so we knew that our normal was never going to be what traditionally we were taught the norm was going to be. So that's one aspect of it, But the other one was reimagining what that family life looks like. You know, I'm thirty nine years old, so for many many years, it was when are the kids coming? You know? And I think a lot of folks, if you're an older, an elder millennial, is like a lot of us are either waiting longer to have children have decided that we don't wook them right like, and that's okay too, whatever the reality of your life. And I think that's the other point of it. We are allowed to reimagine what our happiness, what our lives look like, and it doesn't have to be on that traditional spectrum or timeline that we've seen growing up. Because of those sacrifices that our parents made and our family members before us made, we have this beautiful gift of being able to navigate this world in a different way that works best for us now. Is it perfect? Of course not. That's life, life to be life. But I'm really working on giving myself grace, not on not pressuring myself to have this done by this state or to have this quote unquote accomplishment by this state, and just be where my feet are and present on what's happening around me and within me at the right time, and checking in right with my partner, checking in with my family, but also caring only as much as I can hold and cheat your point, everything is pulling from me at all times. My job is literally to be on all the time, and sometimes I get home and I'm like a shell, like on the dream I'm dreamed. But I also have to pour to my husband. I have to pour into my marriage. I have poorn to our puppy, you know. So it's like at any point, you know, I do a lot of mentorship. Mentorship is really important, and There'll be times where I'm just like, oh my god, I don't have one more thing left than me, and a young woman will text me and I'm like, what do you need this? Yeah, instinctually without even thinking about it. But that also pulls right, So I think it's important to find the moment where you can reset, and sometimes shit, that's not possible. Yeah, it is what it is, so we have to pull through. I actually want to give a shout out to all the women in this industry who have children, who they have I'm like this, how are you?

It's a loaded question for sure. Shout out to my husband, who is the most supportive partner I could have ever asked for. I mean, at every single turn. And this is a Puerto ricommand okay life works in a male dominated industry, and he's never once flinched at me having to do an assignment, has never ever questioned how my trips went. He knows one who I am and how I rock and how I am how I navigate things, but two always leads from a place of what can I do for you? How can I make this easier on you? What can so we've found that balance with in our relationship. We've been together eleven years. We found that balance of our family life and what our reality looks like. I don't do a normal job, neither does he, and so we knew that our normal was never going to be what traditionally we were taught the norm was going to be. So that's one aspect of it, But the other one was reimagining what that family life looks like. You know, I'm thirty nine years old, so for many many years, it was when are the kids coming? You know? And I think a lot of folks, if you're an older, an elder millennial, is like a lot of us are either waiting longer to have children have decided that we don't wook them right like, and that's okay too, whatever the reality of your life. And I think that's the other point of it. We are allowed to reimagine what our happiness, what our lives look like, and it doesn't have to be on that traditional spectrum or timeline that we've seen growing up. Because of those sacrifices that our parents made and our family members before us made, we have this beautiful gift of being able to navigate this world in a different way that works best for us now. Is it perfect? Of course not. That's life, life to be life. But I'm really working on giving myself grace, not on not pressuring myself to have this done by this state or to have this quote unquote accomplishment by this state, and just be where my feet are and present on what's happening around me and within me at the right time, and checking in right with my partner, checking in with my family, but also caring only as much as I can hold and cheat your point, everything is pulling from me at all times. My job is literally to be on all the time, and sometimes I get home and I'm like a shell, like on the dream I'm dreamed. But I also have to pour to my husband. I have to pour into my marriage. I have poorn to our puppy, you know. So it's like at any point, you know, I do a lot of mentorship. Mentorship is really important, and There'll be times where I'm just like, oh my god, I don't have one more thing left than me, and a young woman will text me and I'm like, what do you need this? Yeah, instinctually without even thinking about it. But that also pulls right, So I think it's important to find the moment where you can reset, and sometimes shit, that's not possible. Yeah, it is what it is, so we have to pull through. I actually want to give a shout out to all the women in this industry who have children, who they have I'm like this, how are you?

How right? All right?

How right? All right?

Wow? And they do it. You figure it out every single day. So even if it doesn't look normal quote unquote normal, I wish we could eradicate that word, because I don't think it exists anymore. In the ear of the Barbie movie, Like.

Wow? And they do it. You figure it out every single day. So even if it doesn't look normal quote unquote normal, I wish we could eradicate that word, because I don't think it exists anymore. In the ear of the Barbie movie, Like.

I love the party, but I love how Yeah, you're defining your own normal, right, and that's okay. It doesn't have to be one that makes sense to anybody outside of legitimately you and your partner essentially, right, and your immediate family. But I'm curious also, you know, as somebody who's obviously a high achiever, right, And this is something that I struggle with a lot as well.

I love the party, but I love how Yeah, you're defining your own normal, right, and that's okay. It doesn't have to be one that makes sense to anybody outside of legitimately you and your partner essentially, right, and your immediate family. But I'm curious also, you know, as somebody who's obviously a high achiever, right, And this is something that I struggle with a lot as well.

I Mean, it's easy to just keep.

I Mean, it's easy to just keep.

Constantly making new goals, right, and keep trying to top the last thing, and even just looking back on some of your career accolades, it's obvious you're looking for the next step.

Constantly making new goals, right, and keep trying to top the last thing, and even just looking back on some of your career accolades, it's obvious you're looking for the next step.

The next step, the next step.

The next step, the next step.

Do you have a line where you're just kind of like, I think enough would be enough here, because as like the age old's saying, like a yes to one thing is a note to something else, right, you can't have it both ways. So being pulled in all these directions, having a more even more demanding job, a more demanding schedule, means less time for the other things in your life. I'm curious for you how you sort of navigate, maybe even knowing, like when you can say I'm kind of good and I kind of want to deviate I don't know, maybe the career ambitions a little bit and pour more into this.

Do you have a line where you're just kind of like, I think enough would be enough here, because as like the age old's saying, like a yes to one thing is a note to something else, right, you can't have it both ways. So being pulled in all these directions, having a more even more demanding job, a more demanding schedule, means less time for the other things in your life. I'm curious for you how you sort of navigate, maybe even knowing, like when you can say I'm kind of good and I kind of want to deviate I don't know, maybe the career ambitions a little bit and pour more into this.

Other part of me.

Other part of me.

Yeah, I mean not us having whull therapy session. I love it. I love it because that is a very real question. And I think now with social media, it's even harder to find that, to find that boundary, Yeah, to find that that part of you that doesn't want not only the external validation, but that's in the rat race, right like ship. Well, okay, if these folks that are in that are my peers, are cheating this, or are gaining or on this list, or are getting this award, it's I'm gonna be real with you. Like the folks who say, like I don't look at that I do. I'm like, damn, are I be getting this award? I wasn't on the eye on that list. It's just a natural reaction. We are. We are in a space that is competitive, and I mean that to be in a healthy way. Because most of my closest friends, our little group chat that keeps me sustained on the daily basis is all women of color, black and brown women who work on TV and media, and we have been rocking together for over a decade and they are my biggest supporters, my biggest cheerleaders, and vice versa. And both things can exist at once. You can be like, yeah, Santh, I'm so proud of you and be like, right, should I have put in for that enough? Both things can be true at the same time.