Today we’d like to introduce you to Micaela Alva.
Can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today. You can include as little or as much detail as you’d like.
I wish I could say that launching the Fearless Mujer empowerment brand was always a dream of mine, but honestly it wasn’t. I had other plans for my life, but sometimes while on your life journey you will be detoured into your purpose. That is exactly how I ended up where I am today. Don’t get me wrong, everything has taken a ton of dedication and discipline on my part. Building something new and from scratch is never an easy journey.
When I started podcasting I was on a healing journey after having gone through a devastating moment in life. I had a deep desire to encourage other women, and so I launched a faith-based podcast where women could be encouraged and also share their stories. But almost one year later, I felt a deeper desire to begin speaking to the Latina community, and I launched a different podcast known today as The Fearless Mujer. It was a safe space for our stories to be heard. I had no idea that so many Latinas would resonate with the message I was sharing.
It became a safe space for healing, community, authenticity, and sharing hard truths about our culture, generational beliefs, trauma, and so much more. It was a space for courageous women who needed to be heard and seen. The podcast opened a door to be partnered with the Latina Podcasters Network, and it also opened a door for me to begin speaking to other women at events. Never in a million years, would I have thought I would be in the place I am in today. I come from a rough neighborhood in Chicago, and from a broken and dysfunctional home. I have endured pain and setbacks in life, but I am proof that where you come from does not determine where you end up. I also believe that my faith has played a huge part in me becoming the person and leader I am today.
The Fearless Mujer podcast also became a resource to offer listeners life / empowerment coaching.It has been my #1 marketing tool, and has allowed listeners a glimpse into my world. It’s been great for building community off social media. I also began teaching other women how to do what I do, and that is share their story and raise their voice on their own podcast. Most of my podcasting clients are Latinas, so it’s pretty cool for me to see our community using their powerful voices.
I mastered my message over the years, and was able to write my first book. Dear Fearless Mujer, You Were Created For More – A journey to healing, letting go, & finding purpose is a book for women who have experienced sexual abuse. I tell my journey of healing and navigating a season I walked through, after speaking out about this topic. The book empowers women to heal, find their voice, and explore their gifts and dreams so they can impact this world. It’s a book I definitely needed in a painful season.
Becoming a writer and a podcaster has been both healing and empowering. And I am so grateful that God has gifted me in such a way that allows me to empower and inspire other women, and although Fearless Mujer is geared towards the Latina community the message is for anyone who resonates with it. My setback became what prepared me to lead and empower others.
“I believe deep down inside, everyone has a message, and if they were able to tap into that message, this world would be a much better place.” – Dear Fearless Mujer, You Were Created for More.
Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road while building the brand, podcast, and coaching business. Then throw motherhood into the mix, and you have a full plate. But I have enjoyed seeing my children be part of my journey. In fact, they had a huge part in helping with my book launch in 2022, and a gathering I put together in Fort Worth last year. As any mother knows, motherhood is a challenge at times but it’s good to always remember that you are showing your children what’s possible when you believe in yourself and also work hard.
As with anything you will have challenges and hurdles, but it’s how you choose to navigate them that makes a huge difference. When you are building something new you don’t have a blueprint for it. You have to trust yourself, believe in your vision and you also need to find the right mentors. Without the right mentors you will feel stuck. Oftentimes, it’s your mentors that will help you connect the dots and will pour wisdom into you.
Mentors are also a blessing, because life will always come with hurdles and sometimes they become your safe space when you need it. I don’t think I would be here without the mentors I’ve had.
As you personally evolve, so will your business and any projects that you have been working on for some time. Building something creative such as a brand, a coaching business, a podcast, and even writing a book will always seem crazy to the critics. It’s not until others see your consistency that they begin to respect your work, and even then others will sometimes criticize your work. Trust me, anything you are doing to impact others will be criticized. That’s when you have to remind yourself of why you started, and who is counting on you to keep going.
We’d love to learn more about your work. What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I love the work that I do and do not take it lightly when other women trust me with their stories, or seek my resources when navigating their life journey. As a certified master life coach I’ve had to do my own inner work and personal development work to get here. I know it’s not always easy to do, especially when life has thrown many curveballs your way. It’s exactly why I hold space and honor every client, no matter what their season of life looks like.
Many women have a deeper desire to help others but aren’t always sure how to. Sometimes they feel that they lack the confidence to do so, and that’s where I get to guide them and teach them how to hold space for themselves, set healthy boundaries, and find strategies to overcome life’s hurdles. One thing I focus on deeply is teaching clients to hold their thoughts accountable, because not every thought needs to be entertained. Our brain works really fast and constantly wants information, and if all you’ve learned to do is talk down to yourself and entertain a negative narrative then you will never be free to heal or think clearly. That will hinder your self-growth, and will prevent you from accomplishing bigger dreams. And that’s why accountability is necessary, because when you teach others to hold themselves accountable it completely changes their perspective about who they are.
Both as a podcast and life / empowerment coach I am so proud when I see my clients doing the work necessary and then accomplishing their goals. I recently had a client who told me that she wanted to open a brick and mortar for her online candle store. And a few weeks later I saw her post a picture on social media of the keys to her new boutique. I was so proud of her, because she did not allow fear to get in the way of her dream. She even had Miss Wisconsin join her on her grand opening night. I’m so grateful that I have been part of her life journey. I love her work and I encourage anyone to check out; Ambitious Vibes Candle Co.
I believe that what sets me apart from other coaches is being a servant leader, something I learned in business school at Liberty University. Servant leaders are here to serve and to empower others. As a servant leader I deeply care about my clients. I want to see them succeed, accomplish their goals, heal, grow, and be who they were created to be. I believe that helping others matters and makes a huge difference in this world.
As John Maxwell said; “If you want to be the best leader you can possibly be, no matter how much or how little natural leadership talent you possess, you need to become a serving leader.”
How do you define success?
I believe that success can mean something different individually, and can look different in different seasons of life. For some success can be healing from childhood trauma, for others success can mean earning a college degree in their later years. I believe that both are huge accomplishments. My success is determined by how far I push myself out of my comfort zone.
For me success is becoming a healed version of myself, and also becoming the woman I would have looked up to as a child. I am successful because I have been able to overcome the things in life that should’ve destroyed me along the way. I am successful because I have been able to take the negative things in life and use them for the good of others.
My belief is that success isn’t only about accolades, monetary or material gain. Being a Latina woman and a leader that empowers and inspires others is a success in itself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://fearlessmujer.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefearlessmujerpodcast/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefearlessmujer
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@thefearlessmujerpodcast
Image Credits
Lauren Bethany Photography
Christine Alva Photography
