In 2021, my life unraveled.

After ten years of marriage, I got divorced. And within two months, my father died unexpectedly in Spain, and I never got to say goodbye. I was thousands of miles away from my family, in California, and I found myself grieving two life-shattering losses and wondering what I was doing next.

Sometimes, staying put becomes more painful than stepping into the unknown. For me, that moment arrived quietly but powerfully.

So, I sold nearly everything I owned, packed my car with a few clothes, a handful of memories, and my dog Lolita (the best co-pilot a girl could ask for), and hit the road. Destination: Miami.

But really, I was chasing something much bigger than a move across the country. It was a declaration: I want more.

More peace.

More clarity.

More freedom.

More life.

I gave myself a week to drive and think, to stop and explore, to look at my life from a new angle as the country unfolded in front of me. Somewhere between the Texas plains and the Gulf Coast, I realized something fundamental: Life can flip in an instant. And because of that, I decided I would no longer wait.

I would no longer wait for permission to take time off.

I would no longer wait to prioritize freedom.

I would no longer wait to live my life the way I wanted.

In the months that followed, I made the one change that I knew was necessary to make it happen. If I wanted a new life, I needed a new financial plan. 

I established new goals, new timelines, and a whole new vision. A full new plan that would allow me to create my vision for my life now and in the future.

I explored every path: becoming a partner in the firm I was at, buying a small but established firm, maybe partnering with other advisors. And I quickly realized: I would have to build something of my own. Something different. Something that didn’t ask me to choose between success and freedom.

If you know part of my story, you know I came to this country at 26 by myself with just $400 in my pocket, barely speaking the language. I was educated, yes, but I had no network, no experience, and no roadmap. I come from humble beginnings. Nothing was ever handed to me.

So, I reminded myself: If I built a life from scratch once, I could do it again. 

That realization became the foundation for what I now teach women every day:
You can have the career and the life you want. You can chase goals while enjoying your personal life. You can build wealth and live freely.

But that kind of freedom? It is not accidental. If you want to have your cake, and eat it to, here is the shift you need to make.

Understand that making any vision real requires planning, discipline, and focus. It requires time, diligence, and patience. And it requires money working for you, not the other way around.

Here is a truth that nobody speaks about: women face unique financial challenges. Longer lifespans, career interruptions, pay gaps, caregiving responsibilities. And we often prioritize security for others before ourselves. That’s why we need financial strategies that center all of our values, timelines, and goals.

Having a financial strategy and clear plan gave me the confidence (and the ability) to take a leap. To sell all my things and move across the country. To step back, pause, and reflect during a difficult season. To consider options like buying a firm, building a firm, or pivoting entirely.

I knew exactly how much time I needed to prepare, how much I needed to save, and what milestones I needed to hit. I researched, mapped it out, revised it… and eventually, I made it happen.

And something beautiful happened when I started living in alignment with that vision: I began to attract things I didn’t even know I was looking for.

I reconnected with my faith and found my meaning and purpose for life. I met and married my husband Aby, my life partner, co-dreamer, and fellow explorer. We bought a home. We set new goals together: visit at least two new countries every year, explore new income streams, and commit to becoming the best versions of ourselves, individually and as a team.

I want more women to talk about money. To ask for more. To plan for more. Because when we stop settling, we start shaping lives we love. And I promise you, it is worth it.

So, if you are in a chapter of grief, confusion, burnout, or simply asking yourself, "Is this all there is?", maybe it is time for your road trip moment. Maybe it is time to hit the metaphorical (or literal) road and imagine something different.

But you do have to have the courage to ask yourself: What would it take to build the life I really want?

I did. And it changed everything.