The 5 Things That Changed My Life Forever

Life unfolds in chapters, each marked by significant events that shape our character and destiny. For me, there are five distinct times that have directly influenced the path I have taken, the businesses I own, and the person I have become.

These times forged the path I walk on, offering me lessons, sorrows, joys, and ultimately, profound growth. These five things—motherhood, entrepreneurship, cancer, airplanes, and books—have forever shaped my existence, reshaping my perspective and my heart with every breath I take.

Each has its own story, a unique fingerprint on my soul.

Motherhood: The Awakening of Uncharted Love

At 21, I was faced with the terrifying diagnosis of cervical cancer. The doctor’s news was a piercing blow; it wasn’t merely about combating a disease but confronting the possibility of an unfulfilled dream of motherhood.

Yet, destiny, with its unpredictable twists and turns, presented me with a miracle named Leo. Discovering I was pregnant with him after the health struggles I had gone through was like finding an oasis in the desert. The constant vigil of weekly doctor visits throughout the pregnancy became my pilgrimage, a testament to hope and resilience.

Then came the day Leo entered the world. It was a moment of unparalleled joy shadowed by sudden fear. Rushed to the ER with a spinal headache, I was taken from my newborn, a cruel echo of my recent fears of not being able to have children. Yet, even in that turmoil, and as tiny as he was, Leo represented hope. His arrival rewrote my story, transforming me not just into a mother but also into an entrepreneur.

Inspired by him, I founded JJR Marketing. The necessity to mold a life around him, to ensure I wouldn’t miss a moment of his years growing up, fueled my leap into the unknown realm of business ownership. The decisions that were influenced by him shaped my path in ways I had never anticipated.

Motherhood unveiled dimensions within me I had yet to explore. It wasn’t just about birthing children; it was about birthing new versions of myself. With Leo and my husband, I embarked on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment. Then came Julianna, bringing her own palette of inspiration that resulted in the writing of my first book, “The Little Book of Business Secrets That Work.”

Despite all of its trials, joys, and revelations, motherhood transformed and taught me about a unique kind of love, eros—passionate, spirited, and deeply entwined with the soul’s calling. Through Leo and Julianna, I’ve embraced a profound love that guides every step I take, every decision I make.

Entrepreneurship: Crafting My Destiny

Launching my own business wasn’t just about professional fulfillment; it was about survival, flexibility, and the need to forge my own path for the sake of my family. Entrepreneurship taught me the value of connections, the reality of dreams, and the blessing of service to others.

Entrepreneurship also gave me a clear understanding of the value of human connections and integrity in business. The transition to entrepreneurship wasn’t merely a career shift. It highlighted the importance of aligning actions with words, a principle I learned early on but only fully grasped when I embarked on my own entrepreneurial journey.

This phase of my life underscored the reality that success is intricately tied to the relationships we build and nurture. The theories from the countless books I devoured on leadership, management, and human psychology were no longer abstract concepts but lived experiences. The fundamental lesson I learned was that to achieve my dreams, I needed to invest in the dreams of others. This became the bedrock of my business philosophy and now, more than 18 years later, this has made my dreams come true and given me an unparalleled degree of flexibility and freedom, transforming the way I live and perceive success.

The joy and fulfillment from helping others achieve their objectives has been immeasurably rewarding. Beyond the tangible achievements, entrepreneurship has given me a profound sense of purpose and taught me that true success is measured by the impact we make on the lives of others.

Cancer: The Trial by Fire

Twice, cancer came knocking, threatening to take my life. Instead, it fueled my determination to serve, to live with purpose, and cherish every moment granted to me. These battles gave me a sense of urgency and clarity about the preciousness of life.

At 23, during a seemingly ordinary visit to an Indian restaurant, the unexpected occurred. Consuming food spiced with cardamom triggered a series of symptoms, landing me in the hospital for two weeks, under the scrutiny of 40 doctors bewildered by my condition. This series of events eventually led to a shocking discovery—I was battling pre-cancer level four near my liver. This diagnosis came between the births of my children, Leo and Julianna.

The prospect of motherhood under these circumstances was scary. Having undergone extensive surgery to remove the precancerous cells, which included significant reconstruction of my digestive system, I was very concerned about my pregnancy with Julianna. My entire abdominal area, having been surgically opened, heightened risks associated with the pregnancy’s progression. Yet, through this adversity, I found a renewed vigor for life.

January 9th, 2007, was a life-changing moment. At the age of 23, with a five-month-old Leo, a burgeoning business, and on the cusp of graduating college, I lay in a hospital bed in New York, grappling with the reality of having cancer once more. The dire prediction of a life drastically altered hung over me, yet it crystalized my resolve. It was then I vowed to live with the intention to serve and to immerse myself in the very essence of living, pursuing dreams unexplored, driven by a proximity to death previously unimaginable.

Airplanes: The Freedom of the Skies

Learning to fly was an impulse, a leap into the unknown that became a spiritual awakening. It connected me with a sense of peace, freedom, and a closer bond to the divine, transforming not just how I move through the world, but how I perceive my very existence.

Choosing to pilot airplanes emerged from a serendipitous moment. At a local festival, my eyes caught sight of a plane so compact it looked like a child’s toy. The appeal of a discovery flight was irresistible, so we climbed aboard. Ascending into the summer sky, doors removed, a profound sense of serenity enveloped me. Flying 3,000 feet above ground felt like heaven was close by, giving me a sense of peace and a connection with God that led to what I call a divine download and was the inspiration to get my pilot’s license.

Airplanes have altered my worldview. They serve as a metaphor for my mind—whimsically creative yet unfailingly practical. This intersection between creativity and pragmatism is potent, leading to achievements beyond my wildest dreams.

Flying offers a unique vantage point on life. It’s about the thrill of takeoff as much as the satisfaction of a smoothly executed landing. It’s about navigating dreams, foreseeing what lies beyond the horizon, adopting an elevated perspective to approach life’s challenges, and appreciating the beauty of a three-dimensional existence. Since my aviation journey began in 2015, the way I experience life has irrevocably changed, something I could never have envisioned.

Books: A Legacy of Words

Books have been my companions, teachers, and, ultimately, in writing them have become the legacy I will leave behind one day. Writing and publishing became acts of love—a way to touch the future long after my voice falls silent.

Initially, my ambition was modest; I wanted to publish one book so my children would know who I was. However, as I immersed myself in the world of writing, I became enamored with the idea of legacy building through literature. It dawned on me that a book holds the unique power of leaving a permanent record in the Library of Congress—a concept so magical it compelled me to think beyond my original goal.

This realization was a turning point, compelling me to publish 33 books by the age of 41, a feat I never imagined possible at the start. Becoming an author led me to an even greater mission: helping others leave their mark through writing. After publishing six books with three different publishing companies, the idea of creating a publishing house emerged as a natural progression.

Encouraged by my husband, Juan Pablo, who pointed out the countless hours I spent offering publishing advice, we decided to open our own publishing house. This mission found me rather than me seeking it out, and I surrendered to it, leading to almost nine years of rewarding experiences since 2014. During this process, not only have I managed to fulfill my dream of creating a legacy, but I’ve also empowered others to do the same, affirming my belief that this was my purpose all along.

I would love for you to take a moment to identify what are the things that have changed your life? What are the key milestones that have changed the way you see things, the way you live life, and what has changed the way you think.

I invite you to share your experiences with me. Let’s uncover the profound impacts that shape our lives and continue to guide us on this incredible adventure we call life.