Today we’d like to introduce you to Edna Mendez.
Hi Edna, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Well, my journey has been years in the making, without me even knowing it. You see, I grew up in South LA with your traditional old-school machista Mexican parents. And as a child, growing up with violence, in a gender stereotypical household, with no communication, I had a lot of anxiety. But because mental health wasn’t talked about, I kept all of this inside. I was smiling on the outside and crying on the inside. Because that was what was expected of me. I was expected to be the “good girl,” obedient, and a people pleaser. So, I didn’t know how to take care of myself or what that even looked like. I had no clue whatsoever what this self-love world was about, nor what self-care or boundaries were. I was just passively living life… but that’s the problem. I wasn’t consciously living.
Fast forward to my early 20’s, I made it a priority to focus on myself. So, I went on to accomplish amazing things such as losing 70 lbs and developing a healthier way of living. Getting my master’s degree with a 4.0 GPA despite having difficulties learning. Teaching college courses. And then starting a new career. All of these events started shifting my mindset. I started creating healthier habits and I knew I had this inner strength, yet kept getting into toxic relationships. Allowing things that were not okay to be okay. I blamed my parents for my life yet secretly wanted them to be proud of me. And my confidence was at an all-time low.
But things changed when I attended this conference, which was way out of my comfort zone, and learned why we are the way we are. So I decided to educate myself more by participating in a life coaching program. During my journey, I learned how to unlearn generational toxic cycles. I learned about behavioral patterns, languages, and thinking that keep people stuck. I learned how to respond differently to situations, take risks, set limits with people, speak up for myself, love myself, and not feel pressured to live up to my family’s expectations. Because of this, I’m in the happiest and healthiest relationship I have ever been in. And I have a much better relationship with my family. And now, as a Life Coach, I coach others to do the same.
I left my job during the beginning of the pandemic to pursue my dream as a coach, and let me tell you that there are no words to describe the magnitude or impact helping someone transform their lives, has on you. From coaching adults, teens, and children, each client has taught me valuable lessons. And I am on a mission to change lives!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The quote that says, “difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations” answers this question so well. Because most journeys are filled with bumps, turns, things we do not foresee, and events that are out of our control. Mines certainly was.
But when I read this question the first that came to mind was getting over my fear of being in front of a camera. As an entrepreneur, you must put yourself out there. And I knew my next step as a Life Coach was to put myself on social media. But I was deathly afraid of what others would think. So I restored to old thinking habits. It’s not like you wake up and then all of a sudden you’re “fixed” and all your insecurities, doubts, and worries go away. You must actively work on yourself each and every day to build that mind-muscle. So in the beginning, I would come up with any excuse as to why I couldn’t film. Things like, “I didn’t have the right equipment. Or I didn’t have the energy.” And I would get so angry at myself. Then those little voices would tell me that I am not good enough. The imposter syndrome would come out and I would say, “who am I to do this?”
And that took a toll on my self-esteem. And for one second, I wanted to pull the plug. But my partner, my support team, and the life coaching skills I had learned pushed me to do it. The first time I filmed a video, I was so scared, but I knew this was the next step in my journey. Slowly but surely, I started making more and more films until my comfort being in front of a camera grew to another level. Which grew my confidence, which led to getting asked to do professional photoshoots and public speaking events!
If you pay close attention, you will realize that those struggles along the way are there to teach you a lesson!
We’ve been impressed with Life Coaching with Edna, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Let me begin by explaining what life coaching is. Life coaching is a conversation between a coach and a client in which they explore the client’s desired goals, what they would like to experience in life, and get them to exactly that.
So as a life coach, my goal is to get my clients to break the toxic cycles that hold them back so that they can live the life of their dreams. Which in the process, increases their confidence, and their perception of the world changes.
And we do this through my 1:1 coaching program. During our sessions, my client and I unpack the limiting beliefs, behaviors, habits, languages, and choices that are causing their circumstance. We explore their family’s behavioral pattern and the role they have taken on as a result of that. And we set weekly challenges for the client to ensure they reach their goals.
I am really proud to say that each client I work(ed) with has made beautiful results/changes in their lives. Some are now in really healthy relationships, some have better communication with their families and children, and all have increased their self-esteem. And knowing that is something I am extremely proud of.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
To be honest, I do not believe in luck. Because luck didn’t get me to where I am at. Luck didn’t get you to where you are at. It’s our actions that got us where we are at. When you take full responsibility for your life, you come to realize that your actions directly lead you to your results.
I chose to take action in my life, step out of my comfort zone, take risks, learn from my setbacks, try again, and because of that, I am in this position. Luck does not determine one’s faith, only we do.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.lifecoachingwithed.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coach.ed.la/?hl=en
Image Credits:
Charles Do Edgar Reyes Samantha Coelho
