Life & Work with Angelique Serrano of Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Angelique Serrano

Hi Angelique, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am originally from Philadelphia, PA, and made my move across the country to Los Angeles, CA in 2020, during all the COVID madness. I was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) at the age of 15 and had never heard about lupus before then. No one in my family ever heard of it, and when they did, they treated it like AIDS or cancer. I remember being scared, and rebelling against my illness because I just couldn’t accept that this “thing” can alter my life so much. Well, my rebellious stage didn’t last too long, and caused multiple hospital stays and increased medication usage. It wasn’t until I connected with to the Lupus Foundation of America that I finally felt seen and heard by my peers. I was finally able to explain my condition to all my friends and family in a simple form and made necessary changes to my everyday life that helped my health tremendously. My battle with lupus inspired me to learn more about the U.S. healthcare system, and disease prevention. I enrolled in Temple University where I graduated with my B.S. in Public Health in 2017, however my path to graduation was a long 10 years. For some reason that always blow people’s minds when I tell them, and then I explain how many times I was in and out of the hospital and had flare ups, then they somewhat understand, or try to. During my years at Temple, I worked various service jobs and even tried the non-profit world post-graduation. However, at the time that job did not suit me, or my needs so I returned to what I knew, the fast-paced food service industry. Fast forward to March 2020, the restaurant I was employed at shut down due to COVID and my sister had just given birth to my niece in Los Angeles. Us being the tight knit Puerto Rican family we are, I hoped on a flight by August with two checked in bags, and two carry-on bags, never looking back. I began working for the government by October 2020 and was doing well until they decided to terminate our positions by April 2022. Luckily, I had begun my journey as a freelance Notary Public and was already researching graduate programs at the time. I was enrolled in school full time by Fall 2022 in route to earn my Master’s in Integrative and Functional Medicine, with a Concentration in Cannabinoid Medical Sciences. I then began working part-time at a cannabis dispensary with goals of learning the ins and outs of the business and such. The industry was a lot different than I expected and wasn’t as medically based as I hoped it would be, so I left that job. My work schedule also began to affect my schoolwork which anyone who knows me, knows that’s always been my number one priority. Around that time, I met the love of my life, and we enjoyed our honeymoon phase living in pure bliss for about 6 months. In Fall 2023 his dad became ill with terminal cancer, and we decided to step in to help, all while I was pursuing my graduate degree. My father-in-law sadly passed away in June 2024 and that really affected our lives and mental health. I almost skipped my graduation ceremony in August 2024 because I felt so guilty for celebrating myself during such a sad time. But I knew he’d want me there, and my partner agreed so we attended graduation, and I am so happy we did because I was a recipient of the President’s Award! It has been challenging getting back to normalcy lately, but my podcast does help a lot and gives me an outlet that allows me to share my stories on living with lupus in hopes of giving comfort and ambition to anyone watching who is battling some sort of chronic condition. This May I am hosting my first ever World Lupus Day event in DTLA. My goal is to plan more events soon that cater to the lupus community and other individuals battling autoimmune diseases to help spread awareness and show that we can have fun too! It’s all about creating opportunities to connect, raise awareness, and demonstrate that living with a chronic condition doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy life to the fullest.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My road with lupus has been anything but smooth. As mentioned earlier, it took me 10 years to complete my undergrad degree. During that time, I had obtained various jobs, some part-time, some full-time. Many jobs I had to leave because they did not suit me or my health, I also had to obtain school accommodations in high school and during my undergrad at Temple because my mental health was affected, and I became such an anxious person. Other struggles were more physical. Watching my body change before my eyes while dealing with weight loss, weight gain, rashes, swollen limbs, ulcers in my mouth, and hair loss. My hair was always my crown, and I held it at such a standard until my diagnosis with lupus. Once I cut my hair, I began experimenting haircuts and had tried almost every color; purple, blue, aqua green, black blue and even blonde. Losing my identity was the hardest thing I’ve ever been through. And now lupus has become a part of my identity, and I say that with pride.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have always felt like I identified as a “professional” or educator, however my experiences have now shaped me to feel more like a creative where I am able to educate my audience in a way that is entertaining and easy to digest. I currently work as a teaching assistant and for an online university and am a freelance notary public. My background is in public health and disease prevention. However, upon the completion of my master’s program I gained an even greater interest in integrated and functional medicine, and how it aims to treat diseases such as lupus by addressing not only the symptoms, but also the root causes. I have a strong interest in cannabinoid medical sciences and truly believe that the plant can be a powerful tool for various medical conditions, and symptom relief. I hope to help individuals create holistic and individualized treatment plans that can help reduce inflammation and alterations to their immune system, while also identifying and eliminating triggers such as food sensitivities. Nutrition is my passion, and I believe food can be medicine for all.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I believe in life you must take risks to see what is out there. Risks are scary, but so necessary for growth. My biggest fear has always been living in regret and not achieving the goals I have set for myself. Leaving my hometown and moving across the county during COVID in 2020 was the biggest risk I’ve ever taken thus far and has been so rewarding. It has been the best decision I’ve ever made for myself, and I honestly don’t think my move would have ever happened if I didn’t just go when I did. I originally had planned on moving to LA once I completed my undergrad program at Temple University, but life and other career paths delayed my move. Moving to LA allowed me grow and learn more about myself. I got to unlearn and relearn a lot of principles I had applied to my life based off past traumas. I know that God has put me on this path for a reason, and it’s only the beginning of this new season I am in! My biggest risk has also been my greatest blessing.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://instagram.com/lupusandthecity
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/lupusandthecity
• LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/angelique-s-67458123a
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lupusandthecity

Image Credits
Dana Street
Rachael Dorrothy