Life & Work with Lindsey Teo of South LA (Crenshaw District)

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindsey Teo

Hi Lindsey, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m a proud LA native, born and raised in the Crenshaw district. I’ve always been someone who speaks her mind—definitely the Sagittarius in me! Back in 2023, I created Girl, Not This with the simple intention of building a safe space and community for those on their healing journeys, whether they’re dealing with grief or childhood wounds, or breaking generational curses.

I was inspired by listening to friends talk about their childhoods and realizing how much I related to their experiences, especially how their loved ones handled things. In the Latino community, mental health is often overlooked; going to therapy can get you labeled as crazy or make people think something’s wrong with you. The more I delved into my own shadow work, the more I felt the need to create my podcast.

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?
It has not been an easy road. I recently dropped an episode in Season 2, Episode 6, where I opened up about my own childhood trauma and the fears I have about getting deeper with Girl, Not This. A lot of it ties back to past bullying, people watching me from fake profiles, and dealing with imposter syndrome.
It’s been a really tough journey trying to keep up with everything. I still work a 9-5, manage my day-to-day life, and on top of that, I’m recording and editing all my episodes myself. It’s exhausting, but in the end, it’s all worth it. The support I’ve received from friends and family has been amazing, and it’s helped create a truly beautiful community!

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m literally just a girl—HAHA!

Honestly, I’m so proud of myself for not letting minor setbacks stop me from doing my podcast. Not on some cocky sh*t, but I truly am proud of how far I’ve come—not only through Girl, Not This, but mentally and spiritually. I’m someone who’s willing to push the boundaries in my family, someone who isn’t afraid to be heard. My entire life, I’ve been shown to stay quiet and not rock the boat. But I say F that! We deserve to be heard.

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned along my journey is the power of resilience and the importance of being true to myself, no matter what. Life has thrown its fair share of challenges my way—whether it’s dealing with childhood trauma, facing fears about being vulnerable on my podcast, or pushing against the boundaries my family and society tried to impose on me. But through it all, I’ve learned that my voice matters. I’ve discovered that I don’t have to stay quiet or play it safe to keep others comfortable. Instead, I’ve embraced the power of speaking up, of being heard, and of breaking generational curses, especially within my community. It’s taught me that growth—both mentally and spiritually—comes from standing firm in who I am, even when it’s uncomfortable or scary.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @Girlnotthis_la
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/1gcYH2xqV8KR7ajehAtr2y?si=921faf602b514146&nd=1&dlsi=b169bcdd9a5540d1

Image Credits
Luz Castillo-Barba