Meet Martha Salgado

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Martha Salgado a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Martha , appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?

In every difficult moment of my life, there is a powerful force that never leaves me: Faith.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

My Story – A Life of Faith and Resilience

I was born in a small town known as the Musical City of Colombia: Ibagué. I studied in a school run by nuns and quickly stood out for my talents in public speaking, recitation, and writing. These gifts made me well known throughout my school and my city. I wrote a novel that won the National “Porvenires” Literature Prize, awarded by the Colombian Academy of Language. That recognition sparked my passion for the law. Studying law became my dream, and I pictured myself in court, presenting my arguments and legal theories.

The challenge was that my small town had no law school. To pursue my dream, I would have to move to Bogotá, the capital. That seemed almost impossible. My parents were poor and had no means to pay for law school, much less support me living away from home. But I was so determined that, with enormous sacrifice, my parents agreed. I left for Bogotá to study law.

It was a hard road. There were days I had no food, and I lacked warm clothes for the cold weather, since I came from a hot climate. But I never let go of my vision: I saw myself in my gown, cap in hand, receiving my law degree. I became one of the best students in my class. My deep desire to achieve my goal kept me strong, and I knew I would make it.

I continued to grow as a lawyer and completed two more specializations. I built a respected and successful career. I married and had two children, who are the light of my life. I held important positions and organized conferences, fully devoted to my profession. But one day, for safety reasons, my family had to leave Colombia and come to the United States—something I had never imagined. I had to leave my profession, my home, my family, and friends. Everything.

The change was dramatic. I had to work in jobs I had never done before—cleaning houses, waiting tables. There were many nights of tears and uncertainty. My heart ached. But then came strength. Faith. I told myself that everything I do must be done with gratitude and joy. Just as I had been an excellent legal professional, I would be a great server, a proud cleaner. Neither bitterness nor pride would take root in my heart. I chose to smile and be thankful as a way to ease the pain.

While living in the U.S. and unable to return to Colombia, my father passed away. At the same time, I went through a divorce. It was a dark time. I no longer understood what had happened to my life. I began to seek God. I longed for His embrace. Every night, I closed my eyes and told Him, “I love You. I want to feel Your loving arms around me.”

I went through a turbulent phase where I no longer knew who I was or where I was going. I worked tirelessly to support my children. One day I sat down to reconnect with myself. I decided to stop, reflect, and return to the path I knew I could still walk. I remembered the resilience of my mother and understood that there is nothing in life that I cannot overcome.

I joined an American bar association and slowly began to rebuild my professional path. I created a strategy to support myself financially. But still, my spirit remained restless.

Then, on May 1, 2015, my daughter suffered a catastrophic accident. Her body was shattered, like porcelain broken into a thousand pieces. She was placed in a medically induced coma. Amid that tragedy, something extraordinary happened: I felt God’s presence so powerfully. I was filled with His love and compassion. I knew everything would be okay. I faced that time with a smile, as if nothing were happening, full of unshakable peace. That experience was the clearest message of my life: Faith conquers all.

There is nothing we cannot survive. When we receive each experience with love and live each moment as a lesson, everything aligns in harmony. Yes, there is pain. Yes, there are fragile moments. But that invincible faith fills our soul and helps us go on.

Today, I am a proud mother, an entrepreneur managing my own immigration support practice, and a master’s student on the path to obtaining my license as an American attorney. I run a YouTube channel on immigration topics and continue to grow professionally. Sharing what I learn, helping others, and walking in gratitude and faith every day—this is my greatest joy.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I believe in the power of passion, persistence, and never losing sight of who we truly are.
When you feel lost or unsure of which path to take, schedule a meeting with yourself. One day I learned that this is the most important appointment in life.

Ask yourself: What do I want to do with my life? What are my talents? What truly excites me?
Then, create a plan. Outline realistic goals. And begin walking.

Walk slowly, steadily, and with faith.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

First and foremost, my faith in God has always been with me. I truly believe that this faith is part of my life’s purpose and spiritual learning in this world.

Second, my mother—a strong, exemplary woman with unwavering strength—has been my lifelong inspiration. She was a warrior in every sense and taught me resilience.

And of course, my children. Each of them has given me the strength I need to never give up.
My daughter is a source of inspiration and faith, and my son, a model of discipline and tenacity.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @marthalsalgado_
• Facebook: Martha L Salgado
• Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC-tSHVmpWiFCvDbJPRnTBTA