Delaila Catalino of New York City on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We recently had the chance to connect with Delaila Catalino and have shared our conversation below.

Delaila, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What are you chasing, and what would happen if you stopped?
I’m chasing a lifestyle I don’t need a break from one built on purpose, freedom, and fulfillment. I want to live life fully on my own terms, where rest isn’t a reward but part of the rhythm, and impact is something I leave behind in everything I do.

If I stopped chasing that, it would be a missed opportunity, not just for me, but for the version of myself I’m becoming. Because the truth is, no one’s coming to save me. I’ve learned that I can’t rely on anyone or anything else to build the life I want. It’s on me.

So I keep going — not out of pressure, but out of belief that what I’m chasing is worth it.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Delaila Catalino, a digital media strategist, storyteller, and the co-founder of Non-Corporate Girls, a podcast and media platform dedicated to redefining success, creativity, and wellness for the modern working woman.

After spending 15 years in the beauty and CPG industries, I made a major career pivot into health tech, where I now get to merge my passion for storytelling with purpose-driven innovation. In my current role, I not only get to flex my digital media skills but also help shape new media opportunities that amplify voices and ideas making a real-world impact.

At the core, everything I do whether it’s through Non-Corporate Girls or my professional work its about creating meaningful connections, empowering stories, and spaces where authenticity leads.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
I was really shaken to my core right after I graduated college. I didn’t realize what I was walking into. I had been so focused on following “the path”: get good grades, go to college, graduate, and then land the dream job. I truly believed that was the formula.

But when I stepped into the real world, that bubble burst. The opportunities I thought would be waiting for me weren’t there, and it hit my ego and confidence hard. Not landing my dream job right away forced me to confront the reality that having a degree wasn’t enough.

That experience opened my eyes to what success actually looks like, it’s not handed to you because you followed the rules. It’s built through persistence, relationships, and self-belief. That realization completely shifted how I view my journey and the world around me.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
A fear that still lingers for me is the fear of who I need to become to be successful and whether I can truly sustain what that takes.

Even as I grow and reach new milestones, I sometimes find myself questioning if I’m capable of maintaining the habits, discipline, and consistency that long-term success requires. It’s an internal battle between who I am and who I know I can be.

I’ve come to realize that this fear stems from a scarcity mindset and a lack of visible examples growing up of people who looked like me achieving success in ways that felt attainable. But acknowledging that has been part of my healing and growth. I’m learning that becoming successful isn’t about changing who I am, it’s about trusting that I already have what it takes to evolve and sustain it.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would probably say that what matters most to me is staying true to who I am. No matter the setting, I always strive to show up as my most authentic self. They’d also say that I value joy finding reasons to laugh, celebrate, and stay present and that I’m deeply intentional about showing up for the people who matter most to me.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
For me it was the opposite, there was a time I worked hard for something I thought I really wanted, only to realize later on that it wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. Layoffs took place, the company was involved in heated controversy’s for things that did not align with me morally. At first, I was disappointed and even questioned myself for wanting it so badly. But with time, I understood that it simply wasn’t in alignment with what I truly desired or needed at that point in my life.

That experience taught me one of my biggest lessons: never force what’s not meant for you. What’s truly for you will flow freely — no resistance, no convincing, just alignment. And I’ve learned to trust that flow ever since.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
N/A- Photos taken on our phone

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Highlighter Series
What would your closest friends say really matters to you?

If you asked your best friends what really drives you—what they think matters most in

Highlighter Series
When do you feel most at peace?

In a culture that often celebrates hustle and noise, peace can feel rare. Yet, peace

Highlighter Series
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?

Almost everything is multisided – including the occurrences that give us pain. So, we asked