We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cristi Hernz a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Cristi, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
How did I overcome imposter syndrome?
I realized I had truly overcome imposter syndrome during a trip to the Bahamas. While moving through immigration, I found myself in a moment that felt heavy, not because of anything dramatic, but because of how I was being perceived. It was a moment where I felt unseen, misunderstood, and energetically out of place.
But instead of shrinking, something inside me expanded.
That experience helped me understand a powerful truth: confidence isn’t shaped by how others treat you, it’s shaped by how you choose to carry yourself. In that moment, I chose to stand grounded in my identity, my purpose, and my growth. I realized that no external circumstance could define my worth or shake the certainty I’ve built within myself.
I overcame imposter syndrome by learning to trust who I am, even when environments feel unfamiliar or challenging. I no longer rely on validation, tone, or recognition to feel legitimate. My authenticity, my consistency, and my evolution are the proof.
That trip reminded me that belonging comes from within. It’s the quiet confidence that follows you everywhere you go, across borders, into rooms, onto stages, into opportunities.
I didn’t overcome imposter syndrome because the world suddenly became kinder.
I overcame it because I finally stopped questioning myself.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My name is Cristina Marie Hernandez, born and raised in Miami-Dade County, FL. I am a DJ, Producer, Educator, Author, Entrepreneur, Creative Ambassador, and Cultural leader.
The major focus for me right now is bringing all of my brands and initiatives together under one unified mission through FIMLA, the nonprofit my father founded in 2011. I recently reactivated it in 2024, and it has become a powerful home base for everything I do — music, education, art, community, culture, and creative empowerment.
For me, this is not just a business decision; it’s a legacy move.
Why FIMLA matters
FIMLA (International Foundation of Latin Music & the Arts) was born from my father’s passion for uplifting Latin music and creatives. Carrying that forward is deeply meaningful. Today, the foundation is expanding into youth education, cultural storytelling, community building, wellness programs, and creative development, reflecting the evolution of my artistry and my mission.
Unifying everything I’ve built
I’m now focused on bridging all my creative platforms and brands, Selva Beats MIA, Selva the Flamingo, my music releases, my DJ/producer work, my educational programs, and my community initiatives — under one umbrella. This allows everything to work cohesively rather than separately.
Instead of multiple lanes, I’m building one powerful ecosystem.
A purpose-driven ecosystem
This shift gives new meaning to the projects I create:
Music becomes a tool for cultural storytelling
Events become community experiences
Art becomes education
Wellness becomes connection
Creativity becomes empowerment
Through FIMLA, I’m able to scale my vision with structure, intention, and purpose. Whether it’s youth workshops, exhibitions, collaborations, philanthropic activations, or benefit concerts, everything now fits into a bigger picture.
What excites me most
This phase of my journey feels aligned and elevated. It feels like honoring my family’s legacy while embracing my unique contribution to the world. I get to build something that blends my father’s foundation with my voice, my generation, and the communities I care so deeply about.
Bringing everything together under FIMLA is helping me step into leadership in a way that feels authentic, empowered, and generational.
It’s not just a reactivation, it’s a rebirth.
And it’s the foundation for everything I’m building next.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
When I look back, three qualities stand out as the most impactful in shaping my path: resilience, creativity, and leadership through teaching. Each one has guided me through different seasons of my journey and continues to evolve as I do.
1. Resilience: staying rooted no matter what
Resilience has been the foundation of everything. From stepping into unfamiliar industries to navigating setbacks, uncertainty, and growth moments, resilience is what allowed me to keep moving forward. It taught me to adapt, to trust timing, and to keep showing up even when the outcome wasn’t clear.
Advice:
Resilience isn’t built in comfort. It’s built in small moments where you choose not to give up. Start by practicing patience with yourself. Celebrate your progress. Allow challenges to teach you rather than defeat you.
2. Creativity: trusting my unique voice and vision
Creativity is where my identity lives. As a DJ, producer, storyteller, and visual artist, creativity allowed me to build my own lane instead of waiting to be invited into someone else’s. It helped me break the mold, experiment, and stay true to my cultural roots while expanding my artistry.
Advice:
Don’t wait for permission to create. Start with what you have. Explore without pressure. The more you create, the more you find your voice, and the more your voice becomes your power.
3. Teaching: leading with empathy, structure, and communication
My years as a classroom teacher shaped me in ways I didn’t fully appreciate until later. Teaching gave me the ability to break complex ideas into simple concepts, connect with people, guide conversations, motivate others, and communicate clearly. It strengthened my patience and taught me how to lead from the heart, skills I now apply to music, community-building, and every creative project I guide.
Advice:
Whether you’re a teacher or not, learn how to communicate. Learn how to listen. Learn how to guide others.
Leadership isn’t about being loud, it’s about being able to inspire clarity, direction, and confidence in the people around you.
Final Thought
These three qualities: resilience, creativity, and the teaching spirit, became the backbone of who I am as an artist and entrepreneur. They helped me grow through each chapter, pivot with purpose, manage my environments, and build something meaningful from the ground up.
For anyone early in their journey:
Focus on strengthening who you are, not just what you do.
Skills can be learned. Tools can be acquired. But the qualities you cultivate within yourself will carry you the farthest.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
One book that played a significant role in my development is The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin. In 2022, I read it during my cognitive behavioral therapy sessions at Mt. Sinai Behavioral Center in Miami Beach, under the care of Dr. Flowers, someone who I am very thankful for being placed in my path as a guide. He introduced me to this book at a time when I needed clarity, structure, and a deeper understanding of myself, and it truly shifted the way I move through life.
The most powerful lessons I gained from it were:
1. Everyone is wired differently, and that’s a strength, not a flaw.
This book helped me understand why people react to expectations in such different ways. Instead of frustration or pressure, I gained empathy. It allowed me to communicate better, collaborate with more awareness, and release unrealistic expectations of myself and others.
2. Self-awareness changes everything.
Through the lens of the four tendencies, I learned to work with my nature instead of against it. Therapy paired with this framework gave me language for my habits, motivations, and creative rhythms. It became a mirror reflecting not only who I was, but who I could become with understanding and intention.
3. Insight improves relationships and teamwork.
Whether in music, community-building, or collaborations, knowing how others are wired brings harmony. It taught me to meet people where they are, to avoid taking things personally, and to communicate in ways that strengthen connection.
4. Success is not one-size-fits-all.
This was one of the most liberating truths. Some thrive with routine; others thrive with flow. I realized I didn’t need to change myself, I just needed to support myself with systems that match my authentic design.
Why this mattered in my journey
Reading this book during CBT at Mt. Sinai Miami Beach, guided by Dr. Flowers, marked a turning point in my growth. It helped me unlearn old patterns, see myself with clarity, and approach life with more compassion and intention. It grounded me in my truth and allowed me to embrace my unique rhythm, in creativity, healing, and leadership.
It wasn’t just a book;
it was a tool that empowered me to step into a more aligned, resilient, and self-aware version of myself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.fimla.org
- Instagram: @fimlaorg
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cristina-hernandez-454300b2
- Twitter: @cristihernzofc
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/cristihernz
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1yfven0GljcoQcJv8OnteE
Image Credits
Valeria Sarto – Childhood Best Friend and Photographer (Paris, FR)
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
