Niurka Calero Alayón shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Niurka , thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: Would YOU hire you? Why or why not?
Absolutely, I would hire me without hesitation. I would do so with the deep conviction that I am an extremely valuable professional and that I can contribute significant value here. My focus on punctuality, constant creativity, established routines, and my ability to be nonjudgmental are pillars of my way of working and my commitment to excellence and mutual respect. My professional career is built on a solid foundation in academia and the arts. I hold a degree as a theater instructor, obtained in Havana on October 24, 1984. During that time, I had the privilege of working directly with some of my country’s greatest artists and in such important institutions as ICAIC (Cuban Institute of Cinematographic Art and Industry) and ICRT (Cuban Institute of Radio and Television). This experience provided me with rigorous discipline, a unique perspective on human communication in high-visibility environments, and honed my ability to actively observe and listen, allowing me to learn quickly and deeply analyze every situation. Over the past two decades, I have built an exceptionally diverse and robust background, complimenting my educational and cultural foundation. I have had the opportunity to work at various firms, which has allowed me to adapt to different corporate cultures and methodologies, always striving for efficiency and excellence. My experience in television channels has equipped me with unparalleled agility in communication, content management under pressure, and the ability to connect with diverse audiences—essential skills for interpreting and translation. Furthermore, my participation in crisis rooms has sharpened my critical thinking and quick, effective decision-making under high-pressure scenarios, invaluable in situations where linguistic precision and immediacy are crucial. My experience writing books not only demonstrates my capacity for in-depth research and the structuring of complex ideas, but also a high level of discipline, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate messages clearly and persuasively—all fundamental qualities for translation and interpreting. My commitment to effective communication and the creation of valuable content is undeniable. Proof of this is my YouTube channel, a platform in which I have invested a significant amount of my time and creativity. Although it doesn’t generate monetary value for me, this channel is a passion project where I have more than 4,650 videos dedicated to sharing knowledge, tips, and suggestions on various topics. This initiative not only highlights my proactivity and ability to generate impact in the cultural sphere, but also my self-discipline, consistency, and mastery of digital content creation. Over the past three years, I have been at the forefront, utilizing cutting-edge technology such as Streamyard, Metaia, Gemini, among many other applications, which have optimized my performance and allowed me to work more efficiently and accurately. This technological immersion is a reflection of my commitment to innovation in my field. Simultaneously, I have been deeply involved in furthering my own education, receiving certifications through countless hours of listening and teamwork. This dedication not only validates my knowledge and skills but also demonstrates my commitment to continuous improvement and collaborative excellence. Regarding my ability to work in a team, which I consider essential, I would like to highlight my monthly participation in Straz meetings, where I actively observe and participate, contributing strategic ideas and collaborating closely in decision-making. Furthermore, my experience extends to collaborating with teams from other countries, where I have had the opportunity to showcase and discuss my creative work, enriching my perspective and capacity for intercultural collaboration. This global experience reinforces my ability to adapt to diverse environments and contribute value from different angles. I understand that time management is key, and my availability is specific due to my current commitments, which include my active participation in my daughter Gabriella’s school production. Every time she has a production, I am present, contributing time and whatever is necessary to ensure its success. This dedication, along with my experience and focus, continues and reflects my commitment to the projects I am involved in and my ability to manage multiple responsibilities effectively.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Me llamo Niurka Calero Alayón. Soy una artista cubanoamericana que, desde muy pequeña, sintió la vocación de la creación y la comunicación. Mi marca personal se ha forjado a través de una trayectoria única, que incluye más de 4650 videos en mi canal de YouTube: Patio con Niurka Calero Alayón, donde he creado y compartido contenido desde 2009. “Series realidad” aborda temas profundos de la vida, mientras que en “Hablando de Cine, series”, exploro el arte cinematográfico en colaboración con otros creadores que también utilizan esta plataforma. Lo que hace especial mi trabajo es la autenticidad y la pasión con la que busco conectar y ayudar a mi público, usando mi voz y mi perspectiva única para inspirar y tender puentes.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
“What breaks the bonds between people is a lack of understanding, a lack of empathy, and, above all, the fear of being authentic and vulnerable. Judgment, uncommunicated expectations, and an inability to see beyond our own perspectives are powerful barriers. What restores them is genuine communication, a willingness to listen without prejudice, recognition of the shared humanity in others, and acceptance. Often, a simple act of kindness, a sincere smile, or the courage to share a personal truth can dissolve those barriers and remind people of what truly unites them.”
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
Dejé de ocultar mi dolor y comencé a usarlo como una fuente inagotable de energía desde muy joven, cuando una enfermedad me obligó a vivir con dolor constante y largos periodos de descanso. Esto fue un doble golpe: no solo me enfrentaba al sufrimiento físico, sino también a la devastadora realidad de tener que renunciar a mi gran pasión: el ballet. Empecé a bailar en primaria, soñando con ser bailarina clásica, y la enfermedad me robó esa posibilidad. Sin embargo, lejos de paralizarme, esta adversidad me obligó a encontrar nuevas alternativas de crecer y nutrir mi espíritu, transformando mi sufrimiento en resiliencia y una visión más profunda. Confinada al descanso, descubrí el inmenso mundo de la literatura clásica. Autores como Goethe, Balsac, Pío Baroja, Unamuno, Cervantes, Shakespeare y otros grandes pensadores se convirtieron en mis compañeros y maestros, moldeando profundamente mi pensamiento y perspectiva sobre la vida y las personas. Estas lecturas, junto con mi propio camino de superación personal, me forjaron desde muy joven.
Fue precisamente en 1983, cuando el proceso de empezar a escribir poesía se reveló como mi primera oportunidad para expresar todo lo que bullía en mi interior: el dolor, las profundas reflexiones de mis lecturas y esa compleja amalgama de emociones y experiencias. La poesía se convirtió en mi voz, mi refugio y el catalizador que transformó esas experiencias en una fuente de fortaleza y autoconocimiento. Y, fíjense, aunque aún no me había graduado de la escuela de instructores de teatro, ya estaba inmersa en ese trabajo, demostrando cómo estas experiencias me habían preparado para guiar y compartir mi experiencia incluso antes de la validación formal.
Con el tiempo, he aprendido que el dolor y la frustración pueden redefinir el propósito. Ver a mi hija, con síndrome de Down, bailar ballet con tanta pasión y gracia es la manifestación más pura de cómo un sueño que creía perdido se ha reinventado y sigue vivo a través de ella. Es una poderosa lección de resiliencia y de cómo las limitaciones pueden abrir puertas a propósitos inesperados e incluso más profundos, empoderándome y forjando una visión única del mundo.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
Una convicción o proyecto con el que estoy profundamente comprometida, sin importar el tiempo que lleve ni los desafíos que surjan, es la educación integral de mi hija Gabriella. Mi compromiso con su educación va más allá de lo académico; implica ser una guía constante, fomentando su curiosidad, pensamiento crítico, valores y bienestar emocional. Es un proyecto de vida que requiere paciencia, adaptabilidad y visión de futuro. Sé que los resultados más significativos no se ven de la noche a la mañana, sino que son fruto de una inversión constante y un seguimiento dedicado.
Paralelamente, mi canal de YouTube es el segundo proyecto con el que estoy firmemente comprometido. El canal no es solo una plataforma para compartir contenido; es una extensión de mi deseo de crear, innovar y conectar con mi público. Ahí comparto mi pasión por el arte, aportando valor y construyendo una comunidad. Gestionar un canal de YouTube exige una visión clara, capacidad de ejecución, adaptación a nuevas tendencias y tecnologías, y aprendizaje continuo. Requiere resiliencia ante los desafíos, capacidad de comunicación eficaz y la disciplina de mantener la constancia y la calidad.
Y, por supuesto, un tercer compromiso fundamental es seguir estudiando y preparándome constantemente. Esto es vital para mi trabajo como intérprete, una profesión que he ejercido durante dos décadas. Para ayudar y empatizar de verdad con las personas, es esencial estar plenamente al tanto de lo que ocurre en el mundo y en la sociedad. El desarrollo continuo es un proceso diario, y estoy dedicada a ello.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
“Absolutely, I’m doing what I was born to do, because I’ve always been a person driven by my deepest desire to follow an authentic path. For me, that path has manifested itself clearly in my calling as an interpreter, a role through which I directly fulfill what I consider my fundamental purpose in life: to help others. Every day, by facilitating communication and building bridges between people and cultures, I know I’m using my skills to serve, support, and empower others.
But my commitment to helping isn’t limited to my profession. It’s a life philosophy I apply to every interaction. Every time I step out on the street, I actively seek the opportunity to help someone, even with the simplest gesture, like a smile. I firmly believe that a genuine smile has the power to brighten someone’s day, to offer comfort, or simply to remind them that they are not alone.
And along this path, I’ve internalized a vital lesson: no one has to suffer your pain, and no one deserves to be disrespected because you’re in pain. My own experience of transforming the Adversity has taught me that pain, although personal, is not a license to harm others. On the contrary, it’s an opportunity to exercise empathy and maintain dignity in all interactions. You don’t need to tell people you’re in pain all the time, because pain is something that resides in your mind. You can control it. And if you can’t control it, then the pain controls you, and you end up having to live a life of medication and limitations.
This conviction of being aligned with my innate purpose, which extends from my professional work to the smallest everyday act of kindness and my philosophy on managing suffering personally, is what drives me and confirms that I am exactly where I need to be, building the legacy of service, respect, authenticity, and mental strength that I have set for myself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://niurkacalero.medium.com/
- Instagram: IG: https://www.instagram.com/niurka_calero
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/niurkacaleroalayon/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blueniurka/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAtsX-FIMNsRkNNkg9xIIEw
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/iurkaalero
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/-/es/gp/product/172703225X/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0
Image Credits
Niurka Calero
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