Meet Arlene Margarita

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Arlene Margarita. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Arlene below.

Arlene, we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

I used to struggle with indecisiveness, feeling disconnected from my true self. But I found my way back by reconnecting with my body and its wisdom—feeling the sensations, the breath, and the subtle cues that remind me of my intentions, needs, and values. This journey was about more than just a mental shift; it was a deep, embodied experience.

Growing up, I felt different. My indigenous features, my refusal to follow mainstream trends, and my unconventional spirit set me apart. But instead of letting fear take over, I embraced my uniqueness. It fueled my creativity, curiosity, and adventurous spirit, even when it meant walking a path less traveled.

There was a time in my life when I felt disconnected from my roots and unsure of my identity. From the ages of 15 to 21, I grappled with expectations—from my family, society, and even myself. I was trying to fit into molds that didn’t align with my true self. But deep down, I knew I had to redefine who I was, beyond the roles and beliefs imposed on me.

This journey began when I decided to invest in my own health. I pursued a health coaching certification, attended retreats, and sought guidance from spiritual and personal mentors. My decision to pause my university education and focus on health coaching allowed me to understand the profound impact of our choices on our well-being. It also gave me the space to reflect, heal, and grow.

Returning to Oaxaca in 2018 marked a pivotal moment in my journey. Immersing myself in the rich cultural heritage of my roots, I began to reconnect with the ancestral wisdom that had always been a part of me. Then in 2022, I returned to Oaxaca for a longer stay, where I lived with a friend in the southern isthmus. The humid heat, the textile colored culture, and the sacred healing rituals of Santiago Laollaga Oaxaca became my teachers. I learned about ancestral therapies, plant medicines, and the deep connection between the land and our well-being. It felt like a reconnection with practices that were always meant to be part of my life.

Growing up, I watched my aunts and extended family practice ancestral limpias, but it wasn’t until I immersed myself in this journey that I truly understood the energy behind it. I learned how to care for and protect my energy, and how to navigate healing sessions with intention and respect for the person in front of me. This experience deepened my understanding that life is far greater than we often perceive. I now believe that I am protected, guided, and living with the strength of my ancestors, who are always with me.

This reconnection to my roots has been transformative. It taught me that we are nature, and like nature, we are cyclical beings. Everything in life flows with a perfect intelligence, driven by love and connection. I realized that my life didn’t have to be dictated by the expectations of others. I could live according to my own values, intentions, guidance and wisdom of my ancestors.

My relationships growing up were often unhealthy because I didn’t yet know how to advocate for myself. I repeated patterns I had seen in my parents’ relationship, but as I traveled and invested in my growth, I began to break those cycles. I felt supported by life itself as I learned to care for myself so that I could show up fully for myself then community.

My path has been unconventional, but it’s in this unconventionality that I found my strength. The more I followed my intuition and lived by my guiding values, the stronger my spirit became. My confidence and self-esteem were not built overnight; they were cultivated through experiences that revealed the scope of life beyond my limited perspective. By aligning with the laws of nature and honoring my body’s cyclical rhythms, I learned to channel and direct my energy in powerful ways. I now see myself as a co-creator in this world, working in harmony with the seasons of my life.

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?

Currently, I’ve returned to university because last year, I realized I wasn’t giving my dreams the energy they deserved. A quote that resonates deeply with me is: ‘There are two people you should make proud in life—your 8-year-old self and your 80-year-old self.’ I don’t want to live in fear or with a victim mentality. I’ve experienced my share of traumas, from sexual abuse and domestic abuse to people-pleasing, but I’ve always known that my dreams of becoming a teacher and doctor were stronger than the challenges I faced. It took time to reclaim my strength and spirit, to pour love into myself, and to protect and care for my well-being in ways I never imagined were possible for me.

Growing up, many of my choices were driven by hidden fears, including my relationship with food, which evolved into an eating disorder disguised as veganism. I was disconnected from my body’s needs, both physically and emotionally. But through deep reflection, mentorship, and allowing myself to live my desires, I began to hear my true voice. I realized that I’ve always held power within me, and that power will never be taken away.

Recognizing that I wasn’t fully aligned with my dreams, I decided to refocus on my intention—building my foundation. While I’ve gained invaluable experience helping my mom with her cleaning business, I knew that I needed to pursue my passion for becoming a naturopathic doctor. I’ve recently created my first course, launching early this Fall, on redefining your relationship with your body and food. In this course, participants explore their root beliefs, decolonize outdated narratives about their bodies, and learn how to nourish themselves throughout different life stages, all while curating their lifestyle to support holistic well-being.

Learning and implementing what I’ve discovered through my life experiences, travels, and the guidance of my mentors is my current focus. My journey now is about being of service to my community. I’ve been offering energetic limpias within my community, a practice that deeply connects me to my ancestors and their wisdom—something I’m truly honored to hold space for. Working alongside plantas de poder (sacred plants) continues to show me that this medicine has always been here, teaching and guiding us. I approach this work with deep respect, collaborating with these sacred plants to support healing and transformation.

The brand I Am Wellness is deeply rooted in the respect and relationship we have with our bodies. It’s about returning to the body, feeling the movement of life within us, strengthening the relationship you have with yourself, and moving out of the mind’s ‘shoulds’ into a place of truth and groundedness. My journey began at one of the most painful points—my period. I engaged in deep work with my womb, understanding its energy and redefining my relationship with her, especially with the stories I had and hadn’t felt. Within my womb, I was able to reclaim my own truth; I called back my power from those who had taken it through abuse, brought acknowledgment and respect to my womb, including letting go and closing the chapters of miscarriages and abortion. This journey not only transformed my relationship with myself but also awakened a calling to women’s health, guiding me toward reigniting my desire to become a naturopathic doctor.

Although I am still a student of this work, the calling is ancestral. My great-grandmother was the curandera of the village where my parents are from, and knowing this has given me inspiration and strength. I’m learning and embracing practices such as sobadas (traditional bodywork) and honoring the whole person through holistic practices. What resonates most deeply with me is holding space for individuals to acknowledge their stories, allowing them to feel, heal, and give new meaning to their experiences. I feel a deep honor in providing this space, especially during a Women’s Ancestral Day Retreat that I co-facilitated, where I saw the profound impact of creating such spaces for others. In addition to this, I offer limpias (spiritual cleansings) in community settings, where the focus is on bringing intention into what’s present so that clarity is present to those seeking renewal.

Through I Am Wellness & Lifestyle, I focus on empowering individuals to reclaim their relationship with food and their bodies. My approach combines ancestral knowledge with mindful holistic modalities and transformative coaching practices. I offer personalized coaching sessions, curated womb ceremonies, and container spaces for self-connection. Together, we’ll uncover root causes, develop practical strategies for sustainable change, and redefine the journey of what it means to nourish and care for your body.

You are the medicine on this journey, and I’m here to support you every step of the way. If you feel a connection to this work, I invite you to schedule a call with me through my website. Whether you’re interested in a collaboration on retreats, mindfulness practices, women’s ancestral practices, holistic wellness, lifestyle, or health and nutrition coaching, I’m available through my website or Instagram. Thank you for taking the time to hear my story.

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

Taking Courage: One of the most impactful qualities in my journey has been courage, especially when I embarked on solo travels. Having a plan with intention has been key. Personally, writing things down has been incredibly powerful—getting those mental tasks and notes onto paper. I’ve found that once I write out my desires and goals in writing, I’ve set the manifestation in motion.

Commitment to Self: Another crucial quality is the commitment to having my own back. This can look different for each of us, but it’s about understanding how to support yourself through different seasons of life. For me, it has meant meal prepping, scheduling my agenda, and asking for help when needed. By knowing what I need and taking the steps to ensure my well-being, I’ve been able to maintain the energy required to pursue my northern light at the moment.

The Power of Mentors and Community: Lastly, the importance of mentors, coaches, and being around people who see you at your greatest cannot be overstated. Having someone who can offer a different perspective, and a curated roadmap, can transform your journey. It collapses the idea that you need to figure everything out on your own and helps you see what’s possible beyond your own perception.

Advice for Others: For those deepening or beginning their journey, start where you are now. Every circumstance is different, and this includes the resources available to you. While our backgrounds and experiences may vary, I encourage you not to let that become a cage that limits your potential. Begin by taking inventory of your life—perhaps by doing a wheel of life assessment—to understand what resources you have access to and identify three areas where you can make significant improvements.

It’s important to acknowledge where you are honestly, whether you’re recovering from trauma, navigating through challenges, or simply seeking growth. Recognize that help is available, and it’s okay to receive it. The journey begins in the mind, but the real transformation comes from consistently showing up for yourself. When you know your focus areas, you can start making decisions that align with your goals. Remember, it’s a process—a natural, cyclical process—and the beauty lies in our ability to reshape our narratives. That’s our power.

We’ve all got limited resources, time, energy, focus etc – so if you had to choose between going all in on your strengths or working on areas where you aren’t as strong, what would you choose?

Going All In vs. Being Well-Rounded: My Journey to Inner Harmony

As someone who thrives on exploration and adventure, I’ve always believed in the power of venturing into areas where I’ve faced resistance or fear. It’s not just about improving a skill; it’s about reshaping my perspective and challenging the beliefs I hold about my capabilities. When I encounter something unfamiliar, I no longer say, “This is unfamiliar and it seems hard. I don’t know how to do that.” Instead, I say “unfamiliar things take time” because I know that by diving into the unknown, I’ll eventually figure it out. Each time I go through these uncharted territories, my problem-solving skills sharpen, and my intuition strengthens. It’s like learning a new language—every challenge teaches me to hear the answers more clearly and piece together life’s puzzles with more confidence.

From Mediocrity to What Matters

In late 2022, I reached a point where I was simply tired of mediocrity—it felt like I was constantly cycling between committing to a goal and giving up. I realized I was afraid of leveling up. The frustration of wanting change led me to make a bold decision: I invested in personal fitness coaches to help me strengthen areas where I needed to see through. This journey was more than just physical; it was a deep dive into my own psyche. I confronted my beliefs and attitudes toward portioned meals and my resistance to rigid routines, and through this process, I made these practices attainable, personable and filled with gratitude, even when I felt debilitated.

But I didn’t stop there. I realized that if I truly wanted to transform, I couldn’t keep playing small. I had been putting something significant on the back burner—competing in my first bodybuilding competition. So, I committed to it instead of letting the idea continue to float. This decision brought with it a gift of lessons about self-reliance and the importance of asking for help. I discovered that some of my old practices were no longer serving me, and it was time to create a strong boundaries and new routine that aligned with my school, work, and training schedule.

Finding my groove became a puzzle to solve, and the process of alchemizing on the spot, and finishing training sessions week after week taught me consistency. This wasn’t just about building muscles; it was about strengthening habits and foundations that spilled over into other areas of my life. The discipline I cultivated in fitness helped me discover the best ways to study, follow through with my plans and overall provided me with a personal framework. Challenges have a way of amplifying everything—both strengths and weaknesses. They force you to lean on your foundational habits, and this experience reaffirmed the importance of investing in solid foundations that can support you when life seems to be “life-ing”. This journey gave me a deeper understanding that any investment in oneself is truly a gift of self-care.

Why This Matters: The Active Equation Between Strength and Exploration

So, do I think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to strive for well-roundedness? I believe the answer lies in recognizing that balance, as described in the book ‘Braiding Sweetgrass’, is an active equation. Reflect on and appreciate your strengths, but don’t shy away from areas where you’re less confident. By stepping into the unknown, you not only expand your skill set but also strengthen the core qualities that will carry you through any challenge. Whether it’s advocating for your needs or following through with your word, it’s in these moments of showing up that we truly grow. This growth feeds back into everything else we do, making us more resilient, more intuitive, and ultimately, more powerful in our journeys.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://reclaimingwombwisdom.com/
• Instagram: iamwellnessandlifestyle

Image Credits

Katelynn G. Product and Lifestyle Photographer

onlythegoodthingsphotography @onlythegoodthings.kv