We were lucky to catch up with Atalie Oliva recently and have shared our conversation below.
Atalie, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
My resilience is deeply rooted in the legacy of those who came before me—their perseverance, sacrifices, and triumphs over obstacles inspire me every day. As the daughter of immigrants, I carry the privilege of knowing my family’s journey from Central America, along with the dreams that motivated them to seek a new life in the United States. These dreams and the stories of resilience they’ve shared fuel my own strength when I face challenges.
There’s a profound understanding that the same strength and determination that carried them through hardship also runs in my veins. Despite not having a clear pathway, they somehow managed to overcome countless barriers, showing me that our dreams are achievable and we can write new stories for ourselves. This belief in my ancestors’ strength drives me to keep moving forward.
Additionally, I draw on the principles of Stoic philosophy, which has taught me to face adversity with perspective and calmness. It reminds me that virtue and strength are cultivated within, and this internal foundation allows me to navigate challenges with a grounded, enduring mindset.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’m the founder of The Bitter Woman Network, a online platform and community supporting BIPOC women on their personal development journeys. As the eldest daughter of immigrants, raised in Southeast Los Angeles my experiences navigating professional and personal spaces where filled with experiences where I felt unseen or misunderstood which led me to create this network. I know the pain and complexity of carrying generational trauma while striving to grow and succeed, only to find that so many “rules” for success are built for people who don’t share our experiences or identities.
The Bitter Woman Network was born out of the feeling that so many BIPOC women share: that our stories, backgrounds, and cultural contexts are often sidelined or ignored in traditional professional and personal development spaces. For years, I tried to conform to a mold that didn’t resonate with me, where success was defined through narratives that didn’t reflect my reality. It was during the pandemic that I recognized this as a strength rather than a limitation. And so, what started as my quiet “bitter” rebellion against those spaces became a community of women who are redefining what it means to be successful, strong, and unapologetically true to ourselves.
The Bitter Woman Network offers an approach that is trauma-informed, holistic, and community-centered. We host workshops, community events, and coaching sessions on topics like self-care, identity, and professional growth that honor our whole selves—our stories, our struggles, and our community. We provide a space that doesn’t require anyone to conform or downplay their culture or background. Instead, we celebrate it as the powerful foundation that it is.
What excites me most about this work is seeing women find a place where they truly feel seen and understood—often for the first time. When I think about the future of The Bitter Woman Network, I feel the energy of all the women who stand with us. In 2025, we’re expanding with more events, workshops, and tailored 1:1 coaching services for women who are ready to grow and thrive. We’re creating new ways for our community to connect, and we’re committed to building spaces where women can be their full, complex selves.
To anyone reading this who has ever felt out of place or overlooked, know that this space is for you. At The Bitter Woman Network, we’re here to support you in your journey to reclaim your story, stand tall in your truth, and redefine what success looks like—on your terms.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Empathy, authenticity, and grit.
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?
The most influential book I’ve read, and one that has deeply transformed the way I think and act, is The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman. It has had a profound impact on how I approach life by reminding me of the impermanence of our existence: we are not immortal, and tomorrow is never guaranteed. This awareness guides my choices and actions each day, encouraging me to live purposefully in the present.
The book has inspired me to reflect on my purpose and motivated me to launch this business. If tomorrow isn’t promised, then I may as well pursue my dreams boldly, make courageous choices, and live with virtue. The Stoic teachings have also offered me tools to manage my anxiety and find moments of calm.
Drawing from the wisdom of Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius—thinkers who themselves overcame significant challenges—the book emphasizes a simple yet powerful mantra: “Focus on what you can control.” Everything else is secondary.
With this mindset, I’ve been able to make positive shifts in my life, leaning on the Stoic lessons daily and turning to them in difficult times. The Daily Stoic has become a guiding resource that I continually revisit, as its insights continue to shape the way I live and lead.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thebitterwoman.com
- Instagram: @thebitterwoman.co
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-bitter-woman-network/
Image Credits
Juli Perez Photo https://juliperezphoto.com/
