Meet Elica Atienza

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Elica Atienza. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Elica, 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 comes from my upbringing and life experiences. Growing up, I always felt a drive to push beyond my surroundings and chase something great. My family is also a constant source of strength, through their unwavering support and how they navigate their own challenges. This foundation, along with the ups and downs I’ve faced, has shaped my ability to adapt, persevere, and keep moving forward.

I have experienced many transitions in life — switching majors in college, moving from a small town to a big city, and overcoming my own personal setbacks. Through these, I learned how to stay resilient and push through, even when things felt uncertain.

One of the biggest tests of my resilience was in 2021 when I transferred to the University of Washington and started nursing school. It was a huge step forward in my academic journey, but I found myself navigating personal challenges that made me realize this wasn’t the right path for me.

At first, I felt lost and unsure of my next steps, but used this as an opportunity for growth and began to explore other passions. I eventually discovered a major that aligned perfectly with my skills and interests, Health Informatics & Health Information Management. For the first time in a while, I felt like I was moving in the right direction.

Despite the challenges faced during my college years, I pushed through, remained diligent, and graduated from the University of Washington in 2024. Earning my degree was a milestone that I am incredibly proud of, and while I didn’t take the traditional four year path, I have come to appreciate that everyone’s journey is different. In the end, everything worked out the way it was meant to, and this experience reinforced that setbacks aren’t failures, but redirections toward something greater.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

My name is Elica and I am from Oak Harbor, Washington, a small town on Whidbey Island. I attended the University of Washington in Seattle and graduated in 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Health Informatics & Health Information Management.

I am very passionate about healthcare and technology. I aspire to one day combine my skills and interests with my long time dream of working in space related fields for companies like NASA. For now, I am focused on advancing in my career and making a meaningful impact in the healthcare industry and beyond.

I also manage my younger brother, Elsian (LCN!) in his music career. I took on the role of his manager in 2023, overseeing various aspects of his career, from coordinating song releases and booking shows, to handling promotions and partnerships.

As Elsian’s manager, I work alongside my older brother, who handles photography, videography, and visual content. We also have a talented producer on board, as well as a tight knit group of friends and family who have supported us since the very start — we call ourselves “Team LCN” 🙂

Two moments during my time as Elsian’s manager stand out as the proudest in our journey so far — in 2024, Elsian signed to 88rising, his dream record label, and earlier this year, I helped coordinate his first headline show in Seattle, selling out over 200 tickets. It was an unforgettable night filled with love and support from friends, family, and supporters. Seeing everything come together gave me a glimpse of what’s ahead, the growth we are capable of, and the dreams that are finally within reach.

I am excited to continue growing in the healthcare field and work towards my long term professional goals while also managing Elsian and supporting his journey as an artist. Each step forward brings new opportunities and I am eager to keep learning, evolving, and making lasting impacts along the way!

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Authenticity has been a key part of my journey. The most meaningful opportunities and connections have come from staying true to myself. My advice to anyone starting out is to simply embrace who you are. Authenticity can attract the right people and open the right doors. It may not always be the easiest path, but it’s the most fulfilling and leads to the greatest growth.

Resilience has also been essential in my journey. Life is unpredictable and challenges are inevitable, but what I have learned is that setbacks do not define you. What matters is that you adapt, learn, and continue to move forward. Face challenges head on and trust that each difficulty can help shape you for the better.

Another key quality has been my commitment to growth. I have learned that true progress comes from continuously evolving, pushing beyond my comfort zone, and embracing every lesson along the way. Growth isn’t always immediate, but each step forward counts, and every experience, good or bad, is an opportunity to learn, improve, and become better.

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?

Over the past year, my biggest area of growth has been developing a stronger sense of self and establishing healthy boundaries. I have learned to better advocate for myself and prioritize my well being, which has had a profound impact on both my personal and professional life. I have also deepened my understanding of emotional resilience. Rather than letting challenges define me, I see them as opportunities to learn and grow. As a result, I feel more empowered, confident, and in control. I am grounded in who I am and clear on where I am headed, approaching each day with a renewed sense of purpose and direction.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Casiano Atienza

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