Meet Erik De La Cruz

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

Erik, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

When you don’t see many that look like you, you have to become the one. You are the story you tell yourself that you are. You control your thoughts. You handle the pen. You write the script.

I found inspiration in anyone who had the characteristics I felt would be needed to reach my highest self. To become the best version of myself, I had to look for role models who had the pieces, and my job was to finalize the puzzle of me.

When I was growing up, I became obsessed with music, specifically hip-hop. Those at the pinnacle didn’t look like me, but I saw myself in people like Eminem, Kanye West, and Russ; who were outsiders but so masterful at their craft that they were accepted. The industry couldn’t deny their talent and that gave them rightful spots as icons.

As a young first-generation Mexican-American entrepreneur, I was in rooms talking to individuals at levels above me with no care for our differences. I would tell myself stories about how I belonged where I am. I had a fire to succeed which anyone with that essence can resonate with and connect with you.

I learned so much by not allowing my identity to keep me from fitting in with the group. Many people choose to victimize themselves rather than meet people where they’re at. Act like you belong. Act like you’re bigger than you currently are while staying authentic. Find common interests with genuine care and curiosity beyond superficial intentions like money or what you can gain from them.

I’ve been in so many rooms that I don’t “belong” in because I felt like I should be. I don’t have to break or compartmentalize myself to fit into the mold of what is; when I can be respectful and trailblaze simultaneously. It seems paradoxical, a lot of my influences were, but they became successful because of it.

There’s magic in thought. The thought that you deserve to be there while respecting the environment you’re inside of is the manner in which you elevate.

I believe that as minorities, we place too much value on the superficial symbolism of “seeing ourselves” in movies, music, etc. Of course, we want to be an inspiration to those who “look like us,” but there should be a detachment to that where we don’t derive our own value from it.

I grew up wanting to be “The First Mexican-American Who—” and while I understand that it would be amazing, I believe now that being the best at it is better than being the first. While being the best is relative, the focus on mastery and striving for the unattainable is where you’re able to be in any room and people respect you regardless of how you look.

Be great in what you do and people will stare at you in a room, want to meet you, and look up to you, even if they don’t look like you.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I am a writer, storyteller, creative, and poet. The most exciting thing about writing is getting into the flow state with the source; a bonus is the catharsis. It is one of the few things that makes me feel fully alive. People reacting to my words is something I will never get enough of; it’s exhilarating to know that my art makes them feel immensely.

One thing I am excited to share is that I wrote a new free e-book called “One Day, We’ll Get There.” The concept revolves around being raised with conflicting values from two countries as a Mexican-American: the individualism of America, the obsession with the rat race, freedom, and the lust for materialism versus Mexico’s traditional values of family-first, religion, and enjoying the little things.

This creative project was unique compared to my previous ones because it was deeply personal to my identity as a Mexican-American within the United States. I wrote most of it in 24 hours, which inspired the name. I challenged myself to see what I was capable of. I knew I had it in me.

The pursuit of artistic fame is similar to the idea of working a 9-5 expecting to get rich, both of which feel like an endless circular staircase that leads to nowhere. Despite the often gray reality, we must continue to hope that there is better, and the colors to paint will appear through devotion.

I wanted to dissect that ideal of the American Dream through the lens of a Mexican-American in the United States. The notion that “a better life” is the ideal sold to us as we grow up to inspire productivity within us.

It is my declaration of independence from the system because you have to be aware of it before you can attempt to exist outside of it. The ability to understand the intricacies of the game to beat it from within.

The e-book is a pursuit of freedom and happiness that is in our reach… and one day, we’ll get there.

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

The three qualities that have had the most impact on my journey are curiosity, risk-taking, and communication.

Curiosity is the foundation of all things because you have to desire to learn beyond the scope of your own perception. You have to question the structures at play and wonder about the possibilities that can be uncovered with drive. So much of what I have accomplished was first a question or trying to understand a concept.

My book “Between Human Hearts” started as a question: “What is connection between humans and how will that change with the rise of technology and its integration in our daily lives?” A curiosity that echoed within my mind for over 8 years, and all things became an attempt to discover its essence. Ask questions without ego, as there are countless perspectives to a subject, and allow your inner child to discover more of the world.

Risk-taking is vital because everything you wish for exists outside of your comfort zone. To have the courage to morph reality into what you desire by overcoming fear. I was once scared to show people my writing. I had two or three people I trusted enough to read my poetry or just the girl I liked at the time. Imagine the daunting idea of releasing a poetry book for the masses to read? I had to risk it for the sake of my own catharsis and expression of self. I was able to overcome the initial mental terrors and put my heart and soul into a book that was read by others.

For most things, the fear never goes away, but you can attempt to wear down that feeling by taking micro-risks such as acting out of character, following the synchronicities, and saying “yes” to what is presented to you. Once you build that self-confidence and self-reliance, you can put yourself out there to build the life you want.

With risks, there are “failures” that may come but you don’t have to label them as such, rather as a fast-forwarding of what is not meant for you to what is intended for you. You’d rather a life full of risks going towards what is out of reach than one full of regret and an ordinary life because you couldn’t overcome a temporarily crazed nervous system.

Communication is likely the most powerful skill you can develop because it is the manner in which you can understand, relate to, and inspire others. It is not only how one can effectively express oneself but the how the world revolves; it is the foundation of sales. Everything is selling an idea. Everything is sales.

Writing is trying to unravel the knots of thoughts within the confines of your mind, with the hope that others say they can relate.

Communication is an attempt to connect, and by practicing all forms of it, you can improve your relationships and quality of life. I have always felt different since I was a kid and became conscious, so I ran to writing as an escape as well as a funnel to express complex ideas. It is how I can concise varying concepts into a cohesive thought and make sense of my mind.

Everything is a form of communication—thoughts, words, art—whether that is directed to God, self, or others.

We long for understanding and we aspire to communicate ideas effectively to have others buy into us. Can you convey who you are to have people love you, want to buy from you, or root for you? Can you make people see themselves in how you communicate your ideas? Ideas are the basis of everything and if one is a masterful communicator, they can write the script of this reality to their liking.

Being able to take risks to connect with others—out of genuine curiosity—and communicate from the heart can bring so much fulfillment and be the reason for living.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

The most impactful thing my parents did for me was make the sacrifice to raise me in the United States and give me the blessing to dream. My dream to be a writer, speaker, and creative is a tough career path with no certainty, but my parents gave me the values and foundation to pursue that version of the American Dream.

I have been in love with writing from a very young age and despite being an athlete with desires to make it to the major leagues, I often look at that failure as a pathway that led me back to writing. My parents have been supportive of my obsessive nature to want to be the greatest writer to ever live, despite maybe not fully understanding the (bold) journey.

Being a first-generation Mexican-American, I am creating a lane on an unpaved road where no one in my family has gone before. It can be difficult to understand as parents raising a college-educated son, only for him to chase his dreams of being a writer rather than a steady corporate job with stability. I am chasing the unknown and attempting to chisel away at the unseen reality I have in store for me as an artist.

My parents gave me the freedom to dream. They allowed me to be curious about everything and gave me free rein to understand the world through my lens. They let me explore without ever trying to put me in a box of conformity. They rooted for me as I threw myself into the water of writing and drowned at the expense of my mental health while I told them with a smile, “It was for the art.”

They gave me a roof over my head after the failures I experienced of moving out to a new city. They support me in ways I can never repay them. Their American Dream was a better life for me and my brothers. They instilled in me that I could be(come) whatever I wanted to be if I put in the hard work and continued to persevere with faith that God has a plan for me.

They took a risk to come to a different country, get married, and start a family. I am the first son. It is my honor and duty to take risks to achieve a life worthy of their sacrifice.

I am blessed to have parents. The love from my parents has been the most impactful thing for me.

I will make them proud. One day—in the now.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Twisted Fate Photography and Erik De La Cruz

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Highlighter Series
What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?

Coffee? Workouts? Hitting the snooze button 14 times? Everyone has their morning ritual and we

Highlighter Series
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?

Our deepest wounds often shape us as much as our greatest joys. The pain we

Highlighter Series
Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?

Culture, economic circumstances, family traditions, local customs and more can often influence us more than