We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Marcelo Quinonez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Marcelo below.
Marcelo, 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?
My confidence comes from countless failures. I guess the confidence part comes from each time I stumbled, I made a decision: I would keep going, no matter what. No failure, no setback, no moment of doubt was ever enough to make me stop trying. Though it wasn’t about never failing—it was about always getting back up. So I think over time, that resilience became the foundation of my confidence. I didn’t need to prove to myself that I would succeed on the first try; I just needed to know that I would never stop trying.
Self-esteem, however, was an entirely different journey. Confidence came from knowing I could keep going, but self-esteem came from deciding I was enough in the first place. I had to learn to love myself not as some future, improved version—achieving more, looking better, being more successful—but as I was in the present, flaws and all. Which is an ongoing struggle I would say. I had to stop holding self-love hostage to some distant milestone and instead embrace the person I was in each moment. This is something I continue to learn with every obstacle, loss, and personal struggle. Getting to where I am from a mental health perspective took patience, self-reflection, and, if I’m being honest, a few transformative experiences—some through deep meditation, some through therapy, and some, well, through the occasional psychedelic journey. But in the end, what mattered most was that I came to a place of genuine self-acceptance. And that changed everything and shaped how I show up as a father to my kids which is my number one motivation these days.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
As the Audio Director for Xbox MediaLab and Xbox Studios Publishing, I have the privilege of leading a talented and diverse team of audio professionals. Together, we create high-quality audio and music content, developing innovative solutions that enhance the experience across Microsoft and Xbox platforms.
In my role, I oversee the design, implementation, and optimization of audio and music assets and systems within Microsoft’s gaming and entertainment division. I work closely with developers, designers, composers, artists, and testers to ensure that every project meets the highest audio quality standards while staying true to the creative vision and project goals. Additionally, I collaborate with third-party development partners, ensuring their audio and music teams have the support, resources, and cutting-edge technology needed to deliver the level of excellence expected from Xbox Studios.
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?
1. Perseverance is key. No matter what challenges come your way, find a way to stay on your path. When obstacles arise, think creatively—whether that means overcoming them directly, finding an alternate route, or adapting in a new way. And remember, it’s okay to take detours, change direction, or even backtrack when needed. Progress isn’t always a straight line.
2. Kindness and respect have lasting impacts, creating goodwill and strong relationships. Being a pleasure to work with makes people more eager to collaborate with you. More importantly, choosing kindness—especially in difficult situations—allows you to walk away feeling proud of your actions and at peace with yourself.
3. Stay curious and continuously learn in every role you take on. Never assume you fully understand expectations—ask questions to clarify, and don’t be afraid to ask what may seem like “stupid” questions. The more you seek to understand, the more effectively you can contribute and grow.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
Exercise, walking, and being in nature always allows me to shift perspective and makes me feel refreshed. When I feel burnt out or frustrated going outside and taking a walk even for five minutes help me find a new and different way of looking at whatever problem or task is currently torturing me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.marceloquinonez.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mquinonez?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
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