Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Melissa Lozada. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Melissa, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
The imposter phenomenon has affected me for many years. Every time I was at the tip of my success, I began to feel fear and allow disbelief to distract me from my capabilities. Success felt heavy at times, almost like I wasn’t deserving of my accomplishments. There were times I would say to myself, “what am I doing”, or who is this woman?! I questioned everything I did and felt like maybe It wasn’t good enough.
Fast forward to 2020, one year after my move from New York to California, I found myself sitting alone sobbing in my room feeling completely lost. It was almost like an outer body experience. I felt like Superman trapped in cave and all my powers were depleted. I knew my strengths and weaknesses. I knew who I wanted to be, but where was she?! I felt I’m here for a reason and a purpose that is bigger than me. But, in order to overcome this imposter, I needed to shield myself like a warrior and fight through the obstacles I have allowed to slow me down.
The next day I decided to take action in the pursuit to conquer anything that stood in my way such as procrastination, inconsistency, fear and disbelief. I was tired of feeling defeated and wanted to see myself the way the man upstairs sees me! Strong, powerful ambitious and an inspiration to others. I was literally afraid to be myself, worried about how others will perceive me.
I started reading self-development books. I learned to meditate every morning. I found so much peace and began to face the reality that I was the only one in my way! I listen to podcast, and read my devotional books every day, It brings me peace and fills me with positivity. I joined networking groups that allowed me to meet so many empowering authentic women that pour into me. They reminded me that I must love myself first. I had to reset my mindset and trust the process even if it felt hard. I became a full-on entrepreneur. Then the reality of becoming my own boss settled in. I had to teach myself new habits. The hardest part was being consistent. I found new ways to keep myself accountable and focused such as setting 20-minute timers to accomplish daily task that eventually led to longer focus time. I saw success flowing in due to my persistence in overcoming my limited beliefs. Although I still struggle at times, I give myself grace. It’s okay to not always feel myself. What’s important is that I believe in me! I stay consistent even when I don’t want too because that’s what will bring me to the success I’m so deserving of! My goal is to help others become the best version of themselves. If I inspired just one person a day, then I did my job and served my purpose. I’m determined to never let that imposter syndrome enter my territory again!
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I believe in multiple streams of income, and I love everything that I do. Work never feels like work. First, I am a health and fitness trainer for the past 10 years. I started my fitness career in 2014. I’ve trained at various gyms such as, Santer Fitness, Desir fitness, Golds Gym, planet fitness and anytime fitness. I now have the honor to train individuals in the comfort of their home gyms. I still train a few of my Eastcoast clients through zoom fitness for the past 4 years and participate in various fitness classes. I’ve been blessed with the best clients. I take my relationship with them seriously. I believe that there is no one-size fits all approach to fitness. Everyone is different and has different goals. if I can inspire or motivate someone to be the best version of themselves that is truly fulfilling for me. Fitness is life. If it wasn’t for my habit and commitment to self at least 5x a week, I’m not sure how I will sustain myself, my life or mental health. Exercise has improved my mental and I’m blessed to help others do the same.
I’m also in direct sales with two phenomenal companies. The direct sales industry saved my life. It’s given me community and empowerment. It made me show up for myself in the most powerful ways possible.
I am a cause entrepreneur at One Hope Wine. A charity-based wine club in Rutherford Napa Valley. I get to bring a napa experience into people’s homes, corporations and communities by sharing wine that gives hope. We have donated over $10 million and supported over 37,000 non-profits globally and locally. We are %100 organic certified and not to mention Award Winning wines. Being an ambassador of One Hope is one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. I get to raise money to support charitable causes around the world. I specialize in fundraising, gifting, private wine events and wine delivery. We have a free wine club; no fees just perks and %10 of every purchase supports a charity of your choice. It’s a great way to give back all by pouring with a purpose. You can learn more here www.onehopewine.com/myshop/melissa-lozada
The other company I work for in direct sales is Modere. I began as a customer and fell in love with their liquid collagen, one of the top collagens on the market. All natural and clinically proven to help your body reproduce its collagen content by %6000 over time. I saw that my skin was tighter and brighter. My face was beginning to feel firm and plump, my knees no longer hurt when I exercised. I began to share the love with my Personal training clients, friends and family who then started to see and gain the benefits of this amazing product. Modere is known to have the best weight loss and wellness products that work with your body and not against it. This aligns with my career as health and fitness coach. I only want the best for my clients. Modere has just launch a new product for women called OVA. women’s health formulas take a distinctly intuitive approach to hormonal health by addressing a woman’s changing nutritional needs throughout her menstrual cycle and menopause, allowing her to sync these targeted formulas to her unique cycle — without hormones or soy isoflavones. I believe in our products, and OVA is already making a difference in the way women feel. You can find more info here: https://modere.co/3xVAeBK
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?
My journey has been full of ups and downs with figuring out exactly what I want to be. I thought my life will be stuck in an office doing payroll or finance, which is great for others. But after experiencing corporate positions for 10 years I knew it just wasn’t for me. I want to do something i love and felt rewarding.
The three qualities that are most impactful in my journey has been passion, self-awareness and ambition. Which are the things I have struggled with the most. I had a goal, and in order to make things happen I had to be willing to face my demons.
Being passionate in what you do is key. You must find things in life that are worth fighting for, such as your dreams! My mother always said follow your dreams, and back then I thought that meant becoming a nurse or teacher. Since I was a little girl, I found joy in teaching something to others. It took almost 35 years to find my Nitch in teaching people how to exercise, eat better or inspire them to switch their mindset to peruse their goals. When people will thank me for helping them in this way, I felt purpose.
In the process of becoming an entrepreneur I had to really dig deep. The process can be painful if you aren’t aware of your own feelings, motives and desires. This is when I incorporated mediation, journaling and prayer to my mornings. It has helped me to see my personal value, my habits and the emotions that drive my behaviors. I recognized my strengths and challenges and forced myself to work through these skills to improve and develop a growth mindset and continue to learn from my mistakes. It truly has made me a better person.
Believing in myself was a struggle. I had to gain the eagerness to achieve success. Thats where the imposter syndrome kicked in! Success is different for everyone. Having ambition is required, because there has to be a strong desire to succeed and attain success.
My advice to my fellow entrepreneurs is to always believe in yourself. Believe that what you want will be received. Focus on your strengths and speak with confidence to yourself. Do it scared! its they only way to overcome your obstacles.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
My experiences and entrepreneurship lead me into philanthropy with One Hope wine. I have the opportunity to mentor and coach others to lead their own impactful lives while making positive change. I would love to partner with individuals who are looking to make additional income and want to make an impact by fundraising with non-profit organizations around the globe. I’d love the opportunity to invite you into our community and provide the training you need to sustain your successes. It doesn’t matter where you are from. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a cause entrepreneur with One Hope, I’d love to connect with you! If you work for, or have your own nonprofit organization, It would be an honor to collaborate and help you fundraise while giving back %10 of every purchase back to your nonprofits. Looking forward to supporting your charitable cause and making a continuous impact together.
For inquires, email me at: mellywinehouse_onehope@outlook.com
Contact Info:
- Website: www.onehopewine.com/myshop/melisssa-lozada
- Instagram: for fitness @mloz629 / @mellywinehouse – ONEHOPE
- Other: Personal training: littlemrsfit.booksy.com
Image Credits
these photos are mine. I lost some photos but want to make sure i highlight my fitness and one hope events. The first photo of me holding the wine class was taken professionally by One hope wine.
