Meet Micaela Alva

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Micaela Alva a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Micaela , we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

My journey to finding my purpose wasn’t something that happened overnight, and it also wasn’t something that came easy for me. I wish I could say that I always knew what I was meant to do. But the truth is that I found my purpose while navigating a painful and dark season of life.

Had it not been for the pain that led me on a path to healing I never would have found the courage to begin walking in my purpose.

Coming from where I come from, and having experienced so many hurdles at such a young age I always felt that I wasn’t good enough. I felt that the great things in life only happened to special people. You see, I was captive to the past pain that once defined me.

Here is the thing about purpose; sometimes it finds you when you’re not looking for it. That’s because, sometimes your purpose is waiting for you on the other side of your pain. And that is exactly what happened to me. But it was a long process to get there.

As a woman of faith, I believe that God used every single moment to refine me so one day I could be bold enough to own my purpose, and walk in it.

I have done things that I never imagined I would be capable of doing. I authored a book about healing after sexual abuse. I’ve produced a successful podcast for the past 4 years, where my voice has been a source of inspiration for so many women. I’ve also had the privilege of being invited to speak at events to share my story and to inspire other women.

My younger self would have really admired who I am today. So here is what I’ll say about finding my purpose; it required me to heal, learn to love and forgive myself, peel many layers of who I thought I was, and begin to do deep inner work so that I could transform into the woman who could one day lead others.

I had to let go of the old version of myself whose identity was wrapped up in past pain.
The most valuable thing I’ve learned on my journey, is that your past pain will only define you if you allow it to.

I believe it so much that I wrote a book about it. Dear Fearless Mujer, You Were Created for More is all about letting go, finding your purpose, and your true identity. It’s such a great resource for those who wish to heal from their past pain and also wish to discover their purpose.

“I know now my past does not define me. I am aware that even if others remember me a certain way or define me based on the season of my life when they knew me, that doesn’t mean they know the person I am today.” – Dear Fearless Mujer, You Were Created for More – Chapter 5 – The Training Ground

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I recently started season 8 of the podcast, and this season I’m focusing on courage. As a life coach, I hear many women minimizing their gifts and accomplishments. It’s something that I believe many of us were not taught to celebrate. It’s one reason why I teach women to make space for themselves, meaning they have to be intentional about pouring into their mind, heart, and soul.

A huge part of my audience are Latina women, and this is who I cater to because as a Latina myself I know firsthand the cultural and generational beliefs that most of us have had to fight through. It’s something that we share in common. A lot of us were taught to quiet our voices because little girls are prettier when they’re quiet. It’s a saying that sounds much more interesting in Spanish; “Calladita te ves mas bonita.”

Many of us Latinas heard this and agreed with it, so we learned to stay quiet. There is a danger in staying quiet, you never learn to speak up and it’s why so many of us became people pleasers at a young age. When we learn that staying quiet is best, we also learn to minimize who we are. That means as women we never embrace every aspect of what makes us unique.

Let me share this, many of us have beautiful stories of overcoming our past and working hard to get to where we are today. Season 8 of The Fearless Mujer Podcast is all about celebrating the courage it takes to navigate life and to push through to get to your next chapter of life.

Can you imagine the courage it takes to overcome heartbreak, a painful past, abuse, divorce, navigate motherhood, single life, or finishing a degree later in life? We don’t stop to think how much work it takes to work on who we are becoming. Our society is so focused on material things and accolades that we never stop to celebrate the strength we carry as women.

This is why I absolutely love The Fearless Mujer Community, because it’s through celebrating our unique strength as women that we learn to lift each other up. It’s also when we learn that we are not alone in our dark moments and in our joyful ones. And it’s why each virtual Cafecito Chat (coffee chat) on the podcast is so special. It’s where women find a safe space to share their hearts.

Something you should know about these virtual Cafecito Chats, is that they were inspired by my grandmother Micaela. As a little girl I remember going to eat with the women in my family, and each time I saw women sharing their hearts while sipping on their coffee. I saw women soothe their souls with each cup of Cafecito. My grandmother Micaela was a huge storyteller, and the cafectio chats are a way for me to honor the strength and beauty that she carried.
There is something so special about strong women who choose to share their life lessons and stories, it’s healing and courageous. I encourage anyone who is needing encouragement and inspiration to take a listen to The Fearless Mujer Podcast.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Three qualities that helped me in my journey were being transparent, compassionate, and empathetic. I believe that if a person does not value these three things, it will be hard for them to lead and influence others.

An important thing to remember is that having a platform is never about you. It doesn’t matter how big or small that platform is.
A platform is a way for you to lead and teach others, depending on your area of expertise.

As a podcaster, I have learned that people are looking for authenticity. They want to know that the person they come to for advice or wisdom is a real person. People can see through the fakeness, and immediately it will repel them from whatever it is you are trying to do or say.

Whenever I record an episode I always think, what does my community need? What is something worth sharing with my audience that will bring them some transformation this week? What can I share with them that will help them push through their hurdles?

That’s truly what makes podcasting special to me, that it’s not about me it’s about the woman listening at the other end of the speaker or earphones.

Here’s what I would say to someone who is very early on in their podcasting journey; get to really know the people you’re talking to. Find out what their hurdles are, and what they’re passionate about. Then learn to speak with compassion so you can captivate them with your message.

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

Something my father taught me that has impacted the person I am today, is to take pride in who I am and where I come from.

It’s why I’m so proud to be a Chicana. I’m proud that I can speak another language, because it’s the one my father taught me. I wasn’t born in Mexico, but it’s where my father is from and he was very persistent in making sure that his children never forgot their Mexican roots. He also taught my siblings and I to speak Spanish at an early age. I’m so thankful, because it has opened doors of opportunity for me.

Another thing I learned from my father was to take pride in your work. Whether my father was fixing his truck or planting his vegetables in the backyard, he took pride in the work he did with his hands. I grew up watching him come home from work tired, and still find work to do.

His work ethic is something that has always impacted me, and I believe it’s the reason why I take pride in the work I do. I’m truly grateful that I learned this at a young age.

There’s something special about taking ownership of your work, and knowing how to steward it well. A person who takes pride in their work will always influence others to do the same.

What my mother taught me that impacted me the most, was to have compassion for strangers. I remember being little and just watching her talk to random strangers. She even gave an older woman a ride in the rain one day because she was carrying groceries. It wasn’t the first time I saw her do that. She just had compassion for the most random person.

That has always stayed in my heart, and I’m so grateful I experienced that as a little girl. The ability to have compassion for others is powerful.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.fearlessmujer.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefearlessmujerpodcast
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com
• Other: TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@thefearlessmujerpodcast

Image Credits

Christine Alva Photography

Website: www.christinealvaphoto.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/christinealvaphoto

Lauren Bethany Photography

Website: www.laurenbethanyphotography.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LaurenBethanyBranding