Meet Sheila Gutierrez

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

Hi Sheila, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
To find, by definition, is to discover—sometimes unexpectedly, sometimes through searching. For me, finding my purpose has been less about a single moment of clarity and more about a series of quiet nudges, small sparks of curiosity that guided me from one minute, one day, one year to the next. There’s a quote by Emil Cioran that resonates deeply with me:
“I have always lived with the awareness of the impossibility of living. And what has made existence endurable to me is my curiosity as to how I would get from one minute, one day, one year to the next.”
That curiosity has been my compass. It led me to explore what interested me, to question what didn’t, and to follow the subtle pull toward service, creativity, and community.
My purpose began to take shape through stories—especially those of my parents, who lived through war in Nicaragua and migrated to build a better life. Their resilience and commitment to feeding their families instilled in me a belief that I am capable, that progress is possible, and that social justice is worth striving for. Their experiences planted the seeds of my values: perseverance, compassion, and the drive to contribute to something greater than myself.
Owning my purpose has come through exploration and risk—being willing to try, to fail, and to learn. I’ve leaned into my strengths: organizing, connecting, and creating. I’ve trusted my instincts and reflected often, checking in with myself to ensure I’m aligned with what brings me joy and fulfillment.
Today, my purpose lives at the intersection of art, agriculture, and wellness. I find meaning in connecting people to plants, to food, and ultimately to themselves. Through civic engagement, storytelling, and hands-on experiences, I help others rediscover their roots—both literal and metaphorical—and cultivate a deeper sense of belonging and wellbeing.
That is how I found my purpose: by listening to the nudges, honoring my heritage, and choosing to serve through creativity and care.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I wear many hats, but at the heart of my work is a passion for connecting people to food, nature, and community. As the Agriculture & Market Programs Manager at one of Miami’s National Historic landmark Museums, I design experiences that empower people—from school children to families and teens—to engage with their local food systems.

I’m also pursuing a Master of Arts in Medicine to deepen my understanding of how creative practices and nutrition impact community health. This journey has inspired me to launch MarkIt Circle, a personal project that offers monthly workshops blending eco-art, storytelling, and mindful crafting. These gatherings invite people to reconnect with natural materials, local culture, and each other in joyful, tactile ways.

I also just launched my first poetry collection titled The Earth Breathes Through Us, a project born from years of working with the land. What makes it special is how it blends the rhythms of nature with the depths of human experience. Each poem is a meditation on love, loss, trust, and transformation—grounded in classical forms but infused with contemporary insight. It’s a celebration of intimacy, memory, and the body’s dialogue with the land. Writing has become a way to process overwhelm, turning it into something beautiful and healing.

My work is rooted in the belief that wellness begins with connection—to ourselves, our communities, and the land that sustains us. To stay connected with my work, please consider joining me at an upcoming workshop or purchasing a copy of my poetry book.

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?
Looking back, three qualities have been most impactful in my journey: curiosity, community engagement, and risk-taking.

Curiosity led me to ask questions and seek knowledge, especially in sustainability and farming, which opened doors to meaningful work. Community engagement taught me the value of learning from others. Reaching out to people already doing the work helped me grow faster and more intentionally. And risk-taking gave me the courage to explore new paths, even when I wasn’t sure where they’d lead.

My advice to those early in their journey:

-Find a mentor who supports your growth and encourages you to keep learning.
-Ask questions—especially to those in your community who’ve walked the path before you.
-And most importantly, write everything down. Document your ideas, steps taken, lessons learned. This becomes your personal playbook—a tool to reflect, refine, and build upon what works.

Purpose and progress come from staying curious, connected, and courageous.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
When I feel overwhelmed, I remind myself to let go and let God. Carrying the weight of community-centered work—especially when it touches public health, environmental impact, and future generations—can feel immense. I care deeply about creating meaningful experiences, and that passion sometimes turns into pressure. To stay grounded, I use a strategy that separates my days into two modes: logical days for emails, organization, and task completion, and creative days for writing, brainstorming, and exploring new ideas. This rhythm helps me stay focused and prevents burnout.
I also break big projects into small, manageable steps—and I write everything down. Documenting ideas, lessons, and progress creates a personal playbook I can return to, keeping me clear-headed and confident as I move forward.

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