We were lucky to catch up with Valeria Villarreal recently and have shared our conversation below.
Valeria, thank you so much for making time for us. We’ve always admired your ability to take risks and so maybe we can kick things off with a discussion around how you developed your ability to take and bear risk?
During the pandemic, I felt like I was living in a loop. Same room, same routine, same feelings. It was a strange mix of comfort and restlessness—safe, but not satisfying. I realized I had been playing it safe for too long, and if I wasn’t careful, I’d look back one day and see a life full of “what ifs.” I made a promise to myself: When things opened up, I’d start saying yes to the things that scared me. I wanted to feel that rush of doing something bold, something that mattered to me. That’s when I decided to audition for the American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA). Hitting “submit” on the application felt huge, but the real leap came when I packed my bags and moved to LA—all on my own.
Before that, I was the kind of person who needed all the stars to align before making a move. But I learned that sometimes you have to take the jump and trust that you’ll figure it out on the way down. It wasn’t just about chasing a dream; it was about proving to myself that I could handle whatever came next. Since then, I’ve tried to make risk-taking a habit. It’s not always big, life-changing moves—sometimes it’s just saying yes to something new, even if it feels uncomfortable. I’ve learned that real success isn’t in avoiding failure but in showing up, giving it my all, and knowing that even if things don’t go as planned, I’m still moving forward.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
Right now, I’m balancing a few different passions. I’m studying Business Management and working as a Market Intelligence intern, which has been a huge learning curve and an amazing chance to see how things work behind the scenes. At the same time, I’m a performer at heart—my love for musical theater and storytelling spills into everything I do, whether it’s acting, marketing, or content creation. Recently, I started making GRWM-style YouTube shorts, and while filming is fun, it’s the editing that really pulls me in. There’s something about combining creativity and tech that just feels right. I don’t have everything figured out, but I’m okay with that. I’m focused on trying new things, taking risks, and seeing where it all leads. I just want to keep creating and sharing my story—one step at a time.
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?
Looking back, I think three things really made a difference for me: resilience, curiosity, and adaptability.
Resilience helped me keep going when things got tough. There were definitely moments when I questioned if I was on the right path, but learning to push through those doubts made all the difference. My advice? Don’t be afraid to fail. It sounds cliché, but it’s true. Every setback is just a stepping stone if you let it be. I recently ran a 5K for the first time, and honestly, I had no idea what I was doing. I hadn’t trained, and about halfway through, I was seriously questioning my life choices. My legs were tired, and every part of me wanted to stop, but I just kept putting one foot in front of the other. When I finally crossed the finish line, it wasn’t just about the run—it was a reminder that sometimes getting through tough moments is just about not giving up.
Curiosity kept me learning. Whether it was trying out new skills, picking up a creative hobby, or asking questions during my Master’s Program that probably seemed super basic to everyone else, staying curious helped me grow. I used to worry about looking clueless, but I realized that having a beginner mindset isn’t a weakness—it’s actually a strength. When you’re new at something, you see things differently. You ask the questions no one else is asking, and sometimes, that’s exactly what leads to fresh ideas and creative solutions. I’ve learned that it’s okay not to have all the answers. In fact, some of the best opportunities come when you’re not afraid to say, “I don’t know, but I’d love to find out.”
Adaptability was a game-changer for me. I used to be the kind of person who liked having a plan—and a backup plan. But life doesn’t always work like that. Things change, and sometimes your carefully thought-out plans go right out the window. At first, it was super frustrating, but I learned that rolling with the punches made a huge difference. Now, instead of getting stuck when things don’t go as planned, I try to ask myself, “What’s next?” It’s not always easy, but shifting my focus to finding a new path forward makes even the toughest situations feel a little more manageable. Sometimes, the best opportunities come from unexpected twists and turns.
It’s not about being fearless—it’s about feeling the fear and doing it anyway. And trust me, every small step you take adds up to something bigger than you realize.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
My family, hands down. They’ve been my rock through everything.
My dad has always been a huge inspiration. We’ve had so many late-night talks where he’s shared his story of coming from nothing and building the life he wanted through sheer determination and hard work. He taught me what resilience looks like—not just in words but in action. One of his biggest lessons was to not give a damn about what anyone thinks. He always says that other people’s opinions are just noise, and if you spend your life trying to please everyone, you’ll never really live. That lesson has helped me drown out doubt, whether it’s coming from others or my own inner critic.
My mom has been my go-to for advice and support. She’s the kind of person who always knows what to say, whether I need a reality check or just someone to listen. She’s the definition of unconditional love and patience. What I admire most about her is how she balances strength and kindness—she’s tough when she needs to be but always leads with empathy. She’s also shown me the power of self-sufficiency and how important it is to create your own sense of stability.
And then there’s my little brother. He’s like my built-in cheerleader. Even if he doesn’t fully understand what I’m working on, he’s always there to make me laugh and remind me not to take things too seriously. His unconditional support has meant more to me than he probably even knows.
When I look back at everything I’ve accomplished, I see their fingerprints all over it. They’ve helped me build the confidence to take on new challenges and the strength to keep going when things get tough. Without them, I honestly wouldn’t be where I am today.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/valeriavillarreal1/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valeria-villarreal-58686a1b2/
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