Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Yahira Torres. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Yahira, 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?
Throughout my life, I’ve experienced living in different bodies, often battling issues with self-image. I initially saw myself as the “fat friend” in a group of friends who were always slimmer than I, but over time, I found ways to celebrate and embrace my body. Fashion and photography became outlets for expressing my unique style and boosting my confidence. Motherhood instilled in me resilience and self-compassion. Confronting breast cancer compelled me to face my vulnerabilities and recognize the strength of my body. Ultimately, my confidence now arises from honoring my past, accepting my imperfections, and discovering beauty in my resilience.
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?
I hold degrees in Business Administration, Fine Arts, and Graphic Design. Currently, I work as the Business Manager for a STEM education company, and I am also the CEO and Founder of Lion-ess Retreat, a nonprofit organization dedicated to aiding cancer survivors.
After receiving a breast cancer diagnosis in September 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, I turned to social media to find connection and seek others who resembled my experience. I longed to feel less alone in my situation. Fortunately, I found a nurturing community of young cancer survivors, which became essential for supporting my mental health.
In appreciation for the support I received, I established Lion-ess Retreat to give back to others. Now, I oversee the nonprofit, striving to offer retreat experiences at little or no cost to young folks that are affected by breast and/or gynecological cancers.
The retreat embodies my love for travel and event planning, fueled by my desire to assist others facing similar hardships. We have successfully run three retreats, welcoming a total of 44 participants, whom we affectionately refer to as lions. Currently, we have 18 lions registered for our fourth retreat, which is set to take place this upcoming summer. Our ultimate goal is to be able to provide more than just one retreat a year, and in order to do so we need to acquire more funding.
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?
Empathy, hope, and resilience have been my guiding qualities throughout my story with cancer and the creation of a nonprofit organization. Developing empathy and building connections with fellow cancer survivors have profoundly influenced my mission to establish a cancer retreat. My goal was to engage with others who share similar characteristics (Hispanic, young, and overweight) to help reduce my own feelings of isolation. Moreover, concentrating on a project like a retreat while undergoing treatment instilled hope for me during a dark time. Looking forward and dedicating my time to support others, combined with the excitement of the upcoming retreat, fueled my resilience. Using my skills and knowledge in event planning and travel was crucial for launching a nonprofit aimed at providing retreat experiences for those impacted by cancer. I strongly urge newly diagnosed individuals to connect with others in the community as soon as possible, because it may help with their overall experience. Coping with treatments and surgeries can feel less daunting when you have a support system around you that understands what you are going through. Additionally, participating in activities you love, when you’re able, can greatly boost your mental well-being.
How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?
As a small nonprofit, securing funds to maintain our operations has proven to be quite challenging. Our aspiration is to host retreats where participants are responsible only for their travel expenses, while we take care of everything else, including meals, accommodations, and activities. We encourage our participants to assist us through fundraising, which currently serves as our primary source of funding. We hope to attract sponsors and collaborate with organizations or individuals who might be interested in making generous donations or providing resources. This support would help us cover the costs of these retreats, easing the ongoing challenge of making ends meet. These individuals deserve the world, and we are dedicated to ensuring they have an unforgettable experience on our retreats.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.prideretreat.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lion_ess_retreat/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yahira-torres/
Image Credits
Jennifer Vivier
Sarah Myers
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