Public speaking
If it is the last week of January, you might be feeling one of two things. Either you are proud because you stayed consistent, or you are frustrated because you slipped. Let me offer you a perspective that can change your entire year. Goals are not the problem. Goals are not even the point. Identity […]
Public speaking
You made it to a new year. And if you are honest, part of you feels hopeful… and part of you feels heavy. Because January has a way of shining a spotlight on what did not go to plan. The goals you did not hit. The habits you could not keep. The moments you wish […]
Public speaking
Every year leaves a mark on us, but some years do more than define our story. They transform it. They change the way we think, the way we love, the way we lead, and the way we see ourselves. Some years ask everything of us. Some years stretch us, challenge us, and demand that we […]
Public speaking
Every Christmas season reminds me of how important it is to give, to uplift, and to show children that they are seen and valued. Although this is not the orphanage in Mexico where I grew up with 68 siblings, it is one of close to 20 orphanages we support through the Magdalena Cook Foundation. Each […]
Public speaking
I’ve always believed that leadership isn’t just about goals or KPIs—it’s about people. And people thrive when they feel connected, supported, and seen. That’s why I decided to surprise my team with a new wellness program. I wanted to give them something that supports their health, energy, and confidence—not just their work performance. A few […]
Public speaking
When I look back on my life, growing up in an orphanage in Mexico, becoming homeless in the U.S., and starting a Fresh salsa company with $800, I realize something profound: adversity didn’t just prepare me for success. It revealed who I was meant to become. Every challenge was a teacher.>Every setback, a rehearsal for […]
Public speaking
Great Leaders Don’t Just Build Businesses—They Build Leaders When I first became a CEO, I thought leadership meant having all the answers. After all, wasn’t that what leaders were supposed to do, solve problems, make decisions, and steer the ship? But everything changed when I stopped trying to be the one with every solution… and […]
Public speaking
It’s Never About the Marshmallow The other day, I came across an old photo from my orphanage in Mexico. My sister Maria, the kids, and I were gathered around a bonfire, laughing and sharing marshmallows. A simple, joyful moment. That memory reminded me of the famous Marshmallow Experiment at Stanford. Children were offered one marshmallow […]
Public speaking
Listening Isn’t Soft Leadership—It’s Strong Leadership The other day, I was sitting with my little nephew. What started as a simple moment turned into a surprisingly deep conversation. He shared how heavy life feels for him right now. And in that moment, I didn’t try to fix it. I didn’t rush to give advice. I […]
Public speaking
After 11 years of speaking, from corporate boardrooms to middle school gymnasiums, I’ve learned that every audience is different. Every stage feels unique. But one truth never changes: The way you deliver your message matters just as much as the message itself. The Salsa Story That Stuck I remember speaking to a group of middle […]
Public speaking
Yesterday my to‑do list looked like the L.A. freeway at rush hour—deadlines merging into calls, merging into slide decks. That familiar weight of too much started to press on my shoulders. Then my husband, Owen, walked over and placed the tiniest blooms from our garden in my hand. They weren’t big. They weren’t flashy. But […]
Public speaking
Embracing Adversity & Owning Your Superpower Most people don’t know this about me, but the truth is—I’m an introvert. After I delivered back‑to‑back talks at the WFF Women’s Leadership Conference in Dallas and signed books with two amazing groups of leaders who keep our food‑chain humming. If you’ve ever felt stage‑fright, networking nausea, or social‑media […]
