The Ambitious Woman of Color

Have you ever done everything right—built the career, checked every box, stayed committed—and still felt disconnected from your own life?For many ambitious women of color, that feeling isn’t random.It’s what happens when you’ve been taught that staying is strength, sacrifice is expected, and choosing yourself comes last.So you stay.In the job that looks good on paper but drains you.In the relationship that no longer fits.In the version of success you were taught to want.And at some point, you stop asking:Do I actually want this?In this episode of The Ambitious Woman of Color, Jessica Lynn Rojas sits down with Mohini Gima, a life coach who helps South Asian women rebuild their identity and choose themselves after major life transitions.Mohini shares her experience leaving a 14-year marriage and a successful career. Not because it was easy.But because staying was costing her who she was becoming.This conversation is for you if you feel pulled between the life you built and the life you actually want.In this episode, we discuss:→ Why doing everything “right” can still feel unfulfilling→ How cultural expectations keep women of color in careers and relationships they’ve outgrown→ The “stay and sacrifice” mindset→ Reframing leaving as self-trust, not failure→ Navigating family and community pressure→ Building self-trust through daily decisions→ Creating a life that reflects who you are nowAbout Mohini GimaMohini Gima is a life coach helping South Asian women reclaim their identity, rebuild after divorce, and step into their power while breaking free from cultural expectations.Connect with Mohini:📱 Instagram: @iammohinigima https://www.instagram.com/iammohinigima 🌐 Website: https://ranirising.com/Work With JessicaIf this resonated, you don’t need to leave everything behind.But you do need to learn how to choose yourself inside your career.I help ambitious women of color grow into higher-paying, leadership roles without burning out or losing themselves.• Go after promotions and raises that align with your life• Navigate cultural expectations without guilt• Make decisions from self-trust, not obligationYou don’t have to choose between success and yourself.✨ Book a 1:1 Coaching Consult https://www.jessicalynn-wellness.com/scheduling 📩 Join Dear Ambitious WOC  https://www.jessicalynn-wellness.com/email-list 📱 Follow @jessicalynnrojas https://www.instagram.com/jessicalynnrojas/ Subscribe & ReviewIf this resonated, subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next.A quick 5-star rating and review helps more ambitious women of color find this podcast and realize they’re not alone.

Do you feel like you’re outgrowing your career… but don’t know if you’re allowed to change it?You’ve done everything “right.” The degree. The job. The promotions.But now something feels off. And the hardest part is not knowing if you should stay or choose something different.For many high-achieving women of color, career paths are supposed to be linear. You pick something and stick with it. So when you start thinking about a career pivot or life change, it can feel like failure or like you’re wasting everything you’ve built.In this episode of The Ambitious Woman of Color Podcast, Jessica Lynn Rojas sits down with Iris Canela, Latina life coach and podcaster, to talk about how to pivot your career and life without starting over or losing yourself.If you’ve been feeling stuck, questioning your path, or craving something different but talking yourself out of it, this conversation will feel like permission.Jessica and Iris break down why pivoting isn’t failure, how to stop waiting for burnout to force a change, and what it looks like to trust yourself even when your next step doesn’t make sense on paper.In this episode, we discuss:• Why career paths aren’t meant to be linear• How to pivot your career without starting over• Reactive vs. intentional career changes• Letting go of “I’ve invested too much to change”• How guilt, fear, and expectations keep women stuck• Learning to trust your intuition, not just logic• Giving yourself permission to want something different• Practical ways to get clarity on your next moveAbout Iris CanelaIris Canela is a Latina life coach and podcaster who helps high-achieving women of color stop over-proving and start living with intention, presence, and truth. She supports women in trusting themselves, owning their voice, and creating aligned careers and lives.Connect with IrisInstagram: @risingwithirisWork with Iris: https://soljourney.co/Newsletter: https://rising-with-iris.kit.com/a37479e160LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iriscanela/Work With JessicaIf this episode hit because you know you’ve outgrown where you are but keep second-guessing yourself, this is the work I do with my clients.I help ambitious women of color make career moves with clarity and confidence. Whether it’s a pivot, promotion, or new direction, we focus on helping you trust your decisions, stop operating from fear, and build a career that actually fits your life.✨ Book a 1:1 Coaching Consulthttps://www.jessicalynn-wellness.com/scheduling📩 Join Dear Ambitious WOChttps://www.jessicalynn-wellness.com/email-list📱 Instagram: @jessicalynnrojashttps://www.instagram.com/jessicalynnrojas/Subscribe & ReviewIf this resonated, subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next. A quick 5-star rating and review helps more women of color find this podcast and feel seen.

Why do you feel exhausted, overwhelmed, or on edge… even when you’re doing everything “right” in your career?For many high-achieving women of color, burnout isn’t just about workload. It’s deeper than that. It can be unprocessed trauma stored in the body.You’re showing up, performing, hitting your goals—but your body is carrying stress, tension, and pressure that no amount of productivity hacks can fix.In this episode of The Ambitious Woman of Color Podcast, Jessica Lynn Rojas is joined by Shena Moreau, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, trauma therapist, and founder of Valorous Wellness, to talk about how trauma shows up in the workplace—and how to start healing in a way that actually supports your life and career.If you’ve ever felt like you can’t turn your mind off, your body is always tense, or success still feels heavy, this conversation will resonate—and we end with a special guided sound bath and meditation from Shena you can come back to anytime.Jessica and Shena break down how both big T and little T trauma impact women of color at work, why burnout can be a nervous system issue (not just time management), and how to start reconnecting with your body so success doesn’t come at the expense of your health.Chapters: 00:00 Burnout beyond workload 02:43 From burnout to self-awareness 06:18 Unlearning limiting beliefs 09:59 Cultural pressure and overworking 13:32 How trauma shows up in the body 17:04 Big T vs. little T trauma 19:42 The mind-body connection 24:48 Reconnecting with your body 28:11 Nervous system regulation 34:57 Integrating healing into daily life 38:41 Owning your worth and leadership 41:22 Guided sound bath + breathwork meditationAbout Shena Moreau Shena Moreau is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, trauma therapist, and founder of Valorous Wellness. She helps women reconnect with their mind and body through evidence-based and holistic practices so they can heal, regulate their nervous system, and step into the life they’re meant to live.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livinglifewithshe/Book a consultation: valorouswellness.comWork With JessicaIf this episode made you realize your burnout might be deeper than your workload, this is the work I do with my clients.I help ambitious women of color build careers that don’t come at the expense of their health. We look at how you’re operating at work, where stress and pressure are driving your decisions, and how to create boundaries, leadership strategies, and career moves that actually support your life.✨ Book a 1:1 Coaching Consult: https://www.jessicalynn-wellness.com/scheduling📩 Join Dear Ambitious WOC: https://www.jessicalynn-wellness.com/email-list📱 Follow on Instagram: @jessicalynnrojas: https://www.instagram.com/jessicalynnwellness/Subscribe & Review If this resonated, subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next. A quick 5-star rating and review helps more women of color find this podcast and feel seen in their experience.

Have you ever felt stuck but couldn’t quite explain why?On paper, things look fine. You’re responsible. You’re performing. You’re doing what you’re supposed to do.But internally something feels off. Like you’ve outgrown where you are. Maybe it’s your job, a relationship, or the version of yourself you’ve been trying to maintain.And the hardest part? Not knowing whether you should stay and fix it or leave and start over.So you go through the motions. You tell yourself maybe you’re just being ungrateful or that it’s just a hard season. Meanwhile you feel more disconnected, more exhausted, and more unsure of what you actually want.In this episode of The Ambitious Woman of Color Podcast, Jessica Lynn Rojas sits down with her business bestie, Candelaria (Cande) González, a certified life coach who helps first-generation Latinas break free from unfulfilling careers and relationships to build a life they actually love.This conversation is for you if you’ve been questioning your next move, feeling stuck in your career or personal life, or sensing you want more but guilt and fear are keeping you frozen.If you’ve been waiting for permission to change or wondering if it’s okay to want something different, this episode will resonate.In this episode we discuss:• What feeling stuck actually means and how it shows up in careers and relationships• The difference between going through the motions and being in flow• Why fear of making the wrong decision keeps people frozen• Letting go of timelines and the need to control outcomes• Self-awareness, curiosity, and trusting yourself when the next step isn’t clearAbout Candelaria (Cande) GonzálezCandelaria is a certified life coach who helps first-generation Latinas break free from unfulfilling careers and relationships so they can build a life they genuinely love.Connect with CandeInstagram: www.instagram.com/siempre.evolvingTikTok: www.tiktok.com/@siempre.evolvingWork With JessicaIf this episode made you realize you may have outgrown where you are in your career, this is the work I do with my clients.I help ambitious women of color in corporate position themselves for the promotion, salary increase, and leadership recognition they’ve already earned. Together we focus on advocating for your value, making your impact visible to decision-makers, and setting boundaries that support career growth without burnout.Instead of staying in roles where you’re overworking and overlooked, you start making strategic moves that move your career forward.Book a 1:1 Coaching Consult:https://www.jessicalynn-wellness.com/schedulingJoin Dear Ambitious WOC:https://www.jessicalynn-wellness.com/email-listFollow @jessicalynnwellness:https://www.instagram.com/jessicalynnwellness/Subscribe & ReviewSubscribe so you don’t miss upcoming episodes. A quick 5-star review helps more ambitious women of color discover the podcast and realize they’re not alone in feeling stuck.

Can you grow your career, be present in your marriage, and raise a family without losing yourself?For many ambitious women of color, marriage and motherhood don’t make ambition disappear. But they do test your identity. Suddenly you’re navigating new expectations at home, shifting priorities at work, and the pressure to hold everything together.You’re showing up as the employee, the partner, the mom, the daughter, the leader. And somewhere in the middle of all that, your voice, goals, and needs can easily get pushed to the side.In this episode of The Ambitious Woman of Color Podcast, Jessica Lynn Rojas is joined by Nanci Sanchez, first-generation Latina life coach, wife, mom, and corporate professional, to talk about navigating career growth, marriage, and motherhood without abandoning yourself.Jessica and Nanci discuss the identity shifts that happen when women step into new roles, why many women feel guilty advocating for themselves, and how avoiding hard conversations at work or at home can quietly cost you opportunities and fulfillment.They also share practical insight on asking for what you deserve, setting boundaries, and building a career that supports your life, not one that consumes it.In this episode, we discuss:• Why marriage and motherhood often trigger identity shifts for ambitious women• The pressure women of color feel to “handle everything” without asking for support• Why avoiding hard conversations can cost you opportunities and growth• How to advocate for yourself at work, including asking for raises and new opportunities• Navigating career growth while managing family responsibilities• The mindset shift around being called “selfish” when prioritizing yourself• Setting boundaries that protect your time, energy, and mental health• Why your career path should be intentional, not something you passively acceptAbout Nanci SanchezNanci Sanchez is a first-generation Latina life coach, wife, mom, and corporate professional. She supports Latina wives in the early years of marriage who are balancing full-time careers while quietly feeling unseen, unheard, or disconnected from themselves.Through her coaching, Nanci helps women reclaim their voice, rebuild confidence, and advocate for themselves without guilt.Connect with Nanci:Instagram: @thenancisanchez https://www.instagram.com/thenancisanchez/ Work With JessicaIf this episode resonated and you’re navigating career growth while managing the expectations that come with relationships, family, and leadership, this is exactly the work I do with my clients.I help ambitious women of color grow their careers without burning out. We focus on promotions, raises, leadership growth, and career pivots while building boundaries, confidence, and clarity around what success actually looks like for you.✨ Book a 1:1 Coaching Consult: https://www.jessicalynn-wellness.com/scheduling📩 Join Dear Ambitious WOC: https://www.jessicalynn-wellness.com/email-list 📱 Follow @jessicalynnrojas Subscribe & ReviewIf this resonated, subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next.A quick 5-star review helps more ambitious women of color find this podcast.

Why does everything feel so hard when you’re doing everything “right”?You’re high-achieving. You perform well at work. You hit deadlines. People see you as capable.But behind the scenes? You’re exhausted. Focus feels impossible. Organization is a constant battle. You buy the planner. You try the productivity system. You promise yourself you’ll “just be more disciplined.”And nothing sticks.So you start wondering:Is it me? Am I just not trying hard enough?In this episode of The Ambitious Woman of Color Podcast, Jessica Lynn Rojas sits down with Brenda Miranda, LCSW, ADHD therapist and coach, who was diagnosed with ADHD at 30 after years of high performance and hidden struggle.This conversation is for ambitious women, especially women of color, who suspect they might be neurodivergent or who are tired of traditional productivity advice that does not work for their brain.We talk about what ADHD actually looks like in high-achieving women, why women are chronically underdiagnosed, and how masking ADHD at work often leads to burnout, shame, and collapse at home.If you’ve ever felt like you can perform at work but your personal life is falling apart, this episode will feel validating.In this episode, we discuss:• Why ADHD is often missed in high-achieving women• Masking and the hidden cost of “holding it together”• Late ADHD diagnosis and what changes afterward• Why traditional productivity advice fails ADHD brains• Energy management and working with your brain, not against it• Redefining discipline in a way that actually works• Common ADHD myths and why ADHD is highly treatableAbout Brenda MirandaBrenda Miranda, LCSW, is an ADHD therapist and coach for late-diagnosed, ambitious women who want to understand their ADHD brain and get meaningful work done without burnout or self-abandonment. With 15+ years in mental health and her own lived experience with ADHD, she helps women regulate their energy and build sustainable success.Connect with Brenda:Instagram: @xobrendamirandaBook a 1:1 Sales Call: https://calendly.com/brenda-miranda/salescallWork With JessicaIf this episode made you realize you might be navigating ADHD while building an ambitious career, or you’re simply exhausted from trying to “fix” yourself, this is the work I do with my clients.I help ambitious women of color grow their careers without burning out. We focus on promotions, raises, leadership growth, boundaries, and big career moves in a way that works with your nervous system and how you’re wired. No more forcing productivity systems that don’t fit you. No more proving yourself through exhaustion.You can build success in a way your brain and body can sustain.✨ Book a 1:1 Coaching Consult: https://www.jessicalynn-wellness.com/scheduling📩 Join Dear Ambitious WOC: https://www.jessicalynn-wellness.com/email-list📱 Follow @jessicalynnrojasSubscribe & ReviewIf this resonated, subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next.A quick 5-star review helps more ambitious women of color find this podcast.

Can you take care of yourself and still be ambitious, or does slowing down mean falling behind?For many women of color, rest comes with guilt. You want more energy, better health, and space to breathe, but you’ve been taught that success requires constant output, overworking, and pushing through exhaustion.In this episode of The Ambitious Woman of Color Podcast, Jessica Lynn Rojas is joined by Samantha Minott, Board Certified Nurse Practitioner, health and wellness coach, and founder of Wellness Evolving, to redefine what the “soft life” actually looks like for high-achieving women.If you’re tired of toxic productivity, ignoring your body’s signals, or feeling like prioritizing yourself will cost you your career momentum, this conversation will resonate deeply.Jessica and Samantha unpack how ambition, wellness, and purpose can coexist without burnout. They explore how stress, cultural conditioning, and survival-based success patterns impact women of color’s health, and why self-care is not indulgent, lazy, or optional. The soft life, as they discuss, is intentional, grounded, and necessary for sustainable success.In this episode, we discuss:What the soft life really means for ambitious women of colorWhy rest and self-care often trigger guiltHow stress, hormones, and gut health affect energy and focusSetting boundaries that protect your health and your goalsBreaking free from toxic productivity and burnout cyclesSimple, realistic wellness practices for busy womenRedefining success beyond overwork and exhaustionAbout Samantha MinottSamantha Minott is a Board Certified Nurse Practitioner and founder of Wellness Evolving. After being dismissed by doctors at a young age, her personal health journey led her to functional nutrition and holistic wellness. Today, she helps women of color get to the root cause of hormonal imbalance through faith-based, sustainable wellness practices.Connect with Samantha:TikTok | WebsiteWork With JessicaIf this episode made you realize you’re tired of building success at the expense of your health, this is the work I do with my 1:1 clients.I help ambitious women of color grow their careers without burning out. We focus on increasing your income, strengthening your leadership presence, setting boundaries that actually stick, and positioning you for promotions and higher pay without overworking to prove yourself.This is about building a career that funds your soft life. More money. More authority. More ease.✨ Book a 1:1 Coaching Consult: https://www.jessicalynn-wellness.com/scheduling📩 Join Dear Ambitious WOC: https://www.jessicalynn-wellness.com/email-list📱 Follow @jessicalynnrojasSubscribe & ReviewIf this episode supported you, subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next. A quick 5-star review helps more women of color find these conversations and reminds them they’re not alone.

You did everything right. Degree? Check. Career? Check. Hard work? Check. So why does success still feel exhausting, unsafe, or unsatisfying?In this episode of The Ambitious Woman of Color Podcast, Jessica Lynn Rojas sits down with Bianca Alba, first-gen Latina, public health professional turned entrepreneur, and founder of This Latina Travels. They unpack why career success doesn’t always bring security or fulfillment for women of color, how burnout hides behind stability, and why doing everything “right” isn’t always enough.Bianca shares her journey through public service, burnout, an unexpected layoff, and the moment she chose herself—building a business and community rooted in rest, freedom, and self-trust. This conversation is a reminder: your worth isn’t measured by productivity, titles, or how much you can endure.In this episode, we discuss:Why doing everything “right” still isn’t safe for women of colorHow burnout hides behind career successChoosing yourself, rest, and alignment without guiltRedefining success beyond titles and incomeAbout Bianca AlbaBianca Alba is a first-gen Latina, public health professional turned entrepreneur, and founder of This Latina Travels. She helps Latinas and first-gen women redefine success, pursue passion, and build lives rooted in freedom, joy, and community.Connect with Bianca:⁠Website & Newsletter⁠Instagram⁠⁠Work With JessicaIf you’re an ambitious woman of color navigating career burnout, overwork, or the pressure to constantly prove yourself, this is the work I do.I’m a career coach for women of color who want promotions, higher pay, and sustainable career growth without sacrificing their health or peace. In my 3-month 1:1 coaching program, we focus on salary negotiation, leadership presence, boundaries at work, and making high-stakes career decisions without burnout.✨ Book a ⁠1:1 Career Coaching Consult⁠📩 Join ⁠Dear Ambitious WOC⁠📱 Follow on InstagramSubscribe & ReviewIf this podcast resonates, subscribe and leave a 5-star rating and a review to help more women of color find it.

Can you grow your career and keep your relationship thriving—or do you have to choose?For many ambitious women, career growth comes with tension at home. You get the promotion, and your partner feels threatened. You work longer hours, and they don’t understand why it matters. You prioritize yourself, and suddenly there’s guilt or pushback.In this episode of The Ambitious Woman of Color Podcast, Jessica Lynn Rojas is joined by Cynthia Flores, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and host of the Heal & Manifest podcast, to talk about what really happens when ambitious women start growing—and how to navigate love and career success without sacrificing either.If you’re high-achieving, used to handling everything on your own, or wondering why your relationships feel heavy, disconnected, or misaligned, this conversation will resonate.Jessica and Cynthia unpack how cultural conditioning, first-gen pressure, and survival-based success patterns shape how ambitious women show up in relationships. They explore why career success doesn’t automatically bring relational fulfillment, why hyper-independence can create distance, and what it takes to co-create partnerships that truly support your life and career.In this episode, we discuss:• How hyper-independence impacts relationships for ambitious women• Why career success doesn’t always equal relationship fulfillment• Cultural and first-gen conditioning around independence and self-worth• The cost of always being “the strong one”• Communication, boundaries, and modern partnership dynamics• Redefining success beyond productivity and overworkAbout Cynthia FloresCynthia Flores is a First-Gen Latina, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, speaker, media expert, and host of the Heal & Manifest podcast. She helps First Gen Latinas and women of color heal trauma, build self-worth, break generational cycles, and create healthy, supportive relationships.Connect with Cynthia:Website | InstagramWork With JessicaIf this episode helped you recognize patterns of over-functioning, hyper-independence, or carrying everything alone while building a demanding career, this is the work I do with my 1:1 clients. I help ambitious women of color increase their income without burning out. We focus on promotions, raises, job changes, and career pivots through strategy, identity work, and nervous system awareness so you can earn more while actually having a life.✨ Book a 1:1 Coaching Consult: https://www.jessicalynn-wellness.com/scheduling📩 Join Dear Ambitious WOC: https://www.jessicalynn-wellness.com/email-list📱 Follow @jessicalynnrojasSubscribe & ReviewIf this podcast supports you, subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.Leaving a quick 5-star rating and review helps more women of color find these conversations, and reminds them they’re not alone. 🤎

In this episode, Jessica Lynn Rojas is joined by Miryam Valdivia Romero (Miryam Valdrom), Leadership & Capacity Strategist, to unpack the eldest daughter tax—and how early family roles shape how Latinas and women of color show up at work.If you’ve always been the responsible one, the fixer, the emotional backbone, or the person who “handles everything,” this conversation will feel familiar.Together, we explore how eldest daughter conditioning and cultural survival roles lead to over-functioning, people-pleasing, and burnout at work—while keeping women underpaid, overlooked, and stuck in roles that rely on their labor but not their leadership.This episode breaks down what it actually takes to move from being the dependable doer to a resourced, sovereign leader. We talk about emotional capacity, boundaries, rest, negotiation, and why reclaiming your agency at work isn’t selfish—it’s essential for sustainable career growth.In this episode, we cover:• How eldest daughter conditioning shows up in leadership and work ethic• Why over-functioning at work is often rooted in family survival roles• The cost of always being “the capable one”• How emotional capacity and nervous system awareness affect career growth• Why rest and boundaries are required—not optional• Shifting from self-sacrifice to sovereignty at work• How negotiation and income growth are tied to self-trust and identityAbout Miryam ValdromMiryam Valdrom is a Leadership & Capacity Strategist supporting high-achieving women—especially Latinas and women of color—who have been carrying too much for too long. Her work helps women expand their time, income, and impact by strengthening the emotional and identity foundations of how they lead.Connect with Miryam:• Private 1:1 Coaching / Partnerships• Inner Pionera Quiz• InstagramTikTokWork With JessicaIf this episode helped you recognize patterns like over-responsibility, avoiding hard asks, or carrying more than your share, this is the work I do with my 1:1 clients.I help ambitious women of color earn more without overworking—through salary negotiation, promotions, job changes, and career pivots that increase income, authority, and choice without sacrificing your health.✨ Book a 1:1 Coaching Consult: https://www.jessicalynn-wellness.com/scheduling📩 Join Dear Ambitious WOC: https://www.jessicalynn-wellness.com/email-list📱 Follow @jessicalynnrojasSubscribe & ReviewIf this podcast supports you, subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.Leaving a quick rating and review helps more women of color find these conversations, and reminds them they’re not alone.🤎

Building wealth shouldn’t require burnout, constant side hustles, or sacrificing your well-being.In this episode of The Ambitious Woman of Color, Jessica Lynn Rojas sits down with Maideli Garcia, Latina money coach and financial educator, to break down what building wealth on a W-2 actually looks like for ambitious women of color.They explore how career strategy, mental health, family expectations, and self-worth directly impact income, savings, and long-term wealth — and why many high-achieving women of color feel financially stretched despite earning “good money.”This conversation challenges the belief that you have to overwork to get ahead and offers a more sustainable path to financial growth that doesn’t cost you your health, relationships, or peace.You’ll hear about:How to build wealth without sacrificing your lifeWhy self-care is a financial strategy, not a luxuryThe link between burnout, career decisions, and moneyNavigating family expectations and setting financial boundariesTransitioning careers to increase income sustainablyWhy side hustles should be intentional, not permanentHow salary negotiation accelerates wealth buildingWhy investing and paying off debt can happen at the same timeThis episode is for women of color who want financial freedom, career growth, and a life that actually feels good — not just impressive on paper.About the Guest: Maideli GarciaMaideli Garcia is a Latina money coach and financial educator who helps women of color and first-generation professionals save, spend, invest, and earn more — without sacrificing joy.After burning out in education, Maideli pivoted into tech and tripled her income. She now supports clients in breaking generational money cycles, building wealth, and rewriting their money stories.Work with Maideli1:1 Money Coaching: Book Clarity CallTeacher Transition Coaching: Book Clarity CallWork With JessicaStop overworking. Start getting paid what you’re worth.I help ambitious women of color make strategic career moves—raises, promotions, and pivots—without burnout or people-pleasing.✨ Book a 1:1 Coaching Consult: https://www.jessicalynn-wellness.com/scheduling📩 Join Dear Ambitious WOC: https://www.jessicalynn-wellness.com/email-list📱 Follow @jessicalynnrojas⁠Subscribe & ReviewIf this podcast supports you, subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.Leaving a quick rating and review helps more women of color find these conversations, and reminds them they’re not alone.

In this episode of The Ambitious Woman of Color, Jessica sits down with Carla Santamaria, career strategist and host of The First Gen Coach Podcast, to unpack why women of color are systematically underpaid—especially in mission-driven and nonprofit spaces.We explore how women of color are socialized into low-paying roles in the name of “giving back,” how purpose is often used to justify inequitable pay, and why being aligned with a mission should never require financial self-sacrifice.Carla shares her journey of more than doubling her salary in 10 months by leveraging transferable skills and pivoting industries from higher education to healthcare to tech. Together, Jessica and Carla discuss how women of color can recognize underpayment, protect themselves in inequitable systems, and build careers that support both their values and their lives.IN THIS EPISODE, WE COVERWhy women of color are drawn to mission-driven and nonprofit workHow “purpose” gets weaponized to justify low payThe systemic undervaluation of women of color’s laborWhy job titles and compensation often don’t match responsibilitiesHow to recognize when you’re underpaid (even if you love the work)What it really means to maintain integrity in your careerWhy financial freedom expands—not limits—your ability to give backStrategic ways women of color can protect themselves at workHow to make an impact beyond nonprofit rolesABOUT THE GUESTCarla Santamaria is a community psychologist, career strategist, and LinkedIn educator who more than doubled her salary in 10 months by leveraging transferable skills and pivoting industries. A Honduran-born, Miami-raised, first-generation professional, Carla helps women build careers that support the lives they want to live. She is the host of The First Gen Coach Podcast and has been featured in Univision Noticias, PopSugar Juntos, and Latinas in Tech.CONNECT WITH CARLAInstagram: @carlasantamariaPodcast: The First Gen CoachWebsite / Work with Carla hereWORK WITH JESSICAIf this episode resonated and you’re ready to stop being underpaid for work that matters, this is exactly what I support my 1:1 clients with.I work with ambitious women of color who want to:Advocate for higher pay without burning outNavigate promotions and pivots strategicallyStop overworking to prove their worthBuild careers that support their lives—not drain them📅 Book a consult call ⁠here⁠📱 Instagram: ⁠@jessicalynnrojas⁠ ✉️ Join my ⁠email communitySubscribe & Review:If this episode resonated, make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss what’s next. If you loved the conversation, leaving a 5-star review helps other women find this podcast.

What if getting paid more didn’t require working harder, sacrificing your mental health, or proving your worth over and over again?In this episode, Jessica sits down with Evie Prete, Latina salary negotiation coach and host of The Págame Podcast, to unpack the deep connection between self-worth, money, and mental health. Evie shares her journey from burnout in high-pressure environments to helping women of color confidently negotiate salaries, promotions, and severance rooted in self-worth—not hustle.They explore: how “Págame Energy” shifts the way women show up at work, why more work doesn’t equal more money, and how to prepare for layoffs before they happen. If you’ve ever felt guilty asking for more, feared rocking the boat, or believed you had to earn the right to negotiate—this conversation will change how you see your value.In This Episode:Why protecting your mental peace is essential for career successHow burnout becomes a wake-up call for stronger boundariesWhat “Págame Energy” really means—and how to embody itWhy self-worth (not scripts) is the foundation of negotiationHow upbringing and money mindset impact negotiationsWhy doing more work without pay lowers your perceived valueHow to advocate for yourself without overexplaining or apologizingStrategies to prepare for layoffs before they happenWhy severance packages are negotiable—and how to askUsing visualization and embodiment to build negotiation confidenceAbout Evie Prete:Evie Prete is a Latina Salary Negotiation Coach, Speaker, and Host of The Págame Podcast. She helps women of color break free from scarcity and self-doubt to confidently negotiate salaries, promotions, and opportunities aligned with their true worth. Through her program, The Self Worth Accelerator, her clients have negotiated over $810,000 in salary increases—and counting.Connect with Evie:InstagramListen to her PodcastJoin her newsletter & get her FREE salary negotiation checklistWork with Jessica:Ready to stop overworking and finally get paid for the value you bring? In 1:1 coaching, we go beyond tactics—we build the clarity, confidence, and self-trust to advocate for salary, raises, promotions, and severance without burning out or second-guessing yourself.✨ Book a 1:1 Coaching Consult: https://www.jessicalynn-wellness.com/scheduling📩 Join Dear Ambitious WOC: https://www.jessicalynn-wellness.com/email-list📱 Follow @jessicalynnrojasSubscribe & Review:If this episode resonated, make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss what’s next. If you loved the conversation, leaving a 5-star review helps other women find this podcast.

What happens after you get the promotion?Stepping into a Director-level role as a woman of color isn’t just a title change—it’s an identity shift. Suddenly, you’re not just managing work, you’re leading people. You’re navigating power, visibility, and expectations—often as the only woman of color in the room.In this conversation with Elvy Garcia, certified life and leadership coach, we talk about what no one prepares you for at senior levels: how imposter syndrome changes, leading without shrinking yourself, and setting boundaries as a leader without guilt.This episode is for you if you’re aiming for leadership, newly promoted into a Director-level role, or already there navigating the challenges beyond the job description.In This Episode:The biggest identity shift: moving from managing work to leading peopleWhy leadership feels harder at senior levels—even when you’re qualifiedHow being a woman of color adds complexity to leadershipWhy imposter syndrome doesn’t disappear—it shows up differentlyNavigating being the only woman of color in senior leadershipSetting boundaries with your team and your boss without guiltShowing up authentically vs. code-switchingBuilding self-trust in leadership decisionsWhat they don’t teach you about Director-level leadershipEmotional capacity required to lead, not just technical skillsPractical strategies for women preparing for or navigating leadershipKey Takeaways:Imposter syndrome at senior levels isn’t about competence—it’s about environments that don’t reflect youThe shift from doing the work to leading people is a major identity changeYou can be authentic and professional—you don’t have to code-switchSetting boundaries as a leader isn’t selfish—it’s strategicThe higher you go, the more intentional you must be about self-awarenessLeadership requires emotional capacity, not just skillsYou don’t have to prove you belong—you already doConnect with Elvy Garcia:Elvy is a certified life and leadership coach helping women of color rise in their careers without losing themselves.Instagram: @coachingwithelvyBook Private 1:1 Coaching Call: https://calendly.com/coachingwithelvy/1-1-private-coaching-sales-callWork With Jessica:If this conversation resonated, I work 1:1 with ambitious women of color navigating promotions, pivots, and raises—combining strategy and inner work so you can grow your career and life.✨ Book a consult call: https://www.jessicalynn-wellness.com/scheduling✨ DM me on Instagram: @jessicalynnrojas✨ Join my Email Community: https://www.jessicalynn-wellness.com/email-listSubscribe & Review:Make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss future episodes. If you loved the conversation, leaving a 5-star review helps other women find this podcast.

Seven years ago, I made a call I’d been avoiding for six months.I called my company’s Employee Assistance Program—from my desk at work—while still showing up every day, high-performing on the outside and drowning in anxiety on the inside.I had done everything “right.”A Master’s in Public Health.A healthcare consulting job alongside Harvard-trained doctors.First in my family to break into corporate America.And I was completely burned out.In this first episode, I share my story—from my first panic attack at 18, to the boss who questioned my intelligence, to the moment I realized I had made my career my entire identity. I talk about the years it took to understand the root of my burnout and what changed when I finally chose myself first.This is also why I became a coach—and why I created this podcast. Because the support I needed didn’t exist. Support that understood culture, identity, and the reality of being a first-gen woman of color in spaces not built for us.If you’re an ambitious woman of color who’s tired of choosing between the career and the life, you’re in the right place.In This Episode:My first panic attack and living with anxietyBeing the only Latina in elite corporate spacesA boss who questioned my intelligenceCalling EAP after months of anxietyHigh-functioning depressionWhy therapy helped—but wasn’t enoughHow I made my career my identityChoosing myself and what changed afterWhy this podcast exists and who it’s forKey Takeaways:High-functioning depression means you’re still performing while strugglingAnxiety often comes from environments where you don’t feel you belongCareer advice that ignores culture and identity is incompleteRest and boundaries are learned skillsYou can be ambitious and have peaceWork With JessicaI work 1:1 with ambitious women of color navigating promotions, pivots, and raises—without burning out.Book a consult: ⁠https://www.jessicalynn-wellness.com/schedulingJoin my email community: ⁠https://www.jessicalynn-wellness.com/email-listDM me on Instagram: ⁠@jessicalynnrojas⁠Subscribe & ReviewSubscribe so you don’t miss what’s coming next.If you loved this episode, leaving a 5-star rating and writing a review helps other women find this podcast.Next EpisodeLeading as a Woman of Color at the Director Level with Elvy Garcia.

I'm Jessica Lynn Rojas, and I created the podcast I wish existed when I was climbing the corporate ladder as one of the only Latinas in the room.The Ambitious Woman of Color is for high-achieving women of color who want career success AND a full life—not one or the other.This is where we have the real conversations: How to build wealth when you're figuring out money on your own. How to set boundaries when your culture calls that disrespectful. How to rest without guilt. How to navigate being the only one. How to lead without losing yourself.Every week, I'm bringing you experts and women who get it. Negotiation coaches. Therapists. Financial strategists. Leaders who've navigated what you're navigating.Because your career impacts your life, and your life impacts your career. And you deserve strategies that work for ALL of you.Subscribe now. New episodes drop every week.This is the conversation we've been waiting for.