Feature in VoyageMIA
Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Orozco.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was born and raised in Cali, Colombia and at the age of twenty-one I moved to Miami to finish my undergraduate degree in Psychology. As my passion is helping and working with others, I continued my education and obtained a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. However, working in the traditional mental health field, I came to realize that something was off. I began feeling that something was missing or was just not clicking in both my career and in the other areas of my life.
Professionally I knew I wanted to share with and to help others, but the way that I was doing it was not aligned with my values. I believe in people, in the healing power of foods, and in the great impact of support and primary “nutrition”. I define these as relationships, spirituality, work satisfaction and exercise. When we are motivated and empowered, we can heal, transform and tap into our full potential.
I knew I wanted to make CHANGE an action that is attainable, doable, and real for others. Therefore, learning and discovering what tools were necessary to surpass obstacles and self-imposed limitations such as stepping out of fear and doubt was key. It took me some time and some hard moments to figure this out, to make these concrete. It required me to build up the courage to come out of my comfort zone and to face difficulties with strength and trust. I realized that I needed to inquire, to go within myself and to take action to make the changes in order to revive my passion and purpose.
By opening myself to the new possibilities, facing my fears and overcoming challenges, I was able to start a new journey that incorporates a comprehensive and healthful approach that ignited my own personal transformation. From that moment on, life started shifting, my path became clearer and with determination, I created a new life.
Incorporating sustainable changes in my diet, my movement and my mindset, I began working on my personal goals that soon after, led to great results. This was very empowering. With discipline, consistency and hard work, I continued exploring new ways to enrich my life and the lives of others. Becoming a yoga teacher was an essential component and enriching experience that has kept me motivated and enthusiastic about what I want to achieve and how to achieve it. Yoga is now part of my life, always reminding me of my potential and of the healing practice of cultivating gratitude, peace, and trust. I reconnected with my call, and with the mission to coach others through building a LiFE they feel passionate about, I created and became the director of LiFE SPARK, a health and wellness counseling practice that is focused on helping others to make sustainable LiFE changes to SPARK their transformation. I also share my love and trust in the YOGA practice, and teach public and private classes within the Miami community.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have faced and continue to go through many challenges and obstacles during this journey. At the beginning they were related to the fact of not knowing how to start, where to go, questioning my original clinical training, and finding the courage to really dig inside and ask myself important questions to discover and become mindful and aware of my process. There was a lot of fear and doubt related to becoming an entrepreneur, a single mother, a partner, a healer, a leader, and a successful woman at the point in my life in which I was at.
On the personal level, the most impactful and transformative experience was going through a miscarriage. Apart from the emotional and psychological consequences that come with grief and loss, it was a powerful moment where I was fell down on my knees and questioned my life, goals, and my purpose. I realized — I had so much of it wrong!! Yes, I was wrong… I was living a life in which I had grown complacent. The life I was living was not aligned with my passions, it was not promoting growth and I was not expanding. It was quite the opposite: I was becoming stagnant and going with the motions of what “we think is a happy life”.
I refer to this moment as my awakening moment. I’ll never forget it. I wanted to face my reality and I kept on going. My changes resulted in lots of questioning, judgment, and even loss of many of those whom I thought were my support system. Many days I felt lonely, but in that loneliness I was able to listen, found, and rediscover myself and Life! Many times hitting rock bottom can be the most powerful transformation of all.
What should we know about LiFE SPARK? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
My educational background is in Psychology (B.S.) and Counseling (M.S.; specifically, Marriage and Family Therapy). I also graduated as a Holistic Health Coach from the Institute for Integrative Nutrition. I have completed several trainings in wellness and healthy eating and living, including the 200 hours Skanda Yoga teacher training which has allowed me to expand my services and share this powerful and transformational practice with others.
I am a wellness counselor and entrepreneur. I founded my own business LiFE SPARK, a personal counseling and coaching practice with the mission to empower and transform others to take their life to the next level. With my business, I aim to support and inspire others to commit to take action and to make sustainable changes that promote their growth and expansion.
My programs are tailored to the specific needs of clients and focus on three main areas: mindset, movement and food. My work is as a team leader, partner and guide. I support and motivate clients on their journey. I make them accountable for what they say, for what they want to achieve and how to achieve it. SPARK LiFE puts forth all of the counseling and coaching tools that I have acquired.
I bring healthy lifestyle to REALITY by acknowledging that in order for changes to be sustainable, the balance and consistency in a daily routine is primary. I coach clients to improve the way they eat, cook and make smart decisions when making food choices. I help them build courage and increase their self-esteem by discovering a way of movement and exercise according to their preference and style of living. I also offer the enriching possibility to challenge and find new ways of perceiving Life and Health. To expand my clients’ vision and making a shift in perception in order to find new paths to promote change is powerful. By exploring practices such as Yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, gratitude and journaling practices, clients are able to find what works best for their own unique living arrangements and paths.
As a Yoga Teacher, I teach public and private classes mainly to those new to the practice, however I keep classes multilevel. My main goal is to share the experience of Yoga from my heart, and to create a safe, warm and fun environment for practitioners so that they are able to have a good experience that promotes a commitment with the practice to be able to experience many of its benefits. I teach SKANDA Yoga, an alignment-based power yoga practice that is challenging and promotes transformation.
What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
To invest and dedicate time and space to know herself. To take the time to discover and explore the possibilities and stay true to her values. HER values — not those of society or others. To find a strong WHY in what she wants to do and how to do it. To speak UP. To believe in her voice! To love herself and to make an impact in her life, and in the lives of others!!!
Image Credit: Gabriel Sanchez
@gabe-media
