Meet Maria Cristina.
My Roots & Passions
I have multiple passions. The oldest one, serving people. Also, for ideas, understanding where we come from, how things work, how our brain works, what makes us be who we are, what makes us different -or feel different- what reveals what we share… I do love to grasp mysteries, connecting with the person forgotten in the group, the ones going unnoticed, or that are being left behind.
Since I was a girl I loved reading, had a sensitivity towards art in all its expressions, and danced everywhere (still do), almost every day. I grew up close to the Caribbean Sea in a city surrounded by mountains and part of my core requirements is to spend time outdoors, under the ski or below tree leaves.
Identity & Perspective
Both my parents came from different countries and due to different reasons, and made their life in Venezuela. Since very little I was aware I never fully belonged to just one group. Not culturally, not professionally, not personally. I became aware since being very young about how humanity in its diversity is also deeply imbricated, despite the efforts or beliefs that may make us -or a group- to feel that we -or they- are different. Yes, we are, yet no, we are not.
The questions may be, how can we co-exist, grow, understand, create something better out of the obstacles we face? My generation faced the end of the bonanza era, the fall into complete chaos of a country that was already falling apart, and the emergence of an ideology that capitalized on division, and the dehumanization of others, what set up the perfect table for extremism on both ends.
Professional Background
In my path as a professional, I have been able to participate in projects for corporate organizations and for non-profits, worked with multi-disciplinary teams and people from different cultures, And I do enjoy and appreciate the diversity in every area of life, culture, and individuals who can come together to accomplish things.
The Turning Point
When I went through divorce almost two decades ago, and without realizing what I was really articulating, I started using some coaching techniques to help me navigate that dark period of my life. Those techniques helped me contain myself and kept me working towards a vision in the future and surely complemented my work in therapy. Most importantly, they helped me gain deep awareness of the impact of any given action – or omission – on my family and ultimately, on myself.
I started a new chapter in my life in Canada in 2014, with my two sons and our beloved Jerry cat.
Discovering Coaching
Later, I professionally discovered coaching and became a certified life and leadership coach; I have been captivated by the powerful tools that had worked their magic on clients, and that also had a tremendous impact on me.
I started my practice as a life coach supporting parents in the challenging work of co-parenting; Paradoxically, it may be a good moment to learn that you were avoiding for years! The experience of assisting in developing communication skills while living a crisis led me to understand patterns and to support others gain awareness and create their own tools.
My Coaching Philosophy
Usually, crisis can lead you to understand in which way you neglected yourself and in which way you need to take time to observe yourself, reconnect with that that is relevant for you and to pay close attention to see how you see the word and yourself in it.
From my personal discovery of the practice of internal awareness and the practice of building up a healthy relationship with yourself and with others to unleash your potential to the fullest and live the adventure of your life, no matter how old you are today. Be it times of personal crisis, or understanding patterns to diffuse a future crisis, reconnecting with yourself, elevating the relationship with your partner, develop a resilient mindset, growing professionally, is that I continue to study and work with people who are ready to take action.
From my personal experience, having lived the disturbing experience of being dehumanized by one group and also being a witness of how extremes look alike regardless the side you are coming from, if that I work to create awareness and to spread tools that will help empower individuals to dare to know who the person on the other side is. Reaching out with curiosity and offering the same respect longing to receive.