My Journey: From Child Star to Empowering Coach
My journey from a child star in Cuba to a successful Media and Business Coach in the United States has been nothing short of transformative. Growing up in Cuba, I was immersed in the world of media from an early age, performing on children’s shows with a passion for dance and singing. When my family moved to the U.S. when I was aged 10, I found myself thrust into a new culture and language, but also into exciting new opportunities.
Early Opportunities in Media
Upon arriving in the U.S., I was fortunate to receive a scholarship with Univision’s *Sabado Gigante*. This opportunity allowed me to continue my training in dance, acting, and public speaking, which I carried through my teen years. Performing on various shows and appearing in commercials for brands like Frosted Flakes gave me invaluable experience and a solid foundation in media.
Opening GiGi’s Dance Academy
After graduating high school, I opened my first business, GiGi’s Dance Academy. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in September 2023 was a milestone that reflected both the challenges and triumphs of running a business. During my time managing the academy while pursuing my college education, I continued my broadcasting work, balancing multiple roles as a producer, behind the scenes, and on-air with companies like Radio Disney, iHeartRadio, AmericaTeVe and many others. But the intense pressure and workload eventually led to a severe burnout during my master’s degree studies. I ended up in the hospital. This was a wake-up call for me. The moment that would change everything I believed about work, success and making dreams come true.
A Turning Point in My Life
That period of my life was a turning point. It made me realize that working hard alone wasn’t necessarily the path to success. Instead, it’s about working smart, setting clear goals, and taking intentional steps towards achieving them. I knew I needed to make changes, so I embarked on a journey of unlearning old habits and healing. I hired a coach to help me restructure my life, and the impact was profound. This experience ignited a passion within me to help other women navigate similar challenges.
Founding Seizing Happy®
I earned my Coaching Certification at the University of Miami and soon after founded Seizing Happy®. Over the past 7 years, I’ve dedicated myself to helping hundreds of women entrepreneurs break free from burnout, achieve substantial success, and find balance in their lives. My approach as an empowering coach combines my extensive media background with over two decades of entrepreneurial experience and additional coaching certifications. I combine business coaching with life coaching so we support the business and the woman behind the business equally. My goal in Seizing Happy® is to always make sure that the women I coach never need to sacrifice their family or well-being to achieve their greatest dreams.
Witnessing Transformations
What I find most fulfilling is witnessing the transformation of my clients. Seeing someone go from feeling stressed and overwhelmed to becoming confident, calm, and highly profitable is incredibly rewarding. The ripple effect of these changes often extends into their personal lives, positively impacting their roles as mothers, daughters, and friends.
One of my most memorable moments was when a client sent me a screenshot of a 60% increase in sales just three months into our work together. Later that same week, she reached out to tell me how our focus on setting boundaries had made her a better mother to her son. These moments highlight the profound impact that thoughtful, strategic coaching can have on both professional and personal lives.
Actionable Advice for Women Entrepreneurs
One piece of actionable advice I would give to women entrepreneurs who are struggling to balance business growth with personal well-being is to start by gaining clarity on the life you want to live. Often, we focus on building our business first and end up with structures that don’t support the lifestyle we desire. Instead, I encourage you to reverse engineer your dream life into your business model. By building your business structure around the life you want to live, you ensure that your business works for you, not the other way around. This approach allows you to create a business that aligns with your personal goals and helps you achieve a fulfilling and balanced life.
Lessons Learned on My Journey
My own journey has taught me that success is not solely about working harder but about working with intention and aligning your efforts with your true desires. The challenges I faced and overcame have shaped my approach to coaching, and I’m passionate about helping others navigate their own paths with greater ease and joy.
Embracing Your Own Journey
As I reflect on my journey as an empowering coach, I’m grateful for the experiences that have led me to where I am today. From my early days in media in Cuba to the highs and lows of running a business and finally finding my calling as a coach, every step has contributed to my growth and my ability to support others. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that transformation is always possible, and with the right guidance and mindset, you can achieve extraordinary success while maintaining balance and well-being.
So, to all the aspiring entrepreneurs out there: take the time to define what success means to you personally, and build your business to support that vision. Remember, your business should enhance your life, not dictate it. Embrace the journey with intention and courage, and you’ll find that achieving your dreams is not only possible but profoundly rewarding.
About the Author
Name: GiGi Diaz
Professional Title: Media Personality | Content Creator | Founder Seizing Happy® | Founder of GiGi’s Academy
Bio: GiGi Diaz is a Mindset & Business Coach, media personality, executive producer, and host of the Chats of GiGi podcast, and multi-passionate entrepreneur. She’s the founder of Seizing Happy®; a coaching organization dedicated to nurturing the business and the woman behind the business equally.
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