Meet Monica Rivera, Founder and Host of the Podcast "You Wanna Do What?!"
Meet Monica Rivera, the founder and host of the podcast “YOU WANNA DO WHAT?”
What was the most difficult part of the path that you had to overcome?
“When I was 16 I watched my mom take her final breath. Over the next 7 years, all my family members died...until it was...only me. Alone. Lonely. I was an only child living in The Bronx without any guidance on which path to choose. At that young age, I clung to the advice any adult would suggest. Instead of going away to one of my preferred colleges, I went to a state school because it was more affordable. I didn't pursue my dream career because the words of my parents lecturing me to "get a stable job and paycheck" echoed in my ears long after they had died. Years of my life was spent seeking safety and stability. I couldn't experiment and try on different jobs because I was constantly aware that there was no one to rely on if anything (everything?) went wrong.
Eventually I reframed my perceived weaknesses and converted them into strengths. Rather than complain about not having siblings, I harnessed the independence that came from being an only child. My obsessive curiosity led me to visit places around the world and ask questions of strangers. The problems that seemed to chase me throughout my youth shaped me into a kick-ass, resourceful problem solver.
The work I had done in my 20s shaped the woman I became in my 30s. I vowed to never live in the land of "one day" - you know that futuristic time zone where you insist you'll do all the things you delay doing today. (I'll take that trip "one day," I'll look for another job "one day", etc...) After a lot of inner work, I let curiosity guide me. I picked up a camera and learned photography. I bought a microphone and began my podcast, YOU WANNA DO WHAT. My entire life changed in ways I never thought possible.
There's a joy and liberation in forging your own path. Like when you go on a hike, there's pride in looking down at your dusty boots at the end of a trail, wiping the sweat from your forehead, and feeling rewarded for the journey.”
Check out YOU WANNA DO WHAT and follow Monica on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.