¶ Intro
he structure that I've learned, the people that I met, the idea of even the traveling and the conversations, that all of it, the training, all of it was so perfect. Why Do you understand that I really learned discipline? What do you think you need to save your life?
Do you consider yourself a wellness warrior, meaning, are you brave when you face adversity and when you hear no, are you like oh, no, uh-uh. That's a hard yes for me, and in a world where you really need to be your own healthcare advocate, ask questions, be a fighter for your health and your wellness. You are a soldier, you are a warrior and it's in your hands.
If that is you and I know it is because you tuned into this podcast week after week you're in the right place, because that is what HIListically Speaking is all about. And if you want to know more of what we're dishing out here week after week, if you're in the right place, because that is what HIListically Speaking is all about. And if you want to know more of what we're dishing out here week after week, if you're new, do yourself a favor. Sign up for the Brain Candy newsletter.
It is absolutely free and I share that in the notes of the podcast, and I'm dropping this information for you because it's because of you that this podcast continues to go on week after week, year after year. So also do yourself a favor, do me a favor. Drop a rating review. You know, download this podcast. If you found it, pass it on, pay it forward. Let's get to the root of these issues so that you can be a happy and healthy grownup.
And I can't do that without the guests that I have on the show, those folks that are turning those traumas into triumphs and, authentically and with courage, sharing their stories and putting them right out there for you to hear, right, so that you can take those little tidbits and put them in your pocket and, hopefully, be a happy and healthy grownup and be vulnerable and be a warrior, like my guest, my girl Natalia Maldonado Girl, you are a true wellness warrior.
There's so much I can say about you. There's so much that I hear you, I see you and you're so inspiring. You are a military veteran, a former New York Police Department officer, new York's finest and bravely talking about being a cancer surthriver. You're also a fellow IIN grad. We love our Institute for Integrative Nutrition.
Folks right, and you turn your life around through fitness, through holistic wellness and, gosh, it was so awesome to be in the room with you when we really actually met face to face during the Heal the. Healer event this past May. So thank you for being here. This is like kismet, and I'm so elated to share you with the audience.
Oh, thank you for having me. It's such an honor, especially knowing what we've been through. We've tried another time to come on, so it feels so good. And the timing that's why it's like you know what, Don't force, don't push. Timing's perfect. So it's an honor.
We got a lot to talk about. It is breast cancer awareness month, so I guess this is the perfect timing, and I know this is an area that you haven't always been talking so openly about till recently, and I'm curious to know. I'm sure those tuning in would like to know why that is and how the journey has been for you. Yeah.
I, yeah, that's why I say that, while the timing and the month is perfect, because I was diagnosed in 2000. It was 2019, actually June of 2019.
¶ Discovering Holistic Healing After Cancer
And I was living in Florida and while I had already left the police department and I left the police department to do health and wellness full time, and so I left in 2012. And the idea cancer in itself is scary, but the idea of, like I was already living this life of health and wellness, I feel like it was just the next level of like are you kidding me? Like wait, what I'm diagnosed with what?
And so when I went to the oncologist, there was this time where she was just like telling me all these stats, numbers and drawing and what I want to do, what surgeries, and all of it was so new. We made the decision of going into, like, leaving that office and seeking holistic help, but I didn't even know what that meant. Like, what does that even mean? Right?
And so, through prayer and just kind of like connecting with people, I found Hippocrates Health Institute in West Palm Beach and thank goodness we made it happen. The community helped me get there. In that man, were there a lot of scary moments, right? So it really is about. It's not only that you get there and you're getting treatment for the whole body. It's the raw. It's raw vegan. You're learning how to grow your own food. You are also going through therapy.
You're also dealing with other like IVs and healing circles, and then there's the nature part of it. You're just learning all of this in three weeks, and then that's the foundation. So then comes the layer of oh yeah, you better have some self-worth and self-respect to follow through for yourself Because, like you're going out into the world.
Like.
You know how you know you've gone to retreats and you're like in this little bubble. When that happened and I'll never forget when I first got on that campus, I knew Like one of the nurses was like. her first words was just like give yourself permission to be a beautiful mess and when she said that and she said I was like, yes, like this is the place, this is where healing happens, and there were just so many layers of what they taught me on an emotional level of why breast cancer.
Yeah, I almost did like just go to the doctor and just be like, because you feel this pressure of like you know, from other people who are they love you but they're scared. They were scared for me, but by August of 2021, I got the clearance and I hate saying. I hate saying like cancer free, because I feel like we always have cancer cells lingering and it's just like, well, it was deactivated.
That's what I'm like deactivation, complete Right, yeah's what I'm like deactivation, complete right yeah, yeah, I'm like deactivate it so that my lifestyle because, remember, it's like a lifestyle and it's not about like being robbing for forever, it's not it, that's not what we're here on earth to do and to be like in fear of it, but it's also like just this awareness of all right, I now, I know this, this and this and this, so the people pleasing better stop.
You know the whole idea of like over nurturing people, putting yourself, like making sure there's, if you want to not take a nap, Like if you need to get outside, get outside. Like things like that, like just an awareness is more, it's more open. With all of that happening. It was really interesting. Interesting because, yeah, I was diagnosed with breast cancer, but I didn't do it the conventional route. I didn't take medicine, it was without chemo, without, and they wanted to do all of it.
It was stage one, slow growing. These are words that the doctors were saying slow growing, non-aggressive, but this is what you should do, Do, do, do, and it was so aggressive and it just didn't match. And so saying no to all of that and doing it really different on many layers and healing from traumas and making it like no, that's part of the treatment. Why is no one talking about this kind of treatment? Um, I realized that I was kind of lost after I got like it was deactivated.
I was kind of like, yeah, I'm a breast cancer survivor but like what do I do now? And so I wasn't saying it out loud and I was still coaching. I was still like and I'll mention it in Zooms and I'll mention it on social media, but I mean it was like I would write. I still like I would type it out.
It was very rare where I was like doing a video and saying it right, and it was also a layer of, while all that was happening, um, when I got the clearance, like a year later, my mentor passed away uh, Patricia Moreno, because I wasn't in like the, the circle, the like real. I feel like, um, I wasn't in like this, in like this, uh, like breast, a lot of breast cancer groups, like in a circle.
It was just kind of like in the wellness groups, the campus of Hippocrates, and I was going to different places so I didn't really educate myself on like survivor skill and I started realizing that, oh, my god, I feel kind of. Like I feel guilty. Like wait, she's a mom. Like I didn't know how to eat. Am I eating? Like, like, how am I eating? How much am I eating?
I was eating back to cook foods and then I was vegan, but then I just started noticing I was just like, what does that even mean, even the title of vegan? Like I don't want to be in fear of eating. Like I really started getting into the spiritual aspect and the nature of it.
Like I started asking questions of like and that's really where I mean, that's what is necessary is asking questions. And just to go back to what curiosity about what's happening in my vehicle, my body, my temple, and I find it so fascinating that you actually went to a place for this healing called Hippocrates, which is food is thy medicine, medicine is thy food. Father of medicine right, the original father.
But to dive into something like that, especially when you get the pressures from modern, not integrated medicine, not saying thank goodness we have modern medicine, but something in you said I need to see how my body can heal itself first. Take that approach first, Because that aggressiveness can be very overwhelming when suddenly we are given information that we never had before and never thought of it happening to us before you know what.
I'm saying, yeah, and it doesn't run in my family. I got into fitness and wellness because it was, like you know, avoiding heart disease, stroke like obesity, things like that. And I'm like, oh, curveball Like, wait, what? Like curveball? So it was so. Like, every time I look back and such gratitude of that's it fear into curiosity, when I would pray and I would feel, because there's, there's not a lot of stats, you're literally seeking out, like who did it? Who did it?
Like with your stage, because that's what I get now, right, oh, but you were stage one, I'm stage four, or oh, you know, so it's, it's this like, so it. But I get it because you're like, I just want, I just want to know like it's possible, and then I want to know like it's possible, and then I want to know, well, how long, like did it come back? Like then that question is coming.
You know, like so you, there's this moment, these like moments I don't know how many times a day, because it's not just like morning meditation transform fear to, you know, transform fear to curiosity. No, it's like every minute, like you know, it's a constant. You know, I remember like affirmations and prayers versus Bible verses in my phone, just to like, if I, if I'm in a rabbit hole, or snap me out of it, god, like, snap me out of it, you know. Or what is this trying to teach me?
What is this fear, what is this concern? Um, like it was this curiosity, this constant questioning and and constant questioning and and um, this it's, it's almost like a you give yourself compassion, like it's a compassion and that, and that's part of the healing and I think the other layer of it in the holistic world, we can kind of get obsessed too about like, what holistic, natural thing do I need to do now? Or what, like what doctor do I need to do now?
Or what, like what doctor do I need to go to? What supplements? And there was a point where the next layer of questions because I was, you know, I lived in, I lived in Florida, and then I started, I loved Hippocrates, like that was my, my safe space. We even, like, we moved to West Palm, started doing like workshops and doing.
You know, I was on campus all the time, but then I started asking I was like, how blessed am I, thank you, thank you, thank you that I was not only I was able to come here, to even do the foundation of healing, but I lived in Florida like so that I can have access to it. We transformed the house into a health house and there was like sprouts everywhere. Like I started growing wheatgrass for the block, like we need to talk about that, like that's really a big thing.
Like that is what you're known for Right.
And I would have to say there's a lot of folks that are probably tuning in that have had health journeys of their own face something, some kind of adversity that they're overcoming. It's one of the reasons why they tune in Right. But for you, what really separated you from a lot of folks that I had come into contact with is that you were like like sprout princess I'm going to say sprout queen Like I watch you. You are the sprout goddess. Oh, I like that better.
And the wellness warrior.
But you know I really came to know you from the work that you were doing, also with Patricia right, and we can talk about that briefly, because I met her when I was working with Daily Burn. She came in and shared the program as well. What a loss, but like what a gain too, right. But then for you, when you and I, when we met during Heal the Healer and you're sharing your wellness, wellness, life and sprouting is such a big part of your journey, I was. I was like where do I buy all this stuff?
Bring it in my home grow it myself and like empower myself from what you have been sharing. So can we talk about that a little bit?
¶ Bronx Tale: Finding light in the darkness
Absolutely, and it's perfect. It connects everything. Because I'm a girl from the Bronx, like I did not have a green thumb, like, like what you want me to what you want me to grow my food. Oh, I was like you know what we're going to have to stick to. Like I was like, really God, like this is. But what was so amazing? It resonated when, when I the more I researched it, the more, and then again it was like a voice, and especially with the wheatgrass.
Wheatgrass we grow with soil, and then there were certain and sunflower, there's microgreens and there's sprouts the sprouts we grow with the jar. You don't need a soil, but I want you to like. I looked at this fuel that was provided for us that had so much life, the idea that it's living food, and it just made sense. It's living food. And the wheatgrass, the seed itself is so tiny, broccoli sprouts, so tiny and powerful.
But with the wheatgrass, what I resonated with and it just like it clicked. I would see the seeds were spreaded out and the way the seeds work. It's not like normal seeds where, like herbs, I've seen where you have to separate them and it has to be like organized. You press them down from what I like planting and no you. You spread out the seeds.
They can be on top of each other that connected but you have to cover them in order for them to eventually thrive and taste sweet because we're supposed to be sweet you have to cover them and put them in the dark and then you have to put pressure on them. I get emotional because I'm like this is us. Then you have to put pressure on them. It's a metaphor the seeds go down into the damp, the dark and the difficult, but they're not alone, they, but they're not alone.
They go down together with community, and then all of a sudden, these roots start interlocking and once they interlock, they start pushing up the tray. And all this is happening. Like within seven days they start pushing up the tray that even if there's a block of cement or a book, you see them thriving and they're seeking light.
That's like around day four, that's when you uncover them and they're like yellow because they've been covered, but all they need is a little light and in that light they just and water. Right, they need water, but in that they turn this beautiful green where the chlorophyll is at, and they are so beautiful together and because we take care of it, like we got to make sure the temperature is correct in direct sunlight.
I play classical music, but because I take care of my wheatgrass, it's going to take care of me.
Oh my gosh, the way you describe that, and just it instantly, is like that's us. We build our, we grow roots, we ground ourself. And I share this a lot with clients, especially with havening techniques, because we have a technique. One of the fundamentals is called transpirational havening, which transpiring means to grow, to grow out like a tree, all that moisture growing and then just releasing out.
We do that with our emotions, we do that with the things that we to create a foundation and grow. I can see how it's emotional because we're nurturing, we're taking care of something we connect as human beings. We need to connect with ourselves, with others and nature. So what is more beautiful than that?
And I was like it makes sense. And while I it wasn't like that for me like oh, I knew that right away it was the experience of me saying, okay, I'm going to grow it Right, because economically the amount of wheatgrass that I need to drink per day do enemas and all this stuff it economically wouldn't have been possible. So I'm like, all right, this Bronx girl is going to have to learn how to grow wheatgrass. Like I was like all right, let's do this. And so that's the other part of it.
It's this idea of what you said in the beginning. It's a wellness which is harmony, right, whole warriors, a fighter, like fighters, not always like, wow it's. It's also a fight of, like I'm going, I'm going to look at what's the solution. Like, if I'm given a problem, there has to be a solution, like the polarity, right. Like, so, let me be a detective and figure out a way, like all right. So I have this workbook.
I looked up YouTube, you know, and you, one day at a time and I am so blessed at the time. I had a very supportive partner at the time and it was like one okay, we want to start with one tray of wheatgrass and one tray of sunflower and we got a juicer, great. And then you expand and then the next time you're like you're getting seeds for the broccoli seeds, that you're getting the sprout cake, like it doesn't have to be all at once.
It's like this boom, one thing at a time, one day at a time, victory next, okay, boom. And that's the journey. I think we live in this Amazon prime society where, it's like you know, they instill the fear. You need to do this now, cause that was the issue. There was like slow growing, non-aggressive, but let's literally. She, the oncologist had pushed the chair back.
Let's do next month Like next month we can do it, but if you want the nipple slicing, then you'll have to it was so like yeah, I can only imagine, I can only imagine. So it was. It was, yeah, it did take two years, yes, but at the same time, the people I met, the journey, the things I learned about myself, the things I healed from the thing, the conversations, I would never take that away. I would never take that journey.
And while I'm not saying like people go through that when they do conventional and they, you know, they meet people, they find out their strength, I get that, but that's because I pray they made that decision and they believed in it. That's the difference. That's what I encourage. I'm like look, if you believe and you want that for you, great, but don't you dare make a decision because of the husband and the wife and the like. What do you need?
Like, how, like, what is your next right step for this season, for this decision?
Which could change your decision. Like, just because you decide to go, this approach doesn't mean something else has the opportunity to come into your space and then you can decide right, something else could come in and you're like, huh, didn't think about that before. Perhaps I'll open myself up to consider that as a possibility, but it is your choice. You're the healthcare advocate, you know, and I do want to share real quick.
¶ Spouting and healing
I mean, first of all, is sprouting hard, because I know that's the question people are thinking. Is it hard?
So no, it's just new, it's new, it's a new habit. I used to start people off with wheatgrass, but because there's soil and trays and all that stuff, I had stopped Because the brain is still trying to fathom, like you know, where do I put it? And people with dogs and cats, they love wheatgrass, so it. And. And people with dogs and cats, they love wheatgrass, so then they'll do all this growing and the cat is all in it, right? So sprouting is a mason jar and you pick raw organic seeds.
The great one to start with like to be super excited. I do this for for kids all the time I go to the school. Mung beans they sprout in three days Like teachers are like hallelujah Cause they'll do like seed projects and it has to be like the next season, yeah, and the kids are like is it there yet, and so teachers are like wait three days. I'm like three days, and so they get really excited.
So, seeing the process like I remember during COVID, you know, we, we, our homes were basically our everything. And I have a back porch, so I called it Porcha Back Yarda. That became like my holiday If I can't go to Puerto Vallarta, I'm going to go to Porcha Back Yarda. So I started sprouting, I started doing, but it wasn't. I didn't even realize what I was doing.
I'm like you know what I'm going to do, this from seed and just when you see the sprout, like basil, start with things that are easy, so that you feel like you're actually doing something. It was so amazing to be like, oh wow, I nurtured this. So, with all the possibilities out there of what to sprout, knowing that is so easy, but you're nurturing you do need to nurture it Like we nurture anything but the ability to do it and know that you are controlling what's in the ground.
You choose the soil, you are pouring the water on it, rather than us always depending on outside sources. And in this day and age of Monsanto, we got to be really careful.
Yeah, you don't know what you're getting.
¶ Institute for Integrative Nutrition
Yeah, but I do want to mention to folks. If you're curious about this, natalia is offering a five day recipe guide that's free for you to try to test it out. I'm going to put that in the notes of this podcast. And don't forget, like I mentioned, both of us are Institute for Integrative Nutrition graduates, so they offer so many amazing programs more so than when we were students that I'm going to share a free sample class for you so that you can try it out.
Test it if you love it, see what's available, because they have just grown by leaps and bounds and this is the oldest and largest nutrition health coach school in the world. When did you go? It was 2009.
Yeah, you were before me. I was the second to last class Before they went online. Yeah, yeah, and then I when I came in here.
the funny thing and I've shared this story before I actually was hired by them back in like I don't even remember the year to do some of their online training videos because they were amplifying the online so that when I went back and I decided to become an IIN student, I was watching myself in some of the videos because I'm like, wow, life is a circle, like we really need to be open to possibility. So I'm going to share that link. Share the recipe guide.
If you're loving this conversation, please consider leaving a rating or review. Pass it on to someone, because this is so powerful and I love this. I mean, I'm going to download that guide. I'm curious what you got going on.
Yeah, I'll make sure that there's like a sprouting, not just a recipe, but like a quick sprouting guide to get started you know. So cause it really. It really is easy. It's just consistent and patience right, just be patient.
And, by the way, you're doing this now in your New York apartment, if I'm not mistaken. So you don't need a garden space, you can do this anywhere.
I watch you doing it in your tiny little kitchen in.
New York and I'm like, oh my gosh, this just gives so much. So many projects and things have been built and birthed out of New York City apartments and I think this is one of them. It's a perfect example. You don't need a huge amount of space no, you don't.
And I think that's why I'm like all right, like this is the season to, actually, because I always be like anytime, any you know, any season, right. I always used to say I'm like all right, well, now you gotta like, prove it, like and and so what was really cool about it? So Ann Wigmore is the original um. She was the owner, founder of Hippocrates, hippocrates Health Institute and um. Then she ended up going her separate ways and opened up a institute in Puerto Rico.
So the timing of my move and the questions again, the next level, or next season of my curiosity was I was still taking tons of supplements, right, prebiotics, probiotics and methyl and all this stuff, right. And I'm like, while I was on Bacchus, I would stare at her picture and I'm like there gotta be a better way. Like, what if somebody can't afford these supplements? Like, what if, like? And I started what if I end up realizing why don't I just go to her? Why don't I just go to her Institute?
Like it's in Puerto Rico? Like, well, I'll just go Right. So I ended up going for two weeks, um, right, before really making the decision that I'm staying in New York for a bit longer than I thought. So I went because I was like, if I'm really going to be sprouting in New York, then I also want to be able to share, like hey, there's other ways to to get you know.
Uh, I'll share more about like the, the pre-barrel and pro-barrel, because there was like all these, like these supplements and and they were and uh, chlorella, extra chlorella for stuff. Um, when I go there I learned they don't do supplements, they're like they didn't have like, so both are amazing places, but she really, this place really is like you're gonna give nature a chance. Nothing isn't her quote is nothing is impossible if you just give nature a chance.
So all there was was like ocean. If you're feeling detoxism, throw yourself in the ocean, walk on the beach, tons of rebounders, but like there was tons of sprout, there was sprouting, but we had this like energy soup and sprout and they teach you how to do your fermented drink so that you can have fermented cabbage or your sauerkraut and other ways to make sure that you get um another layer where it doesn't.
They're like even if you don't have access temporarily, like if you don't have sprouts, here's a way there's an energy soup that activates all these different vitamins when blended at a certain like. It can't be blended like normal vitamins has to be like 11 seconds of pulsing that it releases all the vitamins of the, the vegetables and and everything that you're putting together. You eat it like as fresh as possible and maybe it'll last 24 hours, but it will.
It's great for, for digestion, it's great for, and I was so energized I was like this is it like if someone's like, oh, I, I don't have the seeds or I don't want to grow, I can literally tell them, oh, with
¶ Fighting cancer with sprouts
kale, spinach, squash, this, you put it together, you blend, you just gotta stay curious yeah, I don't know how that can't spark curiosity, right when I got to new york, that's exactly what I was teaching I. I ended up like, so okay, it's not a whole liver room, because that's literally had a whole room of sprouting, but it was like I'm in new york, it's winter time and these babies are growing wake up. You know, I had like um the jar, the mason jar, sprouting of broccoli.
It's one of the most potent sprouts to fight cancer. It's an anti-cancer properties. It has sulforaphane. When you're chewing it you freeze it because so much comes from like one serving of seeds I could get like six cups of sprouts. So it's like my mom was over it, right. So much comes from like one serving of seeds. I could get like six cups of sprouts. So it's like my mom was over it, right. So I'm like I'll freeze them.
You need other things in the freezer, but you can put it in your smoothie. You can put it. So it was one of those things where I remember it failing a few, like the wheatgrass with the soil. It failed a few times because the in the winter time there's a radiator. We have apartments where the right so the steam. So it was like okay, what corner there was. But there has to be patience and compassion. Like there's no way, I was going to be like I give up, like no, like we can do this.
We're going to I would talk to the wheatgrass, we're going to find a place for you and it's going to be perfect. Like I would talk to it and you're going to grow and thrive and I would just go to different corners and figure it out and boom got it.
So you talk to your plants? Okay, I don't feel so. I feel I feel supported now because I always talk to my plants. I think there's studies about this. Right, I don't care if it's a house plant or something you're growing, that's life. It's life and it it. Things are heard differently, right? And you, you said something earlier about when you were in, when you were at the Hippocrates school, about giving yourself permission.
Yeah, I can tell that he felt that what are you giving yourself permission for?
Because I think it's more than just one thing as a Puerto Rican, from the Bronx, raised by a single mom, you just push through, and for a long time, like that's, you know that's, you just push through. And in my first marriage there was a lot of trauma that I thought could be healed with tons of bodybuilding and marathons and push through things. Um was activated and and the mass was born.
Because, close to my heart you know the close you breasts, you know, so close to your heart, um, there was a grieving that needed to happen. There was a, an acceptance of, of, you know, just decisions and a life that a morning, a life that I thought was going to happen, and so I had to give myself permission to just feel.
I hear that and I feel that a hundred percent, because, while our journeys are different, and I imagine those tuning in have something that they can resonate with that you know we tend to be so hard on ourselves. It was supposed to be this way. I failed.
Other people are going to see I failed and we're giving yourself that permission to feel and to try something different and to realize that you're breaking ancestral traumas and you're growing and you're trying something that maybe has never been tried before in your community is so empowering once you do it and you're like but at least I tried Right. Even with some of those seeds that didn't grow at least I tried At least I tried so powerful.
So one thing I would love to talk about also is just and this goes so well out of what you just mentioned like being a proud Puerto Rican woman. In New York you served, and thank you. You served in the United States Air Force. I'm a former Air Force wife, so I love hearing this. I used to watch the women on the bases where I was stationed. I'd be like y'all are badasses. I don't know if I can do it. You're badasses.
And then you also let's add to that part of New York's finest a New York police officer.
Okay.
How was all that? Because you also brought wellness into these spaces. And it's a tough space to walk into, especially as a woman, and say, y'all, let's talk about some health and wellness.
I know that's so funny, Right? So like how?
how did that warrior step in?
Yeah, so what's crazy about the air force that was so, not like it was not planned, Like none of it was really planned. It's one of those things where you didn't plan it Right, Like I didn't plan it.
But it was correct, but it it was correct, but it was planned.
Yes, I did one year of college and that did not work out. That didn't work out.
¶ Being of Service: From Air Force to NYPD
So when I came back, um, uh, I had to be like 19 or something like that and my cousin went to the air force, my cousin went on a mission. She was like, oh, I'm leaving, I'm leaving the Bronx, I'm getting married, I'm gonna like this, I'm gonna be a lifer, like she just knew like she wanted to be a lifer. When I saw her and she's like, I loved movement, I loved all that. So it would be like, oh, my god, it looks actually she's thriving over there.
And, um, I forgot where she was stationed first, but she was in the states. And I remember like that feeling of like I don't want to stay here forever, I don't want to get like I don't want to stay here forever, I don't want to get like pregnant, I don't want to. You know, like what are my options? I think I was working at the gap at the time and everybody worked at the gap, right?
I worked at the limited, so I remember facing all the hangers.
Yeah, and, and it was literally it was one of those moments of like all right, let me, let me walk into, I swear, let me walk into, I swear. Welcome to recruiters. And this happened with the police department too, and in that, because I love movement and whatever he's like, I again I always say it's energy. Um, I got a recruiter. That wasn't a lot, he wasn't lying, he was just like um, you can no, and it wasn't any pressure. He's like why don't you just meet us, like on saturdays and run?
Do you know how to do a pushup? I'm like no. And he's like learn how to do pushups and see, like, see how you like the vibe. I'm like okay. So in Fordham road I used to meet Saturdays and I was like doing things that I was just cause always when I say active at that age it was more like dancing, cardio, things like that. I was like what I could do, pushups, oh, my God, you know. It was like yeah. You're boot camping it Right. Anyway, fast forward.
It was clear Like I think, like I think I'm going to do this. My mom didn't. Obviously she didn't agree and it was a moment of just you know, it was scary for her I'm her only child but I did it. I went in and I have to say I knew I wasn't a lifer, like it happening. That happened to me, the police department too. I knew I wasn't a lifer and I didn't know this about me at the time, but yes, I was curious. I was like what can I learn?
I ended up in California and, while it was a crazy ride, I ended up for one year traveling with Tops and Blue, their entertainment troupe. So we traveled the world. So during 9-11, we were actually in Spain flew out to Germany, we were going to they were going to shut it down, but then they were like, because everyone was in the state of like, what's going to happen, they actually had us out a little longer entertaining the troops. It was straight like a USO, um.
So I did that for a year in the military and came back to california like it was just this adventure and that's incredible that would be my dream, if I knew that I would be like add me up.
I want to be like bet middlers, you know, like all these people, like I was um, do you guys remember?
uh, jennifer lopez, let's get loud. Let's get loud, like that was.
So you were entertaining, like your job in the service was to entertain. For one for one year Amazing.
For three years I did the uh comp, sec, you know. But it was still one of those things where, again, my recruiter kept it real with me. There wasn't like anything where it was like I didn't know that this was going to. You know it was. It was again I. I truly believe it doesn't. I've learned this now. I'm 45. I was just like it really doesn't matter where you're going, like people are people, are people. How are you responding? What are you allowing? You know how things like that.
So, while there obviously there were some things that I knew, I was like I am not a lifer in here. Um, so I left uh after four years, became a civilian, came back to New York. I was a civilian for a little bit. That's where I really got into fitness and I was like um, I was, I think I was working New York sports club or something like that, and we definitely have all worked at New York sports I think everyone I between New York Sports Club or something like that.
We definitely have all worked at New York Sports Club. I think everyone between the Gap and, yeah, everyone's worked at it.
I feel like anyone in New York probably rolled some towels at New York Sports Club.
That's New York Sports Club. What was crazy was there was a police. I swear this is so funny. There's a precinct right next to the New York Sports Club and I'm my personal training and all this stuff. But I had missed there was this component of yes, I'm a free spirit and dancer and I and I love all of that, but I do love the morale and and the uniformity and and just I really miss that and so I love that I did not, it was like the structure, the structure safety.
There's a safety aspect to it as well.
Yeah, yeah, totally. You have this brotherly, sisterly, like love, like there's moments of emergency that you're like it's us ride or die, like go, you know, and I was the only child Like that's pretty cool.
You know what I mean. You had a brotherhood and a sisterhood around you. Yeah, yeah.
And so I go outside I think I'm going to grab something to eat and I like see women in uniform and I was like, hmm, well, that'll be cool. Like I was like that'll be cool. And then you know, it's like you see, protect and serve on the car and I was like, oh my God. I was like, yes, yes, maybe this is my next step and I let you know I don't know how much time passed by I end up walking into the police prison. This is another reason why I'm like angels man, you're always.
It is so rare and I, new yorkers, like, if you've ever been a police department, like it is so rare you'll like be greeted by like a really first of all, she was really like smiling and and and ready to help, and and it's very rare where they're just very attentive because there's always something going on, and so in that moment she's like sitting looking at the door Jessica, we still talk and she's like hi, how can I help you?
Like she's still this energized, amazing person, super positive, um, and I'm like hi, I'm thinking I was I didn't say police officer at the time. There was um, um, auxiliary right, and so I was like I was like I'm thinking about like volunteering, just to kind of like see how it is, and she goes sit down and she goes I don't think auxiliary is for you. And so then, as we're talking, she goes wait, you were in the military. She goes let's do lunch.
She goes, let's come over for dinner with my husband. He's ital, italian. He's going to cook you all this Italian food. My partner will come over. We're going to tell you the good, the bad and the ugly. And then you decide, okay, all right. And I was like all right, and she kept her word.
I went, she was in the Bronx and her husband cooked all this amazing food and amazing food and and just even with all the stuff they were sharing about what comes with being a police officer um, that come, that energy and that environment I was like I'm a yes, because if I have more moments like this, with people like this, not knowing, like oh yeah, I went, please, like huge, like it's not always like this, but in that moment I was like I'm a yes, like I want to be like more of this.
Oh my gosh, unraveled Life is a falling into right. Every experience we have. I say it all the time, it's a falling into. You want to make God laugh, tell him your plans, but once you release it and then you're like you look back on what you did, I think about that myself, like the things that I've achieved in my life were not on my list of things I want to achieve in my life, or experiences I want to have in my life, maybe some, but not all.
So, coming out of that, how long were you with the police? Oh my goodness.
Uh, seven years. That one I actually stayed a little longer. Yeah, so that because of um, the military, I was able to go back to the precinct I walked in the 17th precinct. So again, I am so thankful that the precinct I was in Midtown, you know, by the United Nations like it was a beautiful precinct, small, it was a lot of females and while I knew I wasn't a lifer like I knew it, I still I studied for the sergeant's test Like they were still, I still, because I love that, I love that.
Oh, if I study for this, I'll get this. I think that's why college I couldn't really connect with, because I was just like how many classes do I have to take to get a? What? Like you know where, and it's a different kind of college experience really, yeah, life kind of college experience, really life college Right, yeah, yeah. And so I felt like, oh, I like that, that's why I love, you know, when getting certified, because, oh, if I study this, if I practice this, I will get, and so that's.
I said it to be a sergeant and was able to get promoted, but I left before the promotion.
Got it. So all these experiences, natalia, the air force, the police department, and it comes full circle because and everything you're doing now and being a thriver, right? What did you say? You didn't say? You said deactivating the cancer.
Gosh, that's so brilliant.
Do you believe that all those experiences that you had have led you to where you are, as this warrior today that was able to deactivate yeah, yeah, I of course, we don't know it.
Then, while it's happening, Right. A lot and there were tons of and I know I sound like, oh my God, everything was sunshine and rainbows. We know there were a lot of like damn difficult you know moments during all of that. But I have to say like I wouldn't change any of that, like the structure that I've learned, the people that I met, the idea of even the traveling and the conversations, all of it, the training, all of it was so perfect. Why do you understand that I really learned discipline.
What do you think you need to save your life? Right, like I I became. Discipline is not something like people always like I wish I was, like you. I was like, well, let's, let's get to it. Like, first of all, when people say I'm like, be careful what you wish for, because I'm like this ain't like, this moment ain't easy, like there was a lot of crazy stuff that happened, but the idea of like discipline is just one day at a time.
Like I was taught that in the military I was, you know, nypd was also this idea, still this community right and and being able to connect with people that you know there were still moments of that, you know, of arrest or deescalating the situation. I learned that language from them and and was able along that. Along with that, you know, I started. It was yoga, it was hot yoga that really saved and opened my eyes up to like all right, I'm going to leave.
It was the combination of yoga and intensity of um, then I'm going to leave the police department. So it was combining all of that, like thinking you know the language of NYPD. It's like, no, you're going to be a lifer 25 and out, right. And then I started because of wellness and yoga and I'm like, well, there might be another way, right, like.
¶ Patricia Moreno and the Intensati Legacy
But that journey just me, just like, all right, I'm going to do a little different, I'm going to protect and serve, but kind of different, right, I'm going to do it different. That, I realized, was a perfect setup and that language and that mentality and what I needed to do, the courage that I needed to do. It was evidence for me to be like if I did that.
I can do this Absolutely, that you can overcome. And you mentioned and we haven't talked about it yet, I do want to mention it briefly your time working with Patricia and her program, which has grown even with her no longer here on this space. In this space it continues to grow and touch, move and inspire people. You know how much was that a part of it and the loss. How did that impact you?
So the timing that I met Patricia was when I decided to go into IIN. Like that's where I met her or I saw her right. It was it um 2009 and I was a police officer and they introduce this force of nature and she like flies out onto the. You know, we're all in like at the time. We're in business, attire, um, I remember I don't. I don't know if we had to, but I know some of us went and um, she comes out. She's like everybody stand and one of the first moves is like commitment.
Sorry, I love my commitment. Yes, I am committed to live a life I love and I'm like what is?
this. She's a force man. I remember because I went to one of the IIN lives and we're all sitting there like for a two-day workshop. She comes out and then you're just like what's happening right now.
Like I don't know why I'm shouting this, but I'll, okay, I'll do it.
Do whatever you tell me to do, lady. Yeah.
And everyone says it, like it happens. You know, after that feeling you're like oh, my God, where do I get more Right? So I like follow her off stage. I'm like, hi, my name is I didn't even say my name because there's a funny story about that but I'm like, where do you teach? Like oh my goodness, she goes, whatever. So I find her Now at this point I'm studying for the sergeant's test I find her at an equinox. She used to do Saturdays or Sundays at equinox.
You didn't have to be a member, you could pay with her class. Now you got Patricia, you got affirmations, you got movement and drums, church, like spirit is like right, sign me up. I just remember I'm hearing the drums and beat. And then I hear Natalia to the front and I'm like, what? How does she know my name? And I fly to the front and also the other, natalia. There's two of us with big curly hair, big smile. You know Natalia, we call her Natalia P. She's like one of the master teachers.
So we both like look at each other. And Patricia's like you're Natalia too. And again we're both curly, smiling, and I'm like, yeah, she goes, let's go. And I'm like like she goes, let's go. And I'm like like, uh, that was it. I was so hooked. I used to call her mama grasshopper, mama grasshopper, mama grasshopper. And, um, I'll never forget, the day before, the day before my sergeant's test Cause, I I already knew, like I know I'm not a lifer, like why am I going to take this test?
But I was like, successful while I'm in until I'm ready to get out, and I remember calling her and I was just like, like I know, I don't want to be in the job. And and it was intense, Hilary, um, Patricia Moreno, it was that where the affirmations, the how to speak and visualize the language, that's where I learned it. I learned it from them of like instead of yeah, one day, I, you know, I don it.
I learned it from them of like instead of yeah, one day I don't want to work here anymore. It's like okay, that's great, you know what you don't want. What do you want, like reframing it. Reframing it, yeah, because you're putting that negative out into the universe when you say it that way.
Yeah, and while we learned that at IIN as well, movement, that's my jam stick, like whenever I want to memorize something, I literally would like memorize it, put it in my ear, whatever. And I'm walking, running like I have to move while my brain gets, you know, like it's ignited. So the idea of like it clicked when they were like, yeah, it's, I am, I'm so happy and grateful that. And then we're putting, you know, we're putting movement.
It just started clicking and then, and then your cells are like really alive, the brain sees it, you're speaking it, and so it was. It was really like. It was that season where I'm like I that that right the day before the test I was like why do I even bother taking the test? Like one, I energetically like I, I know I'm not going to be here forever. What if I fail?
But what if you don't? What if you don't so?
her next. Her question was like what if you succeed? So what Like she's like? And so what, like what would happen if you fail? And I was like oh, she goes. Will your mom still love you? I'm like yeah, and at the time this is when, um, my, my first husband like we, we hadn't been married, we were together. It was like we were both studying together. Yeah, and so she's like you know, will he still love him? Like yes, and so will you still have a roof over your head?
Like yeah, are you gonna get fired if you fail? I was like no, she goes. So tell me, like what are you? and I was like, huh, I guess I could take it again if I wanted to right, like she when that was a moment of just like, just take, she goes you put a lot of time in this, like take the test, and if you fail, so what?
And it was just so simple and that's how I was like I started handling like things like that like and okay, yeah, and after I took the test, I got certified paying tribute to Patricia now, well, I'll mention one more thing. I truly believe that it was Intensati that really I was able to meet a lot of people and have beautiful conversations as a police officer because of Intensati, because I wasn't talking about the same thing that most locker rooms people in locker rooms talk about, right.
So if I'm on a foot post with you, like, I will literally be writing affirmations out and the conversation would be so beautiful and so positive that it wasn't just a day on a foot post with some other cop. It would be like we're hooked and we're like what's your goal for next week in in like your health, what are you eating? It was.
It was that, I truly believe, that started helping me even, um, get closer to police officers in a different way and my time there became even more beautiful, like instead of me just saying I want out, like I don't want to be a cop, it just while I'm here this is how you know like I want to um the energy that I want to get right so now. So while while here I'm in New York, um it's. I was teaching like online and um the idea of teaching, movement and affirmations in like virtually here.
I knew I wanted to go like more energy, more live, more live classes, and so in me, just like praying and doing my best to put it out there, that was in May, like I had been teaching on Saturday. I was on Saturday mornings virtually I have been doing I call the morning activations, virtually, and then it was like things were shutting down.
It was so funny here in New York the neighbors were like I don't know what you're doing at seven in the morning, but I got to stop Like they went to the board and everything. And then Joshua called and he was like you know, let's do this at the Heal, the Healers. And I was like, oh my God, like this is how I met Patricia, like a 10 minute go and just giving people like this moment of like, oh, like she's here, like she's here, and ever since then you know it's.
It's one of those where I, I, I use it more in, like my clients, Um, I use it more in instead of just an hour of intensity. It's like a rebounding hit, like a I call it a joy hit, but it was that like. It was that moment at Heal the Healers here in New York where it was like wow like I'm back, and what a circle, girl I mean.
And, by the way, we're talking about Joshua Rosenthal who's the founder of the? Institute for Integrative Nutrition, where both Natalia and I have been students and also taught and did the Heal the Healer event. I was the emcee and also presenter. That's where we officially met you and I, but full circle, because you were the Patricia in the room. What better way to pay tribute to her? Because everyone was in business attire.
They're all showing up for this event and you're doing what were you doing? It was amazing all was amazing. It was just amazing to witness that, and I remember feeling that way when I went to an IIN event live years ago where she came in the room and it was like that same experience you mentioned having. That's. That's a person, a tour de force, a warrior that is leaving a legacy.
Yeah, Right, especially, it was day two and um, I went on day one and I sat in the audience just to feel like you know, like just to feel what's going on, listen what, what's the information coming in, and I'm like, oh, like, yeah, we all need this, like we all need this hit and and so I didn't want to. I, when I do stuff like that, I'm like, oh, please, god, like let me let the human side just get out of my way, like, just like, help me, like come in spirit.
And but on that day I was like Patricia, like come on, like I'm pulling you in and and what was really interesting, um, was I had paper, I had the affirmations, just in case I get like flustered or whatever. And um Joshua looks at me. He's like, oh good, they taught, they told you to speak before. And I'm like, no, they did, I'm just ready for, I'm just ready for the movement. And he's like, oh no, you gotta share your story. You have a great story. Like, why wouldn't you share?
And like I don't know if he went to you, he's like, yeah, just go in and share a little bit of like you know they, they have to know. Like it's, it's, things happen when you decide to be a coach. It's not like and I always remember that when I I thought, when I left the police department, like, yeah, do you remember, um, the book Jen by Jen sis, is it?
sincere. You are a badass. You are a badass, yeah, that's a whole.
I had read something. Yeah, I had read that book and learned about her story and all this. And so I'm like, yeah, I'm taking the leap of faith. Without a net, I'm leaving the police department and everything's gonna be amazing. No right, like it didn't happen, like that. And so joshua was like you have to share that, like even when things you get not, like, you are human anyway. So when I went out there, it was like all right, patricia, stay here.
Um, and like in my head I'm like all right, just stay and keep me energized, keep me, you know, focused. And yeah, so you saw, like I shared a little bit about my story and then we started moving yeah loved it.
I mean, you were, you were forced to be reckoned with everybody there. That weekend was so amazing and I just felt so honored because I got that call too from Joshua to ask me to host it, emcee it, but also present both days, and that was just like it was energy in that room of people that are just wanting to live well, and they're healers and they're doctors and they're practitioners and they're coaches or they're just there because they want to live better.
Even if they're not putting this into their work, they're bringing it into their practice.
There's a big difference, right. So that was amazing. I can't forget. Do you know? I remember I told you so there was another connection. Joyce Rockwood, she's the one We'll give a shout out to. Joyce. Yeah, I forgot. We both know Joyce. I forgot, like she was the one who told me to start listening to you. This was I did 2021 or 2022.
We had like a October breast cancer awareness, like a summit, like I was interviewing people and she gave me your podcast so I can start listening and your interview skills, and so when I saw your name, I was like, oh my God, I didn't know her. Like, yeah, I forgot, like that's that's another connection that day.
So huge shout out to Joyce, the Rinse Princess as she calls herself. She's amazing. She's like a spirit sister. I've known her for 25, 30 years and I love that you have a connection with her too, so, hey, joyce, shout out to you, but also, what's so crazy about that is you were inspired by what I share. I was inspired by what you share. Sometimes we forget that we might be moved and inspired by someone else and they in the same right by us, and you never know who you might inspire, right?
We don't do it for that reason, we do it just to put it out there in the world. And if it reaches somebody, it's so cool when you're kind of fangirling each other, right? Yeah.
Thank you for that. It's a and it's also a beautiful reminder on, like those days where I call her, I call her the inner gremlin oh, my goodness do you remember? Um, the little monsters, the gremlins, right? Do you remember? Like, so there's I forgot what part it was, uh, part one or part two, where there's this gremlin that she's with red lipstick and the bride she's the ugly one, right? Remember that?
Yes, that's, I visualize when there's like you're not good enough, why do you, why do you think you can right, I picture her.
Inner bully with the big hair.
Yeah, and so it's one of those things where I'm like what you just said, like when that comes up and it's important, like I'm not saying to shush her, I'm not saying just be like, I'm in the driver's seat, I'm going to still. I'm not saying to shush her, I'm not saying just be like I'm in the driver's seat, I'm going to still, I'm still going to come up with this content.
I'm still going to do the video. I'm still going to show up because you never know who you're inspiring. Yeah, by the way, joyce has been a guest on HIListically Speaking, which I'm sure you've probably heard her episode.
She was early in the day she was like yeah.
Year. I will put it in the notes of this podcast,
¶ Rapid Fire Game
so if you want to listen to Joyce, she's amazing, but you're amazing too. So I want to play a little game with you before we go, because this conversation has been lit. Yes, this is the rapid fire. I do, oh, you know.
That's how it started. She's like she always has a close rapid fire.
Yes, so we're going to do a little rapid fire Love everything you shared. But I've been taking down some notes and some of the words you've been using. I'm going to throw them back at you. I want you to come back with the first word that comes to mind. Are you ready? I am ready. All right, girlfriend, here we go. Raw Truth, passion, sexy Nature, love, transforming Within Deactivation, heal, hippocrates, safe.
Fear. What comes up is present. I don't know why.
But I think, yeah, warrior Lover, love that. Um, I have so many words I wrote down cause we've been chit-chatting for so long.
I sprout.
Let's just sprout Energy. Yes, love it, everything's energy.
Everything's energy right. Everything is energy.
I could have gone on for another like 20 minutes asking you words, because I've been writing things down like this without even looking. I can't even read my handwriting, because I'm like, because I don't want to keep like, focused on you. Oh my goodness, thank you for that.
You know, and I don't know if you want to keep this in, but I love that I just sat present because for so long fear was and I guess because I've been scared, but I'm, I'm going to do it, I'm going to do it anyway. So I just the idea that it was like present, like yeah, things are scary, Things are changing, but that's okay, Cause I have evidence, I'm going to do it anyway.
You're going to do it anyway because you are a warrior and we're going to share all of this, but I want to ask you, if there's anything, just a closing thought what would you like to share with those tuning into HIListically Speaking?
¶ Natalia Maldonado's takeaway for you
I think that's really what's been in my heart, especially with the whole Breast Cancer Awareness Month Really to tune in, to check in, to give yourself space to trust yourself. And I know it's really hard if you've failed yourself or you don't keep your word to yourself, but I truly believe dis-ease is a manifestation, part of manifestation of emotions, of disconnection of self,
¶ Hilary Russo's closing thoughts and info
authentic self. So, whatever the diagnosis is, whatever journey you choose, whatever healing space you choose, may you know that your instinct is right, it's right.
It's right. It's like you're talking directly to me too, like I felt that, and I imagine if I felt that those who are tuning in are going to feel it too, and whatever that is for you, whatever my amazing supportive community you know that listens and tunes in and watches it's, it's whatever it is for you. Just be your own healthcare advocate. That's so beautiful, natalia. I absolutely adore you.
I adore you. Thank you so much for this time. I'm so happy it worked out. So beautiful. Things work out. Things work out right. They do, they do. Thank you, thank you. Gorgeous Deep breath, deep breath, and don't forget, stay strong and sprouted.
Stay strong and sprouted. Are you kidding me? We're ending it right there. Right there, that's it. Okay, you heard it here Stay strong and sprouted. Natalia's going to help you do that because she's sharing her free five-day recipe guide plus how to get started with sprouting. This is going to be such a gift for you.
This is giving you permission to be that wellness warrior, to be curious and to heal and to grow, and that'll all be in the notes of this podcast episode with links for you to get in touch with Natalia as well. We also talked a little bit about IIN, the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, where Natalia and I both studied, but also how we came together, how we grew as coaches, how we learned to really heal from within.
There are so many amazing classes and programs that IIN offers, and I am going to give you the gift of being able to try one out for free and even a discount if you sign up and decide that you want to explore IIN yourself.
And you can also sign up for my Brain candy newsletter I mentioned that a little earlier to make sure that you have the latest on podcast guests and events, like the one that Natalia and I met at the heal the healer event and also the sweetest ways to be kind to your mind, HIListically Speaking is edited by 2 market media, with music by my friend, Lipbone Redding, and, of course, supported by you. So thank you so much for being here time and time again. A wellness warrior lives inside you.
Don't you ever forget that? That is part of the hug. It out way is being the true wellness warrior that even Natalia talks about, but I'm here to remind you just in case you do forget, because I love you, I believe in you and I'm sending hugs your way. Be well.