This summer, we’re revisiting a few of our most memorable conversations—and one that still resonates deeply is our episode with artist and designer Victor John Madrid Villanueva on showing up in this world authentically.
Victor has always embodied that energy. We’ve known him since high school, and even back then, he moved through the world unapologetically himself. Whether through fashion, art, or conversation, he’s never shied away from showing us the many facets of who he is—and that’s precisely why we invited him to talk about authenticity on the show.
Living in a World That Tries to Shape You
Society constantly tries to box us in—based on gender, culture, race, sexuality, profession, political leanings—the list goes on. For those of us who are first-generation children of immigrants or navigating life as Black or as a person of color in predominantly white spaces, the pressure to assimilate is loud and heavy.
Resisting that pressure isn’t always easy but it is powerful. Victor tells us
“I was always clear that my path was mine,” he said. “Even if others didn’t understand it, I had to do what felt right for me.”
That level of clarity doesn’t just happen overnight. It’s something we grow into, stumble through, and reclaim again and again. For many of us, we were raised to make others comfortable, to represent our families and communities perfectly, and to shrink ourselves for the sake of perception. But the freedom that comes when we stop doing that—BABYYYYY. When you experience that kind of liberation, you realize it becomes more difficult to bear the weight of the mask until you reach the point where you no longer wear one.
The Gift of Being Fully Seen
One of our favorite moments from the episode was when Victor shared how his authenticity has opened doors in his career. Working in the beauty industry, where self-expression is part of the job, he’s found that the more he shows up as himself, the more opportunities come his way.
And it makes sense. People can tell when you’re being real. Authenticity is magnetic. It builds trust. It invites connection.
That’s something we’ve experienced in our journeys, too—especially in starting this podcast. When we finally gave ourselves permission to explore something outside of our comfort zone and lean in to our personal journey, we realized that the right people, conversations, and callings began to show up.
Being Authentic Isn’t Always Comfortable—But It’s Worth It
Authenticity is a lifelong practice, not a destination. Sometimes, it means letting people down. Sometimes, it means standing alone. But over time, it becomes second nature. And more than that—it becomes freeing.
Victor said it best:
“If I can get away with the shenanigans and show up as myself, you can too.”
Public Service Announcement:
You don’t owe anyone a watered-down version of who you are.
If You’re On a Journey to Be More Authentically You…
We invite you to take a listen to this conversation. It’s vulnerable, funny, affirming—and a beautiful reminder that you bring something special into this world that only you can.
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