Issue link: https://www.balharbourdigital.com/i/1347386
Wellness may be a buzz word to many, but for Valeria Hinojosa it's a way of life. The Bolivian-born and raised private banker turned wellness advocate and social entrepreneur recalls the difficulty of working in the financial industry. "I used to work in an industry not aligned with my values or passions," says Hinojosa. "It was this disconnection with my soul that pushed me to leave banking behind and recreate myself." Tell us a bit about growing up in Bolivia? I was born in La Paz and raised in Santa Cruz, but my family and I spent the majority of our vacations in Tarija, where we have vineyards. It was right there, waking up to the chirping of birds and going for long walks surrounded by mountains, rivers, trees and wildlife, that my admiration and passion for nature began. When did you decide to switch your career path and pursue your passion? What was the aha moment for you? I used to be a private banker doing the 9-5 in an industry I didn't fundamentally align with. It was this disconnection with my soul that pushed me to leave banking behind and recreate myself. That is how Water Thru Skin—a platform guiding readers to live more sustainably, mindfully, kindly, passionately and genuinely—was born. hat rings you the most fulllment in your life today I find absolute joy in knowing that I'm using my social media channels and the companies I've built to inspire people to become wiser and more connected humans, Valeria Hinojosa which translates into a global positive ripple effect. Being able to use my life as an example and open minds and hearts to the magic of living in synchrony with nature through my writing, public speaking, eco-activism and conscious entrepreneurship is an otherworldly sensation. What is the most important message you want to share with the world? We forget that we have tremendous power and a great responsibility as humans and consumers. Every action we take on a daily basis gets to reshape our world—whether that impact is positive or negative is up to us! Change starts at home. People talk a lot about living in your purpose. What does that mean to you? To me, living in our purpose relates to feeling comfortable in our skin and in our mind. It means creating a life balanced by spiritual and emotional stability—a direct and strong connection with our essence. It means saying "no" to the things and people that don't add positive energy to our beating hearts so we can pave a way for our true essence to finally shine bright and free. It also means saying "yes" to loving ourselves, having conversations with our own souls and creating the life we have always dreamed of. What are some of your favorite shops at Bal Harbour? Books & Books. I also enjoy walking around Bal Harbour and discovering which brands are reshaping their practices to have nature, ethics and our people in mind. Which restaurant do you like the most? I've been vegan for more than six years. I love Bianco's vegan gelato options. SPECIAL THANKS TO DANIÉ GÓMEZ ORTIGOZA BAL HARBOUR 111