Ep. 30: Why High Achievers Feel Stuck in Their Careers with Sonia Flores
What if the next right step isn’t about certainty, but about trust? I sit down with Sonia Flores to talk intuition, burnout, and the courage it takes to choose alignment when life gets messy.
In this episode of The Pivot Point, I’m joined by Sonia Flores, holistic business coach, intuitive advisor, and podcast producer. Sonia’s story is a powerful example of what it looks like to follow inner nudges even when the path forward isn’t clear. After 18 years in corporate, burnout, motherhood, and a series of life-altering pivots led her into entrepreneurship in a way she never planned—but deeply needed.
We talk honestly about sabbaticals, learning how to receive support, and the fear that comes with stepping away from financial independence. Sonia shares how trusting herself, even without a perfect plan, helped her rebuild a career that aligned with her values, energy, and life as a mother.
This conversation also demystifies intuition. We explore what nudges actually feel like, how resistance can be a signal to get curious rather than stop, and why taking one small aligned step is often more powerful than waiting for certainty.
If you’re feeling stuck, burnt out, or torn between responsibility and desire, this episode is a reminder that you don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to be willing to listen—and move.
What You’ll Hear
✔️Sonia’s journey from 18 years in corporate to entrepreneurship
✔️Burnout, sabbaticals, and redefining success as a working parent
✔️What intuition and “nudges” really feel like in real life
✔️Why resistance isn’t always a sign to stop
✔️Rethinking “security” beyond just financial cushion
✔️How investing in yourself can change everything
“Sometimes the biggest leap isn’t leaving—it’s trusting yourself to land.”
If this episode resonated, share it with someone who’s navigating a big decision or quiet pivot.
Download the Heart-Aligned Career Transition Starter at https://www.leadintact.com/freebies/heart-aligned-career , and if you’re ready to talk through your next move, book a free 20-minute call at https://leadintactwithlaura.as.me/free-consultation
Connect with Sonia Flores: https://www.bluechakrastudio.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluechakrastudio
Proceed as if success is inevitable—because that’s how it becomes inevitable.
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You are listening to the pivot point where we unpack the defining moments that shift careers and lives. I'm your host, Laura Dionicio, a founder of Lead Intacct, and my mission is to spotlight the raw real stories behind career pivots, the fears, the hopes. The messy middles and the bold decisions that follow if you're feeling stuck or quietly wondering what's next?
I hope these stories help you see yourself a little more clearly and inspire you to start moving toward your own dream life. Let's begin.
Laura: Welcome, Sonya to the Pivot Point Podcast. I'm so happy to have you here. One because we haven't had a chance to speak one-on-one, really. So I'm just as curious as the listeners to hear about your story. And two, because I do follow you on social media and I'm always like blue [00:01:00] chakra, like what is, tell me more about that.
Laura: So thank you so much for being
Sonia: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for inviting me. What a nice surprise. And yes, I'm, I'm glad that we're getting to connect one-on-one, so appreciate the invite.
Laura: Yeah, and just so the listeners know, Sonya is one of the reasons why I decided to start this podcast because I was on a Monday mentoring call is what we call it. And she was leading like a, a business topic about funnels, and she said something like, you need to think about. What are the ways in which you can serve in a way that feels good and natural? And now I was like, well, I love to talk, so, Sonya is a key reason why I started this podcast. So thank you Sonya, for
Sonia: You are very welcome. Thank you. I'm glad you found your, your way right, like the thing that sparks you, so that's awesome.
Laura: So
Sonia: Yeah.
Laura: so our listeners get to know you, I'm gonna go ahead and read Sonya's amazing bio. Sonya Flores is a holistic business [00:02:00] coach, intuitive advisor and podcast producer. She helps soul led women share their message and gifts with the world by starting and growing their business or launching a podcast.
Laura: Case in Point me, she's also the host of modern Latina in Midlife, where she shares her journey of navigating the third chapter in a woman's life, stories about business, podcasting, spiritual awakening, and personal growth. Her work is rooted in the belief that everyone has a unique gift to share with the world.
Laura: And when your message is clear and your energy's aligned, you live in fulfillment of your life's purpose. Welcome, Sonya. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you
Sonia: Thank you. Of course. It's a pleasure.
Laura: Yeah, so even just reading this, there's so much I wanna ask, but first I just wanna get to know you as well. So, so listeners, it's not just for you, this episode's for me too, but how did you get started? How did you get into this [00:03:00] work? Did you, were you
Sonia: Hmm.
Laura: an entrepreneur or did you start Oh, you're shaking your head yes.
Laura: Tell us.
Sonia: I think that I've, I've been an entrepreneur through and through in inside in one way or another from a very young age. It's, it's in my genes, it's in my DNA. My grandparents were multi entrepreneurs. My dad was an entrepreneur for a short period of time as well. Um, so I think it's just always been in my blood.
Sonia: I first started off in corporate America. I worked in corporate for 18 years
Laura: Mm-hmm.
Sonia: marketing and product development and, um, I was international marketing manager for a national brand in, in the us so I did that for 18 years. So, um, my, my journey did not start in in entrepreneurship, although I went to school for business and entrepreneurship was a part of that.
Sonia: I very much was like, you know, doing the corporate thing 'cause [00:04:00] that's what like, my parents immigrated to this country, to like, we could live a different life. And so I was following that path, but, um, yeah, it just wasn't fulfilling anymore. You know, I just felt like something was. Off. Um, I was not enjoying what I was marketing, uh, the product that I was marketing, and I just always felt that there was something different, something out there for me.
Sonia: Um, I just kept trying to find that in corporate. And I just, it wasn't, I wasn't finding it and I wasn't reaching it. So I, um, I just became really burnt out and working a ton of hours. Um, you know, I became a single mom and it just was really long hours and travel and it just, it just wasn't, it, I was really, really burnt out.
Sonia: So, um.
Sonia: I actually took, I took a sabbatical for a couple of years. Um, I, once I entered into my next [00:05:00] relationship and he gave me the opportunity to stay home, we blended our families. He had a son. I had two sons, and so I had the opportunity to stay home for a couple of years. And, you know, I'm, I'm, I have so many interests, I couldn't just.
Sonia: And I'm so multi-passionate. I'm a manifesting gen generator if that means anything to you. So I have a lot of interest and I couldn't just like sit still and do nothing. I mean, the boys were teenagers, so I was really pretty much at home alone all day by myself and just kind of needed something to do.
Sonia: And so I started like a small side gig, like as a virtual assistant, just to like be busy for a few hours out of the day, and it just started growing from there. You know, it was, I, I, I was like one of those online chat people for like an online bookstore for somebody. This little bookstore that he had, and I just started like, oh, have you thought about, you know, doing this?
Sonia: He was like doing these [00:06:00] catalogs that we, he was sending into like the prison system for these books that he was for his. Store basically for his books. And I'm like, oh, have you thought about adding like Spanish titles and have you thought about like, how are you advertising this? Are you sending out newsletters?
Sonia: Like I, I just couldn't help but to like, you know, do that. 'cause that's all I did for, you know, 18 years and everything I would propose. He's like, yeah, let's go ahead and do that and let's do that. And. Then I thought, you know, I, I could do this for other people. You know, like I started just doing this from home a few hours a day and I thought, oh, I could do this for other people.
Sonia: So I started doing that for other entrepreneurs and just very, very part-time. And that's kind of how the journey into entrepreneurship started. So very different. Well, yeah. Kind very different from what I do today, but that's where it started. So.
Laura: I love it.
Laura: I already have so many questions, so I'm curious 'cause you mentioned you found, like in your new [00:07:00] partnership you, you had the opportunity to go on a sabbatical and I'm curious, was that. An easy decision to make. I'm only thinking about, honestly, my own experience and also those of my clients where I actually have clients now where they have the opportunity to take a break.
Laura: But the whole, I call it the corporate is, is like so ingrained in their system and their nervous system and their mindset that like, it's like they can't even relax. Even. Even if financially they're supported, whether it's through a partner or they have the savings, it's like, like this need, especially if it's like the person who's an overachiever and they're burnt out, but they still can't help themselves and they think that they have to keep going.
Laura: So I'm curious, did you go through any of that? what was it like, when you were just like, okay, I'm gonna take a a sabbatical. How did you go from
Sonia: Yeah.
Laura: burnt out, doing all the things to like, gonna
Sonia: Mm-hmm. Oh, that's such a great question. It, it took a [00:08:00] while for me to be convinced of that, of course, because I, I was single mom and, I was, pretty much supporting my sons by myself at that time. And it was hard to go from, I've got control of this to like, depending on somebody else.
Sonia: So. Yeah, that, that, that was difficult, but I was so burned out that it just felt like a relief. It felt like a welcome relief to like finally be like, okay, I can, I can take a breath and, and just allow this to, to be, and it was, it was scary for sure, but you know, I just always thought back to. I, like, nobody's gonna take my experience and my education away.
Sonia: Like I can always, you know, jump back in if I needed to, you know, or if something didn't work out or, you know, all, all of course all those things went through my head, but [00:09:00] I just knew and I just had confidence in myself that if need be, that I could, I could figure it out. So I just went for it. It was scary.
Sonia: It was scary for sure. But, um. There, there wasn't a lack of thanks to keep me busy for sure. You know, with three teenage boys and you know, just giving a household and it, it, it was, it was busy and it was a really nice welcome. To be completely honest with you. It was really nice just being able to relax and just take a break and just be like, it's okay to allow myself to receive.
Laura: Mm-hmm.
Sonia: So, yeah.
Laura: Yeah,
Sonia: Yeah. Yeah.
Laura: questions because I specifically I'm thinking of one client right now, similar situation except like in their situation there's a, a young child. So though this client of mine knows. It's act like intellectually she knows it's good that I'm not working right now 'cause I'm available for our young child. But in the back of her mind, she's so used to being financially independent, like her identity is [00:10:00] wrapped up around that. So I'm thinking of the listener who feels the same way, who's like. Yes, I know. I'm so blessed to have the support and either they feel like a certain kind of way 'cause they're like, I'm used to providing for myself, or they feel kind of guilty, like, shouldn't I struggle?
Laura: Isn't that part of the experience? So like for the listener who is feeling those type of things? Talk about, 'cause you said you had to be willing to receive. So talk about that. 'cause that's huge. I had to learn that and I'm still learning that as well. So, please.
Sonia: Yeah. Well, I didn't know at the time that that's what I was learning how to do. I, I know now looking back and having this conversation with you, I had never really thought about it that way, but it was, I, it really took a leap of faith.
Laura: Mm-hmm.
Sonia: just really took this, uh, just kind of going for it, you know?
Sonia: It, it just, I don't, there was, I didn't have another plan. I didn't have a [00:11:00] way to like, you know, purposely or consciously like, regulate my system or nervous system or anything like that, or any practice to, to say, oh yeah, this is what I did to like, help me get there. It was just a really blind trust and just.
Sonia: Knowing that I couldn't keep going the way that I was going,
Laura: Mm.
Sonia: was, I was making myself sick. And I knew that it wasn't healthy for my sons also for me to keep showing up in that way. Um, and so it just was truly just a leap of faith. You know, it's, I'm trying to think of like what I did to learn to receive, but it was, it was a lot of mental talk.
Sonia: It was a lot of mental, like, this is okay, like it is okay. Like, just let it be this way. You know? I had to constantly be talking to myself and just be like, this is okay. It's all right. It's okay to [00:12:00] do this. I don't know where, where it came from.
Laura: Mm-hmm.
Sonia: it was like this little voice, you know, that I had to tap into to like constantly tell myself it's okay to do this.
Laura: Mm-hmm. I love that. And what I just heard like in your story as well is, so yes, the, this is okay, but also I couldn't keep going. So it's
Sonia: Mm-hmm.
Laura: of like, we can't go back there.
Sonia: Mm-hmm.
Laura: So it's
Sonia: Yeah.
Laura: like building up the reasons as to why we have to face the scary thing of doing something differently.
Laura: Like, we can't go back there. That's terrible. This is
Sonia: Mm-hmm.
Laura: example. For
Sonia: Mm-hmm.
Laura: I have gotten a lot of like parents out there who are afraid to dream big and go after their dreams because they're worried about like, well, I have responsibilities to my kids. And what I love that you're saying is like, well, the way I was showing up, even if you presumably made pretty good money, is just not, healthy for your kids.
Laura: So.
Sonia: Mm-hmm.
Laura: that.
Sonia: Yeah. [00:13:00] Yeah.
Laura: how to receive like you had to, it's almost like
Sonia: Mm-hmm.
Laura: there is no choice but to move forward is what I'm hearing.
Sonia: Yeah, and I like what you just pointed out it, I think that a big. Part of what has driven me since I became a mother was what example if am I setting for my sons? And that I'm glad that you brought that in because that has been at the crux of every difficult decision that I have made, including having to divorce their father.
Sonia: Everything that I have done, and now even them as adults, when they question something that I may be doing that they're not in agreement with, I have to sit back and think about. Okay. Um. And my, you know, my first reaction is like, oh, I got, I gotta make this right. So they're not upset. But then I have to step back and think about, wait a minute, what is, what is it really?
Sonia: What am I really trying to accomplish by doing this? And I have to go back [00:14:00] to, no, no, no, this, we need to break cycles. I need to set an example. Like, this is what I would want them to do for their daughters or their children. So it, it always goes back to. How is, what example am I setting? So thank you for bringing that in.
Sonia: I hadn't never even thought about that. You're so good, Laura.
Laura: thank you
Sonia: I love this.
Laura: Yeah, I, I genuinely am, am thinking from the perspective of a listener, like, and specifically the person. 'cause you mentioned like even like the decision to leave their father. I have heard from many friends and clients like this. Staying in a, in a relationship that no longer serves them.
Laura: Whether it's like to the level of it's toxic or it's just not working. And I would love to hear from your perspective, 'cause I can't speak to this, it's not my personal experience. I can say like, well, yeah, of course you don't want to show that as an example. But from your perspective, being a mother and having had made that choice and other [00:15:00] probably difficult decisions, what would you say to the listener who is just like, struggling with the choice of like. I think I know what the next right step is, but I just feel stuck because I'm, I'm thinking of a single mother or a married mother who is currently not working, let's say, and who feels stuck they're like, oh, but how, what do I do next?
Laura: Like, what, what would you say to that listener or to those types of listeners who are in that situation?
Sonia: That's very touching. First of all, I, I'd like to say to that woman like, I see you and I, I understand the fear and it's valid, and, and there's a way out if that's what you really want. There is a way out. I like to always. Tell people to like, follow the nudges, you know, to follow those, those breadcrumbs.
Sonia: Follow that, that, that flutter, that little nudge, that little message. The joy or the, [00:16:00] the, what your body is telling you that you need to do, right? Like your, your body doesn't lie to you. And if you're feeling like this isn't right, like, this is where I wanna be anymore. Trust that. And just start to like very slowly, like look at opportunities of ways to how you could potentially have a different outcome or, or take the next step.
Sonia: Like it doesn't have to be like, I'm just gonna. Jump, you know, off the cliff, even though that's what I did when I left corporate. But I also knew that my cushion was my education and my skills to start to look for, like, to just open doors. Like take that one little next step, open that next door. Um, maybe you talk to people, maybe you mention it to a coach.
Sonia: Maybe you, you, you know, just follow those. Little flutters of intuition of maybe you feel called to listen to a podcast episode or to read a book. [00:17:00] There's always. Your guides, and I'm very big on like following your intuition, your higher self, your guides, whatever you wanna call it. That energy, just your higher self.
Sonia: Your guides are always trying to guide you in the right direction. They're always leaving breadcrumbs and the next. Door for you to open. So start to like, just pay attention to those little steps. 'cause it doesn't have to be taking a huge step. It's just the one next step. That's all you need to do is just take that one little next aligned step and start to open those doors.
Sonia: And then they just start opening. They just start opening you just start finding your way.
Laura: I love that. And for listeners who aren't familiar in the realm of like guides and intuition and nudges, could you describe like what a nudge could potentially feel like what that maybe is is like for you
Sonia: Hmm
Laura: heard clients, like, how you've heard them describe it just so they're kind of like. I didn't know that was a nudge. I just thought that was, you know, like
Sonia: mm-hmm.
Laura: whatever.
Sonia: Yeah. Like for me, a [00:18:00] nudge, I'm trying to think back to like when I didn't know. This language you know, the time when I was thinking about, like, say leaving my ex-husband, I, I didn't know what, what a nudge was, right?
Sonia: I didn't know this language, but I had. Very, I have very vivid memories of those, almost like rude awakenings, where like my guides were like, my gosh, already, you know, they're like, they were shaking me and I didn't know at the time that that's what it was, but I feel like you just kind of know like it, you just feel it in your body, you know?
Sonia: If there's constant resistance to something that's, that's. Like, if you just feel like, I just don't wanna do it, check in with yourself. Like, just stop and think about am I resisting this because, you know, because I don't know how, because I'm scared or am I resisting this because this is not at all what I wanna do.
Sonia: And I, I think that one of the ways that we can maybe like. Help people [00:19:00] understand that is I, I feel like a lot of us are told what to do when we're trying to figure out what to do with our career when we're young trying to pick a college or go to college or not. We know it starts, it starts very young, younger than that.
Sonia: But I feel like that's a really good example of when we're told this is what you gotta do. 'Cause I know that's what I was told, but I really wanted to do something different
Laura: Mm-hmm.
Sonia: I did what I was told to do. Um. And so that, I feel is a good example for many of us where, you know, you know. That, that if, if you, if you were told what to do, you know, that that wasn't really what you wanted to do.
Sonia: And that's kind of what it feels like. You know, it feels like you, you do it even with the resistance. Even knowing that deep down inside, this isn't, this isn't make me happy, you know, this isn't feel fulfilling to me. I don't know if that helps or if that answers your question.
Laura: Oh no, that was really helpful. What I got from that, like as like. The [00:20:00] simplest breakdown, first of all, I love that you mentioned this was not something that came naturally to you because that way like it, to whoever's listening, they might be like, well, of course Sonya, like she's an intuitive coach. Of course she knows how to do
Sonia: Mm
Laura: see listeners like she didn't start off this way. I
Sonia: mm.
Laura: did not start off that way. My background's in engineering like way far from intuition. But what
Sonia: Oh yeah.
Laura: what I heard you say, like a good place to start is 'cause we all know what resistance. Feels like we know what that feels like. We know what it feels like physically.
Laura: We know what it feels like emotionally, and I think something beautiful that you said is to really about and feel into. What is behind the resistance? Like, where's it coming from? Instead of just accepting resistance as is and saying, well, that's my, my sign to stop. What I'm hearing from you is that's not necessarily your sign to stop.
Laura: It's your sign to go within and like get curious and ask yourself like what you said, is it because I'm scared? Is it 'cause I don't know [00:21:00] how? Because if it's any of those things, then that's not really your sign to stop. It's your sign to keep going. Right?
Sonia: Mm-hmm.
Laura: what I.
Sonia: Yeah, I like that. Yeah, absolutely. And you know, once you, you start to take that little step forward in that direction, it'll guide you if it's the right thing for you, you will know. You will feel it. You will, you'll feel that spark to keep going. And if it's not. You'll feel it, you'll feel like, oh, you know, you know what?
Sonia: Maybe this wasn't this, this wasn't it. Lemme try something different. And it's okay. And it's, it's okay to take that step and, and, or two or three even and then go, yeah, you know what? That, that really wasn't it. And that's okay because that could open a door to something else. Or at a bare minimum, it's data.
Sonia: It's data to say, okay, that wasn't the thing, but lemme try something else. But don't stay stuck. You know? It's like, try something if you're feeling. Stuck or feeling like maybe this isn't right for me, or there's something [00:22:00] more for me. I, I always say just if you can't decide or don't know for sure, just try something because at least it gives you data or gets you closer to where you need to be as opposed to being in the same spot a year from today or five years from today.
Laura: Mm-hmm. for the listener who's like, oh crap, I've been trying to. I think my way out of this, you know, Hey, me too. So it's like, it's okay, but now you know you're listening, right? And so it's like, yes, now just try something. Don't stay stuck. Collect data. There is no such
Sonia: Mm-hmm.
Laura: data in this case is what I'm
Sonia: Mm-hmm.
Laura: 'cause whether it's the, it was the right step or not, at least now, you know. So you're still getting closer. So I love that. And you
Sonia: Mm-hmm.
Laura: one thing that, like I have never heard, it said this way before, and I'm so glad you specifically said this, is that you said that your cushion was your education and skills. I. Love that because typically when we think cushion, we think financial cushion. So talk [00:23:00] to us a little bit more about that because I, again, I've
Sonia: I.
Laura: heard anyone describe it that way. So for the listener who's like, wait, don't I just have to make sure I have like enough savings or like that I'm financially taken care of, like what other cushion could I have in order to make this bold decision to do that?
Laura: Whatever that next thing is.
Sonia: Yeah. You know, I, I, that's a really good point for, so I, I feel like I did have several cushions.
Laura: Mm-hmm.
Sonia: I, you know, I had a plan a, plan B, plan C very loosely, uh, set up in my mind. I did have, like I said, I, I knew that I can count on my education and my skills. I knew that there was no way that I was gonna just.
Sonia: I mean, what was the other option? I mean, there was no way I was gonna let my sons go hungry. I was going to, you know, figure it out. I was gonna get a job, whether it was a job at retail or job back in corporate, or a job, whatever. I was gonna figure it out. And I'm saying job because most of us are. [00:24:00] You know, naturally, of course we live in, you know, a capitalist society.
Sonia: You know, we, we need, you know, money to, to survive. So of course that's always a big worry for, for many of us. So I just knew that I, I could figure it out in, in terms of the finances. I may have had a small savings like tiny so that, that, that wasn't even like. You know, I got, I got that to rely on, you know, so it wasn't even that.
Sonia: But then I also of course, knew that I, I had friends and family, if, anything went south that they could help. And that, and not that I ever depend on family or anything like that. I just, felt like if, if it came down to it, you know, I, I wasn't alone. But more than anything it, it was okay, I, I can handle this.
Sonia: It's like I had me.
Laura: Hmm. That's the biggest
Sonia: Yeah,
Laura: is. Like you
Sonia: yeah,
Laura: Oh[00:25:00]
Sonia: yeah. That was the biggest cushion.
Laura: yeah.
Sonia: Yeah. And just like knowing that I would never just, my sons were my motivation. It's just put it that way, so,
Laura: I love that. I love that.
Sonia: yeah.
Laura: The other thing I wanted to ask you, because you like the way you started, you're 18 years in corporate, by the way. I don't know if you know this, but I was also 18 years in corporate before
Sonia: Oh, really?
Laura: So
Sonia: Oh, wow.
Laura: corporate leaving
Sonia: there.
Laura: Yeah.
Sonia: Yes, we are. Yeah.
Laura: like our experience became an adult and we're like, we're
Sonia: It.
Laura: we.
Sonia: There you go. And left the coop.
Laura: Yeah, we left the coop. You, you got this
Sonia: Yeah.
Laura: You're 18 now, so we got
Sonia: out there. Make it happen.
Laura: Yeah. Okay. So you just talked about an experience that I think a lot of us can relate to. A lot of the listeners, worked hard, you climbed the corporate ladder and probably on the outside you looked great. probably had the accolades, great money, like all that and things felt, still felt off. You were burnt out. [00:26:00] What I am really curious, and I'm just gonna be so straight up with you, Sonya, this is, this question's not just for the listeners for me too, so like. Yeah, as somebody who'd also felt burnt out many times in corporate, and I know it's because I was just like an over performer and things like that. For someone who is thinking about becoming an entrepreneur or already is, how do you make sure, how did you make sure you didn't down the path of burnout? 'cause I feel like it's easier as an entrepreneur 'cause you're. Because work becomes something you love. It's really easy to overwork. So what was the experience like for you?
Laura: Did, did you start overworking or were you, or were you just like, Nope, not doing that again.
Sonia: Yeah. Great question.
Sonia: Well, you know, when I, when I started working again and I started like my little part-time business, as you know, as a virtual assistant, really, it was very part-time. It was just to like occupy my time [00:27:00] and make some little extra money for vacations and things like that for the boys.
Sonia: So it was it was very, very part-time. So it. Was not burnout at all. It was very like, I didn't really need it. So it was fun and you know, it was just fun at the time.
Sonia: And so I did that for probably three years and then and then that relationship went south and I, uh, had to almost overnight, pretty much leave
Laura: Sorry, the
Laura: work relationship.
Sonia: No, my partner relationship, my home relationship,
Laura: Oh,
Sonia: was supporting me and my sons at this point, my oldest son had already moved out on his own. So it was just my younger son and I, but. He, my, my son had a health emergency that was gonna require a lot of my time, and my partner didn't want anything to do with it.
Sonia: So he's like, you know, he just can't live here [00:28:00] anymore. And like I said, my sons were my priorities, so I'm like, well. I'm leaving too then, you know. So,
Laura: I
Sonia: his thought was, his thought was, oh, he, he could go live with the other parent. But for me it was like, no, no, I, I've been the primary parent, so that's fine.
Sonia: I'll leave. So that's when things got really hard. That's when like our life shifted completely and um. I went, I went from like being part-time to having to like just build this up like full-time and make enough to like pay rent and, you know, help. My oldest son was going to college and help with that and his car and insurance and phones and like all the things from this little part-time business as a virtual assistant, no less.
Sonia: And so, you know, I built it up somehow. In two weeks, I built it up to full-time where I could at least take care [00:29:00] of like the basic needs, and so I'm like, okay. So at least the basic stuff was taken care of. But there wasn't much room for anything other than our basic needs. and so that led to burnout because I'm like, okay, more hours means more money.
Sonia: So then that again, was like at back at this very uncomfortable place of just really burning the candle at both ends. And still feeling like, why is it still not enough? You know? And it just became this like vicious, ugly cycle. In the meantime, I'm still trying to like help my son through, you know, his health because that was not, not like an overnight thing that took several years.
Sonia: And so it was a lot and I was this close to going back to corporate to saying, okay. I, I, I'm gonna have to go back to corporate 'cause that's where the big paycheck was at. [00:30:00] And then so a couple of things happened. 2020 hit. And so there was no going back to corporate in that moment.
Sonia: But I also hired a coach and at a time when there was no extra money.
Sonia: And you know, it was scary that if, any one of my clients cut back on their hours that I might not be able to make rent. That was a big investment in myself and that was just a big, another really big leap that I made. Um. And like a bet in myself. And what this coach said to me is, you know, I, I gave her my concerns.
Sonia: And so she said, okay. Because I told her I had booked this appointment before I decided to go back to corporate. So I kept the appointment with her to not like, just not show up. And then, you know, and then I, I was honest with her and I said, you know what, I've decided to go back to corporate. Okay, why?
Sonia: And so we talked through that and she said, if we could eliminate these things that you, [00:31:00] that are not working for you, would you still like, give it a, a shot for another year? I said, yeah, of course. Yes, of course. I love what I do. So she said, well, let, let's try something. Let's try to work on it.
Sonia: I'm like, okay. And so I tried it and I went with it and we created a strategy and it worked. And a year later I was in a completely different place. Um, I had completely shifted my mindset. We had completely reworked my packages and the way that I was working and eliminated the things that I didn't like and added more of what I did.
Sonia: And she just really helped me see that at a time when. All I could do was like try to stay above water. Like I didn't have the capacity with everything going on with like my business and my son's health to like see beyond what was right in front of me. And that was a game changer. A game [00:32:00] changer. Not only that, she, she was a business coach who, who worked with human design and astrology.
Sonia: So it was like this whole other woowoo thing, and it gave me also permission to understand how I work as a manifesting generator and understand how my energy works, and then align my business to that as opposed to the other way around, like letting the client decide how it works and then try to adjust myself to that so that.
Sonia: That was, that was a game changer for me.
Laura: Yeah. Yeah. I'm gonna have to like rewind and like slow some things down. Okay. You said so many things that I wanna go deeper into, but first I just wanna commend you on like what courage and total badassery to be like, no, I am not gonna compromise my son for you. know, like, like truly there's gonna be so many listeners who are just like slow clapping in the background because Sonya, I can [00:33:00] see, I can see. Different decisions being made of somebody who was not as courageous and badass as you, as being like, what am I gonna do? I, I, I don't, I only have a part-time job. I feel stuck. And so I'm not saying this to judge or blame or try to shame anyone who is in that scenario, but more to highlight you and also to the, the person who is in that situation who may feel like they're stuck or there's no way out. It Sonya's such a
Sonia: Mm-hmm.
Laura: That.
Sonia: Thank you.
Laura: it, it
Sonia: Mm-hmm.
Laura: it is possible. So I
Sonia: Yeah. Thank you.
Laura: that had to be said. Like if
Sonia: Thank you.
Laura: like if there was not enough time for anything else like that, I just had to commend you, you know? 'cause you just kind of blip through it. I'm like, okay, we're gonna go back to that.
Laura: I'll, I'll let you talk. But we have to go back to that because out of all the things you said, like that was some strong mama energy of just like, hell no, Uhuh.
Sonia: Yeah. That's why. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you for that. I appreciate [00:34:00] that. And also, that's why I say my sons are my motivators. Every, every step of the way, every hard decision has been made with. How does this affect them and like what is best for them, whether they think it is right now or not.
Laura: Mm-hmm.
Sonia: mean that I've made all the right decisions, you know, that just, I really, truly have always intended to do everything with the best outcome in mind for what I believed was best for them.
Sonia: And I've made mistakes, but I had to go back and correct them. And that was one, right? That was, that was a course correct. Right there.
Laura: Mm-hmm. Yeah, that's beautiful. And then the other just like level of badassery that I, I do wanna ask more questions. You said like in two weeks you had, you got the basic needs covered. And what I love about what you said is that it led to burnout because you thought, because I need more money, I need to work more.
Laura: And I would [00:35:00] love to hear your thoughts on this. Now that you are where you are, we both know that that's not actually true, that more work means more money. So like what would you say to the you at that time who was just like. Trying to hustle. And going back to what you knew that worked in corporate, like what would you say to her today?
Sonia: it all comes down to working on your self-worth. I had no idea, that what I was doing was of that much value. This coach had to start putting that, in front of me to tell me.
Sonia: I, I didn't know that I, I just. I just kinda started this thing out of nowhere. Like literally, I had heard about virtual assistants and I, what attracted me to that work was that I was able to work from home. And so I didn't know coaching was a thing at the time. You know, I just kind of just started taking the next step,
Sonia: So I didn't know what, what somebody that was doing, what I was doing could [00:36:00] charge. Um, so it just, it really took like betting on myself be like allowing myself to. To invest in myself even when I didn't have the money for it to like, okay, this person knows, like I had heard her in a, on a podcast and I'm like, she, she knows what she's talking about.
Sonia: Like I just resonated with her. Her energy felt right. So. I just went with it. So that's why like, you know, it is, if you can't see it for yourself, this is what I would say. If you cannot see that for yourself, know that that it is out there for you and it's okay to ask somebody else for help. And sometimes we do have to make an investment, but I promise you that investment is coming back like tenfold, if not more.
Laura: Hmm.
Sonia: the, there's no way you can't invest in yourself and not. Not get that back. That doesn't mean that we don't make mistakes sometimes. Sometimes we're like, oops, I hired the wrong person. That's okay. Like, [00:37:00] let's course correct and the next person will be right. Or ask for referrals or, you just, you take those steps and then that just, the mistake becomes a wash, it becomes data, you know, it just, it becomes d
Laura: Yes.
Sonia: it becomes data and it's like, oh, that was, that was part of the journey
Laura: Mm-hmm.
Sonia: so now I gotta keep moving, like next.
Sonia: You know, so that's. That's more than, I think that's what I would say to anybody, anybody, whatever the struggle is there's always somebody out there that could help with whatever your situation is. We're not meant to figure it all out on our own. Sometimes, you know, if sometimes when we're, we're drowning, we just need a little bit of support when we can't figure it out on our own.
Laura: Mm-hmm.
Sonia: Um. All, although I do sometimes strongly believe that we have the answers inside of us. You know, like we can sit in meditation and call in our higher self and get those answers for ourselves, but sometimes that answer is reach out to so and [00:38:00] so. You know, they can guide you and they can teach you, you know, so, yeah.
Laura: Yeah. I love that. And I love how you phrase it as bet on you. Bet on you. And that I think a, a lot of people can relate to. Oh, I, so I've heard this a lot. I'm sure you have to like, oh, I'd love to invest in coaching, but I just don't have the, the money. And it sounds like from your experience at least, and also like mine, if I'm being honest, it's like. You have to come at it from a place of, but what do you actually need? Not like how much money do you have? In the bank. 'Cause I know, like one of, I heard one of my clients before say something like, oh, I, I don't have any extra money to invest in myself. And it sounds like what you're saying is no, you have to invest in yourself.
Laura: It's not just like a, if I have extra funds, like you have to prioritize yourself first.
Sonia: I believe so. I, I strongly believe so. I feel that that is one of the [00:39:00] lessons that keeps showing up in my life at every stage of my life, it's that investment in ourselves. I mean, it's so easy for us to say, oh, I'm gonna, you know, when we're young, like I'm gonna go to college and we figure out right.
Sonia: A way to pay for it. You know, whether somebody helps us or we get a loan or we. Grants, whatever it is, we have no problem getting into debt to like, bet on, make that investment. To me, coaching programs, trainings, conferences, things of that nature are no different than, than like a formal university education for me.
Sonia: In fact, if, if anything, I feel like I get more out of. You know, trainings and coaches. And then, not that my schooling wasn't important, it was, it was amazing if it's gotten me where I, I am, but I just feel like you get a lot more, I, I feel sometimes from coaches and like very specific trainings that, that you need and that you can invest in.
Sonia: Sometimes, and [00:40:00] then even a college education. I feel like a college education of course, opens doors, but sometimes it's just getting that. Diploma, right? So like, okay, this gets me here.
Laura: Mm-hmm.
Sonia: you've proven to somebody that you can follow this system and this program basically. But yeah, I just think that that never stops.
Sonia: I think that if we are wanting to achieve more and wanting to get somewhere different, whether it's impersonal or in our business, an investment I feel is, is necessary.
Laura: I love this and for our listeners who are like, speaking of investing, I think Sonya's amazing and I would love to follow her and talk to her and see what she's up to. How
Sonia: Mm
Laura: our listeners follow you or get ahold of you or send you like some love and hearts from this episode?
Sonia: Mm. Awesome. Thank you. Yeah, well, my website is blue chakra studio.com and on Instagram, I'm at Blue Chakra Studio. So, yeah. Thank you. All, all the things that I do [00:41:00] are there, so yeah.
Laura: will
Sonia: Appreciate it.
Laura: notes. Don't worry. Listeners who were like getting out pen and paper or like pausing like
Sonia: Mm-hmm.
Laura: It's gonna be in the, it's gonna be in the show notes. And I
Sonia: Awesome.
Laura: question I ask all my guests, and that is, if you are an item. In a coffee shop. So you could be a drink, a pastry, you could be, I dunno, a poster, anything in the coffee shop.
Laura: What would you be and why
Sonia: That is so cute. I'm probably gonna have to be like a pumpkin spice latte.
Laura: taste the season, at least at the time of this recording? Yeah, that's
Sonia: Exactly. Probably, you know, it's like that, it's like a, a, a latte, but, you know, throwing, throw a little flavor and spice in there. So
Laura: I love it. I love
Sonia: that would be it. What would you be, oh.
Laura: Oh, I so simple and basic. Just like a black coffee, honestly. And I feel like that fits me because like, of all, that is actually what I order. I get, I look at all the different drinks that look fancy and sometimes I order it, but [00:42:00] then it ends up being too sweet. 'cause I don't
Sonia: Mm.
Laura: a sweet tooth. So the black coffee for. So because of that, but also, 'cause I'm kind of like a straight shooter, I'll tell you like there's no creamer. Like I'm just gonna tell you. also be prepared if you ask me a question, like you're gonna get it straight.
Sonia: Awesome. I love that. Very cool. Thank you. Well, thank you so much.
Laura: This was so fun.
Sonia: you. Yeah, this was fun. Thank you. Appreciate your time.
Big thanks again to Sonya Flores for sharing her story so openly. These conversations are such a reminder that no pivot is too messy, too late, or too unconventional if something she said resonated. Don't keep it to yourself. Share this episode with someone you know who needs it, and when you are ready to start your own pivot.
Head to www.leadintact.com for free resources or book a free [00:43:00] 20 minute call with me. I'm here for you.