How I AM Conversations Was Born

I AM Conversations was born from one of the darkest and saddest moments of my life — a time marked by the loss of my father, my brother, and later, my mother. What followed was a painful family feud, and suddenly I found myself standing in the middle of what felt like ruins — of what was left of the family I once knew.

In those moments, I was fortunate to have friends and my husband by my side, holding my hand while I walked through the storm. Still, I believed that no one could do the inner work for me — that healing had to come from within.

But life has a way of sending lifelines when you least expect them. Mine came in the form of AnaMaría. We met by chance at a party, and over a shared cigarette, we connected instantly. She became my mentor, my coach, and one of the most powerful women I have ever known. With her guidance and deep intuition, she helped me find light in the middle of darkness.

As our friendship grew, we realized that all this suffering could not go to waste. Together, we combined psychology and art — and through these two languages, we began to heal. From that collaboration, two workshops were born, and eventually, I AM Workshops and Conversations emerged — a space where healing and creativity could meet.

Through our process of creating the I AM Project, we knew that we wanted our journey to be recorded — to have our process documented. AnaMaría knew many people in the production world, but I knew the right person — a friend who shared our beliefs and whose talent was impeccable. I introduced Maclovia Martel to AnaMaría in Los Angeles, during our Space for Art screening at the 26th Beverly Hills Film Festival.

Maclovia had directed our Space for Art documentary, and through that process, we quickly became friends. We first met in Houston while filming the documentary, and from the very beginning, I knew she carried a unique mix of vision, sensitivity, and purpose that aligned perfectly with ours.

Immediately, she and Ana María bonded over their shared love of shoes and their fascination with energy work and pendulums. When we told Maclovia about our workshops and our desire to document them, she agreed without hesitation — and from that moment, she became an integral part of our project.

Finding the right people to work with is key — and having the same vision is what makes the dream machine run smoothly and effortlessly. We found joy in what we were creating, and the project began to take shape, to form, and to grow. The three of us — AnaMaría, Maclovia, and I — have different personalities, but together, we create a kind of alchemy when we’re in the zone.

We became friends with a shared purpose: to heal the world with our God-given talents. What once felt like unbearable sadness transformed into our greatest asset — the foundation for a new mission that brought healing not only to others but also to ourselves.

Today, I look around me and feel most at home among powerful women who want to make a difference. I admire them deeply — their strength, courage, and authenticity. These women have lifted me, inspired me, and taken me to the most extraordinary places, both within and beyond myself. Through them, I’ve learned more about life, love, and purpose than I ever could have imagined.