Starve the Doubts - Azucena Garcia Ferro (edited)
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Azucena: [00:00:00] Be bold, be courageous, take the risk, because you never know what can come out of the other side of fear. For a long time, I stayed in a job or different jobs where there was a lot of financial stuff. disability and I had everything great and stable and I was afraid to take the leap because I was afraid of change.
Azucena: But let me tell you that this half a year has been amazing.
Jared: Welcome back to the podcast. I'm your host Jared Easley and today I am very fortunate to be joined by Azucena Garcia Perro and Azucena is the host of Cerebral Palsy Answers, although if you go and look for that, you may not find it because it's in Spanish. Justina, thank you for joining us today.
Azucena: Thank you, Jerry, for having me.
Jared: I am grateful [00:01:00] that you have lowered your standards to chat with me today. And let's start out with a simple question. What's the best concert that you have been to?
Azucena: Oh, that's a great question. I've been to, I love music. I love all sorts of music. So I've been to several concerts. Life in Spanish. There was a really famous rock band called Soda stereo, originally from Argentina, that was in 2007 that they came, they reunited after 10 years of And they were a huge rock band in Latin America, in all of Latin America, and I love their music.
Azucena: So I went to see them with my brother, and that was a lot of fun in Los Angeles, actually, in 2007. Yeah, and then an English favorite concert, probably something by Depeche Mode.
Jared: Hmm, okay. Do you like the, uh, the 80s British? [00:02:00] Yeah. Yeah, rock pop stuff. Okay. I like that stuff too. So that's pretty cool.
Azucena: Yeah So, I mean I like all sorts of things really I have a very eclectic mix of tastes when it comes to music
Jared: Yes, you do.
Azucena: I appreciate anything and everything really except for like death metal that I don't understand
Jared: Fair enough. Okay. Well, I'm grateful that we could chat today and I'm excited to share your story. So first of all, let's talk about how we met. So I'm gonna let you tell that story since, yeah, you have a really good version of it.
Jared: So how did we meet?
Azucena: My version, how did we meet? We met because I applied for a scholarship to attend the podcast movement. And this year in Los Angeles, and I received an email that I was selected to receive a scholarship, which I practically [00:03:00] went crazy. I was jumping up and down in my bed. I had not received a scholarship in a long time.
Azucena: So I was very excited. I signed up for the event itself, and I downloaded the app, which apparently you needed to do to have access to all the, the event itself, actually, the entire program. And I signed up, like, three, four days prior. So, of course, being me, I waited to the last minute, right? And then all of a sudden I receive an email from you and it said, you know, Jared Easley.
Azucena: I didn't really recognize you at first, of course, because I didn't know you. So I said, okay, so who's this person? I opened it and it said, you know, welcome, thank you for signing up to the podcast movement, but it was very personal. I felt like it was truly you sending [00:04:00] me an email one on one, which it was, right?
Azucena: It was. I was really surprised because that has never really happened to me when I've been part of other events, you know, be it podcasting events or any other event really. And so I was pleasantly surprised and I immediately afterwards, I said, okay, I have to figure out who this person is because you said at the end of the email, you said, if you need anything, let me know.
Azucena: And I said, Hmm, I wonder if this is really true. And so then I go to the LinkedIn and I look you up and then it, you know, and then I saw all your. background information, and that you were one of the co authors. You stalked
Jared: me. Go ahead.
Azucena: I did. I did. I stalked you. I was like, oh, this is There's a
Jared: strange gringo writing me.
Jared: Yeah, and then
Azucena: I was like, oh, this is who this is. Okay, I was like, oh, great. So then I responded to your email, and we [00:05:00] went back and forth, you know, saying, you know, I may need a wheelchair, and then you helped me connect me, because I, I have a physical disability. Yeah. And so, um, We kept in contact up until the day of the event in Los Angeles, which I was incredibly nervous about.
Azucena: And I was, I was even doubting if I should go cause I didn't know anyone. And I just, you know, this is so new to me. The space, this podcasting space is so new to me. So I wasn't sure what to expect, even if I should be there because my podcast was brand new and it was in, in Spanish. And so, but I knew you, you know, I had received that email and you felt, you made me feel so welcomed, even though it was just a couple of the emails that I thought, well, at least I know someone, even if it's through email.
Azucena: And so, um, the day of the event came around and I picked up my badge and then at night. That first night, [00:06:00] there was a mixer of some sort, like health care mixer, in the hotel and I stuck around with like one person who was kind enough to just, he saw me in a corner by myself and we started talking. I was like, okay, at least I know someone else now.
Azucena: And then eventually we stopped talking. I said, you know, I have to go upstairs. I have to go get a program. But at this point it was like 9 30 PM. I didn't even think I was going to get a program, but I thought, okay, well, I'll go back to where I got my badge and maybe there'll be something there and there'll be someone left.
Azucena: And as I'm walking upstairs and through these massive hallways, you are coming my way, you know, and
Jared: And we are literally at this hour, at this time of the evening, we're the only ones in that hallway. There's pretty much no one else there. So
Azucena: yeah. Yeah. You come with, you know, some other members of the team.
Azucena: And then all of a sudden you, I see you like, I see you, but I don't recognize you, but you [00:07:00] recognize me and. You get closer to me and I think you recognize that I walk like a penguin, which I had mentioned in the email. And so obviously I'm like the only human that walks like a penguin in that hotel. Yeah, the
Jared: only one.
Jared: Oh, in that hotel? I don't know about that. Yeah, maybe.
Azucena: And so you come up and then you look at my badge trying to see if really it's me and I guess you do see, you know, Azucena Garcia. And then you say Azucena. And I said, yes. And then I see your badge and I was like, Oh, this is Jared. And of course, then I proceed to give you a big hug as if we were long lost.
Azucena: Yeah. Homies
Jared: peeps
Azucena: from a long time. And
Jared: like I spoke Spanish, it was great.
Azucena: Exactly. And then, you know, I was, I was very happy, totally unexpectedly that I, I would, I didn't think I would meet you that day. Right. Um, Automatically I felt like all is well in the world and everything will be fine.[00:08:00]
Jared: We actually took a little bit of time and looked over the schedule because we had questions about that. And we tried to see if we could, you know, navigate that a little bit. So, you know, we, we did our best. We did what we could. And, um, yeah. And so we, I think at a bare minimum, you were better prepared for the next day at a bare minimum.
Jared: So you kind of had a better idea, like you had a bearings, you know, What you think would be helpful to you. And so we had a nice exchange and then I told you at this hour, you know, you're not going to find what you're looking for. Don't bother walking into the rest of the way. Yeah. So that's what happened.
Jared: That's how we met. So thank you for sharing that. But yeah, that's how we became in person friends. And then, um, that event. At least from my perspective, it seemed like that was a very positive event for you, because every time I saw you, it seemed like you were smiling, seemed like you were happy, you made friends, you got some good advice, or I hope you did.
Jared: And so, let's get to that just briefly, [00:09:00] and then I want to talk about the backstory, but what was the experience like overall for you going to that conference in L. A.? I mean, you know, you mentioned that was a little bit intimidating, and Maybe a little bit out of your comfort zone, yet you had the boldness and the courage to say I'm not gonna let that stop me, I'm gonna go for this, and you showed up, you were there, and you know, you were right in your element, at least that's what it looked like for me, for my end.
Azucena: Yeah. It was a wonderful experience, and I'm so glad that I went, because here's a little bit of ground story. I've been having a, sort of a life coach for a while now, and prior to the event I, I was talking to her, and with her, I talk about, you know, my fears, my uncertainties and everything that I, I'm afraid of doing, but I, I know I should do it.
Azucena: For example, my podcast, but I was talking to her and I said, you know what? I don't even know if I [00:10:00] should go to this. Event because I don't know anyone and I don't know if this is the right place for me I don't know what I will do and I Struggle with huge crowds, which is kind of odd because I have a degree in communications and I graduated and I worked in TV and film for a long time, but Crowds make me nervous.
Azucena: And so that's
Jared: interesting because you don't really strike me as an introvert. Although you might be partially an introvert. I don't know that you're fully one.
Azucena: Yeah, it strikes a lot of people. That's for sure. You're not the first one to say, but I truly am. And so. Or maybe a mixture of both, but you fake
Jared: it well.
Azucena: Yeah, I do. I do fake it. Well, actually, my coach said, no, you should go for it. You should never, you never know what you're, you know, who you're going to meet and how your podcast will change and what advice you will receive from this event. Just [00:11:00] go for it. And then you receive the scholarship. So this is a sign, you know, that, that you should go.
Azucena: And so she was my biggest trailer. I went there, and I, like I said, I didn't know what to expect. And I was definitely out of my comfort zone. And that's something I definitely shared with you. I said, Jared, I don't know what I'm doing here. But as the days went by, and I started meeting people. It was wonderful.
Azucena: And I attended a session that really changed my perspective early on. It was like the second day or the first full day. And the presenter said something like, don't be afraid to go up to anyone because this is truly a networking event. And then I remembered about my coach who said, you already have the no, as a given, go for the yes, for whatever it is that you're going for, go for the yes.
Azucena: So I was like, okay. So I thought about that. And from then [00:12:00] on, after that session, and I heard this presenter, I said, okay, we're all here networking. So don't feel intimidated. You know what you know. And yes, this is a new space for you, but Azucena, you've been in a lot of new spaces. You've been through many challenges in your life and you shouldn't be intimidated by All these people, so I approached the event from a different perspective from then on.
Jared: And overall, that was helpful to you. It was a good event. You had a good experience.
Azucena: Oh, absolutely. I'm so glad I went because I made connections that I would not have otherwise, you know, during the third night, I did a, I came up with this idea. And you will let me know what these are called because I can't remember.
Azucena: But I submitted this idea of getting a group and I called it podcasters in Espanol. So podcasters in Spanish, because. [00:13:00] I figured, okay, well, I can't be the only one who's doing a podcast in Spanish. And it turns out I was one of the few, but I'm so glad that my idea got picked and I got to connect with other individuals from Latin America, from Mexico, from Colombia, from Argentina, who are doing podcasts in Spanish.
Azucena: You know, it was very minimal. There was like 10 of us, but those are connections. that I wouldn't have not had the opportunity to come across had I stayed at home, right? And I met so many wonderful people. And actually, I, a really nice story from this is I met a man Who's one of the directors of a distributing company and I went up to him, not knowing who he was.
Azucena: Well, apparently he's like one of the biggest distributors of Spanish speaking podcasts and [00:14:00] having my newfound courage, I pitched my podcast to him and now I have, you know, signed a contract with them to distribute my podcast. So,
Jared: and now let's go back a little bit. So people know that you have a disability, but maybe they don't know all the details of that.
Jared: So I want to talk about what's your disability and then let's talk about how that has not stopped you. You've had what I consider, you know, reasonable or even considerable success in the corporate world and at some point you realized, you know what, this is great and I, you know, but I, I want. I want to do something that is beneficial to the community and to the people that can relate to your experiences or family members who are trying to support people that have similar disabilities.
Jared: And so you decided to start your podcast. So let's kind of, I know that was a little bit of a lead in there, a little long lead in, but let's talk about those things. So your disability. But your success in the corporate world and then kind of how you decided all of a sudden, Hey, I'm going to try [00:15:00] to support people with disabilities and I'm going to use a podcast to do that.
Azucena: Yeah. So I was born six months and I weighed two pounds and then the next day I weighed, I was down to one pound. So the doctors apparently put me in a diet. So I, immediately after I was born, I was placed in the NICU, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and doctors actually told my parents that it was highly unlikely that I would survive given that I had not received enough oxygen to My brain and they put me in the middle of two baby boys.
Azucena: One had a heart condition and the other to the left had a brain tumor. So we were all expected to die. And I, along with them, and I must add that this was incredibly difficult for my [00:16:00] parents because they are immigrants from Mexico, so they didn't speak. They spoke little to no English, and so they relied on translators to try to understand what the doctors were saying.
Azucena: So that was very difficult for my parents. And so I was born in April, and my father, my biological father, died in June of that same year in 19, 19, um, no, he died two years later, I'm sorry, when I was, I was diagnosed two years later, officially, with cerebral palsy, due to that lack of oxygen. And so, It was very difficult for my mom, right?
Azucena: Because in 1980, in 1990, I'm sorry, my father died and then I was diagnosed. So she was left alone with, with two little kids, my brother with asthma, and then me with cerebral palsy. And my cerebral palsy was, as I mentioned before, was, you know, caused by that lack of oxygen. [00:17:00] It's important for me to clarify that cerebral palsy is not a disability that will get worse with time.
Azucena: A lot of people think that they have this misconception that because Someone says they have cerebral palsy, they have cognitive impairment, and that's not always necessarily the case. Like with any disability, cerebral palsy is not a one size fits all, so it looks very different for each of us that has it.
Azucena: In my case, it mainly affected My legs, I was born pigeon toed, so my legs towards the inside, so every two years I had metal plates inserted on the sides of my legs to strain them out. So as a result, I've had 18 orthopedic surgeries. And so I practically grew up in Brady Children's Hospital here in San Diego.
Azucena: And that was very [00:18:00] challenging because I had no friends. I was often bullied. Because I looked different, and I was in a wheelchair, and then I used a walker, and so it was very, very challenging. But despite all that, I always remained grateful of what I could do, and I never allowed my disability to Stop me from achieving my dreams.
Azucena: Cause I truly believe that what sets us apart in this world are not our abilities or disabilities. What truly sets us apart in this world are choices, our ability to dream and to pursue those dreams. So it was always very clear to me that I was going to fight for my dreams and no matter what life threw at me, I was going to achieve whatever I, I wanted to achieve.
Azucena: And so I grew up in a very low [00:19:00] income community, so it was very challenging to get access to resources and also add to that my parents. My mom didn't speak English, so that was even harder. So I went to school, I went to UCSD and got a bachelor's in political science and communication. I graduated, then I left and lived in Spain.
Azucena: I have traveled to 17 countries so far. I've worked in the production world for eight years and then I worked for You know, two powerful organizations and I was making at some point, you know, those famous six figures until I thought, you know what, this is not what I want. I'm no longer fulfilled. And that's when the podcast came around.
Azucena: I saw that there's a huge lack of information about cerebral palsy in the Spanish speaking community, that there's huge amounts of misconceptions about what cerebral palsy is. And I thought, Hey, I know how to produce, [00:20:00] I know how to interview. I have a degree in communications, I can create my own podcast and, you know, it may not be Following because it's very niche, you know, it's only for parents or individuals that have cp, but I'm gonna go for it.
Azucena: And I've been doing it so far for two months, and I have no regrets. You know, because a lot of people pursue those famous six figures. Well, let me tell you, I made those six figures and I felt miserable. Um, so I am now feeling like I made the right decision. Right? Because I'm feeling fulfilled. I'm getting messages from parents, from individuals with CP, saying thank you for doing this type of show for us and giving us hope because that's what we need.
Azucena: We need voices of hope because usually when parents receive this diagnosis or any diagnosis of any disability for their child, they feel like they have done something wrong or they have [00:21:00] failed their child, but that is not the case. I'm here. To show that we do have a disability. I do have a disability, but I'm able to live a full life.
Azucena: And hopefully I can inspire others and other parents to see, Hey, my kid also has CP, but they're able to live a full life. And this podcast has truly changed my life around.
Jared: I would imagine that has been very gratifying. Being able to start to hear those messages. And I would think you're just, obviously, this is the tip of the iceberg. You're just now getting started and you're already seeing those types of results. So good for you. I love that. And I think that more to come is what I think.
Jared: And so, but yeah, that's fantastic. So I want to talk a little bit about now that you're kind of getting into this, what are some things that you've learned through this process up to this point?
Azucena: [00:22:00] What are some things I've learned? Well, the first and foremost is, I mean, and maybe some of these things sound very basic, but these are things that I, I think that are need to be heard.
Azucena: And it is that first believe in yourself and believe in your idea. We're constantly bombarded in our head with doubts. And I always think there's this poem by Pablo Neruda, very famous Chilean poet, And he says, I want to be able to say that I have lived my life and not the other way around. I have allowed for life to pass me by.
Azucena: And I think about that and I, and I say, If I'm going to do it, I'm going to do it right now. And who better than myself to believe in my project and to believe in my podcast. So the first thing I would say is go for it. You, we only have one [00:23:00] life and believe that you can do it. The second is get out of your head, stop thinking and just do it and just start.
Azucena: The third thing is don't try to learn how, but rather learn who. And by that, I mean, is I know very well where my strengths lie and my strengths lie on interviewing people, on hearing their stories, on crafting questions, on getting people to feel comfortable with me and share their stories. I am not good at editing a video podcast or an audio podcast.
Azucena: I don't have the patience for that. So what did I do? I thought, okay, I need to find someone to help me with this because that is not one of my strengths and I am not going to [00:24:00] try to learn to edit if I already know that that's not one of my strengths.
Jared: Yep.
Azucena: So I always play on my, on my strengths and that's why I think and I say always.
Azucena: Find, uh, who and not how, because a lot of times I think that's what stops people from doing the podcast itself is, Oh, but I'm not technically savvy or, you know, no, don't let that stop you. And you know, for when things get difficult and you don't see those huge numbers, you know, you don't see those 10, downloads.
Azucena: Remember why you're doing this. When you see 10, 20, 100, 150, remember why you're doing the podcast. I constantly remember why I'm doing this podcast because obviously a brand new podcast, very niche, you know, I'm not getting those, I [00:25:00] don't know, huge numbers, but then I remember why are you doing this, Azucena?
Azucena: You're doing this so that no parent has to navigate. the health care system by themselves, right? Because each episode I interview top doctors, top specialists that, that specialize in cerebral palsy. And so that I'm helping parents and family members by being a resource for them to send me their questions.
Azucena: And so that they don't feel alone. Like they don't feel like, There is no place where they can turn to and that's who I do it for because I don't want these parents or these family members to feel the uncertainty, to feel the fear that my mom felt when she heard my diagnosis and she did not speak English.
Jared: Yeah.
Azucena: And so always remember why you're doing the podcast and keep moving forward.
Jared: Well said. So [00:26:00] we've got, A couple minutes here left, and I just want to touch on a couple of things. So, one, who's doing something that interests you? It doesn't have to be podcast related, it can just be anything in general.
Jared: Who is doing something that interests you?
Azucena: Well, you, you are. The podcast movement is definitely something that I would. I admire, you know, and, and knowing a little bit about the backstory of how you started, it gives me hope and it gives me hope that that's something I could do for myself or not myself, but for like podcasters in Spanish, I would love to do a podcast movement, but completely in Spanish,
Jared: you know?
Jared: Oh no, we've dreamed of that for a few years and, and I think it hasn't quite happened yet, sadly, because. We're still trying to, you know, garner enough interest, but, you know, we are hopeful to align with podcasters like yourself and, and have something available at some point, but sadly that, that [00:27:00] is not, it's not happened just like a podcast moment of that, you know, the fact that we can do little things like you participated in, like have that little meetup group at events and stuff, you know, these are things that can kind of kickstart that.
Jared: So. We're on the same page there. I hope to see that as well. So,
Azucena: yeah, I admire that. I admire how it all started. So that's definitely something I really admire from you. And it's not because you're interviewing me and it's truly because that's how I feel. And then another thing also related to podcasting, I'm just very, uh, happy and excited that podcasting has allowed, has become a platform for a lot of people to share their stories, to share their voices.
Azucena: That maybe otherwise they wouldn't be able to do so. I think if we want to make this world a more accessible and inclusive world, we also, in my case in particular, we need [00:28:00] people with disabilities to make our stories accessible to others as well. So our, our voices and our stories need to be heard. And, you know, the amount of podcasts talking about disabilities And living with a disability, that gets me very excited because I feel that's something that we needed for a long time.
Azucena: I know that growing up, I didn't have any role models. I didn't have any other kids that looked like me, so I felt very lonely. And so, I'm grateful that podcasting has allowed for all these voices to emerge. And hopefully that continues to grow and expand.
Jared: Absolutely. I'm sure there's people listening to be like, Hey, I want to check out what she's up to.
Jared: I want to stay connected with you. How can they do that?
Azucena: Yeah, well, they can, I'm on social media. They can just go to your page and then follow me from there. No, I have my own. website, which is my name, [00:29:00] www. asusenagarcia. com. And there they can find everything from my story, you know, how I grew up and where I grew up and where I have traveled to all my story.
Azucena: And then all my episodes, all my podcast episodes, and then a lot of information about cerebral palsy. And. The website itself is both in English and Spanish. So it's www. asusenagarcia. com and there you can find everything about me in case you are interested.
Jared: And they should be, and they likely are, which is rightfully so.
Jared: So we'll close out with this question and you've already given so many really helpful insights and specifically when you're talking about things you've learned, but we always like to close out the show with final thoughts. Uh, you've shared some good ones, do you have another one hidden away in that amazing brain of yours?
Azucena: Oh, be bold, be courageous. Take the risk [00:30:00] because you never know what can come out of the other side of fear. For a long time, I stayed in a job or different jobs where there was a lot of financial stability and I had everything great and stable and I was afraid to take the leap because I was afraid of change.
Azucena: But let me tell you, That this half a year has been amazing, and I now know that the best things lie on the other side of fear. So go for it, be courageous, be bold, because wonderful things await, and if you feel like it's time for you to make a change, do it. Always trust your instincts. And another thing is never be intimidated.
Azucena: By people's titles, president, executive, president, we're all the same. So, don't be intimidated.
Jared: That is a very good final thought. Thank [00:31:00] you Azucena. Uh, we want to wish you the absolute best with the show. Looking forward to likely seeing you in D. C. Uh, later this year for Podcast Movement. And um, Following your journey, hopefully having you back on the show to talk about all the exciting things that are about to happen or, you know, that you don't know about yet, but are coming soon.
Jared: I'm sure there's going to be great things on the horizon for you. So proud of you and thank you for doing this.
Azucena: Thank you, Jared. I really appreciate you. I really appreciate this space. And I'm certainly grateful that life has crossed our paths because you are a wonderful human being. So thank you very much.
Jared: Thank you.
