Learning How To Navigate Others Controlling Your Destiny

Giselle Carrillo greets me with a big beautiful smile as she skateboards over to Salted Carmela, my mobile studio in Venice. Before she divulges the details behind her personal transformation and the significance of surfing and Jiu Jitsu, she digs deep into her Mexican roots and the expectations set for women. Diabetes, obesity and other silent killers are common in her family, and at 25 Giselle said it became apparent she was heading in that direction. She appropriately quotes Benjamin Franklin, "Some people die at 25 and aren't buried until 75." From here she talks about her quarter life crisis, or more like her saving grace, and how she decided to take a stand for her health and her life. She moves into her 4:30am morning routine which consists of a quiver of books like "Start with Why," then onto Jiu Jitsu practice by 6am before heading into the office at 9am, where she has secured her dream job working as a Lead Educator for Quest Nutrition. Giselle is the co-founder of Courage Camps, a trio of three friends who volunteer their time to underserved communities and introduce kids to the ocean and the idea of leading with courage.