Moving Out of Your Comfort Zone, Part 1

SEASON 1 — EPISODE 7Moving Out of Your Comfort Zone (Part 1)Valeria Rivera embodies the powerful growth that happens when you choose courage over comfort.Originally from San Salvador, El Salvador, Valeria came to the United States as a shy international student unsure of her voice and place in a new culture. Today, she is just one semester away from earning her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Commercial Design from Lycoming College — and she has transformed into a bold, confident, and creative leader ready to share her voice with the world.In this honest and inspiring conversation, Valeria shares how stepping outside her comfort zone changed her life. From overcoming language barriers and self-doubt to embracing leadership opportunities and campus involvement, she reflects on the mindset shifts that helped her grow into the confident person she is today.This episode is about bravery, resilience, identity, and the power of growth.Episode 7 Summary03:07 – Did being shy hold you back from opportunities? 04:09 – The campus groups and experiences that shaped her growth 06:49 – Growing up in San Salvador 08:22 – Choosing to study in the U.S. and at Lycoming College 11:10 – The relationships that made Lycoming feel like home 13:06 – Overcoming language barriers and finding her voice 16:50 – Mindset shifts that helped her silence negative self-talk 19:20 – Fear of failure vs. lack of effort 20:40 – Advice to students in El Salvador unsure about their next step 23:55 – Words of encouragement in English and Spanish