When Your Body Says Nope

After 20 years in public child welfare, Angel Rodriguez thought she’d retire there. She was trying to revolutionize the system from the inside—building new programs, fighting bureaucracy, making change however she could. Then, at 40, an epilepsy diagnosis forced a different question: could she even keep going?In this conversation, we talk about what it’s like to go from trying to fix a broken system to realizing you first have to take care of yourself—and what it takes to start over when you thought you had it all figured out.Some highlights:* Her first thought after a grand mal seizure at 40: “I thought I was gonna go back to work the next week”* The realization that changed everything after applying to many jobs with no luck: “Maybe I’m not getting these jobs because there’s something else. I’m an expert. I should just say that.”* On untethering from her title after 23 years: “I am me whether I work for someone else, whether I work for myself, whether I am not working at all. I’m just me.”* What she’d tell herself looking back: “Be kind to yourself. You’re gonna be okay. And this is not everything about who you are.”✨ About Angel Rodriguez:Angel Rodriguez, MSSA Co-Founder & CEO, rfc21 Angel Rodriguez is an Expert Social Worker and Innovator with over 20 years of experience transforming public child welfare systems. As Co-Founder and CEO of rfc21, she leads with heart and strategy – offering leadership coaching, curriculum design, grant management support, and expert witness services. A proud Latina and fierce advocate for equity in communities of color, Angel also serves as the Vice President on a nonprofit board in Los Angeles. She is the Director of Circles for Lean In Latinas and finds great joy in serving her community by being a changemaker. Outside of work, she loves practicing Pilates, exploring new cities, eating local cuisine, and cheering on her favorite hockey team. She lives in Los Angeles with her wife and their two adorable dogs. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit maricellaherrera.substack.com