Psychologist, former national gymnast, yogi, and proud Tapatía. From the discipline of Olympic-level gymnastics to facing an autoimmune diagnosis, Nadia’s journey is one of resilience, empowerment, and defying societal expectations placed on Mexican women. Instead of following the traditional path of marriage, motherhood, and family duty, Nadia chose independence, self-love, and leadership.

In Mexico, tradition often carries weight. For women, the path has long been defined by expectations: marriage, motherhood, and family duty.

So what happens when you decide to build your life outside of the roles tradition has written for you? What does it mean to choose independence instead?

I want to introduce Nadia, a psychologist, athlete, and yogi from Guadalajara. From Olympic-level discipline to facing an autoimmune diagnosis, from rejecting societal pressures to embracing independence, her story is about courage, empowerment, and redefining what it means to be a Mexican woman. 

“For me, being a woman, I suppose it’s a privilege.  I think women have a much more fun life. So to me, that feels like a privilege: that we allow ourselves to feel any emotion more easily, that we allow ourselves to dress more freely, that we allow ourselves to use colors, that we allow ourselves to express emotions. Everything, everything is allowed to us in a freer way, and that definitely makes life more fun. On top of that, I’m a curious woman, and well, being a woman has helped me to do all of this without fear of being judged.”

Nadia remembers realizing early in life that she didn’t want the traditional path.

“When I was a little girl training in gymnastics and traveling, I actually lived in the Olympic committee for many years. I got used to living with many other girls and my coaches, or with my sisters and my mom—we were a team. When I started my teenage years, my mindset was: I don’t want to get married, I want to build teams—I always said that. No, I don’t want a family, I want to live in community.”

“This independence I have now, in a way, came when I realized that I was truly renouncing—by choice and by decision—that I didn’t want to be a mother. 

“And living alone definitely requires having many tools to be independent.

“I’ve spent the past three years fully depending on myself. 

“I think it’s so important for those of us already here to share and to help these younger women understand that this is a new way of living—and yes, it really is a good option, it’s super cool. Discovering your independence, discovering that you are enough. And I really love living it.”

Instead of being defined by what she lacks, Nadia highlights what she has built — a life of autonomy, strength, and leadership. Her independence challenges stereotypes 

And this story begins with gymnastics. As a child, she didn’t just play — she trained. For nearly a decade, she represented Mexico’s national gymnastics team.

“The fact that I had the opportunity to be on the National Olympic gymnastics team for about 10 years, mostly during my childhood and adolescence, gave me so many experiences—experiences of learning about myself and about the world through a methodology completely different from a normal education. Because, honestly, I can hardly say that I attended a traditional school.

“Still, because of the intensive training, I developed very strong cognitive skills thanks to the methodology of sport. Learning the discipline of Olympic gymnastics, learning training methods, along with all the values you need in order to be not just an athlete but a high-performance athlete, made my way of understanding life very special. Now, as an adult, it has made me a very resilient woman, very positive, very methodical, resistant to the difficult things in life, very curious, and very brave.

“It teaches you that there are cycles, just like in life.In sports—and specifically in gymnastics—everything works in cycles. Gymnastics is cyclical, and these cycles are divided into the four Olympic years. Within those four years, there are a series of evaluations where you have to prepare so that when this stage of evaluations ends, you’re at your best at the right time, which is almost a year before the Olympic Games.

“You learn to live with this four-year methodology. Four years—it sounds simple—but counting every day, where each day matters so that you make it, takes a lot of patience, discipline, tolerance, resilience, teamwork, and sacrifices. In the end, you understand that all this effort produces results, and the positive comes, the achievements arrive.

“I really like the idea of sowing and harvesting—it’s the same. In every process, whether in gymnastics or in life, I’ve learned that it works with this methodology.“

Training for years in four-year Olympic cycles taught her that life, like sport, requires sowing, watering, and waiting before you reap.

But her journey was shaped by both inspiration and pain. Nadia reflects on her father:

“I think my father was someone who, if he helped me in something positive, it was that he pushed me to be brave. To not have this feeling that… because I didn’t have money, because I didn’t have privilege, I should feel shy or insecure. That—yes—that may have helped me.”

But it was also complicated:

“My father was diabetic and also an alcoholic, though no one ever diagnosed him. But now that I’m a psychologist and I remember his attitudes, his failings, his actions… I can understand that my father was both an alcoholic and someone with a very advanced case of diabetes. So, as an example of a person, well—it’s very hard for me to accept him. It was difficult, it was difficult to have a relationship with a machista (chauvinist)… What’s more, then we are three women, the daughters, we are three women. My sisters will have their story and their memories. In my case, I deeply regret not having had a protective father figure, a healthy father, a father who was present as part of the family. I don’t have memories of much security with him; we weren’t friends, and I regret that very much now.”

Her mother, though shaped by traditional roles, later became a role model.

“When my parents separated and my mother began her life as a single woman, let’s say, she started setting many, many examples for me—examples that I now want to remember her by and thank her for, because they have helped and shaped me.

“My mother, at this moment, at 70, now 71, almost 72, is working as an actress and as a painter, after having gone through depression. 

“If there’s something I have to acknowledge about her, it’s that she is a very tenacious woman. From her, I learned to be curious, to not give up, to be kind, to move, to keep moving. And she did just that and discovered a part of herself full of talent, joy, and tenacity, which she’s now enjoying—and my sisters and I are very proud of her. That, that gives me a lot of peace.

“I’ve always told my sisters and my mom that if there’s one thing we can do among ourselves to show love, it’s to take care of each other—and we’re doing that very well. My two sisters are also great people, each of whom I admire in their own way. They’re making good stories out of their lives, both of them are very, very beautiful, very hardworking, very family-oriented. My family is a great support.”

But for Nadia, family isn’t just blood. It’s community, chosen bonds, and shared purpose.

“For me, family does not mean this group of people who come to you naturally. Family is those people who nurture you along the path of life and who don’t necessarily share your last name. It’s not something you can take for granted, it’s something that is fed, cared for, sought out.

“Family, even, are people who unite for a common purpose. We are more than family, we are a team.”

This redefinition of family reflects her larger philosophy: love, resilience, and empowerment are choices. And in a world still shaped by patriarchal structures, her life itself becomes an act of resistance. And life tested Nadia again in 2019. Without warning, she collapsed, experiencing paralysis and vision loss.

“5 or 6 years ago, In 2019, I had a crisis in which, without warning, one day I fainted. They took me to the hospital, and I began experiencing what doctors call diplopia—which is like the vision of flies, fragmented —along with paralysis of the tongue and half of my body on the left side. I was diagnosed at that moment with a minor stroke, and I left the hospital 15 days later with a possible diagnosis of multiple sclerosis…

“The official diagnosis is neuromyelitis optica.

“Neuromyelitis optica is a very, very little-studied autoimmune condition, and so, because of that lack of research, there’s very little information about it. And I think that was 

“Once I had this diagnosis, and I understood that tobacco could have been one of the causes for why it happened, I definitely quit. And now that I’ve gone six years without smoking, I feel super proud—super proud. And it’s one of the things I can actually thank the diagnosis for, because it made me aware of the importance of taking care of my body.

“At the beginning I was very scared, because this lack of information makes you uncertain. 

“However, with this treatment that works like chemotherapy—not as aggressive as cancer chemotherapy, but it is an immunosuppressive chemotherapy, that’s what it’s called—which lowers the amount of protein that causes this inflammation in me. It has to be applied every six months, and depending on the lab studies they also do every six months, they decide if they give you one or two applications each semester. 

“At first, it could be seen as a negative situation. But right now, honestly, for me it’s an indicator of how I should observe myself in order to know how to make decisions that keep me balanced—in my mental health, in my physical health, and in my professional decisions. Thanks to this autoimmune condition, I’m working on what I’m most passionate about. Now I can actually give thanks to this condition, which might sound really strange, almost like Stockholm syndrome—but it’s not. In reality, it’s not about falling in love with the diagnosis itself, but about falling in love with, or giving thanks for, what it provoked in me—in my personal growth and development.”

As part of her healing, Nadia found strength through Yin yoga and psychology:

“I discovered Yin yoga as a form of therapy for myself, since this autoimmune condition is connected to a weakness in my central nervous system. With this weakness, sudden crises appear without warning, and my body develops inflammations. These inflammations are what cause me problems like losing my vision, losing movement, feeling heat, pain, burning in my limbs like my legs, or severe stomach discomfort, chronic fatigue—everything related to extreme sensitivity in the central nervous system.

“So, yoga has been helping me a lot, physically at first, and later also in a deeper way. It has become a way to understand both the diagnosis and life in general in a simpler way. Yin yoga creates a meditation, a contemplation inward, that helps you get to know yourself and face life more calmly.”

As a psychologist, she practices Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, blending science with mindfulness.

“This approach invites you not to see psychology only as mental processes, but also to integrate into this work the part of meditation and mindfulness, bringing a lot of awareness to the fact that mental processes are also joined with spiritual processes.

“So, this type of psychology, which is the one I use to accompany my clients, helps a lot to go inward, to know yourself, and with a lot of compassion begin to accompany your nervous system, your wounds, your ego, all those actions and thoughts that trip us up in the present, to start letting go, lowering your guard, in order to learn new methods to be able to exist in this world. So…Imagine that self-knowledge is a country, and these two practices that guide my life are like a language I’ve learned to enter that country and make myself known there. That’s how I feel it. It’s a very easy way to live with my inner self and to communicate with it. That’s how I feel it.”

Her work and her practice became more than careers—they became survival tools. Nadia’s strength isn’t only discipline — it’s spiritual. She found peace not in religion, but in daily rituals of gratitude and mindfulness.

“Spirituality is not solely understood under any religion, but spirituality is understood through the values of deep gratitude—every day, connecting with this gratitude for who I am, for everything I already have, and for the joy of living it. And above all, also, what is important for a woman to be successful as a Mexican: much compassion, a lot of patience, recognizing that I am an imperfect person and that with calm and trust in myself, I will be able to overcome everything that each day brings as a challenge. I believe those two things, which are spiritual, are what right now keep me very peaceful and happy: gratitude and trust.

“And how to train it? Well, as simple as that—just start breathing, for example. It might sound like a cliché, but it’s something super important: to connect with your inner self, to practice breathing techniques. Every time you feel overwhelmed, it helps you relax, and that is spirituality: going inside yourself and giving yourself permission to receive a little care. Allowing yourself five minutes to be with yourself and to tell yourself, whatever comes, even if it’s very difficult, you’re going to do the best you can.”

No story of empowerment in Jalisco is complete without tequila — a cultural symbol deeply tied to Mexican identity. Even in lighter moments, tequila becomes a symbol of celebration, connection, identity, and joy.

“For me, tequila is definitely the alcohol I like the most. I don’t know if it’s because I’m tapatía (from Guadalajara), but definitely, if it’s about spending many hours drinking, it’s what I like the most. Because you can drink it straight and it tastes delicious, because you can mix it with something refreshing and it’s also delicious. Because the mood it puts you in—the alcohol—it’s for partying, for dancing, for shaking off shyness, for forgetting your limitations. So, tequila definitely has to do with my personality.

“I know that everyone gets a hangover the next day, but tequila is the one that physically has allowed me to say, ‘When are we having the next one?’ Okay, that’s what I really like. Tequila—for the most part, I drink it straight. I like to take a little shot glass (un caballito) and some sparkling water. That’s how I enjoy it the most.”

For Nadia, tequila is more than a drink—it’s Mexico’s spirit distilled:

“Tequila has become famous because, around the world, people associate it with love, with fun, with partying—with the very same feelings I just told you about, which it really does provoke in me. And I think that in other countries, when people look for those kinds of emotions, they think of tequila. They always link it with these reactions—of celebration, of love, of joy.”

Her favorite?

“White tequila. White tequila, the brand… lately I’ve been drinking Cascahuil because I have a friend who owns bars, and she was the one who recommended the brand to me. I decided that the one that tastes best to me, just on its own, is blanco tequila.”

Tequila reflects how Mexico is seen around the world — vibrant, festive, and full of life. For Nadia, it’s a reminder that joy is also part of resilience. It’s part of her pride

“I think being Mexican is something to feel proud of. I believe that every place, every country, every foreigner I’ve lived with, speaks about Mexico in a very beautiful way. Honestly I think I am that definition of being Mexican: I give love, I bring fun, I bring warmth, I’m empathetic, I’m affectionate with people. That’s how I was raised, and I love it. I love to celebrate anything, I love that we show affection, that we give each other security. I like that definition and those values I was raised with as a Mexican.

“On top of that, the country itself is beautiful. I lived in India for five months, and I realized that countries with as many hardships as they have—and like we Mexicans do—also hold so much richness inside the country. That’s what makes us really special: our food, our delicious climate, the tourist areas, mountains, rivers, beaches, sands, jungles, animals… we are rich. Mexicans, we are rich.”

Her pride in being Mexican blends with her pride in breaking molds. By traveling, working abroad, and comparing roles of women worldwide, she realized she could choose—choose independence, choose joy, and choose empowerment.

“The profile of Mexican women, who are now shaping ourselves with this new clarity about all these positive values we carry and about how resilient we are—I believe we’re a great profile for any part of the world. We could be very good leaders, speaking about leadership in families, in work groups, in communities. We could be part of their teams—of any kind of team—to create better projects.”

And her message to younger women is clear:

“A lot of self-love, a lot, a lot of self-love. And within that self-love, to have this patience and this tolerance so that, little by little, the experience of the years will show you which things are truly important in life. When you allow yourself this patience and this trust, it’s enough, it’s enough.”

Nadia’s story is about breaking boundaries—choosing independence, embracing resilience, and showing that empowerment is possible outside tradition.

Her voice reminds us: 

“The truth is that our central nervous system—with this capacity it has to see what you want to see, both the negative and the positive—if you decide to see the positive, you really see it, you really do. And I’ve experienced it, so every time something happens in my life I try to see the positive side of it, and yes—it’s worked.”

A declaration that empowerment isn’t just about personal triumph. It isn’t just about saying no to tradition, it’s about saying yes to yourself, proving that strength, independence, and resilience are not exceptions but powerful ways of beingThis is the essence of 365 Days of Tequila: stories of resilience, joy, and identity that define modern Mexico.

An extraordinary woman whose story embodies healing through connection, loss, love, and belonging. From her early struggles with abandonment to building a chosen family in Guadalajara, Vicky shares a powerful narrative of resilience rooted in Mexican culture, tradition, and community.

What happens when your earliest memories are shaped by abandonment, struggle and loss, yet blossom through love and connection? When the absence of a mother’s touch becomes the driving force behind the strength to build something new?

Today, we meet Vicky. Her story is a testament to resilience through loss, love, and reconnection. One of overcoming abandonment, of discovering family not through blood, but through love. Of rebuilding life in Guadalajara—one meal, one moment, one heartfelt connection at a time.

As you listen, reflect on your own journey. We all face loss and find love in unexpected places. “Who is one person whose love or guidance changed your path—and how did they help you find your strength?”

Imagine feeling gratitude for the simplest things, like having a job, life, and health. This gratitude is what makes Vicky’s day “excelente.”

“I have a job. I have this life. Health, more than anything. So… super good, super happy because of that.”

Vicky works at Mercado Prado, a local spot cooking delicious Mexican staples—lonches, chilaquiles, and quesadillas. Her cooking is more than food—it’s connection. It’s her anchor—learned by observation in the houses where she lived. Through cooking, Vicky maintains her cultural heritage.

“My job means a lot. Well, to me personally, it means a lot because it’s my financial support. For me,  working is… I feel happy, I feel content to be able to go to work and to have a job. Well, I’m grateful that I have a job, more than anything.

All of that I learned by watching in the houses where I lived. All of that, like… the Oaxacan tamales, the quesadillas, chiles rellenos, those stuffed jalapeños, really spicy ones. Everything was learned just by watching, watching people.”

But life wasn’t always filled with warmth and gratitude. Growing up was difficult.

“I grew up alone. Since I was little, from the age of 8. The woman who brought me into the world gave me away to some people. But those people were bad to me, they hit me. 

“He said to me: ‘Your mom doesn’t love you, that’s why she gave you away.’

“And I’d say: ‘Well, no, I don’t think so. I don’t need her. I have to move forward. I have to make it. If I can’t do it here, then I have to find where I’m going to move forward.”

“And that’s why I ran away from where the woman who brought me into the world left me. Because I can’t say she’s my mom. She’s the woman who brought me into the world.

“I left, I went to other houses, and I kept moving, moving from house to house until I ended up with a woman who helped me. And thanks to her, I came here to Guadalajara.”

“Here in Guadalajara, I’ve been working since the age of 16. I met really good families, who were very supportive of me. They’ve already gone to rest. They’re with God now. I’m no longer with them, but I’m still here with their grandson. I’m here with their grandson, Antonio de la Peña. And, I’m still here, giving it my all. Because I have… I have 6 children and I still have a little one who depends on me. And I would never do to her what was done to me.”

Moving to Guadalajara marked a turning point. Vicky met someone who changed her life completely, a woman who initially doubted her abilities. There, she found not just work, but family and purpose.

“It really marked me… being left. It marked me for life. I met the woman I worked with for many years, about 30 years. She taught me what no one else had taught me along the path I had already traveled. She taught me how to do housework, she taught me how to cook. And I’m very grateful to that woman, who’s also gone now. I don’t know how to express my thanks, may God hold her in His kingdom, because she was someone I loved very much. I loved her a lot because she and her husband, may they both rest in peace, they are the ones who I feel changed my life.”

“I heard her when she went to look for a woman who helped her around the house. And that woman had gone on vacation without even telling her. She just left, and she went to look for her, to the place where she knew she lived. And I heard her. And since I had her phone number, because I used to talk to that girl, I called the lady, 

‘Ma’am, I heard you came looking for so-and-so, for Katy. And… would you like me to help you while she is away?’

‘How old are you?’

‘I’m about to turn 18.’

[Vicky imitating the lady]
‘Oh no. You can’t handle my work. You can’t.’

[Vicky resumes]
‘Try me. And if you see that what I do doesn’t work for you, then okay. But if you want, let’s give it a try.’

‘Alright. Come. Where do you live?’

‘I live on Avenida Inglaterra, number such-and-such.’

‘And where are you going to get off?’

‘Well… I only know the Fiesta Americana Hotel.’

‘Ah, then get off there. Walk toward where the road is, and I’ll be outside sweeping.’

So, I arrived and I saw her sweeping. She let me in. I started doing housework. She showed me how I had to do all the chores in her house. 

She showed me while she was cooking, ‘Come here, so you can see how I’m going to cook, so one day you can help me make the meals.’

And that’s how it was. I know how to do a lot of things because she taught me.”

Therefore, Vicky found not only a mentor but a mother figure who taught her invaluable life skills like cooking traditional Mexican dishes and also…

“I have to move forward, and thanks… to my foster mom who helped me. And to the woman… where I came to work here in Guadalajara. They taught me to be… a better person.”

“My foster mom. She was the person who helped me, who encouraged me to come to Guadalajara. At the age of… I was 15 when I came to Guadalajara. 15, 16 years old, around there. I came to Guadalajara. Here I started to work, to work. Sometimes, when I could, I would send her a few coins. And yes, during vacation time I would go visit her. I used to call her—not often, because back then, well, it wasn’t possible to have a phone at home. I’d call her through the neighbor. Ask, “How is she?” Then I’d let her know if I was going to go or not during vacation.

I spoke with her at the beginning of the year.

 She said, “Oh, mija, I’m in the hospital,” and she said, “I just want to die now.”

I said, “No, mamá. Wait for me.” I said, “Wait for me. I’m going to go there in April. I want to go see you.”

Yes, yes I went to see her on May 6th. I went to see her, this year.

I said,  “Mamá.”

“Who are you?”

 I said, “Mamá, it’s me, Vicky.”

 She said, “Mija, I’m so glad you came,” she told me, “I can’t see you anymore, mija.”

 I said, “Mamá, I brought my little girl.”
 

She asked, “Where is she?”

 She touched her—my little girl.
 

She said, “You’ve gotten so big!” she told my daughter.

 Then she said, “I can’t see you anymore, mija, but I know you’re very beautiful,” she told my daughter.

She complained a lot.

I used to go stay there with her for a few days and then I’d come back to keep working.

On May 11th at 6:30 in the morning, they told me she had passed. I wasn’t able to be with her anymore.

I felt like she always waited for me with so much love when I came, with so much affection. She never knew what to give me when I arrived. She’d already have a watermelon, a pineapple ready. That’s what I ate the most: watermelon and pineapple. And she just didn’t know what to give me.

And now that I went, now that I had gone, she told me:

“Mija.”

I said, “Yes?”

“Do you want to eat?”

She said, “There’s food in the fridge. There are some beans, this, that.”

“Yes, mamá,” I told her, “thank you.”

And that was it. I wasn’t able to be with her anymore. But I got to see her, and she gave me her blessing.

She’s the other person.”

Yet, the absence of parental love left Vicky conflicted about her ability to express affection towards her own children.

“I wasn’t affectionate with my children, the older ones,  because I feel like I didn’t have that love, and I didn’t show my children the kind of love that should be shown. Now, with time, with life passing by, I’ve learned to show a little of my… of my love, of my affection. Sometimes, I think I wasn’t affectionate enough to show that love to my children.”

“And I feel that now, with my little one who’s 11 years old, I feel like I’m giving her… I’m showing her that affection. Because I’ve told her, “I want to be a better mom with you. I want to be your friend, your mom, and if you want, your sister. I want you to tell me your things. Your confidant. I didn’t do it with your sisters because I didn’t know how. But with you, I do want to.”

But Life in Mexico today isn’t without struggle. Vicky openly discusses concerns about vandalism, theft, and corruption, expressing the desire for change.

“We can’t walk safely in the streets because… I mean, we don’t even trust the person walking right next to us anymore, because you don’t know if they’re going to snatch your wallet… or grab your phone. More than anything, you’re out on the street with fear that someone might rob you, pull you, yank you around. And another thing is the kidnappings of all the people out there, because,  the kids are just walking down the street and they’re taken, and… where are they? Who knows?

“I think they should put in a little more security. And that the… that the police be less… less corrupt. That they be more… more loyal to the people. That they really know how to protect.

“Mexico… it’s full of hardworking people. Honest people who know how to help. I’d say in every way. Like for example, if there’s someone asking for money on the street, I’ve seen that there are people who do help them, and others who just brush them aside.”

Tequila holds a special place in Mexican tradition, connecting communities through celebration.

“The flavor it has… it’s special. It’s really delicious. I don’t even have words to describe it. It’s so tasty.

“My girl, right? She’s 29 years old but she’s still my girl, of course. And, well, when we hang out at home,  it’s either with beer or with tequila…

In lighter moments, tequila emerges as a small but joyful connection to Mexican culture—especially José Cuervo, her favorite brand.

“Well, up until now… the one I’ve liked the most is José Cuervo…

“It has such a… delicious flavor. [laughs]

“You’re drinking it and—whoa!—you just want to finish the whole glass in one gulp. [laughs] So tasty.

“It just… hits me really hard. [laughs] Really fast. Knocks me out. But with Squirt, I can drink… more little cubitas (more slowly).

“Well, I think that tequila has a lot to say about Mexico. I’ve heard many people say: “I have to go to Guadalajara so I can take the train to Tequila. And when they arrive,” they say, “let’s dance with the mariachis.”

Above all, Vicky stresses the importance of empathy and preserving core Mexican values.

“I think we need to have more empathy—especially for people who have less. There are so many of us who, honestly, just don’t show much empathy at all. I wish I could help everyone I see out on the street, but I can’t. I give a little to one person, a little to another… but eventually, I just run out. What I really hope is that we can protect and preserve the things that matter—for everyone. And most of all, that we stop seeing ourselves as better than someone just because they’re asking for help. We’re not superior. That’s the truth.

If Vicky could send a single message about Mexico, it would be an end to poverty and corruption, creating a safer, kinder world for all Mexicans.

“Mexico has so many really, really beautiful things that… sometimes, as people, as human beings, we don’t know how to take care of them. For me, Mexico is the most beautiful thing that… even though I don’t know other places besides Mexico, well—Mexico is Mexico.

“I’d like for all the narcos to be gone,  first of all. That there wouldn’t be so much corruption. Because,  the police and everyone are all  involved in all of that.

“So yes, I’d like there to be… um… for there to be no narcos, basically. For that not to exist, and for there not to be so much poverty.

“And I’d like the Mexican government to actually help all those people.”

As the interview ends, emotions run deep, showcasing the resilience built through adversity.

“Every time I talk about it, I cry, always.  I didn’t cry much this time, but,  it still hurts…

“Because I feel like… I feel like I’ve struggled so much. Because of that woman. Because of the woman who brought me into this world.”

Yet, even through tears, Vicky remains grateful, surrounded by a family of the heart.

“Oof, I have a lot of family here,  they don’t share my blood, but they’ve treated me like family, well, like I was part of their family. 

“They treated me… not like an employee. They’ve never treated me like an employee, not like a different kind of person. No. They treated me like I was family. I’m very grateful for that. And I love them a lot, too.”

In Guadalajara, family isn’t only about blood—it’s about belonging. And Vicky’s story reminds us that even in loneliness and loss, we can find the family we choose, who teach us to love, to care, and to heal—the family of the heart.

By sharing her story, Vicky hopes others learn to value life, family, and resilience.

“I think there are a lot of people nowadays who just don’t know how to value life—or their parents—or even what they already have. Maybe I didn’t tell you everything about my life, because it’s long… we’d be here all day. But what I really hope is that young people who still have their parents learn to appreciate them while they can. And if anyone listening has something to say—whether it’s a kind word, a little empathy, or even criticism—you’re free to say whatever you feel. That’s the point of sharing my story.”

Through her cooking, kindness, and enduring resilience, Vicky lives at the crossroads of hardship and hope, tradition and transformation. She is one of the countless faces keeping Mexican culture alive.

This is the essence of 365 Days of Tequila—sharing stories that teach us, Challenge us and honor Mexico’s vibrant culture through the lives of its extraordinary people.

From ancient ovens built with thermodynamic precision to sacred dances rooted in resistance, Nicolás shares how a bakery, tradition, and community are deeply intertwined.

What does it mean to truly come home? To find your calling not in something new, but something deeply familiar—woven into your family, your history, your land?  I want you to meet Nicolás López—panadero, physicist, danzante, and son of Tuxpan. This is not just a story about bread. This is about legacy. Identity. Curiosity. Spirituality. And a return to the roots that continue to nourish an entire community.

Let Nicolás tell you—in his own words.

“I’m Nicolás López. Nicolás López Silva. I’m a baker—completely a baker. Ninety percent of my time is spent baking… I studied physics, and that’s led me to work in other fields like teaching, research, but dedicating myself specifically to baking has been one of the most important things, and one that I practically dedicate myself to now. That’s my full-time job, regarding baking… Combining my academic profession with my desire to explore the world, with my work as a baker for the family, has made me understand what I do now and how I share it with people, with my family. What processes I learned to be able to create a body of work that’s not only based on tradition, but also on research. And that part made me feel connected to my roots here in Tuxpan, with my family, with my ancestors.”

 Like many of us, Nicolás’ life didn’t follow a straight path. He studied physics because he wanted to understand the universe. He dreamed of math, physics, understanding the world. But his hands led him somewhere else—into the dough, the ovens, the family tradition.

“As a child, I didn’t dream of being a baker. It wasn’t something I wanted. My mother and father knew only a few professions, like doctor, lawyer, and architect, which were a useful subject back then. Most of them were the ones most people preferred to study. In my case, no. When I discovered that science was something that interested me, I didn’t want traditional careers like these. …In my case, science pushed me to understand it. I built the oven from geometry, from thermodynamics ot the use of materials—all of this has to do with my science, with, well, with my study of physics.”

Behind every great story is a great mother. Behind every tradition—someone who never let it die.

“What is the significance of the name Magda?”

“It comes from Magdalena, who was my mother. Um, okay, my mother pushed me into all of this, and it’s a way of paying homage to what I learned from her….she had a lot of faith, a lot of confidence that one day I would have something that would mean more than just a job, right? And indeed, I do. It’s more comfortable for me to say I enjoy this than to say I work in a bakery, right? I really enjoy my job, and I think that’s thanks to that, well.”

Before bread ever touched his hands, before science gave him answers, Nicolás López was just a curious kid in Tuxpan, playing dangerously close to flame and fate.
It wasn’t just bread that shaped Nicolás. It was fire—literally.

“One day we were playing “little train”…we were standing one by one, one by one, right? We formed like a line. And we were on top of the flour. Like over there, you see? There are piles of the flour stacked. And we were on the highest part of the pile.

“And we had some blankets to keep from going down, all covered in flour. And suddenly it started to smoke. And I said to my siblings: “Oh look! It’s even very realistic because the engine is smoking.” And suddenly it lights up. I mean, the fire starts. Because we had tried to turn on the lights and they didn’t turn on, but we saw that…and the fire started. And I was in front of the line, in risk of death.  This came about and made me directly connected to the bakery. I was a child of about 3, 4 years old. I couldn’t do that jump because if I jumped, there was only a little space where I could hit my head. No, I just waited for someone to help me. 

“And sure enough, my dad arrived. He quickly picked me up, folded blankets, and put out the fire like that. So that anecdote has been stuck in my mind since then. It’s probably the beginning of the connection between physics and baking.”

Sometimes, we don’t understand our roots until they almost take us out. A game gone bad as a child ignited something deeper.  His connection to craft, to community, to history—was forged in both flame and flour.

And one day, his parents—went on a pilgrimage to a town called Talpa de Allende, and while they were gone, he thought, 

“‘Now is the right time to learn.’” So, it was my first week of learning at 8 years old.

“And after the first week, I got sick, and I didn’t touch dough or anything again until two years later, because my father told me, “No, that’s why I don’t want you to work, because you’re too young and because it’s something you probably won’t like.”

“But I did like it, and I began to understand something different about it. Right? My father perhaps wanted to keep us away from this trade because he thought there was more future in a profession like being a lawyer or a doctor.

“That curiosity forced me to learn many things about baking. Little by little, I started getting involved when my dad wasn’t aware, and I learned one thing, then another… and when my dad finally agreed, it was because the workers told him: ‘Oh, well, he knows what he wants to work on, let him work.” So, thanks to the support of the workers, my dad let me start working. And a little while later, my brothers, seeing that I was working, wanted to learn too. Right?

“So, now we’re all dedicated to the bakery, the whole family.”

Tuxpan isn’t just a place—it’s a living culture. A town of 54 traditional festivals, where memory lives in movement, flavor, and faith.  It isn’t just where Nicolás is from. It’s the center of a deeper struggle—identity, history, and acceptance.

“Tuxpan is a very traditional town in many ways… we know that it’s a pre-Hispanic settlement.

“That makes us a town that is very….that is forced to maintain its history, its tradition, even though many don’t see it that way or accept it that way. But Tuxpan has very significant roots. People who know Tuxpan know that it’s very likely that 80 percent—I don’t have the exact figures—but 80 percent of the people are brown-skinned and have indigenous features.

“I struggled a lot with that. And I always used to ask myself, ‘why do I have to be this way? Why do I have to go through this? Why me? Why am I not like so-and-so? Why am I not him? Why not…?’

‘And it was difficult to accept… and not see that this isn’t a punishment nor is it a benefit. But the problem was basically with other people, that they don’t accept each other  because they see them a certain way. And maybe it’s humanities struggle, ‘the other’. Not accepting that there are different people. That there are people who don’t think the same.”

“That made me fight. And it made me struggle in many areas of my life. The first battle was my own. Accepting who I am. It took me 17 years. After that battle, and after having won the battle,  I now feel very proud—my family, my people, Tuxpan. I even boast about it.”

Through bread, through dance, through spiritual connection and scientific thought, Nicolás returned to where he began—and found something more.

“What is so important, is that my life made me come back here and understand that no matter where you go, the important thing is to be satisfied in a life that gives you peace and tranquility.

“In that way, I can define happiness. And I feel like my happiness is here now, with my family, with my wife, with my children, with my work, with my siblings. This community has embraced me again.

“I believe that when you feed, or are part of that process in the chain that develops food so that someone else can eat and feed themselves, for me, it is so important, because we all need to eat. That little bit that you offer something to someone, that’s what makes me feel like I’m on the right path.”

In the heart of Jalisco, bread isn’t the only thing made by hand and passed through generations. Tequila is another sacred craft—one that shares much with baking. Both require patience. Fire. Transformation. And the belief that time reveals flavor, strength, and soul.

“So, I prefer tequilas with a stronger, more natural flavor. 

“We have a mezcal plant nearby. It’s named, based on the process, Tlachica, similar to the place where it’s distilled. And it’s La Chicero that makes it.

“So, trying a mezcal distilled from here, which is also known as ‘Raicilla’, has a very different flavor than tequila in this case. It tastes more like wood, because when they’re making the distillate, the smoke also envelops itself with the flavor of the distillate. And you get a slightly smoky flavor. I love that.”

Whether it’s poured during a celebration or sipped in silence, tequila—like Nicolás’s bread—reminds us of where we come from and who we share the journey with.

Nicolas’ story is one of curiosity, family, and fire, reminding us that tradition isn’t frozen in time—it’s alive in every movement, every loaf, every ritual. 

But that was only the beginning. 

After a night of festival, dance, and connection, he was lit up from the inside out, and we sat down again, the morning after. The energy of community still lingering in his voice.

“I went to University in Guadalajara, and after studying and doing various things, I decided to return precisely on the date of the dance and began to document everything.

“When I finished, I said, ‘okay, the battery’s dead, I’m done with this,’ I put everything away, and decided to go precisely to an altar close to where I was at that moment. ‘Today, I’ll just enjoy myself—I’m not even going to get involved over there, or anything…’ Well, I took a chair that was nearby and sat in front.

“When they (the dancers) came back in front of the altar, I stayed in front of it, exactly where they turned around. And it was one of the rattles, not even one of the chayacates(traditional rattles). So I’m sitting, and suddenly the drum started and they began to dance. They go and do the first turn, when they come back, about halfway between them, me and the altar,  half of them came… and the chair began to vibrate. And my feet started to feel the vibration. 

“And I started to cry. And I realized exactly what they had been telling me: “These are  your roots, right? What you’re here feeling now… this is your community, this is your story.”

‘What need do you have to be searching for something else?

“And I quickly connected to that vibration, that sound of the drum, that flute. And they quickly connected me to the heart of this tradition. So now when I listen… not to the drum, not to the rattles, when I hear: “Hey, we’re ready. Let’s start now!”… my heart begins again…(beats chest as if it were a beating heart)”

What happens when a drumbeat becomes a heartbeat? When dance becomes a prayer?

“Every time when I end up at an altar, I ask for several things. But the first thing I ask for is energy. I always, always ask, ‘Help me. I would like to end the day dancing. I want to dance my way to the last altar.’

“And honestly, on a couple of occasions, I’ve felt as if someone embraced me and lifted me up. I don’t know who it is, haha. I don’t know if it’s something religious… I don’t know if it’s God or maybe the local gods from around here.  I don’t know who it is. But I’ve felt it—yes, I’ve felt it.

“From being on my knees… and sometimes I find it hard to get up from that position…I feel like someone comes—like, under my armpits—and as if they lift me up. And they say to me: ‘Keep going. We’re here helping.’”

For Nicolás, dance is not performance—it’s presence. The altar is the heart of it all. The tradition is sacred. A way to carry forward memory, meaning, and reverence.  For Nicolás, it’s not just about dancing. It’s about who carries the story next.

“I think a lot of people dance just for the sake of dancing.

“And when it comes to what needs to be done, it’s about finding people who are interested in spreading this information—but it probably shouldn’t be just us.

“And suddenly, people ask: ‘And who are you?’ You… how do you know about this?’

“Well, we also find ourselves having to explain to them,  ‘Ah, so who am I? I’m someone who has truly taken an interest in understanding the foundation, the origin, the root of this entire celebration.’”

 Tradition without understanding becomes repetition. But Nicolás sees potential in each movement, each offering, to carry cultural memory forward.

“I think it’s important to understand the fundamentals, to understand the roots. And if you have a particular contribution, add it, but with your own experience and information. Don’t let it go against all that simply because you’re a rebel, because you’re a revolutionary. Right?”

The next generation will shape what remains. But Nicolás asks for thoughtful transformation—not abandonment.  For the next generation to carry the torch, they must first understand what lights it.

“So, you can create your own dance, and you can dress however you like. But if you tell me it comes from this—from the roots—I mean, it’s not enough to just say:

‘Oh, all the chayacates go dressed, they go hidden with a mask, and the mask can be anything.’

And where does it come from?

If you maintain solid roots in what you’re doing, and even if it’s new, even if it’s your own creation, if you have a solid reason and argument for what you’re doing—then keep doing it!”

Tradition can be remixed. But it must be rooted. In the details—masks, costumes, altars—there is power. Because when the form carries meaning, the ritual becomes alive.

The dance of Tuxpan is not just movement—it’s resistance, memory, and a living history. For Nicolás, each step carries the strength of ancestors and the coded language of revolution.

The sound of rattles. The shimmer of ribbons. The stomping of feet echoing like thunder on the earth.

These aren’t just performances—they’re memories in motion.

“In particular, The Dance of the Sonajeros (Dance of the Rattles) is much older.

“The Sonajeros (Rattle Dancers), their rattle, it’s a stick that used to be the club that people would go to war with, right? So, this dance is a warrior dance.

“Their vest, it’s a protective breastplate. These ribbons were different types of colors that they used both for camouflage and to identify which squadron you were in…

“This dance is a very striking one. It’s, ‘I’ll show you who I am. I’ll show you this power I have. I’ll show you this energy I bring. I come to fight. I am very powerful. And my army is very big…”

“It has to do with something that many people don’t know—that Tuxpan was oppressed by “Caciques”, by people with other kinds of power, specifically the colonizers.

“This dance is not just a local expression, it’s practiced in many places. And what everyone agrees on—a shared trait—is that the dancers have to dress like the oppressors, right? The white people.

“That’s why the masks are of white people: light-colored eyes—blue, green—blonde, white, or flashy hair. We use golden hair. And dress elegantly, right? This dance was born to mock them and to say what you didn’t dare say to them. Because when you wear a mask, they don’t know who is dancing.

“It was also forbidden to remove your mask to avoid problems afterward. Because as long as you were masked and within the festivities, nothing would happen—but once you left, yes, you could get into trouble.

“So, this dance is about ridiculing the oppressor, not ourselves…”

It’s loud. It’s proud. And it holds deep meaning for a people who refuse to forget where they come from. Through satire and symbolism, dancers reclaim their dignity. Their history.

“Realizing that dancing isn’t just about going to hang out—going to drink punch, have beers, eat. No.

“It involves tradition. It involves preserving a manifestation of who you are. And who you are must be respected.

“The essence of being from Tuxpan isn’t just about saying, ‘Oh, I have so many festivals. I’m like this because of that. When May festivals come around, we act this way.’ Rather, it’s more about saying that a social organization—a community—must be respected. It must maintain unity.

“We are not just any town. We don’t come from just two or three years ago, or even two or three decades ago. Tuxpan is very old.

“And I believe that respecting who we are, respecting all this history, is not just about going out to dance. It’s about expressing the deeper meaning of what it means to develop this tradition, to expand the knowledge of our entire history.”

Nicolás doesn’t want to be a star.

 He wants to be a seed. In sharing his story, Nicolás is not just protecting tradition—he’s inviting others into it. Into the mystery, the movement, the memory.

“I’m very grateful that people from other places, other cultures—people who aren’t from here or don’t live right next door— are showing what I’m talking about now: this curiosity to know, this curiosity to see, this curiosity to preserve.

“But I keep insisting that if we accept ourselves as we are, we will be much better off than we’ve been. Accepting that someone else exists who is not me is very important, because we’ve all become too individualistic everywhere, right?

“ ‘Only me.’  ‘Only me.’  ‘Only me.’ ‘Me.’

“’I don’t care what the other person wants.’  ‘I don’t care who the other person is.’ ‘I don’t care what the other person creates.’

“In the end, we all live in the same world.  And if I don’t respect what someone else does,  I’ll share in the blame in the future.”

 Respect, curiosity, and community. This is what Nicolás stands for.

In Tuxpan, tradition isn’t an artifact—it’s alive.

And Nicolás is one of its many storytellers, bakers, dancers, and keepers. From the heat of the oven to the rhythm of the danza, Nicolás lives at the intersection of tradition and transformation. He is one of many keepers of Tuxpan’s spirit.

This is what 365 Days of Tequila is all about—listening deeply, celebrating widely, and honoring the richness of Mexico through its people.

Discover how one woman’s passion for food and tradition brought her community together and sparked a journey of resilience and empowerment.

“I love being Mexican. I love being Mexican because I have that cunning or that way of being able to create, without many tools, but doing what I can with what I have, doing it well, and making sure it turns out well.”

In the heart of Zapopan, Mexico, where the warmth of community and the rich flavors of Mexican tradition are celebrated daily, I met Ana Gabriela, the proud owner of Tía Petunia, a woman whose story intertwines resilience, food, and culture. Her journey is a powerful reminder that through adversity, we can build something that not only empowers us but our communities as well. 

Food, for many of us, is a simple necessity. But for some, like Ana Gabriela, food is much more—it’s a gateway to understanding, connecting, and celebrating one’s heritage, family, and each other. Ana Gabriela is a living testament to the resilience of Mexican traditions, and through her restaurant, Tía Petunia, she shares that resilience with the world.

But more than just serving incredible food, she has created a space where every meal is an experience—an opportunity to celebrate the legacy of strong women, the power of community, and the beauty of Mexico’s rich food culture. From the vibrant flavors to the heartfelt recipes passed down through generations, we’re about to explore how food can unite, heal, and empower.

“I started Tía Petunia, it’s my space, it’s a place of food, it’s a space that pays tribute to all the women in my family, for being strong, for being resilient. I started it 10 years ago. Every gordita is named after an aunt, and that aunt gave me her recipe. It’s a tribute to the important women not only of my family but also in my life in general, especially my aunts, through food. Because in my house, like good Mexicans, it is customary to pamper each other through food, through meals.”

Through the dishes she serves, Ana Gabriela honors the women who came before her—her mother, grandmothers, and aunts—using food as a medium to transmit love, tradition, and resilience. It’s a reminder that no matter the challenges we face, there is always a way to connect and uplift those around us through the simple yet powerful act of sharing a meal.

I asked Ana Gabriela what inspired her to create Tia Petunia and how this reflected her personal history and her answer didn’t disappoint.

“What inspired me? Well, necessity. You know, when you’re in a vulnerable situation, you have to be very attentive to creativity and not just focus on the drama. Don’t just cry because your situation isn’t going as you expected or thought. Behind a strong situation or a situation where you feel things are going wrong, there’s always a gift behind it, and it’s very important to be attentive. I remember being left without a job, with two kids, and with the help of a very good friend, we began to create this project, and she always told me: ‘In your house, we’re always here with guests, you always cook for us and always make us laugh.’ That’s how Tía Petunia started, and an aunt gave me a big gift box, and when I opened it, there was a wooden gordita maker, and it said, ‘Gift for my goddaughter, a machine to make money.”

What started as a humble endeavor to make ends meet quickly blossomed into something more significant—a business that’s not only about food but about connection, community, and shared purpose. In a world where food brings people together, Tía Petunia is not just a restaurant;—it’s a sanctuary for Mexican tradition and a space where everyone feels like family.

Ana Gabriela also faced a number of challenges when starting her business from scratch and overcoming those challenges took was only possible through her loved ones. 

“Well, the number one challenge was the lack of liquidity, the lack of money, the lack of finances. So, I had to be very creative to do what I could with what I had. A very important resource I also used was love, because I surrounded myself with love, with people who added to me and looked at my project and looked at me, and in a very loving way, they came to help me. My sisters gave me forks, other spoons, other friends gave me tables. So, it was a project that I say is not just mine, but also of the desire to unite with a good purpose many people. But there have been ups and downs, but I repeat, my formula has always worked for me so far: seeing that behind the drama, there’s a gift, we have to take it.”

Ana Gabriela’s resilience wasn’t just tested in her business journey—it was tested in her health struggles as well. She faced surgeries, a life-changing diagnosis, and the challenge of her body rejecting medical implants. Through it all, she maintained her belief that behind every struggle is a hidden gift.

“I have a condition called craniofacial fibrous dysplasia. This part of my skull and part of the bone beneath it is a bone that grows and presses the organs or whatever it finds around it. I was diagnosed with it around the age of 8, but my first surgery was at 13. They removed part of my frontal bone and put in a plate. At 17 and 19, they removed a little more bone and replaced it with pieces of plate. And well, at 19 it seemed like everything had been fixed, even though I was aware that part of the dysplasia remained. It seemed like it was dormant. 

“About a year and a half ago, I got a small hole in my skull, or part of the plate, and cerebrospinal fluid was coming out. It was my skin rejecting the plate. So, after 30 years, the prosthetic plate was changed, from methyl methacrylate to the most modern material called PIC, and unfortunately, I was operated on all of last year because the PIC didn’t work… my skin didn’t accept it. It wasn’t so much the material, but what they explained to me is that last year, the last surgery was on November 20th, 2024. They operated on me 5 times last year and put a graft, well, a lot of grafts from my legs in my head. It was a tough year. A tough year where I had to learn to be resilient the hard way, but with my motto: ‘No, behind this drama, behind this problem, there is a gift.’ And I think that’s what’s important. I’m so glad to be alive. They finally removed the plate because my skin isn’t ready to have a different object inside.

“Of course, physically, it’s not harmonious because it looks sunken. There are parts of my scalp where my hair won’t grow back because it’s from my leg…

“But I’m alive. I learned a lot in the hospital, I learned with… it was very gratifying to meet the life of a doctor there because my son wants to be a doctor. I would see and say, ‘Are you sure you want to be a doctor?’ People don’t live… And I saw my roommates also fighting for their… fighting against death, to be alive, to be healthy. I saw how the nurses, the doctors handled things, but I went to see this human and vulnerable part that they are also complicit in.”

Ana Gabriela’s experience in the hospital was a true test of resilience. As she fought for her health, she saw the way doctors and nurses came together as a team to heal people. It was here, in the midst of so much uncertainty and pain, that Ana Gabriela understood more than ever the power of food to heal not just bodies, but souls.

“So they removed my prosthesis. We have to wait a few years to see if my skin will accept another prosthesis, and if not, well, it’s viable to live like that, with my precautions. And the aesthetic part… well, honestly, at this point… I think it’s the least important. I think I’ve valued my life like never before. I stopped thinking that just working was living. I realized I had worked a lot and that my children had grown up quickly. And I realized I was selling a product at Tía Petunia that I didn’t enjoy as I should. Because life, and that’s what I learned: life is today. We don’t know what will happen tomorrow. Life changes you on a Tuesday at three.”

Amidst these challenging health battles, Ana Gabriela found an incredible way to connect with others through her food. During her hospital stay, she knew the power of a warm meal. One day, she decided to bring food to the entire medical team.

“Well, I ordered a lot of gorditas, a lot of gorditas. I called here, I said, ‘Send me 100 gorditas for the doctors, 100 gorditas for the nurses, and bring me 100 gorditas for the patients.’ And it was so beautiful to see everyone arrive, thanking me and their faces transformed. Even my roommates could eat a gordita that didn’t taste like hospital food, and when they bit into it, they could fill themselves with hope because someone else was waiting for them outside. That’s something that stayed with me and confirmed that I’m going down the right path.”

Her time spent in the hospital, surrounded by the care of medical staff and the support of her loved ones, reaffirmed her belief in the healing power of food. During her surgeries, Ana Gabriela reflected on how food—specifically, the warmth and comfort of meals shared—could bring people a sense of peace even in the toughest moments. Moving forward, we’ll explore how these powerful lessons extend beyond her health and helped her overcome life challenges that she faced. 

There have been a few moments in Ana Gabriela’s life that have taught her about resilience and hope. 

“Híjole, I think a divorce is very hard. Uhm. I got divorced many years ago. I remarried. A divorce is very tough, and especially as a Mexican, because you live within a structure where judgment is very present. So, that part hurt me. However, I was full of hope because I was going to have the opportunity to tell myself a new life story for me and my children. Another… another situation where I had to be resilient… well, maybe also in the separation of my parents, even though they separated when I was older, already had children, it was also hard for me. Breaking this part, and I think I never spoke about it. Actually, I think it’s the first time I say it. For me, it was… it was significantly hard, but I repeat, this formula always comes back, and I’m very loyal to it: there’s a gift here, and there’s a gift here, and I have to discover the gift.”

Ana Gabriela’s journey not only highlights the power of food to create community and heal wounds but also reflects the deeply rooted Mexican traditions of resilience and joy. From personal battles to community-building, she has always embraced the idea that food is a way to connect people, uplift their spirits, and share a sense of belonging.

But Ana Gabriela’s story is not just one of overcoming health challenges and building a restaurant—it’s also about the legacy of culture, family, and the enduring importance of Mexican traditions. Through Tía Petunia, she has created a space where those values live on, and where every meal served carries the weight of love, history, and purpose.

“I love being Mexican. I love being Mexican because I have that cleverness or that ability to create, without many tools, to do what I can with what I have, and to do it well, and for it to turn out right. And that’s something being Mexican has given me, because now, when I was in my health situation and in the hospital, I saw how the doctors themselves did what they could with what they had to rescue their patients. Just like the patients and their families did what they could with what they had, whether it was money, tools, contacts, whatever. I believe Mexicans are capable of creating many things, and if we set our minds to it, we can do it.”

As Ana Gabriela shares her reflections on what it means to be Mexican, we see how these values of creativity, resilience, and resourcefulness have shaped not only her personal life but also her vision for Tía Petunia and how it will be remembered in the future.

“I love that my business is remembered by the joy with which we welcome people, by the fun we have, by the jokes, the teasing, the camaraderie within… the same team, colleagues, and the customers who come here, and end up becoming our friends and turning into family.”

For Ana Gabriela, Tía Petunia is more than a restaurant. It’s a space where people come together, feel cared for, and become part of a larger family. Food isn’t just sustenance—it’s a way to connect, to heal, and to celebrate. 

“I hope they learn and understand that there is always something important to convey through food. It’s always super important to know that Mexico has an amazing culture, that you said earlier, the Mexican is always celebrating, yes. It’s true, it’s true, we are always happy, we are always joyful, and there is always this comforting feeling for the soul, where we can come together once again.”

Ana Gabriela’s journey is a beautiful example of how we can use food and culture as tools for empowerment. In her story, we see the power of community, the strength that comes from embracing tradition, and the resilience that makes us who we are.

“You know, young people have a great mindset now. Something good I see in this generation is the non-judgment aspect, where everyone can have their own preferences, and there’s no mocking or pointing out. I think they’ve also looked for ways to rescue certain Mexican roots, like dialects, clothing, and even drinks, like tequila.”

Through the resilience of entrepreneurs like Ana Gabriela, and the strength of our cultural traditions, we learn that our heritage is not something to be lost—it’s something to be shared and celebrated, passed down to future generations.

This connection to tradition naturally extends to one of Mexico’s most iconic elements: tequila. Ana Gabriela’s personal memories of tequila are intertwined with her family’s joyful celebrations, where the drink was more than just a beverage—it was a symbol of togetherness and heritage.

“Yes, my paternal grandfather would go to Arandas, Jalisco, to fill his barrel with white tequila. And then, he always had his barrel of tequila. And well, he would have all the kids his age, his grandchildren, playing tequila, playing bingo, and in a bottle cap, he would put a little tequila and let us drink. Haha! And you know, that was many years ago, 40 years ago, and today I think of tequila, and it reminds me of that childhood where we had a great time.”

Tequila, for Ana Gabriela, is more than just a drink—it’s a symbol of the joyful moments shared with family. It connects her deeply to her roots and culture, a theme that echoes throughout her life and business.

When I asked her what advice she would give other women who were experiencing difficult moments in starting businesses, she said, “Generally, and I believe statistically it’s proven, we start businesses when there’s great need. When the water reaches your socks, and you have to run to get out of it, hope always has to be your flag, and always remember that behind drama, behind conflict, there’s always a gift. There’s always an opportunity. There’s always a way to move forward, always, always.”

Ana Gabriela’s story is a testament to the power of resilience, the beauty of Mexican food and culture, and the importance of community. Through Tía Petunia, she has created more than a restaurant—she’s created a space where people can feel the warmth of family and the spirit of Mexico.

If there’s one thing we can learn from Ana Gabriela’s journey, it’s that no matter the challenges, there is always a gift to be found—whether in food, community, or the traditions that bind us together.