How to Survive Without Burning Out or Selling Out ft. Samantha Ortiz-Young
In this episode of Banking on Cultura, Victoria Jenn Rodriguez welcomes acclaimed fitness entrepreneur, mom, and Nike trainer Samantha Ortiz-Young to the show. Together, they explore what it takes to thrive as a Latina entrepreneur—facing everything from the lonely side of building a business, to staying true to your authentic self in an era of brand partnerships and social media pressures.
The conversation covers:
The realities of entrepreneurship, including moments of isolation
Building personal and professional boundaries while honoring Latinx identity
Navigating brand deals without losing authenticity
Culturally-rooted wellness strategies for busy women
Maintaining discipline, motivation, and grace through motherhood and business growth
Filled with warmth, humor, and actionable advice, this episode gives listeners both inspiration and practical tools to prioritize their goals, take care of their bodies, and represent their communities with pride.
Key Takeaways
1. Entrepreneurship Is Both Rewarding and Lonely
Samantha Ortiz-Young highlights how entrepreneurship can be an isolating journey—especially for women of color carving their own path. Even when surrounded by peers, the responsibility and vision fall on your shoulders.
2. Proudly Wear Your Latinidad
Despite societal pressures to dilute cultural identity, Samantha Ortiz-Young advocates for celebrating and integrating Latinidad into every aspect of her work, relationships, and community outreach.
3. Stay Authentic In Brand Partnerships
Brands may want you for your unique voice—don’t bend your values or water down your culture. Say no to offers that don’t align with your brand or self-worth, even if it means turning down lucrative deals.
4. Set Boundaries and Grace in Wellness & Family Life
Communicate your goals with loved ones, and balance cultural traditions (like abuela’s cooking!) with mindful choices and boundaries.
5. Discipline is Built Through Consistency
Motivation ebbs and flows; discipline keeps you moving toward your goals. Start small with exercise and health habits, build routines, and celebrate progress beyond what the scale shows.
6. Manifestation, Preparation, and Community Building Pay Off
Major deals (like partnering with Nike) result from years of alignment, networking, and readiness—put yourself in the right rooms and stay open to organic opportunities.
7. Personal Growth: Give Yourself Grace
Whether it’s motherhood, building a business, or starting a fitness journey, allow time to learn and adjust. Experience—success and mistakes—will be your best teacher.
✨ Don’t forget to follow Samantha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/so_manti/
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Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
What's up, everybody? Welcome back to Banking on Cultura. I am your host, Victoria Jen Rodriguez, and I wanted to bring on a guest today to really help us stay focused as it relates to our health and wellness. Honey, because it's the start of the new year, a lot of us made a lot of promises to ourselves. And so this year, we got to make sure that we keep those promises, especially when it comes to, you know, maintaining our sexy and feeling good and looking good and all the things. Okay? Because I think in 2026, the way we're going to survive this year, y', all, is we need to make sure that we are prioritizing ourselves, right? And for many of us, we put everyone before us, and we take care of our familia, of our friends, of our colleagues, of our peers, literally everyone else but us. So today's episode is about prioritizing you, prioritizing your health, prioritizing your fitness. And listen, I'm going to be a student as I'm listening to our amazing guest, because if you didn't know, you are about to hear from someone who has been recognized as the number one trainer in New York, honey. And that's a big deal, because New York is pretty big. Okay? So without further ado, I'm very excited to welcome Samantha Ortiz young to Banking on Cultura. I think this is, like, long overdue.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Hello.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Because I've been wanting you on the show for so long.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Where have you been, honey?
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
But all timing is everything. Timing is everything. Because now you a mama bear.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Yes, I am.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
You're an entrepreneur. You are a fitness trainer. You have your own app. Like, you are a Nike trainer. Like, you are doing the damn thing. And I think you have so much more to share with us, so much more wisdom now that your life has evolved, right? To motherhood, to wifey, entrepreneur, all the things. So introduce yourself to the people so they can learn some more about you.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Well, thank you for having me. I'm so excited to be here. It's been, you know, I'm like, what am I going on that episode, honey? Because it's good.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
It's tea.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Tea, Right. But no, thank you again for having me. Yeah. So my name is Samantha Ortiz Young. I am New York born and raised. So a Latina. I'm Puerto Rican. Very proud to be. And I am an entrepreneur. I am a first time mom. I'm a Nike trainer. I'm all the things that you can put under entrepreneurship. So very proud to be in this industry of fitness and to have done it for now almost 14 years, 14, 15 years. So it's been a while. You know, I'm not a trend, baby. I've been doing this for a while.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Talk about it.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
It's really exciting to be on this side. Always to help people find their true passion and see their worth in a way that they may not see yet. I bring that out for them. It's already in there, but it's something that I really have passion for. I'm like, no, it's in there. We're gonna get it out. So through fitness, through nutrition, through wellness, I'm able to really help women find their strength again. And that's something that I don't take for granted.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Yeah, totally. I got mad respect for trainers because not only are you focusing on like your clients physical, but mentor is a huge part of the work that you do. You kind of become like a therapist.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Yeah, literally. No, not, not professionally, but in a session when you're talking to your clients, it's a lot of mental, physical, mental strength. Honestly, more than anything, physical honesty comes after. Mental mindset changes everything. So not to take away from therapists because my sister actually is a therapist and I understand that that's such an important part of someone's growth, but definitely as a trainer, we hear all the things, honey. And we have to push people past their limitations mentally in order for them to see physical change.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Well, that's a good segue into give us some more. You know, we like to start our show.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Yeah.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
With some bonjinches. So tell us something we can't Google about you or. Or tell us something we need to know.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Well, I would say at least for entrepreneurship, it could be a lonely path. And I don't think a lot of people talk about that, how you are the one with the vision. And it's hard to articulate that to other people who don't see it the way that you see it. And you have all this pressure on you as an entrepreneur and you kind of feel like you're doing it on your own. I've done business with my family, not with my family. So I've gotten both, you know, sides. But at the end of the day, there's a lot of moments where you do feel lonely and you second guess yourself and you don't get to see that through. Social media and you know, in person is something that the entrepreneur, for me, you hold in and you're like, I gotta push through because it's just a part of, to me, entrepreneurship. So I feel like it's something that we don't talk about as much where it's like we're going through this journey, right? We're here to. Our passion is to help people in whatever way. But there's also moment where it's like, there's moments of loneliness. Like, damn.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Yeah.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Kind of doing it on my own. I'm kind of like, I hope this works out. Like, I hope that it pans out the way it's supposed to pan out. Because if not, you kind of got all this, these people behind you, this community behind you that's looking to you for like that success because that in turn helps them with their success. So it's a lot of pressure, moments of loneliness, moments of second guessing. And I feel like on social you only see the highlight, right? You see all these beautiful titles that I have. But there's a lot of things in between that, you know, that I'm a normal person, that I have doubts, that I have those moments of loneliness, second guessing. So I feel like that's something that's not as talked about where someone can maybe feel like, oh, okay, like she is like, me too in a way, right? Like there's moments that she's feeling that I also feel. So for me, that's like Bochinche in a sense of like, it's not always what you see on social media. There's a lot of things that are behind that. So don't feel like it was, you know, crystal clear for me, my whole path, there was moments of up and down and I'm just like anybody else.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Yeah, totally. I. I think that's like the misconception that when you're in a role where God is using you as a guide, right. And as a vessel for others to express themselves or to find themselves, that alone is its own pressure. But I think there's this expectation, at least for me, to think, like, we have to have all the answers. Like we have to have it all together, or, like, our clients are not gonna think that we're worth investing in, or, like, we have to put on this Persona that we have. You know, we just know what we're doing at all times, and we just have it all figured out, and life is just dandy, and, you know, things are just peaches and cream on this side. And that's not true, because we're human first. Before any title, before any calling that God has put us on this earth for. Like, we are human first. So I appreciate you sharing that, because you're right. It is very lonely. And I don't know if you've experienced this, but even if you have peers, right, Because I know you have a lot of peers that are entrepreneurs as well. Even if you're around other entrepreneurs, it could still feel lonely. Why do you think that is?
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Because at the end of the day, you are the one still running your own business, right? And those are moments where you come together in community, and you get to talk and. And feel that, you know, like, okay, maybe I won't feel as lonely, or maybe I feel understood in that moment. But then at the end of the day, you're leaving that community, and you're still going back to running your vision the way that you want it, the way that you see it. So it's nice to have that. But then again, as an entrepreneur, you still have to come back and fight another day on your own, technically, even though you might not be alone, you just mentally feel that way. So it's nice again to have community, because I've had. I do have peers, like you mentioned. I'm sure you do as well. And you get to have, like, that moment where you just kind of decompress, but then it's like, okay, back to it. And then also, you know, being Latina is a whole another ball game of.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Pressure, because you have managed to build an incredible brand centered around Latinidad. I mean, your wedding. I mean, shout out to your hubby, first of all, you know, I think he's been, you know, embraced. He embraces in the boricua community and Latinos in general. But, like, literally, your wedding is how I found you. I believe that's how I found you, because it went mega viral because you just had Marc Anthony playing in the background. Y' all all had flags, and y' all were getting it in. And so you are who. Who wears your Latinidar loud and proud, which I love, and has built a business around being a Latina fitness trainer. So how are you, Navigating? This era of this narrative that's being created for Latinos that we are, you know, not professional or we're all broke or we're all here illegally or we are, you know, trying to take advantage of the system. We're not smart. Just this narrative that is trying to position Latinos as if we haven't earned the spaces that we are in or the lanes that we've created for ourselves or that it's kind of like uncool to be Latino right now.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Well, first of all, that's all noise. I don't. Not that I don't listen to it. I know it's in the background, but I know my worth. I know what my culture brings. I know the pride that I have. And to me, again, that's just like people trying to change the way that I think about myself. And I won't let that happen. And I've been very strong about that. Like you said in my wedding, my husband is African American, so he has embraced my culture. Same way I've hit. I have embraced his. During our wedding, he was the one who was like, we should bring out the flags. We should do this. And I was just like, yeah, let's do it. So those are just ways of showing that I love my culture and I will continue to shine and be a person that embraces it as I continue on my journey of entrepreneurship and sharing the pride and that we can do all things and this country runs on people like us that look like us. You know what I mean? So having that pride and remembering where you come from and having the community around you always is a great tool to use to continue to having that feeling of, I belong here. I deserve to be in these rooms, on these tables. If this table ain't for me, I'm gonna build my own. So having that pride and confidence is important. And it's something that you grow along the way. Right? Sometimes people don't have it in the beginning and there's something that they need to continue to, like, think of and practice something that I was born into. Like my family, we don't play. We're very strong, a lot of strong women in general. And we're all about being professional, enjoying our culture, embracing all the things. So that's just noise to me. And I use it as fuel because at the end of the day, how I think no one's going to change my mindset. I'm very strong minded. So I embrace it. I love my culture. I'll show it every two seconds. Every two seconds. If I want to. And yeah, for me, that's just the way that I. I feel like I navigate through that noise.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
And so you have been able to secure a lot of brand deals. It is a part of your business model. And I know now you collaborate with Nike as a trainer for them. Have you had anything come up where brands are asking you to be, quote, unquote, more inclusive in your content or are alluding to kind of how they are looking to maybe transition away from something that is Latino focused as an example, and something that is more broader?
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Honestly, no.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
No.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Okay. I wish I had a better answer, but at least for the brands that I've worked with, they embrace my culture and they are looking to me for that specific reason to bring that brand to my community. And they see me as a leader in that space, and I will always be authentic in that space. I would never share anything because to me, that is just my. My legacy, who I am as a person. And I never want someone to come back and say, oh, you said this and that, like, whatever brand I work with, whether it be a service or product, is something that I've used and I believe in and I enjoy using. So I've never changed who I am to work with a brand. I've said no to certain brands because it doesn't. It's not. Doesn't bring me, like, in terms of the value that I like, it doesn't match with me.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Can you give us an example? You don't have to name the brand.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
But in terms of maybe something body related, where it's like doing something to my body that I'm not, that's just not me. Who I am and what I represent in terms of being real, being raw, having cellulite, having love handles, just embracing my true self. There's been brands that want me to use certain products or certain services, and I'm just like, that's not who I am. And these are five figure deals, you know, that I'm laying down on the table. And I don't know that's a privilege for me to do that. I know everyone can't do that. But for me, where I am right now and my brand, I want to make sure that people understand that that's just not who I am. And it's okay if you want to let that go and be the true authentic self to you. So I always try to always be like, no, that just doesn't align with me. Mm.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Okay. That I think that's important to highlight because especially right now where people are there's like a fear moggling going on. So there's like, like a lot of fear being instilled, especially in the Latino community, where I could see why some people would feel like they have to maybe sacrifice their authenticity to pay their rent. Right. Or do something along those lines. Or maybe they are willing to strip some of their lat and like, fit into new rooms just so they can get ahead. What is some of your advice for folks around, you know, kind of maintaining their authenticity when it is constantly being questioned or when they feel like their back is up against the wall and they have to just adapt or not survive?
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
That's a great question. And for me, I would just say it's just not for me.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Okay.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Like that moment or that room or that opportunity was just not for me. Another way you can go about it too is saying, I'm only going to do it this way. You know, know your worth, say it. I'm only going to represent it in this way. This is how I feel comfortable. Giving authority, I think is important, especially when you work with brands or if you're in a certain jobs, you know, scenario. Again, I don't know everybody's situation. I know, you know, times are hard and I, I get that. But in general, if you had options, I would stay 10 toes down and I would say, I don't feel comfortable showing it in this way. This is how I would like to show it and give different options. If again, I'm thinking of, like when I'm working with a brand and that's the way I would approach it, I would be very transparent because again, I don't want to dilute me. You're coming to me to work with me. That means that you see something in me and that then represents the community that I bring. So if you want me to down myself, dilute myself, that's just not. I'm not going to do it. I'm going to give you different options. And then if it's just not meant to be, it's just not meant to be. But for me, I would always say then that opportunity wasn't for me.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Yeah.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
And something else is going to come that's 10 times better that they want my authentic self. Because again, like, you're coming to me, you're telling me you want to dilute me. That just. It doesn't make sense because when you work with a brand, they want. They like you because of your likeness, because of your brand, because of your personality, your looks. And I mean, I exude with the Latina you know what I mean? That's who I am. So now you're coming to me and telling me, no, let's dilute it. No. Then this just not meant to be. So knowing your worth and staying 10 tones down on that. Yeah.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
And I think that takes a lot of, you know, being in alignment and making sure, like, you are comfortable with the identity that you have taken on, that it actually, like, really speaks to who you are. Because I think that's when it becomes easier for you to say no and easier for you to say, you know, this is not the room for me. But if you're confused or if you're unsure and you have like, one foot in, one foot out in two different identities, it's going to be difficult for you to stay ten toes down.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Absolutely. And also you might have to go into that situation to see how uncomfortable it is for you. Right. Sometimes we. We learn from our, I'm not gonna say always mistakes, but through those situations, we learn a lot about ourselves, what we can handle or what we don't want to handle. So maybe there were situations where I work with brands a long time ago, and I've learned from those situations. And then now it. I am the person I am in terms of that business where I stand 10 toes down because I've learned from. Okay, I'm not gonna do that again. That didn't feel good. Or, you know, money in terms of money, like, okay, now I know that yesterday's price and today's price.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Right? Absolutely.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Yeah. So I think also it's okay if you're gonna go into a situation where maybe you are uncertain and maybe you do, you know, down your light a little bit. Right. Okay, then we'll learn from that situation because we can't take back things. Right. So what can I learn from that? And then when you get the opportunity again, now you know how it feels, what you're not going to do, because you're like, I don't want that energy anymore. I don't want to be in that space. So again, we learn from everything that we do. And I. That's what happened with me. That's why I am 10 toes down now, because I was able to experience content creation as a business for eight years now. So I have the experience where it's like, okay, I already know that's not going to happen anymore. So again, you learn from those things. So if you're like, okay, I'm going to do this, and you're like, oh, that didn't feel good. Take note Write down, okay, what didn't I like about that partnership? And then how am I going to change the next time I work with a different brand? So again, taking those moments and learning from them.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
I love that, you know, giving yourself grace when you.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
It's learning. It's a learning experience.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Absolutely.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Yeah.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
And we all need. You're absolutely right. Like, we need those experiences to know when those are not spaces that serve us anymore. And sometimes we need to experience that for ourselves. It doesn't matter what someone says to you.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Yes.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
You need to hear for yourself. It's like the baby that you say, don't touch the hot stove. And they're just like, I just have to touch it. And then they burn themselves. And they're like, oh, okay, I'm not gonna do it.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Exactly.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Not gonna do this anymore. You're right.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Yes. Yeah. Sometimes you just gotta go through it. When parents are like, didn't I tell you? Or I already. It's just like, you can't. You don't hear them, but then you go through and you're like, that's what you were saying? Yeah, listen, we gotta. That's life, right? Yeah. That's the journey of life. You gotta go through those moments.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Totally. So I got someone. Change. Tell me that, you know, is. Is. Is part of the reasoning. Why I was asking if.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
If.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
What are you hearing from brands as it relates to your Latinidad? So last week I was on a potential client call and I was talking to them about my services, I was talking to them about, you know, what I could do and just kind of ideating with them and exploring what their real need was. And in March is Women's History Month. So March is a. Is a big month for content creators who are women, for consultants, coaches, et cetera. Because a lot of different corporate brands, and just brands in general are looking for a woman to come in and do things as they should. And so period. And so I'm talking to this client, and originally he wanted me to come in for Women's History Month, but then I presented an idea to him and he was like, oh, wait, I like this idea. I want to expand it out. And I'm like, yeah, I like when they say that, let's go, let's expand it out, let's do this.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
I love that.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
And then towards the end of the conversation, I was like, oh, by the way, like, we can still extend this out, expand this out. But I would love to still explore coming in for Women's History Month because that is, you know, low hanging Fruit. That's something that is super easy. And I have tons of keynotes that would land with them. And he said, I'm gonna ask you a question, and you might be offended by this question. I don't know how you're gonna feel about this question, but I'm gonna ask it anyway.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Okay.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Okay.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Well, I don't know where this is, right?
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
I don't know.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
This is going.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
I'm like, oh, my God, this is a man. You know, I'm going all types of ways. I'm like, what is this man gonna say to me right now? So he proceeds to say. He was like, how do you get along with white women? Oh, I said, oh, I never got asked this question before. I said, wow, this is very interesting. I said, I think I get along well with white women. I've never had a problem, you know, with white women. And he goes, oh, I'm asking because, you know, our woman's network here is mainly. Mainly comprised of white women. And you know, what I know of you and the work that you do. You work a lot with Latinas. You do a lot for the Latino community. I just wasn't sure if that's an arena where you also, you know, do work. And it was interesting to me because I was like, like, first of all, it was a good insight into how my brand is being perceived in the marketplace, right? So I was like, this is interesting. But then it also made me think about how, given the world that we live in today, how they are trying to box us up, so. And trying to, like, put you in your own silo, right? So if you're representing Latinos, that's all you could do. You could just do Latino work. That's who you can market to. That's who you could work with, right?
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Yeah.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Versus the. The learnings and the lessons are universal.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Absolutely right.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
So it doesn't matter if you're Latino. But it was a very interesting question for me because I was like, wow, this question would have been asked two years ago, but now, because of the arena that we are in, it is being asked. And I was like, wow, this is so interesting. And I. I brought it up to. To some girlfriends of mine, and she said this answer. And I was like, damn, I should have said that. She was like, you should have said, I get along with white woman perfectly well because I'm a woman first. And I said, ooh, that's a mic.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Drop on that one.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
I see right there. I said, ooh.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
But lands.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
And there's no follow up to that.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Yeah.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
What you gonna say to that?
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Yeah. Damn, that was good.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Yeah, I know. I was so mad. I was like, damn, I wish I had you in my pocket so I could see that. Because that was good for any of you. If you ever asked this question, now, you got the answer. Shout out to Angie.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
There we go.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
To all the Kiki Soires. We love some Angie, but. Yeah, but it was just so surprising that I was asked question.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Yeah.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
I was like, oh, I've never been asked that question.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Well, how do you get along with white women?
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
I mean, I think. Well, I mean, but. But it was. But it was just like, such a great reflection point because I was like, wow, this is, like, really interesting. And in these times, I think we all need to consider, right? What does standing 10 toes down mean for you, like, in this season?
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
And.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
And how inclusive do you want to be? And is it a value add for you to kind of like, broaden your brand or is it not? So just something interesting. So I wanted to hear what brands are saying to you because I know for me, since I do a lot of business, like, on the corporate side, they are feeling it. Like, they are feeling it in the sense of. I mean, I know a lot of the brands that you work with have a corporate side, too. I'm not suggesting that, but like, I would say traditional industries like finance, like tech, like those kind of industries, they are feeling the pressure of rearranging their language, of making sure they're not just focused on black or Latino or Asian. They have to really now think about involving everyone. And so it's just an interesting time. So for anybody, consulting, coaching, speaking, etc, just know that this is very vibrant in the industry right now, and people are trying to figure it out, right? And they're trying to decide, you know, what that looks like and what that means for you as an entrepreneur, as someone who's building your own brand, as someone who is thinking through, you know, who do I need to be in this season? Who am I evolving to? Make sure that you are aware so that when you do decide which way you want to go, you're prepared, right. In case you get a question, like.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
I did, Because I was never gonna question. That's a good question. I was like, oh, okay. You're like, yeah, I'm fine. Right? Like, how do you know of that?
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
And anyway, what if I got a.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Problem with white women?
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Like, I'm tell you, I'm not messing.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Up this deal, honey. Okay, Right? Like, no, that's funny. Yeah. No, I Mean, yeah. Now that you got me thinking, I'm like. Right, Right. Yeah. Because I'm not. Well, yeah. No. Okay.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
But then I started thinking about it, and I started thinking about my network and I started thinking about who I spend the most time with. And it's not a lot of white women.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
No, that's literally. I was about to say, I was like, oh, really? People. White people. But.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Right. So it's like.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
But nothing against that. Right. It's just who I'm around. And they're around their people. Right, exactly.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
But then it made me think even further where I was like, we really are getting, like, further and further siloed.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Yes.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
You know, like, we really are creating these, like, battles.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
That's the, you know, world that we're in right now.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
I know.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
It's very much. You see it so much more right now than ever. I feel like just separating everyone and sometimes attacking other groups and other things. So I think it's. I don't know, it's just.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
And I think maybe unconsciously, or maybe for some people consciously, like, we are leaning more towards our communities. Right. Because it just feels safer there. It feels, like, more normalized. But if we're thinking about, like, brands on, like, a global scale, it's just something to think, like, to consider. But then you look at people like Bad Bunny and Bunny's like, you're gonna come into my world. I don't need to go into your world. You're gonna want to come play.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Exactly. And he's standing 10 toes down.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
He is standing 10 toes, dad. And we love.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
We love that.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
We love that. Because, you know, it gives us permission to, too. So anyhow, this is why I love the well, Chinchinje Hour, because you just don't know which way it's gonna go. So talk to us about, you know, you have this deal with Nike where you are one of their official trainers. Talk to us about, like, how do these deals happen? Where do they start? How do you negotiate them? Like, how long do they take to close? Like, what's the process?
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
First of all, you gotta make sure that you are manifesting it before it even comes to you. That's number one. Okay. Because you always, like, I'm working. You have to speak it into existence. Always. And this just didn't happen. Like, I would say, I signed with them. It's going to be two years. So this happened way before that, too. Like, I've worked with Nike in different elements and with paid sponsorships. But also, when I had my studio, they came and We've done things in my studio at the time when I had it. So there's been years of, I guess, communication and moments of working together, but this particular time, they were looking for a specific group of trainers to represent their communities. So the Latino community for. For me specifically, and my job is to bring my community access to Nike apparel and Nike workshops and different things along those lines. That. That's my job as a Nike trainer. And I love that because one, they saw me as a leader in my space, and two, we deserve these things just like anybody else. And they saw that. They saw that. Okay. The Latino community, I would say black and brown community needs these things. They deserve these things. So we need leaders within that space to bring it to them. So that's where a group of us came in, and we bring that into the community. So I do different events for Nike, whether it be my modality is strength training and hit style. So I bring that to my community and in turn, we. They get a beautiful group of like, in terms of clothing and an experience for me, it's just.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Wait, free clothes?
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Yeah. Well, definitely a moment where they. Let's say they get 500 worth of clothing and they pay anywhere between 65 to 85.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
That's not bad.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Yeah.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Listen, I just bought a Nike sweater for $138, and I really had to ask myself, yo, V, you need this sweater? Do you need this sweater?
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Yes.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
And it was kind of like. I do. Yeah. Because it was like a cute cut or whatever.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Yes.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
But yeah.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
So we bring that opportunity to. To the community at a definitely a very discounted rate. And just an experience in general. It's just not like you getting close. I want to make sure that you are moving your body, that you have. I always do affirmations. I do a reflection and journaling session. I mean, I give it my all when I do these, hosting these events. It's something that I've done for a very long time. But then now with my title as a Nike trainer, I'm able to do that as well for my community. So that deal happened again. Just preparing myself in advance for wanting to work with different brands, then meeting people, going places, definitely socializing, be in those rooms. Okay. Y' all need to be in the rooms, because if you're not in the rooms, you're not going to get certain opportunities. And I know you know that. So literally, it was like I spoke to one person. That person knew someone else in. In Nike because Nike has so many different department, so you just go through different People and throughout the years I was able to talk and have relations with different people and it kind of landed me here. So again, this is like a six year situation that's being more highlighted right now. But it's been something in the works for a long time. Yeah. So the way it came about, again, being in those rooms, having conversations, not being afraid to introduce yourself, to share what you bring to the table because people are looking but they're never going to find you if you don't open your mouth, if you don't go, if you don't, if again, if you're not in those situations and in those, in those spaces.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
So talk to us about your team because you have, you have a manager, right?
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Yes. You have a manager for brand deals.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
For brand deals. Okay. And your manager is responsible for bringing brand deals to you or she.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
No, everything, honestly, everything that comes to me is organic. So brands, everything that I've done is a brand that reaches out to me. Oh, that's awesome. So she. Yes, I'm grateful for that. So she then negotiates with the brands.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Okay.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
She is back and forth with them on email and she reads my contracts and then we divvy out how to then do content. So we kind of do the content journey in terms of that, like how to plan it out. So again, that's her, that's her job, that's her position.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
And is it just you and your manager or do you have other people on your team?
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Just me and her.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Okay, got it. So your content editing and all, that is all you?
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Yes, that is correct. Wow.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Okay, guys, you have to follow her on social media because she's. Her content is lit, but it's a lot. So it's like I, and I know how much it takes to edit the content and do it and all of that.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
So people don't know that. People don't understand that part of content creation. How it's a lot of work. It seems very like, oh, she's just like recording martini and we're just having a great time, which we do have fun. But it's work still at the end of the day. So it's a lot. It doesn't just mean like, okay, I got the brand deal and also the brand deals. You don't get the money right away, honey. Okay. Sometimes it's 30 days, sometimes 60 days, sometimes it's been 90 days. So just know we working without getting paid, first of all. And then creativity, you know, you have to bring these different ideas to the brands. Yes. They have like an Outline and. And thing that they want you to kind of potentially do. But they're all, I would say, at least the ones I've worked with, they're open to how I want to present the product again to my personality. So you have to be also bring that creative piece to you and then film the content, edit the content. Then you have to get approval from the brand. If they want things done again, you have to redo them. There's different things that come in when it comes to partnerships.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Totally. And where do you get, like, your inspiration for creativity? Where does that come from?
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
I would say my personality.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Okay. You know, it's all within me, you know.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
No, yeah, I would say that. I think just again, what feels good to me and then also what does. Well, on my social platform. Yeah. But you can get inspiration from other creators and create it in your own way. Of course. But for me, it's just like, okay, what does my community like? And then for me to bring it in that product or service inorganically into that. So that's kind of where I get my inspiration. And then now I have my beautiful daughter, so I throw her in there.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Sometimes because she's fun. Appearances. Yeah. She's such a cutie pie.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Yeah. My little machine. Yeah.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
She looks like she behaves so well. You don't ever get to hear to see her crying. So it's like me, you know, She's a peaceful little doll.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Oh, yes, yes. No, she don't really, unless she's hungry. That's when she.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
I get it, though, because I. I cry when I'm hungry too.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Right. We all get our hangry. So I want to take advantage of the fact that we have, you know, an expert in the building. And let's really give some advice on how people can keep their health and wellness goals and how do they, you know, stay focused in a season where the weather just makes you feel like you want to Netflix and chill and munchies and all the. And no, I don't want to go outside. It's too cold. I just want to cuddle, to be cool. So, so, so where do people start and how do they, you know, stay committed?
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Well, first, give yourself grace. That's. I'm in the season of motherhood and giving myself grace because the bounce back is not a thing. It's just like you're learning along the way.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Yo, Cardi B. I do not appreciate. Okay. She is just so snatched. I mean, obviously kudos to her, but. Oh, damn. I could just imagine the pressure the pressure that puts on other mama bears because it's like, yo, I don't even have kids and I feel the pressure. So I could imagine not having kids and, like, seeing someone literally pop out babies, like, every other year or yearly, and it's just like, boom.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Yes.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Right back.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Yes. Well, one, we don't know what. Right.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
You don't know what else was involved in that.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
And she also, you know, has a team, I'm sure, and has certain things that usually us regular folk don't have.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Right.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Okay. So again, giving ourselves grace.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Yes.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Not comparing our journey to other people's journey in general. Not just motherhood. Every. Every journey, everybody's journey. And also, I always say this. Moving your body is a privilege. I always say that. And I always remind myself of that. To take it day by day and know that it's not going to happen all at once. I'm not running a sprint, I'm running a marathon. And it's going to take time. So give yourself time. One try and move your body every day, whether that be for five minutes, for 30 minutes. And then when I say move your body, it could be in the kitchen, you playing some salsa and you're cleaning the dishes and you're dancing a little bit, you're squatting here and there. Having fun through movement is important. And nutrition is also very important. So I know a lot of people like to, you know, the holidays are coming, they lose focus. They're all over the place. These are just days, right? Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's. Those are three days, let's say, right? So don't try to just have your life turn upside down because of three days. Try and stay as focused as possible. Eating things in the morning, still having balance is going to help you, because if not, it's just going to be chaotic for you. And again, moving your body every day, again, what does that mean? I have a walking pad. I use my walking pad. You don't have a walking pad. Again, clean those dishes, clean your room. Give yourself, like a few minutes to organize yourself in the. In the morning and then throughout the day. So those are moments of movement. And I have a watch. I always check my steps going outside. I know it's cold, but you can always go outside for a few minutes, let the sun hit your face. It resets you mentally, and it's really important to do that. So these are just like small things that you can do for yourself. Again, having the breakfast, having the lunch, not. Not just focusing, oh, I'm not gonna eat now because I'M gonna eat a lot later. That's not good for you. Especially for women, we need to eat every two to three hours. It's important for us. And we shouldn't be fasting. Women shouldn't be fasting for a certain amount of time. This is just not good metabolically, but I won't go into that. But in general, just moving your body, moving your body, giving yourself grace, small movements are really important. You don't always have to hit the gym to think, oh, I'm not going to be able to go to the gym today. 5 minutes, 10 minutes in your house. Body weight movements again. Music to me is free. Put on some music, dance a little bit for a few minutes, get the heart rate up. And that's movement for the day. Especially because, you know, if we're Latina, we like to dance, right? So it's just like, just adding into our culture and. And it changes your mood completely.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
It really does.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
It's just like a total game changer. So those are just like, like small things that I would say in terms of leading up to that year, you know, like leading up to the new year. And then in terms of hitting your goals, start small. We love to say, I'm gonna go to the gym five days a week, work out two days, two days out of the. Two times out of the day. That's just not realistic. You need to start small in order for you to hit certain moments, right? So if I never go to the gym and I want to start going five times throughout the week, it's just not as realistic and it's gonna be harder for you to hit those goals. So let's say, okay, I'm gonna go two times throughout the week for 30 minutes. Once you start hitting that goal, then you pack on, then you can. Okay, all right, Now I'm hitting my two days a week. I'm feeling good. All right, let me add another day. So slowly but surely, again, you're running a marathon, not a sprint, okay? You want to slowly get to your goals, and that's the way you're going to be able to assist, sustain your goals. Now, in terms of motivation, you're not always going to have motivation, but you're going to have discipline. And when those days come where you're not motivated, but you understand that when I do work out, this is how I feel. That's what has to kick in. That's where discipline is. And that's going to get you over that motivation. So understanding, okay? Every time I work out, I have better Energy, I sleep better, my mood's changed, I just feel stronger mentally and physically. Those are the things that you need to remember. And then also in terms of the way that you, your body is right, sometimes we might not see a change drastically in our body, but we feel it. I'm not huffing and puffing when I walk up the stairs anymore. I have more.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
I was huffing and puffing coming up the stairs at the subway. I was like, yo, Van, you need to get it together. Yo. Huffing and puffin.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Yeah. So those are indicators where it's like, okay, I'm not doing that anymore now. Okay, I've hit another goal where it's like, wow, like me going to the gym two times a week, right. I'm not feeling this anymore. So those are other indicators. So don't just go off of scale victories go off of how you're feeling. That's the most important thing. How do I feel?
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Yeah, yeah, yeah. And maybe, I think maybe writing those things down and putting it like on a. Post it on your refrigerator.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Absolutely, yes. Big on that, right? Reminders again, what we consume is so important. Not just like dietary, but also mentally what we consume. So social media, what we're looking at, we're always on our phone, right? So putting maybe something on that phone face right there that is like, okay, these are my goals. These are the things that I want. Sticky notes. I love sticky notes. Put that in your bathroom, put it on the refrigerator. Things that you're always going to be near, near your bed, writing out in your journal. Things along those lines in your notes. If you don't have a journal, use what you have. But always writing it out. Because what we start manifesting is what we start seeing, honestly. And we won't see change unless we change. People are like, oh, I want, I want this in the new year. I want this. I want this. Okay, what are we doing to change how we are now? If you're not, if you don't feel good, right? How do we change that? You shouldn't feel that way, but how do we change that? So that's moving every day. That's changing the way that we eat. That's making sure that we're eating, we're not skipping meals and we're doing certain things because that's what the body needs. I always say the body is your car. In order to fuel it, you need to get oil changes, you need gas, you need certain things to uphold your car. And your car is your body. So you need those things in order to Run smooth.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Where do you get discipline from? And how do you, like, maintain consistent discipline?
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
By being consistent even when you don't want to. Okay, I know that's harder said than done, right?
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Yeah.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
And I've been doing it for.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
So easier said than done.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Yes. Easier said than done. But just. You got to just do it. You got to get up. You got to do a five second rule. I hear the alarm within five. I got to get up. I got to do it. And as you do that, it becomes a routine. And then your body just naturally starts doing it. And again, you're not always going to be motivated. I'm not always motivated. But again, I remember how I feel and what I'm doing. This is not just for right now. This is for future Samantha and how I want to be perceived and how I want to be for my daughter and for myself. And so I think reminding yourself of those things, writing it out is so important. But always remembering, like, I'm not doing this just for right now. I'm doing this so that I can live a longer and healthier life. Because we can live longer, but are we actually healthy? Are we enjoying our life?
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Right.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Is a difference. You want to be able. Like, everybody's chasing money, chasing certain things, but it's like, I can have all this money, but if I can't get out of bed, I can't enjoy it. So always remembering that balance where it's just like, I'm doing this for now. Yes. But I'm also doing it for the later. For later, you, later, me. And again, I feel this way when I finish my workout. Have you worked on. You've regretted a workout before?
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Yeah.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Which one?
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
When I sit my ass down on that toilet.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Well, you can't get up. I'd be like, oh.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
But I know pain is beauty.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
You're like, yeah, girl. When I can't get up on the damn toilet, that's when I went a little too hard on my glutes.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
That's the only time.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
But. That's the only time. But after workout, how do you feel?
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Oh, amazing.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Of course. Yeah.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
I feel amazing. I feel skinny automatically. Yeah. I mean, there is this. It's an adrenaline. Like, there's nothing like that feeling. Same thing when I, like, eat healthy. Same thing. I feel skinny already.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Yeah. Oh, that leaf. Yes, right. Exactly.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Let me get some carrots.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Yes. But we have to remember that feeling. That's the. That's the thing we have to remember. Remember that.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Yeah.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
And we have to know that that's what we deserve because we're so used to feeling like, right?
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Yep.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
And we're so used to that. Like, okay, that's just who I am. That's how I should feel. It's like, no, when after a workout, after you eat a certain way, do these things, that's how you deserve to feel. Not like this. So reminding. Because your mind is so powerful, it's just like. It's crazy how powerful it. It is.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Yes.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
And it's designed to make you feel like. Like, because you're so used to this. Oh, no, I should feel like I have back pain, knee pain. I'm so sluggish. I'm always so tired. I need energy. If you just change certain things, that's where the mind should go and be like, no, I deserve to feel energized. I deserve to not feel, like, sluggish all day and out of breath. And that's what you deserve. So changing your mindset will change your life.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
So what about, you know, in the Latino community, they always trying to feed us. You know what I'm saying? Abuela's house, you're trying to feed you. Mommy's house, Thea's house, they're always trying to feed you. So if you're on, you know, this. This wellness journey, and, you know, you have an amazing family that just loves to feed you, how. What is a good response like to say? Or how do you.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
How.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
How. How do you make sure you're still committing to your goals but not hurting Abuela's feelings when you're like, I know nothing.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Setting boundaries, I know that's hard and a lot of different ways, but for me, it's just like sharing with them, like, what your goals are. And at the end of the day, who doesn't want you to be healthier, you know, like, of course your grandmother, your aunts, they want you to be healthier. They may not understand the journey the way that you.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
I know. Yeah.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
No, you need to eat well again. You can't change certain people.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Right.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
At the end of the day, you can't teach a old dog new tricks. Right. So I think understanding where they're coming from is just like there is out of love, right. At the end of the. The day, that's what they want from you. So not also restricting yourself from certain things. Maybe not having as much like, I go to my, well, last house, and sure, you know, I'll make certain things like that. I'm not saying I don't eat that because I show. Sure do. But I think just, you know, Having maybe a little less than I would normally, but still enjoying those moments because those are moments for her that she's, I guess, creating for you and. And for me, it's just like, I know that she's enjoying that. So I don't want to take that away from her, but I also want to just share with her, like, these are my goals. And this is why, you know, like, maybe I won't have a third plate. You know what I mean?
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Like, oh, that's nice.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
But again, you can do what you can do. Yes. Trying to send that boundary. Just talk to them, have that conversation with them and then still enjoy those foods. But have it in a way where you don't feel so, like, overwhelmed by it. Yeah, I think it's important.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Setting boundaries.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Yeah, setting boundaries.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
So, Samantha, thank you so much for joining us.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Of course.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Let the people know how they can stay connected to you.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Yes, of course. So I'm on Instagram and Tick Tock and my handle is S O underscore M A N T I so. So Monty, that is my brand. I love conversation on dms, so chat with me there. And also I have a fitness app that you'll be able to access on my page as well. And a lot of other fun things coming. A lot of hosting of different events and just bringing a lot of community together. So be on the lookout for that. Okay.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
Amazing. Well, I hope to make some of those events.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Oh, you better, girl. Yeah, we don't want you getting a yes, 100 and something dollar.
Victoria Jenn Rodriguez:
This is what I'm saying. When I could get. You know what I mean? Like, you feel me? You feel me? No, but thank you so much again. I really appreciate you being here and your energy. And thank you so much to all of you for joining us. If you learned something today, make sure to leave a review. We love reading our reviews. Make sure to reach out to Somanti hop in the DMs and make sure you let her know how you found her through. And if no one's told you today, I love you so much. You are amazing. You are a badass and you are destined for greatness. I will see you in the next episode.
Samantha Ortiz-Young:
Ciao. Bye.
Final Thoughts
This episode of Banking on Cultura is a must-listen for any entrepreneur, creative, or professional seeking to balance authenticity, wellness, and success. Victoria Jenn Rodriguez and Samantha Ortiz-Young are an empowering duo who remind us that staying true to who you are—while caring for your mind and body—is a revolutionary act.
Follow Samantha:
On Instagram and TikTok at @so_manti, and check out her fitness app and community events for ongoing support.
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