Healing Out Loud: How Latina Therapist Cynthia Flores Is Breaking Cycles and Redefining Success
Cynthia Flores—Latina relationship therapist, first-gen cycle breaker, and host of the Heal & Manifest Podcast—shares how she’s creating a purpose-driven life rooted in cultura, healing, and empowerment. In this inspiring interview, Cynthia opens up about her journey from silence to self-worth, navigating entrepreneurship, breaking toxic love patterns, and helping others reclaim their voice. A must-read for anyone ready to lead with courage, set boundaries, and manifest a life they don’t need to escape from.
What's a typical day in your life look like?:
A typical day starts with movement — a Lagree class or workout to move energy and clear my mind, then matcha, breakfast, and a quick look at my calendar. I split my time between seeing clients (shoutout to all the first-gen cycle breakers doing the work), content creation, and podcasting for Heal & Manifest Podcast.
As a manifesting generator, I need variety — so I build in rest on purpose. That might look like lunch in my garden, hanging with my fur babies, or hopping into the sauna with a little guasha and a podcast playing in the background.
Evenings are for presence: making dinner with my husband, a walk to unwind, maybe a movie.
No day is exactly the same, but as a jefa, one thing’s constant—I’m building a life I don’t need to escape from.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?:
The most rewarding part of my work is knowing I’m creating a positive impact in my community. Whether it’s through therapy, my Heal & Manifest podcast, or content that uplifts and educates. Holding space for first-gen Latines to reclaim their voice, set boundaries, manifest healthy relationships and heal out loud is powerful. Being part of that transformation in session or on someone’s feed, is why I do what I do.
How would you say your upbringing and cultural background contributed to your career aspirations?:
My work is deeply personal. I wouldn’t be doing what I do if it wasn’t rooted in purpose. Growing up as a first-gen Latina and daughter of immigrants, I had to navigate adversity, silence, fear and unspoken generational trauma. I’ve had to do the work to come back to myself, to heal, and to reclaim my voice — and my cultura is a big part of that.
That’s what drives me. I don’t just talk about healing, I’ve lived it. And now I help others do the same: break cycles, honor their truth, and take up space in a world that wasn’t built for us, but absolutely needs us.
What would you say is a common question or concern you get from your clients/followers?:
One of the most common questions I get is: “How do I know if this relationship is healthy… or if I’m just used to chaos?”
So many first-gen Latinas grew up without clear models of what love with emotional safety looks like. They’re unlearning survival-mode love. The kind that confuses control with care, or self-abandonment with loyalty.
What they’re really asking is: Am I allowed to want more?
More softness. More respect. More emotional availability. More equal partnership that carries the same mental load. More connection without abandoning myself.
And the answer is always: yes. You don’t have to settle just because it feels familiar. Healthy love isn’t too much to ask for, and it time to break that toxic love narrative and relationship patterns that were most likely part of your conditioning.
What would you say has been your biggest obstacle in launching a successful career? How have you overcome it?:
One of my biggest obstacles has been navigating entrepreneurship while unlearning everything I was taught about staying small, silent, and self-sacrificing. My career and healing journey have evolved side by side. If I hadn’t done the inner work to understand my traumas, my limiting beliefs, my family dynamics, and the generational messages about being “calladita,” I wouldn’t be here.
Entrepreneurship has been a mirror. It’s pushed me to grow, stretch, evolve, and face my shadows. It challenged me to use my voice, take up space, and rewrite the narratives I inherited. Imposter syndrome hit hard, especially as a first-gen Latina raised to not “make too much noise.” But through inner child healing, reframing, and self-compassion, I’ve learned not to let it run the show.
I’m still learning, still expanding, but now I lead from a place of self-worth, not wounds. And I also learned that if I am not wanted at other tables, that I can create my own, which I did.
What is the phrase, sentence, or conversation that stopped you in your tracks and changed your outlook in life?:
The moment that changed everything for me was realizing: I get to define success, entrepreneurship, and my career on my terms.
I spent so much time stuck in self-doubt and imposter syndrome, waiting for permission — to lead, to launch, to be seen. I followed coaches and blueprints that told me how things “should” be done. And through a lot of healing (and hitting rock bottom more than once), I had this moment of clarity like: Wait… why am I doing it their way? Who am I waiting for permission from?
That shift changed everything — even the Heal and Manifest Podcast. I stopped overthinking what was “strategic” or “professional” and started creating what felt real, honest, and aligned.
Entrepreneurship became a mirror, a healing tool, and a way back to my voice. I realized all I needed was permission from me. And once I gave it to myself, the possibilities opened up.
If you had the choice to go back to your past or fast forward to your future, which one would you choose? Why?:
If I had the choice, I’d go back — not to change everything, but to speak up more. I’d advocate for myself, be more assertive, and set boundaries with people who took advantage of my creativity, my knowledge, and my silence.
But the truth is, every one of those moments taught me something. Those experiences shaped the resilience, clarity, and self-trust I have today. I wouldn’t be who I am without them. And now, I use that voice I once held back, not just for me, but to help others find theirs too.
What are you committed to doing no matter what happens?:
No matter what happens, I’m committed to speaking up against injustice, showing up for my community, and honoring my loved ones by telling the truth, especially when it’s uncomfortable.
I’m here to challenge the outdated narratives and systems that have harmed us, and to help others find their voice, remember their inherent worth, and reconnect with their ability to love, give, and cultivate healthy relationships.
And above all, I’m here to remind others that they can heal and manifest anything they set their intentions and heart on. That’s not just a belief, that’s my purpose.
Where might you be found on a Saturday afternoon with no plans?:
On a Saturday afternoon with no plans, you’ll probably find me in the garden with my cats, getting my hands in the soil, or out on a bike ride with my husband. And honestly? Sometimes I’m just posted up on the couch, recharging with a good series or movie, soft life activated.
If you were to meet 10 year old you, what would you say to them?:
I would tell her: You are brave. You are smart. You are strong. And you deserve all the love in the world.
Even if you don’t fully believe it yet, you are worthy — always have been. You don’t have to earn it. You’re allowed to dream big, take up space, and go after everything your heart desires. You are so much more powerful than you know.
What is something you’re willing to start all over again?:
My career — without a doubt. I’ve reinvented myself before, and I’d do it again if it meant staying aligned with my purpose. I’m not attached to titles or timelines. What matters most is that the work feels authentic, impactful, and rooted in truth. I’d start over as many times as it takes to honor the version of me I’m becoming.
When are you the happiest?:
I’m the happiest when I’m connected to the people I love. Relationships are the heart of my world, whether it’s sharing a meal with family, laughing with my husband, cuddling with my cats, or being in community. That’s where I feel most grounded, most alive, and most myself.
What is stopping you?:
What’s stopping me? Sometimes fear. Sometimes a lack of structure or strategy. I’m a work in progress. I'm learning to lead with trust, not perfection and taking messy action.
Hustle culture and burnout is so prominent in our community. How do you prioritize self care?:
I prioritize self-care by slowing down and coming back to what matters. I connect with loved ones, spend time with my cats, stretch, move my body, pray, and stay grounded in my purpose.
Time off screens, tending to my garden, and being in community are all forms of care for me. I’ve learned that I can’t pour into others if I’m running on empty. My routine isn’t about perfection, it’s about presence, intention, and remembering I’m worthy of rest, too.
Same goes for imposter syndrome. How do you combat those feelings (if any)?:
When imposter syndrome shows up, I don’t let it take the wheel. I observe it with curiosity instead of judgment. I pause, name the feeling, and ask myself: Is this truth or just an old story? I ask myself: where did I feel this before? or where might this story be coming from? I honor the emotion without over attaching to the narrative.
Then I reframe, challenge the thought, and keep it moving. I’ve learned to take action with intention, even when fear is present. I lead with courage, not perfection. And through it all, I stay kind to myself. That’s how I stay grounded and keep showing up.
How do you stay connected to your culture, heritage, and community?:
As a Mexican-American, I stay connected to my culture through language, storytelling, food, music, dance and honoring where I come from. I speak Spanglish proudly, I cook the recipes passed down by my family, and I make space for healing conversations with my parents and family about breaking generational cycles- because I know too well, that my parents have been breaking cycles way before me.
Whether it’s through therapy, podcasting, or content, I stay close to my community by creating spaces where we feel seen, affirmed, and empowered. Cultura isn’t something I visit, it’s something I live, breathe, and carry with pride every day.
What would 18-year-old you say about where you are at in life now?:
18-year-old me would look at where I am now and say, “Damn, you’re a chingona.” She’d be proud of the woman I’ve become, not just for what I’ve accomplished but for how I’ve healed, found my voice, stayed true to myself, and who I am as person. She’d see that all the struggle wasn’t for nothing. It was the foundation.
What accomplishment are you most proud of, both in your personal and professional life?:
Personally, I’m most proud of getting out of toxic relationships and doing the deep work to unlearn dysfunctional dynamics. I had to rebuild my self-worth, learn to love myself, and stop confusing survival with love. That kind of healing isn’t easy, but it changed everything.
Professionally, I’m proud of building a career as a Latina Relationship Therapist rooted in purpose and cultura, and launching the Heal & Manifest podcast. Both have allowed me to create space for others to heal, grow, and remember they’re worthy too.
Do you struggle more with committing to yourself or overcommitting to others? How has that shown up in your life?
For most of my life, I struggled with overcommitting to others and under-committing to myself. As a first-gen Latina, I was raised to believe that being a “good daughter,” “good partner,” or “good worker” meant being available, helpful, selfless, even if it meant abandoning myself in the process.
I said yes when I wanted to say no. I overextended, overdelivered, over-functioned, and still felt like it was never enough. I wore burnout like a badge of honor because I thought that’s what strength looked like.
It wasn’t until I hit emotional and physical exhaustion that I realized the truth: I can’t keep pouring from an empty cup. I had to learn that honoring myself isn’t selfish. Now, I check in with myself before saying yes. I rest. I set boundaries. I lead from overflow, from my abundance self, not depletion. And I teach others to do the same.
Because committing to myself is also how I break the cycle.
Drink ☕
What is Cynthia’s go-to drink?
Matcha Latte with Oat Milk.
Listening To 🎧
What is Cynthia listening to at the moment?
Currently, listening to this new album by Belinda- "Indómita," pero mi rola favorita de este álbum es "Mírame Feliz." You should listen to it.
Your Truth 🗣️
What is a Cynthia’s truth?
I do what I do because I needed someone like me growing up. Someone who could say, “You’re not broken. You’re navigating generations of survival.” My work is deeply personal. I’m not just a therapist. I’m a first-gen Latina who’s had to heal through silence, loss, identity, grief, and unspoken expectations.
Losing my brother changed me. Watching someone I loved struggle with addiction and being so close to mortality made me realize how urgent healing is. It reminded me that pain that goes unspoken doesn’t disappear. It gets passed on. That loss became a turning point that deepened my commitment to this work.
What inspires me most are the women in my life. My mother, my sisters, my community. Every client and listener who dares to question, feel, and break the cycle. I’m inspired by our resilience, and also by our softness. Our desire to love better, live freer, and unlearn what hurt us.
Where am I going? I’m building a future rooted in healing, truth, and liberation. I want to continue creating spaces through therapy, the Heal & Manifest podcast, content and other offerings where first-gen Latinas feel seen, heard, and reminded that they are worthy. Always. Even before the breakthrough.
Healing is not just about the past. It is about imagining something better and believing we deserve it.
Your Plug 🔌
What is Cynthia plugging today?
I have my baby project: The Heal & Manifest Podcast with Cynthia Flores
More about Cynthia Flores
Meet Cynthia Flores, a proud First-Gen Latina, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Speaker, and Host of the Heal & Manifest Podcast. Cynthia is passionate about helping individuals heal, break generational cycles, build confidence, and cultivate healthy relationships. Whether you're healing from trauma, stepping into entrepreneurship, to fostering meaningful relationships, Cynthia empowers you to embrace your authenticity, step into your power, and manifest a life with purpose that genuinely feels good.