Summary
In this episode, I speak with Helen Pelayo, founder of Lobos Gym in Portland. We explore the importance of community, cultural identity, and the journey of building a supportive community. Helen shares her personal experiences with loneliness, the impact of online communities, and the transformation of her business from a franchise to an independent gym. Our conversation highlights the significance of empowerment through movement and the role of fitness in overall well-being, emphasizing that gyms should be inclusive spaces for everyone. We cover so much ground in this conversation—the complexities of relationships, parenting, and cultural identity. Helen shares the challenges of long-distance parenting, especially within the Latino community, and the societal expectations placed on mothers. She also shares her personal journey of moving to Oregon and the impact it had on her family dynamics as we delve into the importance of community support, the significance of cultural labels, and the need for open conversations about identity. This episode emphasizes the importance of taking risks, embracing change, and using privilege to amplify voices in the Latine community.
Chapters
00:00 Connecting Through Community
08:51 Building an Authentic Business
24:18 Building a Supportive Community
35:35 Embracing Change and New Opportunities
46:46 Feminist Matriarchy in Latino Culture
54:23 Identifying with Latino vs. Hispanic Terminology
01:08:31 Using Privilege to Speak Up
Keywords
community, cultural identity, fitness, empowerment, diversity, belonging, gym, health, Latina, entrepreneurship, parenting, relationships, cultural identity, Latina voices, gender roles, personal growth, community support, risk-taking, cultural diversity, long-distance parenting, Portland, Latine Heritage Month, Hispanic Heritage Month
