First to Thrive

Welcome to First to Thrive, the podcast dedicated to exploring the unique journeys of 1st and 2nd generation individuals. Hosted by culturally-informed speaker and leadership coach Nicole Cruz, each episode delves into the challenges and triumphs of navigating life beyond survival mode. Let's be honest, being the First in your family to challenge the status quo is difficult. But just because you're the first, doesn't mean you're alone. You are part of a large and growing community of other trailblazers who are creating lives beyond their ancestors' wildest dreams. Join us as we provide actionable strategies and inspirational stories to help you become the First in your family to truly thrive. From navigating cultural identity and intergenerational expectations to achieving personal and professional success, First to Thrive is your supportive guide. Subscribe now and start thriving today!

Ep 110: Creating What Doesn’t Exist as a 1st Gen (with Kristelle Siarza) 10/06/2025

Ep 108: A Personal Update: Life has been LIFE-ing (I’m pregnant!) 07/20/2025

Ep 107: From Copywriter to Cannes: When a First-Gen Story Takes the Spotlight 06/15/2025

Ep 106: Being the First: Unconventional Career Paths and the Importance of Representation and Mentorship 05/18/2025

Ep 105: From Assimilation to Amplification: How Ely Anne Vedar Stopped Hiding and Started Amplifying as a 1st Gen Immigrant 04/13/2025

Ep 105: From Assimilation to Amplification: How Ely Anne Vedar Stopped Hiding and Started Amplifying as a 1st Gen Immigrant In this heartfelt episode of First to Thrive, I’m joined by PR powerhouse and proud Filipina immigrant Ely Anne Vedar, founder of the Ely Agency. We talk about her journey from navigating cultural whiplash as a four-year-old immigrant to building a career amplifying underrepresented voices in the PR world. Ely opens up about the early loss of language and identity, the pressures of assimilation, and the conscious decision to stop hiding. We dive into how embracing her full self—from her name to her natural curls—has not only changed how she moves through the world but also how she supports others in owning their stories. This is a powerful conversation for anyone who’s ever felt like they had to hide parts of themselves just to belong. What We Talk About: 🎤 How Ely accidentally found her way into PR—and made it her calling 🧳 Her early experience immigrating from the Philippines at 4 years old 🫢 The impact of being told to stop speaking Tagalog 💫 What it means to follow the “70% aligned” rule in life and business 👁️‍🗨️ How reclaiming identity shows up in everyday decisions—like embracing her curly hair 📣 The power of visibility for underrepresented voices 🔁 What inspired her to break generational cycles of hiding 🧠 Why authenticity isn’t just personal—it’s strategic in business Guest Links: Follow Ely and learn more about her work: 📱 Instagram: 💼 LinkedIn: 🌐 Learn more about Ely Agency: Like this episode? Leave a review, share it with a friend, and tag us on Instagram @nicolecruzcoaching 🙌🏽 Connect with Nicole: 🔹Apply for private coaching: nicolecruzcoaching.com/privatecoaching 🔹 Stay connected: Follow Nicole on Instagram @nicolecruzcoaching 🎙️ Subscribe & Review: If this episode resonated with you, please rate and review the podcast on your favorite platform. Your support helps amplify this work! /episode/index/show/5a6f8989-5578-47bb-99f8-b77e1436b350/id/36114460

Ep 104: How Inner Child Work Helps First & Second-Gens Go From Over-Responsibility to Joy 03/23/2025

Ep 103: From Stuck to Self-Trust: The Framework to Break Free from Expectations and Reclaim Your Wants 03/09/2025

Ep 103: From Stuck to Self-Trust: The Framework to Break Free from Expectations and Reclaim Your Wants Feeling stuck, uncertain, or like you’re constantly making choices that aren’t truly yours? In this episode of First to Thrive, Nicole Cruz introduces the RECLAIM framework, a step-by-step process designed to help first and second-generation individuals break free from external expectations and reclaim their wants, desires, and joy. If you’ve ever felt trapped by the “good girl” playbook—prioritizing stability, external validation, and others' comfort over your own dreams—this episode is for you. Nicole shares personal insights, client stories, and actionable steps to shift from proving yourself to prioritizing yourself. By following the RECLAIM framework, you’ll gain clarity on your values, rebuild trust in yourself, and start making aligned decisions that truly reflect who you are. What You'll Learn in This Episode: ✔️ Why high-achievers often feel stuck despite their success ✔️ The hidden impact of cultural and familial conditioning on decision-making ✔️ How to shift from external validation to internal fulfillment ✔️ The RECLAIM framework: A 7-step process to regain agency over your choices ✔️ A simple challenge to start reclaiming what you want this month ✔️ How private coaching with Nicole can support your journey The RECLAIM Framework: R - Recognize outdated expectations that no longer serve you E - Examine cultural, familial, and professional pressures shaping your decisions C - Clarify what success and fulfillment look like for you now L - Learn to trust yourself again and make confident decisions A - Align your actions with your values with less fear and guilt I - Integrate all aspects of your identity so you feel whole M - Maintain your shift and prevent slipping back into old patterns Nicole’s Challenge to You: What is one small decision you can make this week that’s purely based on what you want—not what’s expected of you? Take that step and have your own back! Resources & Links: 🔹 Apply for private coaching: nicolecruzcoaching.com/privatecoaching 🔹 Stay connected: Follow Nicole on Instagram @nicolecruzcoaching 🔹 Join the waitlist for Nicole’s upcoming book on reclaiming agency (Coming Summer 2025!) Connect with Nicole: 🌐 Website: nicolecruzcoaching.com📩 Email: nicole@nicolecruzcoaching.com 🎙️ Subscribe & Review: If this episode resonated with you, please rate and review the podcast on your favorite platform. Your support helps amplify this work! /episode/index/show/5a6f8989-5578-47bb-99f8-b77e1436b350/id/35591500

Ep 102: What Happens When You Stop Proving Yourself and Start Prioritizing Yourself (Client Case Studies) 02/23/2025

Ep 102: What Happens When You Stop Proving Yourself and Start Prioritizing Yourself (Client Case Studies) In this episode of First Thrive, Nicole Cruz shares real stories from the first and second-generation community, showcasing what it looks like to shift from making decisions to prove oneself to making choices that truly prioritize personal values, wants, and goals. Through the journeys of three clients, you'll hear how small yet powerful choices led them to live in alignment with their true desires. If you've ever wondered whether prioritizing yourself really makes a difference, this episode is for you. Key Takeaways: Understanding the difference between externally aligned (proving) vs. internally aligned (prioritizing) decisions. The emotional and physical signs of making choices from a proving place. How small steps, like choosing a different color chair, can lead to life-changing decisions. The power of boundaries and how to hold firm even when others resist. Redefining what it means to be a "good" daughter, partner, or team member. Trusting your intuition when making career shifts and big life choices. Client Stories: L’s Story: From proving her worth in a male-dominated industry to taking a sabbatical and prioritizing her well-being. R’s Story: Setting boundaries with family and overcoming the fear of disappointing others. F’s Story: Shifting from self-sacrificing for family to pursuing a career in mental health that aligns with her passion. Reflection Questions for Listeners: What parts of these stories resonate with your own journey? What is your “yellow chair decision” – a small but significant choice that prioritizes what you want? Are there areas in your life where you’re still making decisions based on proving yourself? What boundaries would help you feel safe, valued, and whole? How can you redefine what being a "good" daughter, partner, or employee means for you? Resources & Next Steps: DM Nicole on Instagram with your biggest takeaway. Email Nicole at to share your story. Join the waitlist for Nicole’s upcoming book at to get early access and exclusive bonuses. 🎧 Rate & Review: If this episode resonated with you, share your thoughts and leave a review! Your feedback helps bring more conversations like this to the community. Episode CTA:Take one step today that prioritizes YOU. Whether it’s a small decision or a big shift, know that you are worthy of choices that align with your desires. Sending love and see you in the next episode! /episode/index/show/5a6f8989-5578-47bb-99f8-b77e1436b350/id/35393150

Ep 101: The Key Skill to Creating the Life You Want as a 1st and 2nd Gen 02/09/2025

Ep 101: The Key Skill to Creating the Life You Want as a 1st and 2nd Gen In today’s episode, Nicole Cruz explores the key skill that first and second-gen individuals must develop to create the life they truly want—internally aligned decision-making. She shares how external influences—whether from society, family, or white supremacy—often dictate our choices, leaving us stuck in cycles of overworking, proving ourselves, and ultimately feeling unfulfilled. Nicole reflects on her own experiences of outsourcing decisions to external expectations and why shifting to an internally aligned approach is the game-changer. She also introduces the five phases of decision-making and explains how many of us get stuck in the analysis and follow-through stages, keeping us in careers, relationships, and life paths that don’t align with our true desires. If you’ve ever felt trapped by indecision, overwhelmed by fear of disappointing others, or caught in a cycle of seeking external validation, this episode will help you break free. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✨ Why the external decision-making model is failing us ✨ The key difference between externally aligned and internally aligned decisions ✨ How to identify when you're making choices based on external validation ✨ The five phases of decision-making and where most people get stuck ✨ How to start practicing internally aligned decision-making today ✨ A sneak peek into Nicole’s upcoming workshop on overcoming obstacles like guilt and fear in decision-making Resources Mentioned: 📌 Sign up for the "Prioritizing Yourself" Workshop Series – Get hands-on guidance and practical tools to strengthen your decision-making process. This interactive workshop series will help you identify your current decision-making patterns, overcome common obstacles, and practice making decisions that truly align with you. 🔗 Connect with Nicole: 🌍 Website: 📣 Instagram: 💌 Join the Email List for exclusive insights & upcoming events Take Action: ✅ Ask yourself: What decision am I making today, and is it internally aligned or externally influenced? ✅ Start small: Practice choosing what you want for dinner, what you want to wear—without external input. ✅ Join the workshop series and co-create the tools that will help our community break free from externally driven decision-making. 🎧 Rate & Review: If this episode resonated with you, share your thoughts and leave a review! Your feedback helps bring more conversations like this to the community. /episode/index/show/5a6f8989-5578-47bb-99f8-b77e1436b350/id/35204275

Ep 100: Ask Me Anything - Answering Listeners’ Questions about Personal Life, Entrepreneurship, and Building Community 02/02/2025

Ep 99: Self-Trust and Starting Over as a First-Gen Woman 01/26/2025

Ep 99: Self-Trust and Starting Over as a First-Gen Woman In this episode of First to Thrive, Nicole Cruz is joined by Mariela de la Mora, a leadership coach and founder of the Reclamation Mastermind. Mariela, a daughter of Mexican immigrants, shares her journey of building a million-dollar business while navigating the complexities of being a first-generation immigrant and a single mother. From personal reinvention to becoming an in-demand thought leader, Mariela offers insights on how to reclaim your self-trust, your voice, and your worth as a woman of color. Key Takeaways: Self-Trust as a Skill: Mariela and Nicole dive deep into why self-trust is an essential skill for first-gen women, particularly when breaking out of traditional molds and stepping into new phases of life. The Power of Reclamation: Learn how Mariela turned her struggles with self-doubt and people-pleasing into an empowering journey of reclaiming her voice and building a brand based on who she truly is. The Importance of Personal Branding: Discover how your unique story and background as a first-gen can become your superpower in the business world, especially when you stop hiding parts of yourself. Breaking Free from Expectations: Mariela discusses her decision to leave a high-paying job and start a business that allowed her to fully show up as herself — and how that decision transformed her life. Self-Care as the Starting Point: Learn how small actions of self-care can lead to monumental shifts in your self-trust and decision-making. Mariela shares how her journey of self-trust, starting over, and embracing her full identity has shaped her coaching practice today. Her work empowers other daughters of immigrants and women of color to embrace their authenticity and create the life and business they desire without having to dim their light. Connect with Mariela: Instagram: Reclamation Mastermind: Open for enrollment on February 18th. DM Mariela on Instagram for more information on how to join. Nicole's 2-part Workshop Series: Sign up here to start prioritizing your own needs and desires, and learn how to make decisions that align with your true values. Follow Nicole: Instagram: Website: Join the book waitlist: Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed today’s episode, please subscribe, rate, and review the podcast. Your feedback helps us reach more people in the First to Thrive community. Thank you for tuning in! /episode/index/show/5a6f8989-5578-47bb-99f8-b77e1436b350/id/35009865

Ep 98: Prioritizing Your Peace in a Demanding World 01/19/2025

Ep 97: Prioritizing Your Choice When Family Pressures You to Have Kids 01/12/2025

Ep 96: 5 Signs that You Need to Prioritize Yourself in 2025 01/05/2025

Ep 96: 5 Signs that You Need to Prioritize Yourself in 2025 Welcome to 2025! In this heartfelt and reflective episode, Nicole Cruz shares her journey of prioritizing herself in a season of transformative change, including writing a book that aims to serve first- and second-generation immigrant communities. Nicole explores why prioritizing yourself is essential—not just personally but for the larger collective—and how this practice signals self-worth and breaks generational patterns of self-sacrifice. What to Expect in This Episode Nicole’s personal journey of prioritizing her book project and making space for what matters most. The challenges of putting yourself first, especially as a first- or second-generation immigrant. Why prioritizing yourself is more than just “self-care”—it’s a declaration of your worth. The connection between self-prioritization and advocating for the community in challenging times. Five signs that you may need to prioritize yourself more. Key Takeaways Prioritizing Yourself is Revolutionary Putting your wants and needs first is not selfish—it’s a way to affirm your value and break free from harmful generational patterns of self-sacrifice. The Emotional Roots of Self-Prioritization Nicole discusses how guilt, shame, and cultural expectations can make prioritizing yourself feel unnatural, but it’s a practice worth embracing for long-term well-being. A Vision for the Future Nicole envisions her book as a well-worn, highlighted resource for immigrant descendants, guiding them to make decisions rooted in their values and desires. Five Signs You Need to Prioritize Yourself More Always saying yes and struggling to set boundaries. Feeling stretched thin and overcommitting. Neglecting personal desires and goals in favor of others’ needs. Constantly seeking external validation or approval. Experiencing resentment or burnout from overgiving. An Invitation for 2025 What would it look like to live a life where your needs, desires, and values take center stage? Nicole encourages listeners to imagine and work toward this possibility in 2025. Resources Mentioned Nicole’s upcoming book: Supporting immigrant descendants in shifting from proving themselves to prioritizing themselves. Join the waitlist: Connect with Nicole on Instagram and LinkedIn for updates on the book and workshops. Join the Conversation Have you experienced challenges in prioritizing yourself? What shifts are you hoping to make this year? Share your thoughts and stories with Nicole on social media or in the podcast community! Subscribe & Share If you found this episode helpful, be sure to subscribe, rate, and share it with someone who could benefit from prioritizing themselves in 2025. /episode/index/show/5a6f8989-5578-47bb-99f8-b77e1436b350/id/34724345