Welcome back, first gens! As we continue our theme of the first-gen immigration journey, this week we welcome Nathi Narciso! Nathi is your new self-love bestie and the inspiring founder of Gostosa Energy, a vibrant self-love community dedicated to empowering women from all walks of life. As a 1.5 generation immigrant from Brazil, Nathi moved to the United States at the age of 10 and faced the challenge of being the first in her family to attend university and enter the corporate world.
Nathi Narciso
As we know, many of us first gens carry the weight of high expectations on our shoulders. We’re told from a young age that we need to be better than everyone else just to secure the same opportunities as those born here. Growing up, Nathi’s dad instilled this in her early on, saying, “You’re not American, so you have to work twice as hard.” Born in Brazil, Nathi moved to the U.S. and felt this pressure. Like many of us, she developed a mindset of perfectionism and overachievement, things that ultimately led to burnout.
Nathi started her career in pharmaceutical advertising, a space where diversity was rare. She shares that she often wondered where all the minorities were; where were her people? She noticed that many of her colleagues secured jobs through networks and connections, privileges she didn’t have as an immigrant. Nathi realized she was working hard, but others were advancing through relationships. This pushed her to create change.
The First-Gen Immigration Journey
Nathi started connecting with others, using platforms like LinkedIn, and soon built her own community. She started talking to people, building those connections, and realized that everybody in this space knew each other. That’s how she began the path that led her to where she is today. For Nathi, that sense of community became a big part of her career growth, helping her not just survive but thrive in corporate America.
But this wasn’t the first time Nathi had learned the importance of making a connection. As a teenager, after moving to the U.S., she went through a period of deep depression. She felt out of place being far from her home of Brazil. It wasn’t until her parents pushed her to join a Brazilian church that she found community again. She was able to connect with her roots again, which helped her realize how much she missed the warmth, language, and understanding of her fellow Brazilians. Those friendships, built during her confirmation class, remain some of her closest relationships today.
For Nathi, community isn’t just about moving forward in her career; it’s about finding people who see you, understand your journey, and remind you that you’re not alone. For us first gens, creating connections is super important. It gives us our community and reminds us that we’re not alone in this journey. You can find Gostosa Energy here
https://www.instagram.com/gostosa.energy/.
The First Gen Madrina
If you are a University, College, Company or Organization, The First Gen Madrina offers workshops on a variety of topics (such as imposter syndrome, time management, managing burnout, building a self-care plan, etc..), custom built mentorship programs as well as customized services tailored to the needs of the client.
Join Sara, The First Gen Madrina, for individual coaching and/or group coaching. The journey can often feel lonely but that does not mean that you are alone! Check out the Our Services tab on our website for more information! http://thefirstgenmadrina.com
In order to follow along, remember to rate, review, and subscribe to The First Gen Madrina Podcast to stay connected. Also, follow on instagram and LinkedIn @thefirstgenmadrina and Sara Diaz, LCSW. Sara acknowledges that the term first gen can be fluid, so The First Gen Madrina is committed to supporting all first gens! This isn’t just about breaking barriers—it’s about providing unwavering support that propels individuals to embrace life’s challenges and triumphs.
In conclusion, stay tuned to meet amazing first-generation guests for the podcast, endless topics related to the first-gen experience and transformational coaching! Sara is your go to Madrina for all things first gen!
¡Hasta pronto!
Sara, The First Gen Madrina
