We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mariana Atencio. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mariana below.
Mariana, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
As a creative, one of the biggest risks I’ve taken was leaving my corporate job as a national correspondent at NBC News. Many of my colleagues and family members thought I was crazy for leaving what most considered ‘a dream job’. But deep down I knew I could do more to inspire people through my storytelling instead of conforming to the mandates of the news cycle, which I found increasingly divisive, and ratings driven.
Despite an offer on the table to extend my contract, I walked away and made the bold decision to launch my own multimedia production company, GOLIKE. It wasn’t an easy journey—there were moments of doubt and uncertainty when I questioned my decision. But ultimately, I listened to my instinct, worked my butt off, and set out to walk in my purpose.
Taking this risk allowed me to take control of the stories I told and the projects I pursued. It paved the way for new avenues for creativity and self-expression that I wouldn’t have had within the confines of corporate structure.
Today, I’m grateful for having the courage to step out of my comfort zone and pursue my passion wholeheartedly. I’ve been able to embark on several independent projects, such as the hit true crime podcast “Lost in Panama,” in which I investigated the disappearance of two tourists who got lost on a trail. I spent about a month living in the jungle retracing their footsteps and found over 40 cases of additional missing women and girls in the area. The series made Apple’s Top 10 podcasts week of release, and allowed me to tackle the issue of femicide in the region, a topic that would have never gotten the light of day on network news.
And doubling down on authentic storytelling, I’ve expanded my horizons beyond journalism. After my Tedx Talk on authenticity went viral, I’ve become a motivational and corporate speaker, sharing my transformative message with audiences at some of the world’s leading companies and institutions. From JP Morgan and Deloitte to YouTube, Pepsico, and the United Nations, I’ve had the privilege of inspiring and empowering individuals across different industries. The journey has been immensely rewarding, reaffirming my belief in the power of storytelling and the importance of taking risks to pursue your passion.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, where my passion for storytelling was ignited from an early age. Seeing the inequity that existed in my home country, I dreamed of amplifying voices that often went unheard. This passion led me to participate in the student movement for democracy while studying undergrad in Caracas.
The turning point came when the authoritarian government began shutting down television networks and targeting students like me. After I survived a violent encounter, it was clear I wasn’t going to be able to be a journalist down there. I finally came to the United States on a scholarship from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. Over the next decade, I carved my path in the industry, as an anchor at Univision and a national correspondent at NBC News. My career has taken me across the globe, covering stories ranging from presidential elections and natural disasters to mass shootings and refugee crises.
But my commitment to storytelling goes beyond traditional media. As an entrepreneur, I founded my own media company, “GOLIKE,” with a mission to inspire leaders and organizations lead confidently by embracing their uniqueness. My speaking engagements have garnered international acclaim, with my TEDx talk “What makes YOU special?” resonating with millions worldwide. It has over 24 million views and has been translated into 13 languages.
I now craft keynotes, host and create content for all kinds of companies and associations, providing employees and executives with the tools to discover the power of their authenticity. I deliver an action-driven talk that engages them with powerful and relatable stories while providing concrete steps for personal development.
What distinguishes me is my ability to forge connections with audiences, regardless of the platform—be it live TV, keynote speaking, moderating, podcasting or social media. Whether I’m covering a distraught mother in the aftermath of an earthquake in Mexico, (translating live from Spanish to English) or inspiring an executive to embrace change within their respective industry, I put myself in their shoes and help them realize their own resiliency. Drawing from personal experiences such as losing my father in the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela or starting over in a new country, I approach each interaction with authenticity and empathy.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
When I first entered the world of journalism, I felt pressured to blend in. To copy how other reporters looked, talked, and covered stories. I was struggling to find my footing until a mentor gave me a wake-up call. She said, “Mariana, you’re not standing out. Your news reports don’t reflect you.” That conversation led me to make a list of things I didn’t think translated to a successful career in English-speaking broadcasting, like being from Venezuela or having a slight accent.
I realized I couldn’t change these facts; they were my identity. They did make me challenging to “market,” but they also made me unique. So, I decided to flip the script and turn these perceived weaknesses into competitive advantages. For instance, being from South America meant I could cover immigration and the Latino community with firsthand perspective and knowledge, offering viewers a unique insight. Similarly, English not being my first language meant I could anchor news in Spanish and English, carving a non-traditional path on television.
Through this journey, I realized it’s about more than just me—it’s about inspiring others who may have felt different at times. After over a decade of hard work and numerous awards, I can confidently say: what makes you unique is what will make you stand out and be successful.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
When I arrived in the United States to study journalism at Columbia University, I felt I was on top of the world. It was 2008. Little did I know I was moving to a new country during the worst recession since the Great Depression. Finding a job after school became an uphill battle.
I landed my first job, only to be swiftly let go, leaving me in a precarious situation as my visa was tied to that employment. I was devastated and scared. In moments of uncertainty, it’s natural to feel the urge to shrink, to conform, to blend in. I learned the hard way that copying others out of fear only diminished my real power.
It was a turning point when I realized that tapping into my uniqueness was the key to finding my place. I refused to follow the traditional news trajectory, which dictated starting out at a small market before advancing to national platforms. Instead, I embraced my background in Spanish and climbed my way up in that market, ultimately crossing over to English-language journalism.
This journey taught me the invaluable lesson of resilience. It reinforced the importance of authenticity, especially in times of chaos and uncertainty. Authenticity became my anchor, grounding me amidst the storms of life. Today, specializing in the topic of authenticity is not just a profession for me—it’s a calling born out of firsthand experience. It’s a reminder that no matter the challenges we face, staying true to ourselves is the surest path to success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mariana-atencio.com/
- Instagram: @marianaatencio
- Facebook: @marianaatencio
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianaatencio/
- Twitter: @marianaatencio