We were lucky to catch up with Atalie Oliva recently and have shared our conversation below.
Atalie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I am a holistic life and leadership coach and the founder of The Bitter Woman Network, a community dedicated to supporting the personal development and success of women of color. My journey into this work began through my lived experience as a first-generation professional and the daughter of immigrants. I faced complex trauma in my childhood, which created significant obstacles in my professional life. It wasn’t until I committed to a deep healing journey that I saw my life and career transform. This experience inspired me to create safe, trauma-informed spaces for others who are navigating similar challenges.
Through The Bitter Woman Network, we offer services such as 1:1 coaching, community events, and workshops. Our programs focus on helping women of color overcome internal and external barriers to their success by nurturing holistic well-being and empowerment. Our trauma-informed approach allows us to meet clients where they are, providing tools and guidance that promote both career and life transformation.
What sets us apart is our deep commitment to authenticity, safety, and cultural awareness. We understand that healing and growth are not one-size-fits-all, especially for those with marginalized identities or lived experiences of trauma. We design our services to honor and support the whole person, not just one aspect of their journey. I am most proud of the safe and empowering spaces we’ve created for our clients and community members, as well as the transformative results they achieve.
For anyone considering working with us or joining our community, I want you to know that we understand how crucial it is to feel seen, heard, and valued. We are here to walk alongside you in your journey toward a life and career aligned with your highest potential. We are passionate about supporting our clients through self-discovery, healing, and growth because I’ve been there myself. We believe that true success comes from within, and we are dedicated to helping you unlock that success on your own terms.
Have you ever had to pivot?
The biggest pivot in my life is actually what brought me to where I am today as a coach and business owner—definitely a blessing in disguise. Back in 2020, I started my healing journey, and things really began to click. I was thriving in my corporate career, working toward my MBA, and landed a role in HR as a People Operations Partner. My goal back then was to climb the corporate ladder. At the same time, I started The Bitter Woman Network as a passion project on the side. It wasn’t about creating a business; I just wanted to build a space and community for women of color like me.
After graduating, I was feeling on top of the world. I had reached the “six-figure” milestone and thought that was it—success unlocked! I tied a lot of my identity to that achievement and felt proud of how far I’d come. But life had other plans. Just a little over a year into my role, I was laid off. It hit me hard. I was already mourning my grandfather’s passing, and now I’d lost this job I had worked so hard for.
It was a rough time, but in true B-school fashion, I knew it was time to pivot. I decided to go all in on entrepreneurship and pour everything into The Bitter Woman Network. We rebuilt our website, hosted our first event, landed sponsors, and I got certified as a coach to offer more holistic value to the people we serve.
Looking back, I realize that layoff was exactly what I needed to fully step into my purpose. Now, I get to live out my passion, helping others transform their lives and careers through healing and growth. What started as a side project became something bigger than I could’ve imagined. Life definitely knows how to push you in the right direction when you least expect it!
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
The most valuable lesson I had to unlearn was thinking that saying “yes” to everything would make people like me and help me get ahead in my career. Growing up as the eldest daughter of immigrants, I carried a lot of expectations. In my family, I was taught to be respectful, obedient, and humble—especially as a Latina woman. I grew up hearing that men were usually the ones in charge and always right, so I learned to keep my head down, listen, and not cause any waves.
That mindset followed me into my professional life. I became the person who worked hard, took on extra tasks, and tried to be the “yes” person for everything. I figured if I showed how dependable I was, success would follow. At first, it seemed to be working—I was seen as smart and reliable. But over time, I noticed I wasn’t moving forward. I was stuck, no matter how much I accomplished. It was frustrating because I couldn’t figure out what I was doing wrong.
Eventually, I realized the issue wasn’t my work ethic—it was my silence. I wasn’t advocating for myself. I wasn’t setting boundaries or speaking up for what I needed or deserved. In my mind, being agreeable and easygoing was the key to success. But in reality, that approach was keeping me in the same place. I needed to unlearn that mindset and start using my voice.
That shift changed everything. I learned that saying “no” to things that didn’t serve me wasn’t selfish—it was necessary. I had to prioritize and focus on what truly mattered to me, both in my career and in life. The truth is, you can’t do it all, and saying “yes” to everything only stretches you thin. It’s when I started advocating for myself that I saw real growth. I began sharing my ideas, negotiating opportunities, and creating boundaries that protected my time and energy.
Don’t get me wrong—it wasn’t easy. I had to fight the guilt and discomfort that came with breaking cultural norms and stepping out of my comfort zone. But the more I practiced it, the stronger and more confident I became. Now, I know that success doesn’t come from people-pleasing—it comes from standing in your power, knowing your worth, and being clear on what matters. That’s a skill that has carried me far and one I’ll never stop practicing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thebitterwoman.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/healwithatalie/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/atalie-oliva-/
Image Credits
Aimee Nicolas Photography