Today we’d like to introduce you to Fabiola Angeli.

Fabiola, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?

My story began in April 1996 when I was born. Every part of my life, from birth until now, has shaped and impacted the woman I am today. I grew up in Puerto Rico and at age 18 I moved to New York for college. In August 2019 I went to England to do my masters degree and less than a year into this experience the world shut down for the pandemic. From all the turning points in my life, this entire experience abroad was probably the most powerful one. In the months before the pandemic started, I had hit rock bottom with my mental and emotional health. I remember drinking and partying multiple nights a week, having an anxiety attack in the middle of the main building of my university while surrounded with students, and even feeling like a zombie with a frozen nervous system for a couple of days because of how disconnected I was from myself. In early March 2020, I got lucky to squeeze one trip before the borders closed and I went on a solo trip to Norway. While there, I went on a hike to Preikestolen. As we were nearing the snowy top of the mountain there was a cliff with a chain fence to keep people from falling. This chain, like the bridges in Paris, had locks of love. I was standing there looking at the insanely gorgeous mountains covered in snow, feeling the breeze and the snow falling on me, and thinking how I did not have someone to put a love lock with. After all, I was single and I was high on a mountain with 5 strangers. Right then a thought came: “Love yourself.” At that moment, I made a silent promise to myself that I would love and prioritize myself and that is a promise I still keep to this day.

From choosing to stay alone in England and do the deep work during the pandemic and leaving toxic relationships that were not serving me to cultivating self-care habits and choosing a career I am passionate about, each step of the way has had self-love as a guiding value. The thing is, I did not grow up with examples of self-love. I did not grow up with someone showing me that self-love is needed and essential, showing me the kind of love that I deserve from the world and from my own self, and showing me that it is okay to be our most authentic selves and let that shine. This concept was foreign to me. It felt selfish. But, without self-love we can’t let ourselves fully shine, we can’t embrace all of who we are, cultivate our potential, and show that to the world. And when we don’t allow ourselves to shine we also don’t allow others to shine. So this is part of how I got to where I am today. A young girl who was taught to be the good girl, who was molded to fit into school and societal norms, who was programmed to behave and be silent, who saw her entire life a love of abandonment and neglect, and whose authenticity was not empowered. I had to learn for myself.

I am still learning and healing, but I have come a long way from where I started and the work does not stop here. Everyday takes intention and action to continue healing, growing, and becoming the best version of myself. I am taking what I have learned through my years and my story to help others that are also struggling with living a life of inauthenticity and disconnection and that want a life rooted in self-love and authenticity. This is how my creative businesses Authentic Narratives and Growthbound Journeys were born and continue to evolve.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

Absolutely not. Life is never a smooth road. As a recovering perfectionist, that is probably one of the biggest lessons I have had to learn. The journey is never linear nor smooth even when we envision it that way. The journey is full of peaks and valleys, dirt roads and paved roads, and all sorts of obstacles in between. Some of the struggles along the way have included heartbreak, healing traumas, shame, changing limiting beliefs, not having enough knowledge, and having the courage to be myself, among others. The world is full of challenges and circumstances are not always ideal, but I have realized in my journey of entrepreneurship that the biggest challenge has been myself. I don’t say this in a negative way. I say this with a loving heart and as transparently as possible. Entrepreneurship is simply different to what society teaches you to do and the adult life you are “supposed to have.” As entrepreneurs, we must learn to stand up for ourselves, be disciplined and consistent, have self-control mentally and emotionally, be connected to ourselves and our truth, be open and vulnerable, truly know who we are, set strong boundaries, and so much more. In my own personal experience, I have had to work on all of these. I grew up with the very traditional mindset of going to school, doing your bachelors, masters, and PhD, and working a job for the rest of your life. I did not know about entrepreneurship until I was doing my master’s degree and, of course, I did not have anyone in my family that was an entrepreneur. So, the journey has been one full of business development and creation, but also personal development and growth. Entrepreneurship has required that I reprogram my way of thinking, feeling, and doing. It’s been a journey of discovery and healing as I cultivate the businesses that I am passionate about and want to see in this world. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to grow in such a way and the lessons I have learned. To sum things up, life is never a smooth road and the sooner we learn to surf the waves rather than expect a calm sea, the better we get at life.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Authentic Narratives & Growthbound Journeys?

As a “creativepreneur” I have two businesses that are very important to me: Authentic Narratives and Growthbound Journeys. I am utilizing my passions of travel, art, and holistic coaching in creative ways for the service of others. I believe we need more self-love, self-acceptance, and people shining brightly from within so we can allow those around us to shine as well. Through my businesses I empower self-love, self-connection, authenticity, personal growth, and healing to cultivate a better self and thus a better world.

Authentic Narratives is my coaching and art brand which focuses on cultivating authenticity and helping others lead a life rooted in that authenticity. We often get caught up in living a life ruled by the outside noise, people, and the programming we were raised with. I want to help others free themselves and change that narrative by helping them reconnect with themselves, being clear on who they are, and living a life that aligns with them. Through Authentic Narratives I offer 1:1 coaching, art products and commissions, and my “Cultivating Consistency Journal.” In the future, I will be offering coaching programs and courses of art and wellness as well as events in Costa Rica for people to reconnect with their inner child and unleash their creativity.

Growthbound Journeys is the other branch of my mission which focuses on personal growth experiences in Costa Rica. I love to travel, and I believe that traveling can be a powerful teacher when we lean into the experience. Costa Rica is my favorite country and the one I get to call home right now. I figured there is no better way to share this gorgeous healing country with others than to provide a safe space for them to also heal and grow when they visit. Through Growthbound Journeys I offer local experiences combining art, connection, and Nature, Costa Rica travel consultancy services, and coming soon will be my very first travel retreat.

I am most proud of choosing the road less travelled as an entrepreneur and combining my passions to offer creative and fun experiences that are in the service of others. I chose to write my own script. I heard way too often to grab a business and business model that was already working and then work it myself, but that never felt authentic to me. Yes, you can still spin it to align with who you are, but even then, it still felt like something was missing. I chose to draw a little from everything I was learning about business and create my own way with my own creative ideas. I am so proud of that because it’s been healing for inner Fabi and it has helped me live in alignment with my core values.

To sum things up, Authentic Narratives and Growthbound Journeys are both focused on helping others connect with themselves, heal, and grow. Whether that is through coaching, art, journaling, or traveling, everyone can find a vehicle to travel inwards and then make decisions to live a more authentic life. Life is way too short to live a life that is not authentic to you. I fully believe that authenticity is our superpower. My services are available to all that feel disconnected and trapped in a life that is not theirs, tired of running in a hamster wheel, and craving the freedom to be all of who they are; to all of those that are choosing to go on a journey of growth, willing to change, and cultivate an authentic narrative of life.

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?

I see my industry growing. Personal growth, change, healing, and self-connection are becoming an even bigger need. We live in such a disconnected society, and it really is hurting us individually and collectively. The industry might shift from what it currently is and that is okay because it allows me to also shift with it. But ultimately the need for human connection and belonging will never stop and that always begins with our own selves. At the same time, healing is always a need whether we recognize it at 20 years old or at 50 years old. Unfortunately, we continue to hurt each other in this world which means that healing will always be a need. As time passes, more and more people recognize that they are unhappy, unfulfilled, disconnected, and that they need to return to themselves instead of continuing to seek the world. This is why I believe that this industry will continue to grow and be necessary.

Pricing:

• Holistic Coaching Programs starting at $234
• Cultivating Consistency Journal $22.22
• Costa Rica Travel Consultancy Services starting at $35
• Wood Art and Commissions – Prices Varies
• Costa Rica Travel Retreat – Launching March 2025

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.authenticnarratives.life/
• Instagram: @authentic.narratives | @authenticnarrativesart | @wearegrowthbound
• Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@authenticnarratives.
• Other: https://www.wearegrowthbound.com/

Image Credits

Lens of Valor Photography
Carmen (my mom)