We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Amanda Aguilar a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Amanda thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

Leaving my career in TV news to become an entrepreneur was one of the most significant risks I’ve ever taken. For nearly a decade, I had dedicated myself to journalism, working tirelessly to climb the ladder in an industry that was both fast-paced and unpredictable. On the surface, I had achieved what many would consider success: a stable career, a decent salary, and recognition for my work. However, deep down, I felt stuck. The constant pressure, long hours, and emotional toll of covering complex stories had started to chip away at my mental and physical health. More importantly, I realized I wasn’t living in alignment with my values and passions.

The moment that shifted everything came randomly when I asked my friend: When did you know it was time to leave your full-time job for entrepreneurship?

My friend, Nicole Santos, invited me to do a visualization. She said to visualize what my ideal day would look like and how it would feel like.

Before I went to bed that night, I did the visualization. I saw myself waking up at 8 a.m. (instead of a 1:45 a.m. alarm to get ready for the morning newscast). I sat on my couch with my dog, slowly sipping my warm tea. I then spent my day coaching clients in my self-love program. I also had time to create content for my business, where I got to be authentic. My visualization also included packing for a trip where I would speak at a women empowerment conference.

After that visualization, I sat and cried in bed, knowing I was not living how I truly wanted to live.

That realization set off a chain of events that led me to put in my resignation letter at my TV news station.

Leaving TV news was terrifying. It was all I had ever known, and I worried about giving up the stability and identity tied to my career. I didn’t have a guarantee of success, and I feared judgment from others who might not understand why I would walk away from such a “dream job.”

Less than a month later, I officially announced that I’m a Self-Love + Empowerment coach. I also launched a mindset program to support others in navigating career transitions. I started small by reflecting on my transition, which became the framework for my coaching program. I leaned on my journalism skills—storytelling, research, and connecting with people—to shape my offerings. I also publicly shared my journey, resonating with others who felt stuck in their careers. Slowly but surely, I built a community of people who trusted me to guide them through similar challenges.

The risk paid off. Leaving TV news opened doors I never imagined. I launched a fully-booked beta program, became a coach, and started speaking at conferences and events. Most importantly, I rediscovered my sense of purpose.

While entrepreneurship has challenges, it has been incredibly fulfilling to help others design lives and careers they genuinely love. Looking back, I realize that the most significant risk wasn’t leaving the news industry—it was choosing to bet on myself. That decision changed everything.

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’m a former TV news reporter turned Self-Love and Empowerment Coach, Communications Specialist, and podcast host. After spending a decade in journalism, I felt a growing need to align my work with my values and passions. This realization led me to transition out of the fast-paced world of breaking news and into the fulfilling work of helping others design lives they genuinely love.


My journey into journalism began with a desire to tell stories that make a difference. For 10 years, I covered everything from breaking news to community features, gaining valuable skills in storytelling, communication, and connecting with people. While I loved aspects of my work, I realized the industry didn’t provide the balance, creativity, or fulfillment I craved. This sparked my career transition journey, inspiring me to help others navigate similar paths.

I now offer a mindset coaching program focusing on self-love, empowerment, and career transitions. My program, Embrace Your New Beginning, was designed to help clients identify their values, passions, and skills to attract careers and lives they love. I also host the podcast Embrace Her Evolution, sharing stories and strategies to inspire growth and transformation. In addition, I provide public speaking and workshops on topics like self-love, women empowerment, mental health awareness, and leaning into the feeling of fear.

Aside from being an entrepreneur, I’m also a full-time Communications Specialist at the University of California, San Francisco. This job allows me to craft engaging internal communication strategies to foster connection and morale within the organization.


As a coach, I empower my clients to overcome limiting beliefs, find clarity in their career and life goals, and take aligned action to create meaningful change. Many of my clients are professionals feeling stuck or unfulfilled, unsure how to pivot. Together, we identify what’s holding them back, define their vision, and develop actionable plans to achieve it.


What makes my approach unique is the combination of real-world experience and empathy I bring to my work. Having successfully transitioned out of a demanding career, I understand my clients’ fears, doubts, and challenges. I’m deeply committed to creating a safe space for self-discovery, offering personalized guidance, and celebrating every step of their journey.


I’m proud of the courage it took to step away from a career I’d worked so hard to build and the life I’ve since created. From speaking on stages like TEDx to empowering individuals through coaching and storytelling, I feel fulfilled knowing I’m helping others step into their best selves. I’m also incredibly proud of the impact my podcast and coaching have had on listeners and clients worldwide.


At the heart of everything I do is believing that transformation is possible for everyone. Whether it’s breaking free from societal expectations, discovering your true passions, or redefining your career, I’m here to remind you that you are capable of so much more than you imagine. Through my coaching, storytelling, and creative works, I aim to inspire others to take bold, brave steps toward living authentically.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the most important lessons I had to unlearn was the belief that my worth was tied to my achievements. I excelled professionally and thought that success, recognition, and productivity defined who I was. As a journalist, I thrived on the constant adrenaline of deadlines and validation from producing impactful stories. On the outside, it seemed like I had it all together, but on the inside, I was exhausted, unfulfilled, and disconnected from myself.

The turning point came when I realized that I still felt empty no matter how much I achieved. I struggled to truly celebrate any accomplishment because I thought there was still much more to accomplish. My life revolved around proving my worth to others, and it wasn’t sustainable. It became especially apparent when I found myself neglecting my mental health and overall well-being.

I began therapy and embarked on a self-love journey that helped me question the narrative I’d carried for so long. I learned to separate my sense of self-worth from my accomplishments and began valuing myself for who I was, not just what I did.

It wasn’t easy—mainly as someone who had built an entire identity around being a high achiever—but it was transformative.

Today, I’m proud to say I’ve unlearned that harmful belief. While I still value hard work and striving for goals, I now approach life with more balance and grace. I celebrate rest, joy, and connection just as much as milestones and accolades. This shift has brought me peace and allowed me to guide others in discovering their inherent worth beyond external validation.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Building my social media audience has been a journey of authenticity, vulnerability, and connection. Before I left journalism, I had already started sharing non-news-related content during my self-love journey—things like personal growth, self-reflection, and lessons I was learning. This shift helped me connect with people on a deeper level, especially as I became more open and vulnerable about my struggles.

Once I transitioned careers, I focused on sharing my story of leaving an unfulfilling job and pursuing alignment with my values. I created content that educated, inspired, and empowered others, particularly around self-love, career transitions, and personal growth.

Key strategies that helped me grow include:
* Authenticity: Sharing the highs and lows of my journey to build trust.
* Valuable Content: Focusing on posts that resonate, inspire, or educate.
* Engagement: Building community by responding to comments and DMs and collaborating with others.
* Consistency: Showing up regularly while allowing my content to evolve as I did.

For anyone starting out, my advice is to be clear on your “why,” focus on quality over quantity, and lean into your unique voice. Growth takes time, but when you show up as your authentic self, the right people will connect with your message.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @AAguilarTV
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aguilarmamanda