We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Cristobal Garrido Solis. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Cristobal below.

Hi Cristobal, thanks for joining us today. Do you have a hero? What have you learned from them?

My hero is my mom. She’s been an incredible influence in my life, always supporting me in exploring every interest and passion. From a young age, she encouraged me to try everything I wanted, from sports to various school subjects, giving me the freedom to discover what I truly loved.

Her unwavering support allowed me to grow and understand my strengths, eventually leading me to my goal of becoming an airline pilot. She taught me the importance of persistence, open-mindedness, and finding my own path. I remember when I wanted to join every possible activity, even if it meant long hours and extra commitments; she never hesitated to encourage me, believing in my ability to find what would make me happiest. That freedom and trust shaped who I am, and I’ll always be grateful for her belief in me.

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 Cristobal Garrido Solis, a 22-year-old commercial pilot student from the Chilean Patagonia, currently living in Portland, Oregon. I’m also a content creator on Instagram and TikTok, where I share my journey and passion for aviation—find me at @cotogarrido.

My love for flying began at a young age, thanks to my brother, who’s also a pilot. The first time I flew with him, I was hooked. That experience sparked a passion that has only grown over the years. I’m incredibly grateful to my parents for supporting me and giving me the chance to pursue a career in aviation, allowing me to chase my dreams in the skies.

Through my posts, I share insights, tips, and motivation with my followers worldwide. I strive to create a supportive community, answering questions, sharing resources, and providing encouragement to aspiring pilots across the globe. My goal is to help them navigate their own aviation journeys, just as others have helped me along the way.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Yes, my main goal is to inspire and support others who are passionate about aviation, especially aspiring pilots. Through my content, I aim to share the realities of the journey, the challenges, and the triumphs, so that others can learn from my experiences and feel encouraged to pursue their own dreams of flying. I want to create a community where people can connect, share knowledge, and support each other in their aviation journeys, regardless of where they are in the world. Ultimately, my mission is to make aviation more accessible and relatable, helping others take the leap towards achieving their dreams.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Building my audience on social media has been a journey of consistency, authenticity, and connecting with like-minded individuals. It all started with sharing my personal story of becoming a pilot. I began posting about my experiences, the challenges of flight school, and my passion for aviation. Little by little, I started to get messages from people who were either already on the same path or were just starting to explore aviation. This encouraged me to keep going, sharing not just my successes but also the struggles, so others could relate and learn from my experiences.

One thing that really helped was being consistent with posting, even when it felt like the audience was small. I made sure to engage with my followers—answering questions, sharing tips, and showing that I was genuinely interested in helping others. Over time, this built trust and credibility.

As I grew, I made a point to create content that resonated with people—whether it was through motivational posts, behind-the-scenes looks at my training, or educational content about becoming a pilot. I also made sure to showcase my personality, allowing people to connect with me not just as a pilot, but as a person.

For anyone starting to build their social media presence, my advice is simple: be authentic, be patient, and engage with your community. Building a following takes time, but if you focus on providing value and staying true to yourself, the right people will find you. Don’t be afraid to share your journey, both the highs and the lows, because that’s what makes your story relatable and engaging. Keep showing up consistently, and the audience will grow naturally.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cotogarrido/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cristobal.garrido.547/
• Linkedin: https://cl.linkedin.com/in/cristobal-garrido-sol%C3%ADs-43a414228?trk=public_post_feed-actor-name
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CotoGarrido
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cotogarrido

Image Credits

@cotogarrido