Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Gina Verdejo. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Gina, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about the best boss, mentor, or leader you’ve ever worked with.

I was a single mom with 2 kids working the 7:00 am to 3:30 pm shift in a Jewish nursing home. This was a very busy shift and required a lot of hard work. I would often work extra shifts or do private duty to provide for me and my girls. On the weekend I would treat them and go out to eat at Boston Market restaurant near our house, this particular day they had a hiring sign looking for part time workers. I spoke to the manager and he said if I applied he would hire me, so I did. I worked weekends and holidays for almost a year before deciding to leave the nursing home totally and make a career change in the medical field. I enrolled in a medical school about 45 minutes from my home with no car. The only classes I could attend that I could car pool was the morning shift that also ran into the afternoon. The conflict of schedules became to much and I decided to drop out of school so I could continue to work. When my manager at Boston Market found out I wanted to drop out of school he stopped me. He gave me a raise and a new position so that I didn’t have to work 2 jobs and could also finish school. Part of the job duties required a lot of heavy lifting that I physically couldn’t do so he made sure that I had the staff to assist me every shift. The same manager took me to get my drivers license so I could get my own car and not have to depend on a ride to and from school to work. After 2 years I was able to graduate on time and got hired with the same hospital that I did my internship with. He knew this would mean I would move on from working at Boston Market but the support and encouragement kept me focused. Over 2o years later in my medical career I still thank him for giving me the opportunity to follow my dreams.

Gina, 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?

In my life journey I have had the pleasure of meeting amazing people who believed in me and my ability to serve and help others. Being a teenage mother made me strive harder to be an example of never giving up on your dreams. I needed support and guidance when life seemed to get rough, so I try to be that for other woman and young moms. I’ve been in a relationship that wasn’t ideal and felt ashamed about reaching out for help, so I decided to volunteer to woman who also need help. I’ve had big setbacks and near death experience and didn’t give up on myself. When I speak to people my testimony is you never know what someone else has or maybe going through so just be kind. I use my platform to inspire people not to give up on life, love, and career, if you want it go get it! Never be afraid to start over some times you have to jump out on faith. I have a couples podcast on You Tube where my husband and I discuss real life topics and give tips and advice on how to communicate with your partner while having fun. My focus groups, and book club is based on having an outlet away from home, spouse, kids and work learning selfcare without the guilt. Volunteering is key and going to the shelter gives me a sense of purpose. I recently relocated to a new city and changing my brand to be a source of positive reassurance for woman everywhere.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

15 years ago 5 minutes from my house on my way to work I was involved in a bad car accident on 695. While sitting in traffic a tracker trailer hit the back of my car and pushed me into the back of another truck. This was my dream car and I got it with no help fresh off the lot and just paid it off 6 days prior. I survived that crash and suffer with PTSD I couldn’t drive and was afraid to get on the highway for years. At the time my 1st marriage was falling apart, my job was falling apart I was working for a private doctor really far from my house and trying to figure out how to get to and from work became to stressful. I had to make the hard decision to give it all up and start over. After almost 3 years I started slow and got back behind the wheel driving locally. The following year I got another car and got back on the highway. The hardest part of that journey was not giving up on myself and doing things on my time when I felt ready. That accident changed my life for the better it made me decide to be a better person and to live life to the fullest because tomorrow is not promised.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Life lesson that I had to unlearn is not having forgiveness for others. Being a only child I had a lot of selfish behaviors that I carried in my personal and professional life. Having a medical career and now working in the billing field, I have billing filed. That means it may come a time when someone on your team falls short and you may have to pick up the slack for the betterment of your team. In the past when I was younger it was always every man for them self, I only do my work. I learned how much that attitude hurts your team, wanting to be a leader you have to lead by example and I learned to work as a We. In my personal life I made a lot of mistakes and asked for forgiveness. If I said I was sorry that should be enough even if my actions never change. If you hurt me I would never forgive and carry that hate and anger. When your faced with life and death you learn that forgiveness is not for the other person it’s for you. You let it go and forgive so you can allow that peace to enter.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: oneplusonepodcast, GeeGee Love1
• Facebook: GeeGee Love, Vision of Beauty Book Club SC
• Youtube: Hustleurhustle (1+1=2 podcast)