We caught up with the brilliant and insightful I. C. Robledo a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

I. C., appreciate you joining us today. Can you share a story about the kindest thing someone has done for you and why it mattered so much or was so meaningful to you?

When I first started as an author, I had a bold idea: to interview mostly unknown geniuses and capture their life lessons in a book. After some searching, I stumbled upon Jason Fonceca on Quora, who had been identified as a genius in childhood. Eager to connect, I reached out, but like many of my attempts at the time, I received no response and eventually moved on.
Then, eight years later, I received a message from Jason… but now he had become J-Ryze, almost like a superhero! His response was surreal, just a casual message as if no time had passed, and even offering to help with my project. I was stunned—not only had he replied after so long, but he was genuinely eager to help out.
Although I had shifted my focus to other projects by then, we kept in touch. Fast forward to today, and J-Ryze has become my mentor and a close friend. He’s been instrumental in guiding me through my author business, providing invaluable feedback and support.
To answer the question… the kindest thing anyone has ever done for me was when J-Ryze offered to help create a marketing plan for my book, Awaken the Starlight Within, over a year ago. What made this gesture even more remarkable was that he was going through a breakup at the time, yet he remained committed to helping me succeed. His dedication during such a challenging period was truly touching.
At that moment, I felt overwhelmed by the marketing aspect of my book. Despite having authored over a dozen titles, I had never developed a solid promotional plan for this one. When J-Ryze offered his assistance, it was an easy ‘Yes.’
One key lesson he taught me was the importance of gathering reviews to increase visibility. Thanks to his guidance, I garnered over 150 reviews, averaging 4.9 stars. Without his encouragement, I might not have pursued that level of reader feedback… and that would have been a big mistake.
J-Ryze went above and beyond, providing daily feedback and helping me refine my business model. One of the most touching moments was when he created my first book trailer without me even asking. He did brilliant work — I was thrilled and have kept it pinned on X for over a year.
What stands out about J-Ryze’s kindness is that it came with no strings attached. He didn’t expect anything in return, embodying true kindness—the kind that’s rare and selfless. His actions reflect the principles I discuss in Awaken the Starlight Within: if we want to see more of something in the world, whether kindness, love, or empathy, we have to put it out there.
His support came at the perfect time. My wife and I were facing serious challenges—her mother was seriously ill, my business was struggling, and she had a complicated work situation. J-Ryze wasn’t aware of all this, yet his kindness arrived when we needed it most.
I’m incredibly grateful for his contributions to my life and work. Life often provides us with what we need at the right moment, and for that, I am thankful.
This experience taught me that kindness can profoundly impact others, especially during difficult times. We may not always know when someone needs support, so it’s crucial to practice kindness daily. You never know how your small act of kindness might change someone’s life. I’ll encourage you to be kind today, right now, as the world could use more of it.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m a professional author in self-development, spirituality, and life wisdom topics. Over my career, I’ve sold more than 300,000 copies and distributed over one million free books worldwide. I hold a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University and a master’s in industrial-organizational psychology from the University of Oklahoma.
My mission is to help my readers achieve their goals—whether improving their mindset and self-belief, learning life lessons, or overcoming obstacles in their lives. I’m here to elevate humanity as much as I can, but it starts one person at a time.
Getting into this field wasn’t easy. I originally wanted to be a clinical psychologist but shifted to industrial-organizational psychology. During graduate school, I realized something wasn’t right for me… and ultimately dropped out of my PhD program without a clear plan.
Writing had always been my passion, and I had faced numerous mental challenges myself, like learning, organizational, and focus issues. Using those experiences, I decided to publish books to help others improve their thinking skills. What began as an experiment quickly turned into a journey as I found my audience and built a community of subscribers and fans.
After my initial success in mind/brain improvement, I expanded into self-development. Having overcome personal challenges like depression and social anxiety, I felt compelled to share my insights. And in time, I was blessed to see my audience and therefore my impact continue to grow.
Now… my work continues to evolve, as my latest project combines my passions for self-development and chess. Chess is a powerful tool for enhancing focus, discipline, and critical thinking. My upcoming book will teach principles valuable for both life and chess improvement, and I’m excited to connect with fans of self-development and chess.
You might wonder if authoring books is all I do. While many in my field offer consulting or coaching, I’ve primarily focused on writing and promoting my books. However, I’m open to working with clients or collaborating with thought leaders around the world. My breadth of personal experiences and broad readings in human improvement topics mean that I have a lot to offer anyone I connect with.
As you can see, while my focus has primarily been on writing, I’m also open to new possibilities. And readers may find it interesting to learn that my background is quite unique. I’m a Hispanic American who grew up speaking Spanish and transitioned to an English-speaking school. I’ve lived in three countries and traveled to over a dozen, which has allowed me to connect deeply with people from a variety of backgrounds. And my readers often appreciate my holistic approach to self-development which recognizes life’s complexities and offers practical solutions.
I’m deeply interested in the authentic human experience—how to cultivate peace, happiness, creativity, and higher consciousness. I’ve advised people twice my age, often surprising them with my empathy and insights. Though ultimately, I’m here to support anyone ready to learn and grow.
One of my proudest works is my recent book, Awaken the Starlight Within, which covers many life topics —mastery, love, awareness, and more— aspiring to elevate readers to their true potential. The principles shared in this book are meant to be applied every day, absorbing them into ourselves and living by them.
Inspired by Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, I invite readers to read a collection of my own Greatest Thoughts. Another key influence was The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz, which I reference in the opening pages. Ruiz’s work has shaped my writing and worldview.
Actually, the original draft of Awaken the Starlight Within was much longer—hundreds of thousands of words. I initially planned it as a series but chose to pare it down, presenting only the most powerful ideas in a single, magical book. The final product reflects a highly inspired period in my life, and I hope it inspires generations to come.
As I conclude, I want readers and clients to know I’m here to help you navigate life’s challenges. I’ve faced my share of hardships—depression, social anxiety, feelings of being lost and alone, and academic struggles—but these difficulties became lessons. If you’re struggling, remember you’re not alone… millions face similar challenges. I welcome you to reach out, and together we can find solutions.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

There was a period in my life that I neglected to talk about for a long time, but I’ve come to see the value in sharing our struggles. It’s often through these challenges that we find our way to the light at the end of the tunnel. Hitting rock bottom can lead to incredible growth if we’re willing to learn our lessons and make some necessary changes.
For me, that low point came over a decade ago when I was bedridden with depression. I felt lost, unable to work or even meet some of life’s basic requirements. My mindset had grown so dark, devoid of purpose and positivity, that it’s hard to believe I sank that low.
Several factors led me to that point… I was deep in a PhD program, isolated from friends and family, and struggling with social phobia. My fear of social situations kept me from reaching out for support, so I kept my struggles to myself. I felt like I had to pretend I was mentally and socially healthy, but the reality was far different. Even the simplest tasks like leaving the house felt exhausting.
Despite my background in psychology and my mother being a mental health therapist, I refused to admit something was deeply wrong. I kept pretending everything was fine until, eventually, I could no longer function. I found myself bedridden, burned out, and lost in thought about what to do next.
That’s when I had a profound meditation experience that led to an epiphany. I realized my perspectives on life had been completely misguided. It was a crystal-clear moment of understanding: the negative thoughts that had brought me down could be replaced with healthier ones, guiding me toward a happier life.
These insights later became the foundation for my book, 7 Thoughts to Live Your Life By. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that transformation is rarely instantaneous. After deciding to seek help, it took weeks just to get used to being out of bed again. My bed had become my home, and leaving it felt strange.
Months passed before I could function again, meeting my work and life obligations. And it took years before I could confidently say I was no longer depressed. When I finally recognized I wasn’t suffering daily, I felt overwhelming gratitude. That realization alone became a great blessing.
I thought overcoming depression was the end of my journey, but it was just the beginning. As I continued my personal development, I began to feel more inspired and empowered. I evolved into someone who could spread positivity and inspire those around me, both in my personal life and through my writing.
Now, people are drawn to me, eager to learn about my journey. I’ve become a source of light for those I encounter, and I feel honored to serve in that way.
The struggles I faced, my upbringing with a mental health therapist, my education in psychology, and the guidance of my mentor, J-Ryze, have all shaped who I am today. I’m here and ready for whatever comes next.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

In the self-help, spirituality, and life wisdom genres, many authors lack advanced degrees, but I have a Master’s in psychology. While not a requirement for success, I value my academic background, which has helped me to connect scientific principles with practical wisdom. This commitment to learning and understanding more deeply adds a layer of credibility that sets me apart in the field.
Aside from my educational background, one reputation-building move I made early on was translating my books into Spanish and Portuguese. Though costly, this decision expanded my reach and attracted opportunities from international publishers. Many authors don’t translate their work at the start due to the costs, but I used funds from my English book sales to make it happen. If I had only published in English, I might not have received the same level of interest, and my work wouldn’t have reached as many people around the world.
For any author or creator, I recommend exploring ways to impact untapped markets. Although it takes time and resources, this strategy can significantly elevate your reputation, impact, and sales.
Another boost to my reputation came when celebrities and influencers shared my work on social media—without any outreach on my part. Of course, by making my books accessible in multiple languages, I connected with audiences I might never have reached otherwise. By the time these endorsements happened, my books were already translated into eight languages.
As we’ve all heard at some point, persistence truly is key. The books that attracted attention and social shares were my later ones, after I had honed my craft.
For example:
In 2020, Bollywood actress Shraddha Kapoor posted about The Secret Principles of Genius after receiving a copy from the late actor Sushant Singh Rajput, who had handwritten a touching message. That single post dramatically increased awareness of my work, particularly in India. Of course, I’m incredibly grateful that these talented actors saw the value in my work and were inspired to share it.
More recently, TikTok sensation Oliver James featured my book 365 Quotes to Live Your Life By in over a dozen videos. He openly shared his journey learning to read, crediting the book for helping him to improve as a reader. His story resonated with many, leading to appearances on Good Morning America and many other media outlets, always with the book in hand. I admire Oliver’s dedication and follow his journey closely. His authenticity and commitment are a major inspiration.
Having high-level people shoutout my work is great, right? But…what does this mean for you?
While it might seem daunting to have your work shared by celebrities, building relationships with influencers can be more achievable than you think. You don’t need to target big-name stars. In my current project, I’m collaborating with chess streamers and Grandmasters. They may not have mainstream fame, but they hold significant influence in their community. Since my next book will have lessons on how to improve at life and chess, these connections are highly valuable to me.
As I’m sure you can see, building relationships with thought leaders or key figures can accelerate your success. Start by reaching out to their assistants or engaging with their content on social media. Share your thoughts genuinely, showing interest in their mission or their work. Then when the time is right, send an email or direct message.
Regardless of your approach, cultivating meaningful connections is essential. The surest way to remain unnoticed is to avoid connecting with others. If you’re serious about expanding your reach, ask yourself, “Who is the key person I need to connect with to grow my impact?” Then take that first step. Don’t wait for the perfect moment—start reaching out, fostering friendships, and making your presence known.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.robledothoughts.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/icrobledo/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ICRobledo
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/i-c-robledo-108414149/
• Twitter: https://x.com/ICRobledo
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@I.C.Robledo
• Other: Amazon Author Page – https://www.amazon.com/stores/I.-C.-Robledo/author/B00PM4WUW0

Image credit:
Radie Steiner with Steiner Studios