We recently connected with LaToya Fernandez and have shared our conversation below.

LaToya, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

Yes, there was a defining moment in my professional career that significantly changed its trajectory. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I witnessed firsthand how deeply the students, families, and people within my own direct tribe were being impacted by illness and conflict. It was a time of immense struggle, and I felt a profound sense of responsibility to take action and provide support.

Recognizing the urgent need for both physical and emotional healing, I decided to go back to school to attain various certifications. I earned my personal training certifications, kickboxing instructor certification, group coaching certification, and later completed my International Integrated Health Coach License. Concurrently, the community was experiencing significant unrest due to social injustices, which fueled my sense of urgency to facilitate harm circles to help bring about healing and reconciliation.

This period was transformative for me. I saw how impactful my new skillsets were in addressing both physical wellness and emotional conflict. This realization led me to understand the intersection between conflict and chronic illness, and it ultimately birthed my movement focused on holistic health and restorative practices.

Through this journey, I have learned several valuable lessons:

You can’t do good if you’re not well: Taking care of oneself is fundamental to being able to effectively help others. Prioritizing self-care is essential for sustainable impact.

It’s okay to redefine relationships: As circumstances change, it’s important to reassess and redefine relationships to ensure they remain healthy and supportive.

There’s value in being relational rather than transactional: Building genuine, meaningful connections with people is far more impactful and fulfilling than purely transactional interactions.

Self-care is revolutionary: Taking the time to care for oneself is a powerful act of resistance and empowerment, especially in times of crisis.

This defining moment and the lessons I’ve learned have shaped my approach to my work and my commitment to creating a healthier, more empathetic community.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I started as a classroom teacher many years ago, where I developed a passion for fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment. My journey then led me to become a school administrator, where I saw firsthand the challenges and conflicts that could arise within educational settings. Driven by a desire to expand my reach and make a broader impact, I found the opportunity to do so during the COVID-19 pandemic, when community struggles were at an all-time high. Witnessing the profound effects of illness, conflict, and social unrest on the people around me, I knew I had to take action. This led me to earn various certifications in personal training, kickboxing instruction, group coaching, and integrated health coaching. Concurrently, I began facilitating harm circles to promote healing and reconciliation within the community. This dual focus on physical wellness and restorative practices revealed the powerful intersection between conflict and chronic illness, inspiring the creation of my unique movement dedicated to holistic health and community healing.

What I Am Most Proud Of:
I am most proud of showing how restorative justice and wellness work can transform diverse spaces. Whether it’s a school, a corporate office, or a community organization, I’ve witnessed firsthand the powerful changes that occur when people come together to heal, understand, and support one another. These transformations affirm the importance and effectiveness of the work I do.

Services I Provide:
Restorative Justice Trainings and Workshops: I offer comprehensive training sessions and workshops on restorative justice principles and practices. These are designed to equip participants with the skills needed to facilitate healing and foster community building.

Mediation Services: I provide mediation services to help resolve conflicts and repair harm, promoting empathy and accountability among all parties involved.

Mini Women’s Retreats: My retreats are unique in that we bring the retreat experience to you, whether it’s a half-day or a 1-2 day event. These retreats focus on wellness, self-care, and community building, tailored to meet the specific needs of the participants.

Problems I Solve for Clients:
Community Building: I help build strong, empathetic communities by teaching restorative practices that promote open dialogue and mutual understanding.

Harm Repair: My mediation services address and repair harm, fostering reconciliation and healing among conflicting parties.

Wellness Building: Through my women’s retreats and wellness coaching, I guide women towards healthier lifestyles, emphasizing the importance of self-care and personal well-being.

What Sets Me Apart:
What sets my work apart is the ability to transform diverse spaces through restorative practices and wellness initiatives. I have successfully brought these practices into various settings, including K-12 education, Ivy League higher education institutions, community organizations, government entities, nonprofit organizations, and even the corporate tech sector. There is always a need for community building, harm repair, and wellness enhancement, and I’ve been able to demonstrate the relevance and impact of these practices in each of these unique environments.

For potential clients, followers, and fans, I want you to know that my work is deeply rooted in empathy, accountability, and holistic wellness. I am committed to helping individuals and communities thrive by fostering environments of mutual respect and understanding. My brand is about creating spaces where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued, and where personal and collective growth is nurtured.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Building and maintaining relationships has been key to establishing my reputation within my market. I believe in walking shoulder to shoulder with people, understanding that everyone is at different levels in their journey. By providing a psychologically safe space for individuals to learn and grow, I empower them to reach their full potential. I take pride in being my clients’ biggest cheerleader, offering unwavering support and encouragement.

Moreover, my reputation is built on my high execution capability. My capacity for completing high-quality, high-level work is unmatched. I consistently follow through on my commitments and often exceed my clients’ expectations. This dedication to excellence and the genuine relationships I foster have been instrumental in building my reputation in the market.

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

My life is a story of resilience. I’ve had to start over a few times, experiencing what it’s like to be a single mother, sharing a couch with my daughter and waiting in line at the food pantry. Despite these challenges, I always knew that greater things were coming and that the seeds I planted would eventually harvest. Determined to make it on my own, I often kept my struggles from close friends and family, knowing that my sacrifices would yield results.

Through sheer perseverance and faith, I worked my way up through adversity. I went from being a crossing guard at a school to running a school as an administrator. From interning in the college president’s office at Manchester Community College to becoming an inaugural DEI officer in the state of Connecticut. I even went from borrowing classmates’ books I couldn’t afford to being an author myself.

I don’t have a secret sauce; I have God’s plan for my life, my trust in that plan, and my self-determination and intrinsic motivation to achieve every single goal I’ve set. It’s imperative that my daughter sees and knows this—that her potential is limitless. This journey has shown me that resilience is about rising above adversity, trusting in a greater plan, and relentlessly pursuing your dreams no matter the obstacles.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.latoyafernandez.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/latoya-fernandez-author-speaker-artist-731bb0122