E33: From First-Gen Dreamer to Oprah Daily: Dr. Lisette's Journey in Latino Mental Health

When Your Calling Finds You

Dr. Lisette’s story is one that hits close to home for so many of us in the Latino community. She grew up as a first-generation student, watching her parents sacrifice everything so she could have opportunities they never had. But what makes her journey extraordinary is how she turned her own pain and her community’s struggles into a mission that has now been recognized by Oprah Daily. She didn’t just survive the first-gen experience — she studied it, understood it, and is now healing it.

In our conversation, Dr. Lisette opens up about the moment she realized that the anxiety, the pressure, and the emotional weight she carried weren’t just personal — they were generational. She talks about how Latino families often don’t have the language for mental health, how “echale ganas” became a catch-all for dealing with trauma, and how she’s working to change that narrative one patient, one article, and one speaking engagement at a time.

Normalizing Mental Health in Our Communities

What I love most about Dr. Lisette is her ability to make mental health feel accessible and non-threatening for our community. She doesn’t come from a place of judgment; she comes from a place of “I’ve been there too.” This episode is a must-listen for anyone who has ever felt like therapy isn’t for them, or who has been told that they just need to pray harder or work more. Your mental health matters, and Dr. Lisette is proof that seeking help is one of the bravest things you can do.