Just walked into my room, the Amangiri villa, at Amangiri and bursted into tears. I truly can’t believe (and I’m sure literally everyone who knew me before Newsette became successful) that at 26 years old I am able to treat myself to this after 7 years of working myself to the bone. Growing up I didn’t think it was possible for someone like me (young, Latinx, almost failed out of college, lots of mental health issues) to have this kind of life—especially without a man or family money. I want women to know that it IS possible. I want culture to change so that instead of asking where my husband is at check-in, it’s fathomable that a young woman is paying for this trip from her own hard work. I’m sure some will see this post as bragging, but I really hope most do not. The intention is to show that it’s possible to achieve success without being a middle-aged white man from Harvard. I was not the “smart kid” in school. People literally called me the “dumb twin.” But I worked my ass off (and still have to) to prove them wrong. I know I need to be better about not working 24/7 (I can’t have a mental fitness company and not focus on my own mental health), and I am going to make changes after this trip. But I want to thank every single person who ever believed in me (when there was absolutely no reason to). You kept me alive during my deepest depressions and anxiety attacks. We need to get more VC dollars in women and BIPOC hands so that I am not the “rarity.” We need to normalize mental health so that people who have an illness don’t count themselves out of being able to achieve their dreams. Thank you to my beautiful and brilliant immigrant mother, my twin sister, my COO and rock Sean, @cduffy713 @gracegodonnell @norajeanne for lifting me up every day. And thank you to @therealdvf @serenawilliams @sandracamposnyc @whitney @peterrahal @brentlsaunders @andrewrez21 @sirbrygo and more for believing in my businesses. And finally thank you @mandyteefey and @selenagomez for being my partners. OK- I doubt anyone will care enough to read this far but taking a moment away from work for a few days has given me time to step back and reflect. I am so thankful and grateful.