Catalina Salazar

I attribute my success to a combination of awareness, obedience to growth, and consistency over perfection.

Early in my career, working in both corporate and nonprofit leadership, I learned that external circumstances matter, but internal patterns matter more. Serving disadvantaged youth and families taught me that generational cycles are not only economic. They are mental, emotional, and belief-based. That insight stayed with me.

My own financial journey deepened that lesson. Even with education, income, and structure, I found myself stuck. That experience forced me to slow down, get honest, and change how I thought before changing what I did. Awareness became my turning point.

I also attribute my success to a willingness to do the inner work repeatedly. To question my assumptions. To notice patterns without judgment. To stay curious rather than defensive. That practice has shaped how I coach and how I live.

Finally, my success comes from honoring small, faithful steps. Consistency instead of intensity. Presence instead of pressure. Progress instead of perfection. Over time, those choices compound.

I did not arrive here by shortcuts. I arrived here by paying attention, staying teachable, and choosing alignment over urgency.

The best career advice I’ve ever received is this. Taking action creates confidence.

Waiting to feel ready is a trap. Confidence isn’t the starting point. It’s the result of movement.

My mentor John Maxwell says to jump off the cliff and earn your wings on the way down. You don’t build courage by thinking about it. You build it by stepping forward before you feel prepared.

My coach Brooke Castillo teaches the same principle through a different lens. You don’t need to know the how. You create a hypothesis, test it, tweak what doesn’t work, and repeat what does.

Progress comes from action, not certainty. Clarity follows movement. Confidence is built one decision at a time.

Build while you learn with the end in mind.

Growth happens outside of our comfort zone. And experience, not theory, is what sharpens discernment and skill.

Stay curious. Stay consistent. Trust that clarity comes from engagement, not avoidance. The most effective professionals aren’t the ones who waited until they felt ready. They’re the ones who stayed in motion long enough to grow.

One of the biggest challenges in the financial freedom coaching space right now is that information is everywhere, but sustainable change is still rare.

People don’t struggle because they lack advice. They struggle because changing money behavior requires awareness, consistency, and support. Not just a spreadsheet or a strategy.

Another challenge is differentiation. The space is crowded with quick fixes and one-size-fits-all solutions, while real financial freedom is built through long-term habit change and alignment with personal values.

There’s also a growing need to address the emotional side of money. Shame, avoidance, and fear often sit beneath financial decisions, and without addressing those patterns, progress doesn’t last.

That’s why I focus on helping clients slow down, build self-trust, and create systems they can actually sustain over time.

Early on, it’s easy to believe you need to master everything before offering value. That belief slows growth and erodes confidence. The work itself is the teacher.

Seek real conversations. Pay attention to patterns. Let feedback refine your approach instead of trying to perfect it in isolation.

The values that guide me are rooted in faith with front runners being authenticity, growth and self-trust.

I value honoring my word, approaching growth with awareness rather than pressure, and helping others build confidence through intentional action. My hope is to create environments where people feel supported, take responsibility, and grow into calm, capable decision-makers.