How and when did you start writing?
I started writing in college, but at that time I wasn’t writing books; I was writing song lyrics. I even recorded three songs, although they were never released.
The idea of writing books came many years later, after having my twins. When they were around two years old, I started noticing that one of them was going through moments when he had a very hard time managing his emotions. He felt everything very intensely, and I began to realize that many of his reactions were connected to what we now know as a highly sensitive personality. As a mom, I started looking for ways to better understand him and help him navigate his emotions.
Over time, that experience became the inspiration for creating Tomás. I wanted to write a story that would help other children and their families understand that being highly sensitive is not something negative or something that needs to be changed. On the contrary, it is a personality trait that can come with a great deal of empathy, creativity, and a remarkable ability to feel things deeply. I also wanted to show that there are tools that can help children understand and manage their emotions.
That’s how Tomás was born, inspired by a very personal experience as a mom. Little by little, that first story grew into a series of books that means so much to me today.
What do you do when you’re not writing?
When I’m not writing, I’m a mom, a personal trainer, and an entrepreneur in the wellness field. To me, these three parts of my life are deeply connected.
Being a mom is one of the most beautiful experiences of my life, but it can also be one of the most demanding jobs. Over the years, I’ve learned that as moms, we often put everyone else’s needs first and leave ourselves until last. I had to learn that taking care of myself isn’t selfish; it’s necessary.
That’s why, through TheInspiredFitMama LLC, my purpose is to help other moms find that balance: to learn how to take care of their bodies, minds, and overall well-being without feeling guilty. I firmly believe that when a mom feels better and has the tools to take care of herself, she can also be more present for her family.
So, in addition to writing books, helping moms prioritize their well-being and reminding them that they matter too is one of my greatest passions and an important part of my purpose.
What does a typical day in your life look like?
A typical day in my life starts early. I get up and work out because taking care of myself is an important part of how I start my day. Then I have breakfast, and soon everyone in the house is up. I help the kids get ready for school and then take them there.
When I get back home, that’s when my workday really begins. I spend time developing ideas for upcoming books, writing, and working on new projects related to Tomás. As an author, I also visit schools to introduce students to Tomás and talk to them about emotions: how to recognize and appreciate what they feel, understand that every emotion has a purpose, and, something I consider especially important, how we can use our sensitivity and emotions to help and connect with others.
Alongside my work as an author, I continue developing projects related to my passion for wellness. I create resources for moms who are looking for realistic ways to take care of themselves, incorporate movement into their lives, and create small moments of calm and well-being amid their everyday responsibilities. To me, wellness is about learning to listen to ourselves, taking care of our physical, emotional, and mental health, and finding a balance that truly works for our lives. Being able to share these tools with other moms is a very special part of my work.
And after that time dedicated to my work, it’s time to go back to mom duty. Picking up my children, listening to how their day went, helping with homework, taking them to their activities, and simply being there for them. To me, that part of the day is just as important as my work.
My life isn’t always perfectly balanced, and I think that’s also part of the reality of being a mom. I’ve learned that balance doesn’t mean doing everything perfectly; it means being present for what truly matters in each moment. For me, that means being able to pursue my dreams and develop my projects while still being the mom who is there for her children.
How do you come up with ideas for your books?
The ideas for my books mainly come from the personal experiences we have as a family. Many times, the situations we face as moms become opportunities to learn, grow, and find ways to help our children, and that’s where Tomás' stories come from.
For example, the first book, Tomás Returns to School, was inspired by the experience we had on my son’s first day of school. At first, it was a difficult and emotional moment, but with dedication, patience, and the right tools, we were able to help him face that day with greater confidence and joy.
After that experience, I thought, “If this happened to us, there must be many other families going through similar situations.” And that’s how the idea of sharing our experience through a story was born—one that could help other children feel understood while also offering them tools to face their own challenges.
Every Tomás book is born from an experience, an emotion, or a lesson that I feel could help another family. For me, writing is a way of turning our experiences into stories that can accompany others.
Is any of your characters inspired by someone you know?
Yes. Tomás is inspired by my son, especially by the way he experiences emotions so deeply and by some of the experiences we shared during his childhood. Although Tomás is his own character and his stories have taken on a life of their own, there will always be a part of my son in him.
Tomás’ mom also has a very special inspiration behind her: all the moms who do everything they can to help their children, who strive to understand them, support them, and give them the tools they need to grow with confidence.
In a way, she represents all those moms who, even when they don’t have all the answers, keep searching, learning, and doing the best they can for their children. I think that’s one of the most beautiful parts of the story, because so many moms can see themselves reflected in her.
Who has supported or inspired you to keep writing?
My family has been my greatest source of support and inspiration to keep writing. They are always encouraging me to move forward and continue pursuing my dreams, even during times when things feel difficult.
They understand that these stories can have a positive impact on other families. Knowing that a story born from our own experience can help another mom or make a child feel understood is one of the things that motivates me to keep going.
My family always reminds me that when we do something with love and purpose, it can reach much farther than we ever imagine.
Is there anything else you’d like to say to your readers?
Yes. I’d like to remind families that every child is different and that there is no single way to feel, learn, or experience the world. As parents, we often want to protect our children from difficulties, but it’s also important to teach them to understand their emotions, accept who they are, and trust in their own abilities.
Through Tomás, I want children to know that they are not alone, that their emotions are valid, and that being different can be a strength. And to parents, I want to remind them that they don’t have to have all the answers; what matters most is being present, listening, supporting, and continuing to learn alongside our children.
My greatest wish is for Tomás’ stories to reach many families and schools and, in some way, for every child who reads them to feel seen, understood, and capable of facing their own challenges with confidence.
If one of my stories can make a child feel a little less alone, or help a mom find a new way to understand and support her child, then for me, this entire journey will have been worth it.
