| At U/1ST, we believe it is time to redefine the word success. It's time to think of success as the beginning of a desire - a desire to be more authentic. The real key to this success is to prioritise what really matters: ourselves. This step will be the beginning of our inner journey.
US FIRST was created to share stories of people who have chosen to put themselves first and change their lives. If you missed the first episode, you can still learn about Silvia Valero, founder of Caressée, and her inspiring story here. |
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In this new edition, Begoña Rodrigo, a Michelin-starred chef and founder of La Salita, explains how passion for what you do and curiosity about self-discovery are essential ingredients for achieving personal and professional fulfilment. Begoña's energy and positive attitude are infectious. Years ago, she made a decision, but one of those life-changing decisions: With no idea where to start, I went to work in a hotel in Holland. That's when I realised that cooking could be an art. With that spark, I came back and opened La Salita. Did I know what I was doing at the time? Mmm... not really. But I knew I wanted to try.
For her, trusting herself and following her instincts, even when the decision seems risky, is the impetus to pursue her goals. It's not always a physical change or a move to another country that leads her to what she feels is calling her; it's more a mental direction. |
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THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A MISTAKE We agree with Begoña that doubt is an essential part of learning and personal growth. Of course, failures and moments of uncertainty are always opportunities to rethink our goals, make choices (we don't know if they're right until we try them), and evolve. I've learnt that, well, when in doubt, you've got to go for it. (And it is this leap that allows us to move forward) |
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BEING TRUE TO YOURSELF IS A HUGE STEP Our best version begins when we decide to prioritise ourselves. Putting oneself first is not an act of selfishness, but the greatest gesture of self-love. Embracing her authenticity and allowing herself to be herself (nothing more, nothing less) has made Begoña the person she is today. Since childhood, she has been passionate about design and creativity, but she never imagined that cooking would be her destiny. At first, she didn't even know where to start, but her decision to go out into the world, face her fears, and put her faith in herself was the beginning of her journey. I was very creative and good at anything to do with my hands and imagination. We can't plan everything (thank goodness!). Sometimes, life has a surprise in store for us. Sometimes coincidences lead us to where we are meant to meet ourselves (and long live unexpected destinies). So being a chef has been a wonderful coincidence, but I never had any idea it would be this way. |
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PUTTING YOURSELF FIRST IS THE BRAVEST ACT Learning to prioritise ourselves transforms everything around us. For Begoña, being a mother, running a gastronomic business and not losing herself meant learning to say no, delegating confidently and, above all, taking care of her physical and mental well-being. IF I’M NOT WELL, NOTHING AROUND ME WORKS. Begoña shows us that being true to our convictions is the greatest gift we can give ourselves. Because... There is no stopping me when I’m being true to what I believe. By aligning ourselves with who we are, we eliminate doubt and uncertainty, propelling us toward our goals with unstoppable clarity. Inspired by Begoña's journey, we invite you to discover how to take this step toward yourself and reflect on what you can start doing today to prioritise yourself. |
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Thanks for letting us be a part of your wellness journey.
U/1ST TEAM |
