You can have a rough start in life, but that doesn’t mean you’re destined to have a troubled one. Just like any good piece of music, it doesn’t always kick off with the most harmonious notes. Sometimes, those initial chords are a bit, well, messy. Those initial, slightly off-key notes don’t define the symphony of your life. Instead, the story develops as a result of the difficult beginning rather than despite it.

This week’s guest had a harsh start. Before the private jets and global impact, Hazel Ortega’s life began in the shadows of downtown Los Angeles. She grew up in the 80s on gang-dominated streets. For safety reasons, she wasn’t allowed to go to the mall. She never played at the park, nor was she ever allowed to visit friends and family. 

Her tough neighborhood led her to witness crimes that led to the deaths of her cousins and friends, and she even witnessed her pregnant mom shoot her abusive partner. Because of her traumatic childhood, she never knew her worth.

The Turning Point: Education as Liberation

Hazel always lived in fight-or-flight mode. She saw every day as a matter of surviving financial struggles. As long as she can pay the bills, she is alright. A pivotal moment occurred when Hazel found herself in a law office. After working for a Mexican attorney and earning above the minimum wage, Hazel had a paradigm shift. She realized good things ahead of her being surrounded by success.

She called this lawyer her pushy angel. They saw a potential Hazel didn’t see in herself. They became a mentor who shattered the limitations she thought defined her destiny. Changing her environment changed her mindset. Education became Hazel’s hope, guiding her away from poverty and towards a future she once deemed unattainable.

From Vision to Reality: Hazel’s Current Triumphs

Fast forward to the present—Hazel stands at the helm of multiple successful businesses, each driven by profound social impact. Her lifestyle mirrors perpetual vacation, a stark contrast to her earlier struggles.

Today, Hazel not only basks in her achievements but actively shapes the destinies of others. Life lessons from Hazel Ortega’s journey:

• The Power of Perspective: Hazel discovered that the first step towards change was altering her perspective, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. After moving to a new place, she found opportunities she hadn’t considered before.
  
  
• Embracing the Miracle Mentality: The vision exercise that changed Hazel’s life at age 36 introduced her to the “miracle mentality.” She unlocked the power to bring into being a reality far larger than she could have imagined by acting as though miracles had already occurred.
  
  
• Intentional Living and Pretend Manifestation: Hazel was successful because she practiced intentional living and pretended manifestation—acting as though her ideal future had already come to fruition. She found that the practice of “pretend manifestation” was a potent tool that helped her shift her perspective and pave the road to unprecedented success.
  
  
• The Ripple Effect of Giving Back: Hazel’s achievement made her realize it was her duty to help those around her. Through the High Tide Global Foundation, she was able to deliver programs promoting literacy, health, and positive self-image to underserved communities around the world.
  
  
• Defying the Norms: Hazel’s story is a testament to the beauty of having an unorthodox life. She rebelled against conventional wisdom by redefining success on her terms. She discovered resilience in the face of adversity. Little did she know that this challenging upbringing would serve as the canvas for her remarkable journey.

Life gave Hazel a difficult start, but she still won her race to success. From the turbulent streets of downtown Los Angeles to the soaring heights of global impact, she showed the power of resilience and intentional living. Hazel faced each challenging note played in her early years to become the foundation for a harmonious and impactful composition.

Let Hazel’s story help you challenge your perspectives and dare to manifest your miracles. When life treats you badly, remember that you too can turn life’s challenges into a symphony of success. Connect with Hazel through her book, courses, and the High Tide Global Foundation. Join the movement of intentional living and philanthropy. Grab free resources from Hazel and unleash your miracles.

More of Hazel Ortega:

• • Free resource: themasteryofmiracles.com
  • Non-profit: hightideglobal.org
  • Linkedin: linkedin.com/in/hazel-ortega/
  • Book: Bounced Checks to Private Jets