From office desk to bodybuilder, solo founder, and mother
Published on September 4, 2025 · Duration 01:06:58
Ever feel like your life needs a complete rehaul, but you’re stuck in the corporate grind? Or maybe you’ve hit the gym, only to realize your motivation is as fleeting as a New Year’s resolution? Well, buckle up, buttercup, because this week on Bootstrapped for Cash, we’re diving deep with the incredible Natalia Rodríguez, who has done it all – and then some!
Natalia’s journey is less of a straight line and more of an exhilarating roller coaster. She kicked her corporate career (and probably a few glass ceilings) to the curb, all for love, moving to Switzerland and embarking on an entrepreneurial adventure. What started as a daring leap turned into a full-blown transformation: personal trainer, health coach, natural bodybuilder, and a supermom navigating the wild world of solo founding. Talk about a glow-up!
The Globe-Trotting Gourmand’s Guide to… Well, Life!
Our hosts, Giorgio Azzinnaro and Iván Peña, grill Natalia about her fascinating past, starting with her corporate marketing days in Colombia, Spain, Portugal, and even the UK. Imagine moving to a new country and realizing that “speaking the language” means more than just knowing the words – it means understanding the culture, the very mind of the customer! Natalia vividly recounts a meeting in Spain where people started “screaming at each other,” and she was left wondering if she’d accidentally landed in Italy. Spoiler: it was just Spanish business as usual!
Her advice for anyone contemplating a big move? “Follow your heart and try it. Don’t keep it for you. Don’t get scared. It’s scary, it’s good, but try it because then you will never know”. Preach, Natalia, preach!
Beyond Biceps: The Mind-Blowing World of Health Coaching
Just when you thought her story couldn’t get any more interesting, Natalia drops the mic on “health coaching”. This isn’t just about counting reps and calories; it’s a holistic approach to wellness, recognizing that health isn’t only physical. She shares an eye-opening anecdote about a doctor in LA finding the “sickest people” among the wealthy, not due to lack of resources, but because of immense stress from pretending to be someone they’re not. Some patients even cured their cancer by divorcing spouses they didn’t love. Mind. Blown.
Iván even throws in his hilarious “zebra analogy,” noting how animals shake off stress instantly, unlike us cortisol-ridden humans. Turns out, Italians in a meeting room might be closer to zebras than we thought!
From “Bad” Food to Bodybuilding Bliss
Natalia’s journey into natural bodybuilding is a testament to extreme dedication, but it also taught her invaluable lessons about sustainability and hormonal balance. After rigorous competition diets that left her hormones out of whack and craving all the French fries, she realized the key wasn’t restriction but intention and moderation. Forget “cheat days”; Natalia teaches you to fight your daily food fights with knowledge, understanding portions, and choosing foods that make you feel energetic and happy. It’s about hacking your brain and rewiring your beliefs about food and exercise.
And for the ladies out there still fearing “getting bulky”? Natalia has some choice words: it takes years of intense, consistent effort for women to build significant muscle mass. So go ahead, lift those weights – you won’t accidentally turn into the Hulk, we promise!
The Solo Founder’s Social Media Survival Guide (with a little help from AI!)
As a solo founder and mom, Natalia openly shares the “nightmare” of growing a genuine audience on Instagram. She’s been there, done that, and burned out multiple times. But this time, she’s back with a strategy, a therapist, and a little help from her friend, ChatGPT. She’s learned to “rewire her brain” to enjoy the process, be intentional with her content, and test what works for her audience. Plus, she’s discovered the magic of scheduling content weeks in advance and even creating video edits herself using Instagram’s tools.
And here’s a pro-tip from Iván for content creators: re-purpose your Instagram shorts on TikTok! Even if you think your audience isn’t there, the reach might surprise you. Natalia, ever the adaptable entrepreneur, is ready to give it a try!
This episode is packed with humor, incredible insights, and a healthy dose of inspiration. If you’re looking for motivation to transform your life, rethink your relationship with food and fitness, or just want to laugh along with a genuinely amazing human, you have to listen to this one.
Don’t miss out on Natalia’s incredible journey! Check out her inspiring content and fitness tips on Instagram: Natalia Rodríguez Coach
