Vivamos Podcast: How to Find Your Balance When Your Life Feels Overwhelming

Crystal’s background and what shaped her

Crystal shares that she was born in East LA, grew up in Highland Park, and was raised by her single mother and immigrant grandparents from Mexico. While she describes her home as loving, she was also exposed to domestic violence from birth until age seven, which left a lasting impact. Her mother eventually removed her from that environment through divorce, and Crystal went on to grow up with strong family support and a strong “work hard” immigrant mindset. Spanish was spoken at home, and she describes her upbringing as humble and grounded.

The turning point in adulthood

Crystal explains that her life “changed in an instant” when she discovered her husband had an affair and they separated while she had three young children. She suddenly had to carry the responsibilities of parenting and finances alone—mortgage, cars, debt, and bills—while maintaining stability for her kids. To create long-term security, she decided to pursue the required clinical hours to become fully licensed (a multi-year process). She describes years of intense routine: caring for the kids during the day, then working late into the night to survive and progress.

The “village” and asking for help

A central theme is Crystal’s belief in building a support network (“it takes a village”). She explains that when stress becomes too heavy, people should pause and ask: Who can I pull in? In her case, she leaned on teachers, counselors, therapists (including male therapists for her sons), and her mother. The key mindset shift: don’t be afraid to ask for help. She also notes that your “village” can change over time, and that’s normal.

Mentorship and self-improvement

Crystal admits she didn’t seek mentors early enough, partly due to fear and feeling unworthy of successful people’s time. Later, especially in business (including real estate), she began actively pursuing mentorship and now pays it forward by mentoring others when she can—especially youth. She describes herself as a lifelong learner, even after earning her master’s degree, and mentions completing a Stanford-related business program through the Latino Business Action Network, highlighting how being around motivated people reinforces growth.

Mental health link to housing and environment

Eric connects Crystal’s story to his work representing families living in substandard housing. He describes seeing kids with “blank stares,” low motivation, and isolation. Crystal explains this can reflect depression, anxiety, fear, and chronic stress, especially when home stops feeling safe. She emphasizes that unstable or unhealthy living conditions affect the entire family—often starting with the mother’s stress, which then spreads through the household.

Crystal’s business mission and impact

Crystal explains she started her practice, and during COVID, demand surged, prompting her to hire staff quickly. Her mission is accessibility for all, including accepting many insurance plans (including Medi-Cal). The practice grew to roughly 50 staff (around 40 clinicians plus office staff) in about five years. She also runs a nonprofit offering free services connected to mental, spiritual, and physical health. The most common issues clients seek help for include anxiety, depression, family conflict, and high stress.

Closing takeaways

Crystal ends with three practical messages:

• Pull your village close when life is heavy.
  
• Remove negative, draining people and replace them with those who lift you up.
  

Never give up—keep trying, even after setbacks, and stay focused on a goal.