Meet Monica Torres: Writer & Mentor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Monica Torres and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Monica, what inspires you?
I find that I am most inspired by vulnerability and authenticity. As both a therapist and a writer, I have come to see the raw beauty that exists when we are living our truths without facades or hesitation. A tremendous amount of courage is needed to feel deeply and share what is felt with others despite the criticism or ridicule that one may face. As a society, I find that we place such a heavy emphasis on success and achievement- sometimes, at the expense of happiness and well-being. I, myself, find inspiration in the humans that admit they are scared instead of acting dauntless and the ones that share they are hurting rather than appearing unbothered. Connection, passion, creativity, love- all of the beauty in this one life demands that dig deep to the core of our being and then share what we have been hiding with others.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The work that I do as both a writer and a therapist is done in the hope of connecting with others and giving people a place to feel free. Being a part of someone’s growth and helping someone realize that they have the power to change their mentality or circumstances is invaluable. I want those that I work with to leave feeling empowered. Throughout my career, I have learned that not everyone has the same destination in mind- each individual has a different definition of happiness and one size does not fit all. My role is to help others define what happiness means to them and what steps they can take in order to truly live rather than simply exist.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My love language is food. Whenever I travel, my fondest memories are always of local, traditional cuisine. When I have friends visiting, we often visit restaurants featuring food they would not find back home. There is a small taco shop nearby, Tacos y Mariscos El Tacon Tento, that I always bring my friends to when they are visiting because they have the absolute best shrimp ceviche. Another local culinary favorite is Steak 44- I have yet to find a better steak and I have searched far and wide. Last but not least, Cafe Lalibela has unparalleled Ethiopian cuisine that some of my friends still rave about after their visits. I also enjoy craft beer so we typically make a stop at Wren House for a drink. I typically end a long weekend with a pool day at the W Hotel to relax and get a bit of sun and champagne.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have had the fortune of being surrounded by strong women throughout my life that taught me the importance of finding my own voice and never doubting how far its sound could carry. I grew up shy and full of doubt, seldom speaking up for myself. Writing became a way for me to express all that I was feeling but was too afraid to say. The decision to share my writing was heavily influenced by women who refused to be silenced and helped me find the courage to follow suit.

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