Merlin Ramirez shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Merlin, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me right now usually starts with working as a behavior therapist in the mornings and afternoons. Later in the night, I focus on studying, working out, and spending time reading.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Merlin Ramirez, and I’m a behavior therapist, author, and entrepreneur. I currently work in the field of behavior analysis, supporting individuals and families through evidence-based strategies that promote growth, emotional regulation, and independence. This work has shaped my understanding of resilience, empathy, and the importance of meeting people where they are.
In addition to my clinical work, I’m also a business owner. I run a children’s party rental business, Magic City Celebrations, which specializes in inflatable rentals for birthdays and special events. The business is centered on creating joyful, memorable experiences for families, and it allows me to express a more creative and playful side of who I am while staying connected to my community.
I’m also the author of ¿Si Dios está conmigo, quién contra mí?, a deeply personal, testimonial, and motivational book. In it, I share my journey through anxiety, grief after the loss of my sister Lismery, migration, emotional healing, and faith. The book is written with honesty and vulnerability, inviting readers to reflect on their own struggles and find strength, hope, and resilience even in difficult seasons.
What makes my story unique is how I integrate science, faith, and entrepreneurship. Whether I’m working as a therapist, building my business, or writing, my focus is on growth, healing, and purpose. Right now, I’m continuing to expand my work as an author, grow my business, and connect with others who are navigating their own journeys of personal and emotional transformation.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was a sensitive, curious girl deeply emotional, faith-driven, and full of questions. I felt things intensely, dreamed freely, and believed that love, honesty, and purpose were enough. I didn’t measure my worth by productivity or expectations; I simply existed with hope and trust, even when I didn’t fully understand the world around me.
Over time, life, loss, migration, and responsibility shaped me, sometimes forcing me to quiet parts of myself in order to survive. But at my core, that person is still there soft, resilient, and grounded in faith learning to reclaim her voice, her emotions, and her truth.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me how to sit with myself in silence, how to feel without running, and how to trust God when nothing made sense. It stripped away my illusions of control and showed me my limits, but also revealed a strength I didn’t know I had. Through pain, I learned compassion not just for others, but for myself. Success can validate you, but suffering transforms you. It taught me humility, patience, and the depth of empathy that only comes from walking through loss, anxiety, and uncertainty. It showed me that healing is not about arriving, but about choosing to keep going, even when the road is heavy.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I think many smart people get it wrong today by believing that intelligence alone is enough. We live in a time that rewards productivity, credentials, and constant output, but often ignores emotional intelligence, humility, and faith. Knowledge without self-awareness can lead to burnout, disconnection, and a false sense of control.
Another place smart people miss the mark is in thinking that strength means never struggling. In reality, avoiding vulnerability limits growth. Some of the deepest wisdom comes from listening, slowing down, and allowing space for emotions, healing, and purpose. Being smart isn’t just about knowing more it’s about understanding yourself, others, and what truly matters.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
I think people may misunderstand my legacy by seeing only the productivity my career, my business, or my accomplishments without fully recognizing the quiet inner work behind it all. They might assume strength came easily to me, or that faith meant I never doubted or struggled.
What could be overlooked is that my legacy is not built on perfection or success, but on resilience, vulnerability, and healing. Everything I’ve created has come from pain transformed into purpose. If people miss that, they may miss the heart of my story: that it’s possible to rebuild yourself with honesty, faith, and courage, even when life breaks you first.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://a.co/d/dsb1pNZ
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/merlin.ra/
