We’re looking forward to introducing you to Michelle Montero. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Michelle, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me is waking up before the crack of dawn to get myself and my son ready to start our day. I have to be out the door by 7:15am so I can get him to daycare and into my office on time. I get to work in a marketing agency setting with various departments from business development to SEO and social media. It’s very exciting to be behind the scenes of a large corporate marketing setting, learning different strategies and ways of thinking, on a macular level.
I end my day at 5pm and head to pick up my son from daycare, have dinner (if I have time) because on week days, 3 out of 5 days I’m at church in worship practice or leading our youth group. The days I don’t go to church during the week I’m able to just do my bed time routine with my son and get an early shut eye. I’m beyond grateful to be able to have a solid foundation to have peaceful and productive days.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Michelle and I’m an email marketing specialist for car dealerships under a large marketing corporation. Outside of work, I’ve been doing a lot of internal work, whether you want to call it shadow work or reflecting, I’ve grown to become more comfortable in my own skin and finding who I am outside of being a single mom who’s experienced a loss.
Getting back in touch with who I am, I’ve taken back up to modeling in my spare time. I’ve found it to be so empowering and hope to inspire other women to follow their heart, wherever it may lead them.
Something I’ve been working on and focusing on has been the Maxim Cover Girl competition. I’ve made it as far as round 10 out of 12 in my cohorts and hope to make it to the interview round. Part of the competition prompts asked me which organization I’d choose to win a donation if I do win, and I chose the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. I know many who’ve been affected by breast cancer so this is close to my heart.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
My father taught me everything I know about work ethic and morals. He’s a very wise and hardworking man to this day at age 71. Born en el campo of Cuba, he learned from a very young age what poverty looked like and had to help out any way he could. I can understand now why he’s always so concerned now that he’s retired. The man has worked every day of his life as long as he can remember.
I remember he worked so hard one day that his muscles in his right hand had stiffened from hammering for 10-12 hours. My dad cried out in pain. That’s when I learned that our bodies need rest. As hardworking as we can desire to be, resting is just as important as working hard.
My dad worked even when he was exhausted. But he also taught me it’s the quality of your work that matters. In other words, your efforts are a reflection of the results you produce. Work hard, efficiently, and ensure what you produce is good. My dad continues to be a source of inspiration and motivation when things get a little rocky and I feel like giving up. Because we all have those days but it’s our job to pull ourselves out of it.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
In late 2021, what started off as a dream come true began to turn into a nightmare. I had just given birth to my son in May and by November, my late ex-fiancé developed a drug addiction. Our home life was chaotic and unlivable to the point of needing to separate for my son’s safety. After months of trying to get him professional help, I couldn’t do it anymore.
His addiction wasn’t just affecting him but it began to affect me too. As a new mother, alone in a city 5 hours away from anyone who could offer some support, I felt extremely alone.
If I thought my life was crumbling then, it truly did on April 10th, 2023 when I received a phone call. My late fiancé had gotten into a habit of disappearing for days, weeks at a time even so I hadn’t heard from him in a while but this call was different. He was found, overdosed, in an abandoned building where he was staying. My heart tore out of my chest as I screamed in agony. I’ve never felt such deep pain in my 26 years of life.
There were days where the grief would consume me. I would stay up until 2, 3, 4 in the morning unable to sleep, unable to stop crying. I wanted to give up but I knew my son only has me now and I have to keep pushing through for him and for us.
I found myself leaning on God and He has given me the resilience and strength beyond understanding. When I feel like crumbling to pieces I seek Him and He lifts me up. It’s just shy of 3 years since his passing and I can honestly say I have found a peace I wasn’t expecting before. I still get sad here or there because that’s a normal response to losing someone you shared almost 7 years of your life with. But I’m at peace that he’s no longer suffering from that disease, that he’s in a better place.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Inclusion and transparency. I’m all about making sure people feel included and promoting unity. I’m very blunt and honest but in a I care about you enough to be real yet gentle. I’m the sister mom friend.
Now don’t get me wrong, I won’t sugar coat anything but I’m also not going to downright belittle and talk down to anyone. And this is for absolutely anyone even if we aren’t close – this is what you get and what I expect from others.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace around 11pm, my son is sleeping peacefully. I see him smile slightly in his sleep and know that he feels safe.
The night is quiet but I can hear the raindrops pitter pattering from the light rain outside.
There’s a roof over my head. I’m laying in my warm comfy bed. My Bible app is still playing verses on my phone. And I can quietly dose off to the Psalms.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://vip.covergirl.maxim.com/model/j40be
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/michellemonteromarketing
