In this episode, Maria Concepcion Nava Guedez shares what it truly means to leave everything behind for the safety and future of your family.

Raised in Maracaibo, Venezuela, Maria lived a simple, family centered life built around work, her children, and daily visits to her mother and grandmother. When political instability and severe shortages began closing doors around her, she faced a decision she never imagined making. Stay and risk her children’s future, or leave and rebuild from nothing.

Maria opens up about the fear leading up to her departure, the emotional weight of saying goodbye twice at two airports, and the loneliness that hits when you land in a city where no one knows your name. She speaks honestly about navigating legal processes, enrolling her children in school, and learning how to start over without a support system.

Today, Maria lives with gratitude and strength. She still misses the scent of Lake Maracaibo and the blazing sun of her hometown, but she has built a new life rooted in safety and chosen family. Her story is about resilience, identity, and what it means to live with a divided heart while loving two countries with equal depth.

This conversation is for anyone who has ever started over, and for those who want to understand what that truly costs.

Maria Concepcion Nava Guedez Bio

Maria Concepcion Nava Guedez is originally from Maracaibo, Venezuela. Before immigrating, her life revolved around her children, her work, and daily visits with her mother and grandmother. Family was the center of everything.

Faced with growing insecurity and economic hardship in her home country, Maria made the difficult decision to immigrate in search of stability and opportunity for her family. What followed was a journey marked by fear, resilience, and determination. She rebuilt her life step by step in a new country, navigating legal systems, education systems, and cultural differences while carrying the emotional weight of separation from her homeland.

Today, Maria lives with gratitude for the safety and peace she has found, while still honoring her roots. She believes that being an immigrant means loving two lands at once and carrying both forward with strength. Her story reflects courage, devotion to family, and the quiet power of starting again.

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