“Mami” means mom in Spanish.  What started as a diary of my story as a wife, mother, author, cycling advocate, and mid-pack triathlete has morphed into the site today.  I share about causes I am passionate about and inform you of how you can help, and share stories that inspire me in hopes you too will be inspired to do something.  I also maintain some of that diary feeling by telling stories about my life and travels.

I do conduct product reviews and publish only about products I have a positive experience with.  I am PR friendly and welcome opportunities to work with brands to further their goals in positive and passionate ways.

More about me …. if you are curious. I was born to Cuban parents in São Paulo, Brazil.  As a teenager I moved to Casablanca, Morocco with my family and finally arrived in the United States at seventeen.

A graduate of Wellesley College, I began my career at Merrill Lynch Investment Banking as an Analyst in the Latin America Corporate Finance Group.  After three years, I left to join the tech boom moving to Palo Alto, CA where I worked for 3Com Corporation in Latin America Marketing.  3Com sent me to Chile in 1998 and in 2000 I left the for-profit world altogether to begin a nonprofit organization called CDI Chilewith some friends.  CDI is still alive today helping thousands of Chileans be part of the digital society.

In 2003, I returned to the United States based in Miami, Florida. I worked at Camillus House, a large homeless advocacy organization and I also met hubby Joe.  I became a stay at home mom when our first son “Dreamer” was born in 2005 and also for “Fearless” in 2007 while in the meantime obtaining my teacher certification.  I began working in a preschool in 2008.

I played sports in high school but not very competitively and I’ve been mostly inactive since.  In 2010, I found myself overweight and unhealthy so I accepted a friend’s suggestion of trying to do a sprint triathlon.  This began my surprising health and fitness journey which keeps taking unexpected turns.  I have become a road safety advocate co-founding Bike Key Biscayne, and rode 400 miles from Orlando to Tallahassee promoting road safety as part of the GEICO Road Safety Bike Tour.  I have also been very active in teaching young children about bike safety and how to help grown ups remember not to text and drive.

As Triathlon Mami  I have completed Ironman Florida in 2013, Ironman Arizona in 2014, and Ironman Lake Placid in 2015  (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 miles run). I was sponsored by Got Chocolate Milk for all three events.  I also competed at the South Beach Triathlon in 2014 pulling my quadriplegic friend Kerry Gruson as part of Team Thumbs Up.  The response was so overwhelming we Co-Founded ThumbsUp International, a non profit which pairs able bodied and adaptive athletes to compete in local races.  I received the 3M Positive Impact Award for my contributions to the community, was named by Latina Magazine as one of top bloggers to watch in 2014, and recognized as a Miami Woman Who Rocks.

I look  forward to create, face and conquer new challenges.  I am fluent in Portuguese, Spanish, English and French.   I love to write and tell stories, specially about my trials and triumphs as a triathlon mami.