Today we’d like to introduce you to Christella Villatoro
Hi Christella, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Houston, Texas and of Salvadoran and Honduran decent. Growing up, I saw both of my parents work extremely hard every single day, NO MATTER WHAT! This work ethic was embedded in me and can explain not only the motivation I have, but the passion and dedication that keeps me going NO MATTER WHAT!
My journey as a scholar began at the age of 15 when I decided that I wanted to sign up for AP classes. Having never studied a day in my life, I struggled at the beginning but was determined to never give up. One of the classes I had signed up for was AP Psychology. From the very first chapter I KNEW I was going to somehow make a life out of the knowledge I was receiving, but never did I ever imagine that it would SAVE MY LIFE the way it did.
The following year I was living in Honduras and in a period of three months I lost 18 pounds, chunks of my hair started falling out, I would fall asleep anywhere and everywhere, and I was feeling extremely depressed for no reason. On February 1st, 2016 I passed out walking down the stairs on my way to the nurses’ office. When I regained consciousness I could no longer see out of my left eye, I was rushed to the hospital and arrived RIGHT ON TIME. My hemoglobin was at 5 and I was about to die. I got a blood transfusion and got on a plane back to Houston to receive medical attention.
It took two weeks to find out my diagnosis. After 2 surgeries, multiple blood cultures, multiple groups of doctors, and lots of prayers I was diagnosed with Lupus Nephritis stage three. My life changed immediately and instead of being a “normal teenager” I had to undergo chemotherapy, IVIG infusion, steroid infusions, and had to start taking 10 medications. I also had to re-gain my ability to walk and my strength. I was at rock bottom, which ended up being the best thing that ever happened to me.
I remembered a concept from my AP Psychology class that resonated with me: intrinsic motivation. Intrinsic motivation is the motivation to engage in a behavior because of the inherent satisfaction of the activity rather than the desire for a reward or specific outcome. Because I was at rock bottom, I realized there was nothing else I had to lose and so much I had to gain. I wrote down the following: “I am intrinsically motivated to SURVIVE and take control of what I can do to get better everyday!” I started to eat healthy and drink 3 liters of water a day. Once I regained my strength back I got my gym membership and started working out. I called upon my friends and my family to support me throughout my treatments and outside of treatment as well. Before I knew it, I was having the time of my life and creating my new normal, a BETTER normal than the one I had before! 6 months later I had a surgery and multiple blood cultures to check the status of my lupus, it had looked like NOTHING HAPPENED! I was in remission!
This experience solidified my passion for Psychology and showed me the POWER of the mind! Whenever I am faced with a challenge I think of this time in my life and it has helped me conquer the following: having my son Francisco at 20 years old and my second lupus flare up.
I continued my journey as a scholar at The University of Texas at Austin. During my sophomore year, I made the courageous decision to have my son Francisco and continue pursuing my education. It was not easy, but with the help of my family, friends, and mentors, I created my own system of excellence and was able to excel at UT all because of the motivation and passion that my son brought into my life! 4 months after Francisco was born, COVID hit. I am blessed to say that this was a pivotal time in my life and my career. I took advantage of that period to find myself and start addressing what I really wanted in life.
I took a mindfulness and self-compassion course with Dr. Marissa Knox and this class solidified once again my passion for Psychology. This class inspired me to pursue a PhD in Psychology, go back to pursuing my dream of becoming a professional dancer, and healed me of mental illness. I decided to expand my knowledge and ended up double majoring in Psychology and Sociology and minoring in Educational Psychology.
Unfortunately, in March of 2021 I started to get sick again and this time the lupus attacked me in a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT WAY: arthritis all over my body. This is when I realized how horrible this illness was and how “invisible” symptoms are treated in a hospital setting. For over a year, I was ignored and dismissed by medical professionals and slowly started to lose my ability to make any kind of movement. After a year of being dismissed, I was almost considered disabled and this when I tapped back into intrinsic motivation. On March 29th, 2022, I said “I’M DONE! If they literally saved my life last time then there is a solution to this problem, I will not be dismissed.” I went to the ER and DEMANDED that they fix the problem, two weeks later I was back to normal!
I ended up graduating from The University of Texas at Austin in May of 2022 and am currently a graduate student in the Psychology Masters program at New York University. All of these adversities EMPOWERED me to create EMPOWERED PSYCHOLOGY, my psychological philosophy and advocacy platform. I am currently a company member of KR3TS, a dance company based in Spanish Harlem where I am being trained by Violeta Galagarza. And last, but not least I am directing and running two research projects while writing my first book. I was able to take my adversities and turn it into my life’s work and passions. My goal is to combine psychology and the arts and give humanity the tools to overcome adversity and create their dreams lives!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not a smooth road at all, but what’s an amazing story without the struggles?
My biggest struggles have been 1. Having a chronic illness like lupus
2. Becoming a young mom
Lupus is a horrible illness and in my case is either OFF or ON. And when it’s ON, it’s deadly. But this is where the beauty of the POWER OF THE MIND comes into play. I have been able to create a healthy lifestyle for myself and have been in remission since May 2023. Although Lupus was supposed to end my life, it actually helped me create my dream life and I truly believe that is because I used my thoughts, perceptions, emotions, and behaviors to my advantage in order to SURVIVE.
Becoming a mother at twenty by far was the biggest challenge of my life, but actually gave me a purpose and meaning that continues to evolve. Francisco saved my life in many ways and is the reason why I am going after my dreams with such resilience and gratitude.
I am proud to say that my biggest adversities have turned into my BIGGEST STRENGTHS!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a scholar, researcher, and training to become a professional dance artist.
I am currently working with The University of Texas at Austin under Dr. Jeff Mayo to create and direct the first ever program for parenting students.
I am also currently with New York University under Dr. Joshua Aronson to create a program to combine mindfulness training and the art of dance.
Both programs will have the Empowered Psychology philosophy embedded into them through the book I am currently working on that will be released in May of 2025 God willing.
As for my dance training, I am currently a member of KR3TS (Keep Rising to the Top) where I am training in various dance styles such as hip-hop, lite feet, salsa, dancehall, afro, house, contemporary, krump, locking, and more under the direction of Violeta Galagarza. I just completed my first year in the company and have found a deep love for the style of house, dancehall, and reggaeton. Dance has become an essential part of my education and well-being and fuels my passion for life. I am very excited that I am getting to incorporate dance into my work as a researcher and scholar.
I am most proud of my resilience and relentlessness in the pursuit of my dreams. I feel as though I am pursuing both my scholarly goals and my artistic goals at the highest level in the best city in the world: NEW YORK CITY. As a daughter of immigrant parents and after all the adversity I have had to overcome, I can honestly say I am living my dreams and I AM JUST GETTING STARTED!
What sets me apart from others is my raw energy, passion, and confidence. I know who I am and what I want. I have a team of people behind me who believe in me who are helping me get to where I want to be. GOD has shown me time and time again that I am where I am supposed to be. I am confident in Empowered Psychology and what I have to offer to the world.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I love best about Houston is its HUMBLE energy. Houston is such a diverse and humble city full of talent, love, culture, and hustle. Now that I live in NYC, I have come to truly appreciate the southern hospitality and charm that I didn’t appreciate while I lived there. Last but NOT least it has the BEST FOOD IN THE WORLD!
What I like least about the city is how spread out it is! I feel like I live in a car when I’m in Houston!
All in all, I love Houston and it will ALWAYS BE HOME!
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