Meet Cristina / Andrea Ortiz

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cristina / Andrea Ortiz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cristina / Andrea, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
This is a question that speaks to everyone, whether you’re chasing athletic dreams, building a business, or tackling any kind of challenge. It’s something that touches all of us and is relevant no matter where you are in life.

For us, we began with some clear promises. We set commitments to keep ourselves accountable and guide our choices. As long as we can stick to those promises, we know it’s not time to give up. If we ever find ourselves unable to meet them, we’ll take a step back and reassess. We truly believe in the journey and understand that it requires dedication, time, growth, and often, a bit of change.

Here are the guiding principles that steer us:

Patience is key. Success isn’t instant—it’s built over time with hard work and dedication.

Cherish the project. Our bond as twin sisters is something special. Our shared passion for sports fuels our project, making it a reflection of our unique connection and a labor of love.

Keep the joy alive. Work can be challenging, but if the joy disappears, it’s no longer worth pursuing.

Control what you can. We’re all in on making this project the best it can be, and we’re committed to putting in the effort to make it shine.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
We’re identical twin sisters from Mexico, born into a family where sports, especially sailing, are a deep passion. From a young age, we took sports seriously, by 10, we were already representing Mexico at international youth sailing events.

Our early careers were promising, and by 15, we transitioned to Olympic sailing with the RS:X board. Pushing each other to excel, we reached the national team level and were determined to continue our journey.
After high school, we faced a pivotal choice: to continue in sports or pursue academic degrees. For the first time, our paths diverged.

Andy received a full scholarship to the Savannah College of Art and Design, where she earned a B.F.A. in Architecture with a minor in Architectural History. Since graduating, she’s worked as an Architectural Designer in Miami and Los Angeles, contributing to both commercial and residential projects. Now at KFA in Los Angeles, she’s passionate about multifamily housing and its positive impact on communities, thriving in a supportive environment that fosters her growth as a woman in the industry. She has found her voice and established her presence within the design field.

Cris, meanwhile, remained focused on the Olympic Games. She spent a year at Hampton University trying to balance her degree with a sailing career but returned to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, to train at the highest level. She completed two Olympic campaigns, Tokyo and Paris 2024, and consistently ranked in the top 3 of the Mexican rankings from 2016 to 2024. Cris represented Mexico in 8 World Championships and frequently podiumed in North American events.

Her journey was filled with both triumphs and challenges. A severe crash before the Tokyo 2020 qualifiers nearly derailed her, but she pushed through. The shift from the RS:X to the IQ Foil board posed new challenges, particularly as the new class favored heavier athletes. Despite her dedication, Cris faced the painful decision to retire in September 2023 due to these constraints.

With Cris retired and Andy established in architecture, it was the perfect moment for us to reconnect. Our shared love for sports and commitment to advancing women’s athletics inspired us to start Twin Talk. We saw the progress in women’s sports globally but recognized that Latin America and Mexico still had a long way to go.

Twin Talk was born out of our hours-long conversations about sports and incredible female athletes. We wanted to bring these discussions to a broader audience and give a platform to voices that need to be heard. With Andy handling graphic design and Cris staying connected to the sports world, Twin Talk is our way of having fun, staying informed, and celebrating the inspiring women making waves in sports.

Our goal is to inspire others to support and celebrate women in sports, and we’re thrilled to use our skills and experiences to make a positive impact.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We kick off our days with a touch of indulgence—nothing beats a perfect cup of coffee or an Iced Matcha Latte to start things off right. Our go-to local spot for this morning ritual is Kumquat; it’s become our little slice of morning bliss.

After a relaxed start, we’re all about getting outdoors. We’re passionate nature enthusiasts, so whether it’s a bike ride along the Santa Monica coast, a refreshing run in Elysian Park, or a challenging climb up the Culver City Steps, we love getting our hearts pumping and soaking in the fresh air.

As the day winds down, there’s nothing quite like catching a live sports event with friends or enjoying some live music. Luckily, LA always has an array of events happening throughout the year, and we’re all in for the vibrant, energetic experiences they offer.

In general, we embrace taking chances, staying open-minded, and savoring time with loved ones. We thrive on the mix of sports, great food, and the incredible spaces that LA has to offer.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
To all the amazing women in our lives,

This project is all about making a difference by shining a light on the stories of strong, incredible women. We wouldn’t be here, dreaming big and pursuing our goals, without the inspiration and lessons we’ve learned from these remarkable women.

To our mom: you’ve shown us how to dream big, never give up, and always be our strongest selves. You’ve taught us to be proud of our achievements and to embrace our talents without hesitation.

To our grandmother: you are truly one of the most impressive women we know—your kindness, intelligence, and caring nature have always inspired us.

And to every woman out there fighting for your dreams: keep pushing forward, make your voice heard, and know that your strength and determination are making a difference.

Instagram: @the.twintalk @crisov7 @andyov558

Youtube: @the.twintalk

Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/4r65BKlsxRsmMzVCdBbZaw?si=V0O66ZwJSpS8AjbO_47wmQ