We had the good fortune of connecting with Lucia Cortez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lucia, what matters most to you?
Freedom.

Being free means having the ability to grow into the person I want to be in any situation.
Being free is a state of mind. We may manage our relationships with people as something important and limited when we have a clear understanding that our life is a valuable and singular opportunity. This gives us the strength to take on risks and responsibilities. Since freedom expresses our perception of time as positive and elastic, it enables us to identify our personal space, evaluate each encounter, and determine our own pace for everything.

Freedom is like an engine. It must be actionable and receive feedback in order to exercise our imagination and implement the adjustments to improve and keep going.

What should our readers know about your business?
As a biologist, I worked in research and development in both the laboratory and the field, with an emphasis on botany and biotechnology. But I’ve always wanted to share my own viewpoint on how I might help conserve biodiversity, so I started by developing a hobby: nature photography. As a daring amateur photographer full of enthusiasm, I launched my photography website in 2016 and documented the plants and animals of natural areas surrounding Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada. My goal was to find a way to draw attention to and raise awareness of the diversity and beauty of the desert. As a result, I started researching approaches like resilience thinking and spent some time recording how pollutants and climate change impact urban biodiversity, especially in Las Vegas. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) acknowledged that work https://learningfornature.org/designing-a-resilience-assessment-in-east-las-vegas/

In 2019, I pursued research on the dynamics of environmental conflicts. I was admitted into the United Nations Institute for Training Research (UNITAR) program, which is often attended by social scientists, politicians, and diplomats. I was doing fairly well, but I was unable to complete the program because of health issues that had an adverse effect on my finances, as it started at the same time as the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in 2021–2022, a new opportunity presented itself when I was able to learn directly under Prof. Johan Galtung, the primary pioneer of the field of peace and conflict studies, on conflict analysis. I was motivated by this experience, as conflict is really at the heart of what makes us human, and an opportunity for our greatest growth. It inspired me to let go of my fear and pursue my own interests more. I was working in an environment testing lab at the time, and after a year I made the decision to launch We Plant City LLC rather than continue hunting for a lab job. This choice also posed a personal challenge as, in essence, it reorients my profession in the direction of integrating it with the abilities and knowledge that empower me and help me get through difficult times.

We Plant City promotes well-being through wellness initiatives with a focus on reestablishing a connection with nature. It provides a practical choice for people who need to relax and are looking for solutions to manage their stress, anxiety, etc. This comprehensive approach enhances the idea of resilience, recognizes and treats issues that affect one’s bodily and mental health, and focuses on healing and overcoming the causes while encouraging an appreciation of nature. We provide in-person or online wellness programs and coaching to individuals, groups, and corporations.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Although I live in North Central Florida and have fairly local tastes, this region is rapidly becoming into a thriving hub for both economic and human development. Orlando used to be the primary destination for tourists interested in theme and water parks, golf courses, conference centers, and competitive sports complexes. However, outdoor enthusiasts will find a wealth of opportunities in this area, with numerous public parks offering opportunities for hiking, canoeing, SCUBA diving, kayaking, fishing, camping, wildlife viewing, and swimming. Wekiva Springs State Park and Blue Spring State Park are two locations that I enjoy and suggest for these kinds of activities. In Sanford, I found that the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Garden, the boulevard bordering Lake Monroe, and the paddle boat lunch cruise (operated by St Johns Rivership Co.) along the St Johns River are all great places to relax and spend time. On Tuesday evenings, you can also play bingo or enjoy a special meal at Hollerbach’s German Restaurant in downtown Sanford.

When I consider alternative dining options, I enjoy the vegetarian dishes and lasagna at Giovanni’s Italian Restaurant in Lake Mary, as well as the seafood soup and double salmon roll at Bayridge Sushi and Korea House Restaurant in Longwood. Winter Park’s Bulla Gastrobar and Agave Azul, have fantastic happy hours. Café Tu Tu Tango and Taverna Opa Orlando are great options. The American tacos at Torchy’s Tacos are really affordable, in my opinion. I suggest Wonder Arepa, Taste of Peru, Melao Bakery, in Orange Blossom Trail, and Pa’ Paraguana’ Venezuelan Restaurant near Kissimmee, for authentic Latin cuisine.
I also enjoy Indian cuisine, and when I visit Gateway to India in Longwood, I generally get an additional mango lassi. In downtown Orlando, brunch is good at Russell’s and The Stubborn Mule. AC Sky Bar serves special tapas. Not to be overlooked are the Latin dance and lounge at Noches Azul in Orlando.

Even though I enjoy the little farmers market on Friday mornings in Windermere, I frequently shop at the Winter Park farmers market on Saturdays because of the wide selection of vegetables. For breakfast, I usually get an artisan fresh French pastry and a macchiato coffee from the Thirsty Husky Coffee truck. I then sit down or take a few short walks till I’m exhausted.

On Sunday mornings, my friend and I go to his favorite First Watch Restaurant on N. Mills Avenue for breakfast. After that, I work as a volunteer at the Vajrapani Kadampa Buddhist Center, take a leisurely stroll around the Harry P. Leu Botanical Garden, and sit on any wooded spot that lies between Lake Rowena Park and the Orlando Science Center corridor. When I had business in downtown Orlando, I often take the Sunrail train and take a break to cool off at Lake Eola Park or Stemma Craft Coffee.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Numerous people play a big part in my life because they brought about a lot of crucial developments. Some are among the joyful memories because they motivated me to grow into my best self and create strong emotional bonds based on happiness, friendship, love, compassion, and care.
Despite our geographical separation and the passage of time, these are the people who have consistently shown me care. For instance, even though I haven’t seen them in almost 20 years, my family is there for me everyday over the phone. Conversely, some friends don’t communicate with me very often, but are there for me with words and deeds of support.
I am especially grateful to the Venezuelan woman, Luisa, who was my spiritual guide for nearly twenty years before she died from cancer. She provided me with the foundational knowledge that for the good or the bad has made me more flexible. In a similar vein, I have the utmost gratitude for my meditation instructors and friends who also take the time to listen.
On a professional level, Dr Benito Infante, a biomedical scientist and academic from Venezuela, was the first to offer me a research laboratory job and career mentorship. When I was unwell, jobless, and needed help taking care of myself and my daughter, there were those who showed me patience and compassion. Among them are a few people I met briefly and haven’t seen since, but who gave me money or held my hand when I needed it to solve an issue.
Some people have chosen to stop communicating with me, but I am still appreciative of the wonderful moments we shared.
All of these people have helped me develop a strong sense of resilience that has gotten me to the point that I am at now with my own relationships and business.

Website: https://weplantcity.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weplantcity/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/we-plant-city-582067288/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/we-plant-city-longwood

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LuciaWePlantCity

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