I Went to #WeAllGrow Summit and I Grew

This post is sponsored by Dove Dry Spray Antiperspirant.

I wish you could see me through your computer screen right now because I’m dying to ask you if you think I look different. Even if you never knew what I looked like before, I wonder if you would be able to tell that I experienced something kinda sorta spectacular and that I’ve grown because of it.

What happened you say? I went to the inaugural #WeAllGrowSummit by Latina Bloggers Connect as a #WeAllGrow Dove Storyteller and I grew!

How do I explain to you what #WeAllGrow Summit is? You could say that it is a “go-to professional conference for Latina digital content creators and influencers across all categories,” but this conference that took place in Los Angeles from February 26- 28 at The Line Hotel was really so much more. It was the coming together of creative, talented, giving, professional digital creators and influencers where the sharing of knowledge, experience and know-how was showered on all by all and soaked up by all because when one grows #WeAllGrow.

Now, I’ve been to blogging conferences before and I’ve loved them, but I have never had as rewarding a conference experience as I did at #WeAllGrow. I knew it was going to be great because it is the brain child of Ana Flores and if you know Ms. Flores, you know that when she does something she does it with ganas and she does it exceedingly well, but son of a pistola if she and her team of #WeAllGrow-istas didn’t manage to exceed all my expectations.

I was there as a guest of Dove Dry Spray Antiperspirant. I was one of six women selected to share her story at the closing of the conference. All six storytellers where given the privilege of bringing a blogging bestie with them on this all expense paid growth-a-thon. My blogging bestie, Lisa Quinones-Fontanez, is all kinds of inspiring and just thinking about how wonderful she was on this trip has me crying right now. I’m so incredibly happy I asked her to come with me and that she said yes.

My #MujerDove bestie @laliquin. #WeAllGrow.

A photo posted by Claudya Martinez (@unknownmami) on Feb 26, 2015 at 9:05am PST

I’m trying to come up with the words to sum up what the conference was like for me and it’s nearly impossible. I mean I can tell you everything was top notch, that the sessions were some of the best sessions I’ve ever been to, that the sponsors really connected with the attendees, that friends got to hug friends, that new friends were made, that laughter and tears were everywhere, that inspiration was overflowing, but really it was so MUCH more than all of that.

I came home feeling elated and I wrote the following message to my fellow #WeAllGrow attendees on Facebook…

I can’t tell you what you have all done for me. It’s like I’m walking around on a cloud of inspiration and motivation. Being in a space with so many creative kindred spirits has fed my soul. Life has been testing me with some obstacles lately and being around all of you reminded me that I have everything I need to overcome whatever gets in my way.

Special shout out to Divina Rodriguez for giving me the pep talk I didn’t even know I needed. She reminded me that she’s been watching my progress and that even though I think I’ve taken a hit I am so much further along than I was a few years ago. She’s totally right because that’s the thing about growth, when you grow no one can take it away from you. Growth is yours to keep and use to grow some more.

I was excited to go to #‎WeAllGrow and surprised that the best takeaway from the experience is that I continue to be excited. I celebrate each and every one of you for being the passionate and creative people that you are and I am humbled and proud to consider myself a part of this community.

The biggest personal moment for me during this conference was when I went on stage to share my story about my fear or La Miedosa as I’ve nicknamed her. La Miedosa was trying to freak me out right up until the very moment I started speaking. She was trying to make me think that my story was not worth telling, that I had no business standing in front of so many incredible people and pretending that I was one of them, but I told her to beat it and wait for me offstage and the most incredible thing happened. I shared my truth, I connected with others and it mattered, it totally mattered.

After spilling my guts on stage, these incredible people gave me support, love and understanding. Arms that belonged to people I’d never met before wrapped around me and held me close. Beautiful words were whispered in my ear. Many came forward with their stories of fear to let me know that I am not alone and as I looked at my Twitter feed I was touched by this particular tweet.

No one has made my anxiety and fear makes sense like @UnknownMami. I’m so glad to have heard her speak. Wow. #morethanmyfear #WeAllGrow

— Lexi (@laprimera) March 1, 2015

Now, I want to take a moment to truly thank the kind people from Dove Dry Spray Antiperspirant for gifting me with this amazing experience. It’s easy for us to get jaded and think that a brand is just a brand, but the truth is that a brand is made up of people, of individuals who care. I know this because when I told my story, I saw the people from Dove Dry Spray Antiperspirant cry and cheer for me and I was not only touched but grateful.

I’m not gonna lie, I’m always going to have an affinity for Dove Dry Spray Antiperspirant now. I’ve been a fan of Dove Antiperspirant for years, but this new spray version is now my favorite because it goes on dry, leaves no visible residue and provides 48-hour wetness and odor protection. Do me a BIG favor and the next time you’re buying antiperspirant; please check out the new Dove Dry Spray Antiperspirant available at retailers nationwide!

If you would like to check out “my story” the story that I told during the #WeAllGrow Summit, all you have to do is press play!

Image via  Robson Muzel and #WeAllGrow Summit 2015