Today we’d like to introduce you to Gloria Restoy.
It’s an honor to speak with you today. Why don’t you give us some details about you and your story. How did you get to where you are today?
I was born in Havana, Cuba. My father was a politician and my mother was a farm girl by comparison. We came to the US in 1961, it was hard for my parents to adapt. They got mixed up with the wrong crowd and eventually became big-time drug dealers in Miami, Florida. My father was killed by the police when I was 11 years old and my mother went to jail when I was 17 years old. I am an only child. My mother had manic depressive and bipolar disorders which made her very angry especially when she was coming down from a night of snorting cocaine.
When my father died I felt lonely, scared, and abandoned. I had to deal with a lot of rejection from my peers due to the way my father died. I mourned him all my life.
My mother dealt with her anger, and her depression. I had to deal with the pain and the sadness of being called a problem, and the culprit of everything bad that had happened to my mother.
At 17 I turned to drugs, alcohol, promiscuity, homosexuality, and very dark spiritual practices.
God entered my life in 2007 and everything changed. I was lifeless and hopeless and never imagined that anything good could happen to me. I was the girl who thought she couldn’t most of her life. I went from grieving to dancing, from sadness to joy, and from death to life.
I’m sure your success has not come easily. What challenges have you had to overcome along the way?
Today, I am a leader in my church, I am a teacher and an author. I have written my testimony in a book called “The Girl with the LowCut Dress. The book contains historical accounts of Havana, Cuba, and its oppressive regime. I also wrote the story of how my parents met and what their world, their culture was like in the island paradise of Havana.
I write about the effects of my life surrounded by drug dealers in the1980’s in my hometown of Miami. There were kidnappings, and mega boats being confiscated with massive loads of drugs.
I lived to tell the story by the grace of God. Today I have a healed heart, I was able to forgive many events that destroyed many years of my life.
My mother and I became the best of friends, as we also became sisters in the Lord when one summer day she gave her heart to Jesus Christ.
I received the first hug from my mother a year before she died and I knew I had come home. My spirit was craving my mother’s love and God gave me that gift.
Let’s talk about the work you do. What do you specialize in and why should someone work with you over the competition?
I have been on the journey of self-discovery and emotional recovery since 1990. I have spent many years of my life going back to my past to understand the brokenness in order to live a life of victory today. I am passionate about inner healing, forgiveness, blossoming where you are planted, and becoming better every day despite the circumstances. I have blossomed by Grace and Grit.
I am a Certified Christian Life Coach, Wellness Coach, Chaplain, Author, and speaker. My greatest experience is derived from Life and God. I am a lover of wisdom and I seek it every day.
My purpose is to help people grow in their faith by sharing the testimony of my struggles as I inspire, encourage, and give hope through my story.
What’s your best piece of advice for readers who desire to find success in their life?
My advice for success is to give yourself permission first. Be anchored in love, family, friendships, and God. Help people and be generous. Love and laugh and sing as if it was your last day on earth. Heal any brokenness as soon as possible and do not let your past define your future. Don’t become better at doing, rather become better at being.
Speaking of success, what does the word mean to you?
Success began in my mind. That was my battlefield. I had to conquer my giants there first. I had to stop believing lies about myself, my worth, and my capabilities. I was tired of failing until I became tired of living. I renewed my mind with the word of God. I gave attention to my spirit, and all the fragmented pieces no longer were out of place, I was in the right space. First I had to have faith and believe that I was capable. There is a verse in the bible that refers to this process and it is found in 3 John 1:2, Beloved, I pray that in every way you may succeed and prosper and be in good health (physically ), just as I know your soul prospers (spiritually).
I give glory to God in all areas of my life. When I ponder on the fact that I have a sound mind, despite being raised by a mentally ill mother, I say thank you God for your mercies.
What’s next for you?
I am in the process of writing my second book. It will be about inner healing in order to succeed in life. It will be accompanied by a workbook and journal. I am very excited about this project as it was born out of a time of adversity in my life. ” You have to live it in order to give it ” My life purpose is to help people heal from their past, overcome adversity and become better for their present and future.
Finally, how can people connect with you if they want to learn more?
My book is on Amazon in English and Spanish.
My website: www.gloriarestoy.com
Facebook : gloriarestoy
Instagram: gloria_restoy_
Youtube: Blossoming by Grace and Grit by Gloria Restoy
