Standing on the stage as a finalist for the State’s Youth Award, in Guanajuato, in the category of Technology and Innovation, I felt a powerful sense of gratitude. This award celebrates the trajectory and impact of young talent. As I reflect on my journey, I can’t help but draw parallels between my path in technology and my experience in Tae Kwon Do. Both disciplines have shaped my life in ways I never imagined, and they share common pillars of discipline, resilience, and a dedication to service.
In Tae Kwon Do, the journey begins with the white belt, a symbol of new beginnings, innocence, and the desire to learn. For me, my “white belt” moment in tech came in 2015, when I organized my first few hackathons. Alongside a passionate team, I led three hackathons with diverse themes—fintech, automotive, and gamification—bringing together more than 600 students. It was during this time that I realized my love for solving problems was about creating real impact with the use of technology. Like any white belt, I was full of curiosity, eager to take on challenges and explore all the possibilities tech had to offer.
As I moved up the belts in Tae Kwon Do, my journey in tech also evolved. My “yellow” and “green” belts came through incredible learning opportunities in different parts of the world. I had the chance to attend an entrepreneurial summer camp in Silicon Valley, I studied innovation in Slovakia and worked at a tech-mobility startup in France. Each experience deepened my understanding of the tech and innovation landscape. They encouraged me to stay adaptable, learn from diverse cultures and trends, and to never stop pushing myself to embrace new technologies.
I earned a particularly significant belt in my journey when I joined Wizeline. As a consultant, I sharpened my expertise in product design, strengthening my abilities in user experience, data analysis, and creative problem-solving. This experience felt like moving up to a “red belt” in Tae Kwon Do, as I was no longer just a student—I was starting to develop mastery in certain areas. Wizeline wasn’t just a workplace; it was a playground for experimentation, a place where I could constantly test my abilities, take risks, and learn from every success and failure.
Initially, I was nervous about public speaking in English, especially since clear communication with clients was essential. However, through growing confidence and support, including from a Toastmasters club, I realized how crucial public speaking is to success. This was another significant belt for me, and I owe much of this growth to the openness and encouragement of Wizeline.
Mentors Mean Higher Belts
One of the most exciting parts of my career has been diving into spatial computing. Thanks to incredible mentors like Diego Hernández, who leads the Spatial Computing department at Wizeline, I was able to explore Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR). I worked on various Proofs of Concept (POCs), researching and applying these technologies to real-world problems. At the same time, I was utilizing the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve my daily workflow and find new ways to integrate it into projects. Each of these milestones felt like earning a new belt—a recognition of growth, knowledge, and the ability to see the world differently.
Today, I feel like I’ve reached my black belt in tech, not because I know everything (far from it!), but because I’m finally in a place where I can share what I’ve learned. In Tae Kwon Do, a black belt doesn’t signify the end of the journey; it’s the start of a new one—one where the focus shifts from self-improvement to helping others grow. I now take great pride in mentoring others, whether it’s sharing insights about spatial design or product development. Watching others succeed gives me the same satisfaction as earning a new belt.
As fast as the world of tech moves, I know there’s always more to learn, new challenges to face, and additional belts to earn. While I may feel like a black belt today, I know that tomorrow brings new obstacles and new opportunities, and I’ll embrace them with the same excitement I had when I first began.
Being honored as a finalist with the State’s Youth Award in the category of Technology and Innovation is a humbling reminder of how far we can get, but also a motivator to keep pushing forward. I’m immensely grateful to Wizeline for giving me the platform to explore, learn, and grow in ways I never imagined. This award reflects not just my efforts, but the support and trust of an incredible team that has empowered me every step of the way.
I strongly encourage everyone to be open to exploring new technologies, challenging themselves and setting goals in order to reach the next belt or next level.
