Meet Naeve Duarte | Athlete & Transformation Coach
We had the good fortune of connecting with Naeve Duarte and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Naeve, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
As someone who grew up in an underprivileged community where addictions and violence were prevalent, I learned early on the importance of education and creating opportunities for myself and others. Raised by my immigrant mother (who came from nicaragua) with little to no help from anyone, she instilled in me the drive and determination to succeed despite the odds stacked against us. As I got older, I realized that the traditional path to success wasn’t going to work for me. I knew I had to create my own opportunities and pave my own way. That’s when I started thinking about starting my own business.
I wanted to create something that not only provided for myself and my family but also gave back to the community. I wanted to be an example to those who came from the same background as me that anything is possible with hard work and determination. My mother’s teachings about the importance of education and creating opportunities for others where none were created for us also played a big role in my decision to start my own business.
Overall, my thought process behind starting my own business was driven by a desire to succeed against the odds and make a positive impact on my community.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a transformation coach, my work is centered around helping people achieve their goals and become the best versions of themselves. What sets me apart from others is my background as a college athlete. Playing basketball in college not only provided me with the experience of being a part of a team, but it also allowed me to gain an education that I wouldn’t have been able to afford otherwise. This education was essential for my future business endeavors. Studying business while playing basketball gave me the knowledge and skills to one day create my own sports agency. My goal is to bring attention to my family’s home country, Nicaragua, and help young athletes from there and other countries avoid being exploited. I’ve seen firsthand how athletes can be taken advantage of, and I want to help them set up a future filled with abundance that they can then give back in return.
Getting to where I am today professionally was not easy, but I overcame the challenges through hard work and determination. The lessons I’ve learned along the way are invaluable. I’ve learned the importance of teamwork, perseverance, and always striving to improve.
In summary, my background as a college athlete was essential for my business as a transformation coach. It provided me with an education in business that will allow me to create my own sports agency in the future. I want to use my knowledge and experience to help young athletes avoid being exploited and set up a future filled with abundance. My story is one of hard work, resilience, determination, and the desire to make a positive impact on the world.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting Miami, I would want to make sure they have the best experience possible. For a week-long trip, I would suggest we start by hitting up some of the best restaurants in the city. We could try out the famous Joe’s Stone Crab for some delicious seafood, or head to Versailles for some authentic Cuban cuisine. After filling our bellies, we could head over to Wynwood Walls, an outdoor art museum that features some of the most beautiful and creative murals by local and international artists. It’s a great place to take pictures and appreciate the art scene in Miami.
Next, we could visit the iconic South Beach and soak up the sun while enjoying the beautiful scenery but personally I’m more of a Hollywood girl. We could rent some bikes/long boards and ride along the boardwalk, or take a dip in the crystal-clear water. For a night out, we could hit up some of the hottest clubs in Miami like LIV or Story.
Finally, we couldn’t leave Miami without experiencing the famous Little Havana. We could stroll along Calle Ocho and visit the cigar shops, or grab a cafecito at a local coffee shop, one of my favorite things to do is go see a candlelight violin concert at the theatre. We could even slide by a Cuban restaurant take a couple shots of tequila or rum and then head straight to a salsa dancing class.
Overall, there’s no shortage of fun, interesting, and exciting things to do in Miami. With its beautiful beaches, vibrant art scene, and delicious cuisine, it’s the perfect place to visit for a week-long adventure.
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?
I have to admit that answering this question is a bit difficult for me. In my life, I have lost some of the most important people who served as my drive and gave me a purpose to keep pushing forward. My first love died at the age of 14 in a car accident that left me as the only survivor. It was a devastating experience that left me with a lot of pain and emotional scars. Later on, my aunt who was like a sister to me passed away from leukemia, which was another loss that shook me to my core. The following year, my grandpa passed away from liver failure due to years of excessive drinking. I couldn’t believe that I was experiencing another loss so soon after the previous ones. A year later, my father passed away from a heart attack due to an overdose, and then four months later, my grandma passed away on dialysis. All these losses brought me so much grief, and at times, it felt like the pain would never go away.
However, I managed to use this grief to build the strength that covers my soul every day. The memory of these important people in my life serves as a constant reminder that life is precious, and we should cherish every moment we have with our loved ones. So, to answer the question, I want to dedicate my shoutout to all the people I have lost in my life. They have played an essential role in shaping me into the person I am today, and their memory will always hold a special place in my heart.
Instagram: https://instagram.com/naeveduarte?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
Youtube: https://youtube.com/@SHAPEDUP.?si=P7ohzvVb5Nlo0ZZz
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutMiami is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
