Leaning into a Focused Life
If I can do it, so can you!
Hi, I’m Hilda Maria Valdespino! My story, like many of my clients, is full of ups and downs. My “moments of truth,” what I call the crossroads in life, include but are not limited to losing my parents at the age of 18, going through a divorce after a 30-year marriage, job losses, and moving to a new city with nothing but $400 in the bank. These experiences have given me the opportunity to be focused, determined, and resilient. In return, I have been able to design the life I want and the freedom to pursue my passion of helping others do the same. Now, I am happy to be living my life's purpose of inspiring others to unlock their potential.
Driven by lifelong purpose
In 2007 I was laid off from a corporate training director position. It was shocking. Instead of scrambling to look for a new job, I turned my focus inward and determined that what I really liked about my corporate trainer position wasn’t actually the work I was doing, it was the people I impacted.
Friends have always said that I have a gift for connecting with people. Through my introspection and reflection during this “moment of truth”, I felt that they were right! People have always been drawn to my energy, and being a mentor and inspiring others is as natural to me as breathing.
What an amazing discovery! With the newfound confidence of learning my soul’s calling, I began the hard work of designing the life I wanted. I didn’t have enough of a savings to just start my business, and I was the primary provider for my family. And so I embraced an offer to run a local teen center, which I did simultaneously while launching my own business called Inspired Learning.
Rebuilding my soul
After ten years of these two exhilarating positions, and on the heels of my divorce from a 30-year marriage, I decided to rebuild my soul and live out by the mountains. I did a volunteer year of service as an AmeriCorps VISTA at an agency serving the homeless in Mount Vernon, Washington. I planned on going out for a year and coming back, but after a year of service, my soul still needed more mountain air! I found a 9-5 job working for a bank and doing some Inspired Learning work on the side.
Then…
My family grew
My daughter, who was living in Pittsburgh, told me she was going to start a family. I drove across the country, left the Pacific Northwest and moved to Pittsburgh. I still miss the mountains dearly, but that’s outweighed by the smile and beautiful memories I’m creating with my new granddaughter!
So now what??
I arrived in Pittsburgh with the intent to get a 9-5 job and round out my professional career with a comfortable position at a corporation offering a safe, comfortable steady income. I took on temporary training positions to find just the right fit. I was incredibly unfulfilled and nothing was aligning with my values! I was not doing anything that resonated with my soul.
I believe that doing what your soul is calling you to do is life's greatest gift. So I decided to relaunch Inspired Learning. I applied my Focused Life exercises to my own life and realized that I was being called to relaunch Inspired Learning!
I leaped.
Inspired Learning in 2020…
With a background packed with delivered inspiration and an army of focused clients, I am more motivated than ever to offer coaching and be the change agent that is so desperately needed in today’s world.
The programs that you’ll discover at Inspired Learning are uniquely developed with my signature style and are full of inspiration, breakthroughs, genuine support, joy, and fun.
If you’re in any kind of transition, if you’re looking to engage your workforce, or if you’re looking to for an inspirational speaker…you’ve come to the right place.
Oh, and did I mention that I’m Cuban?
My dad, a political activist and law professor in Cuba, exiled the country in 1960. Within a few years, he obtained his Ph.D. in Romance Languages and began to teach in colleges and universities. He was insistent that we learn Spanish. Every Tuesday night he would give my brothers and me Spanish lessons. My grandma, like most Cuban grandmothers, lived with us, so I grew up speaking two languages. The bonus is that I can provide programs in Spanish and am happy to coach individuals in Spanish.
Professional milestones
& awards
Program Partner of the Year Award
The WorkPlace, Inc
Leadership Skagit Graduate
Skagit Valley College
Competent Communicator Award
Toastmasters
Enthusiasm for volunteering
I believe volunteering feeds the soul and helps you get out of your own head.
When my daughter got tired of Brownies, I started a service group with her and her friends called “Giving Girls.” Every month we would do a service project.
I was featured in 412 Food Rescue’s 2019 annual appeal campaign. This was an extremely humbling and rewarding experience. Watch the video to learn more!
I serve on the Board of Directors of Awaken Pittsburgh.
I’ve been a huge fan of Junior Achievement. Look for a chapter near you today and learn the magic of working with kids in their classrooms. The teaching kits are incredibly resourceful, and even if you’ve never stepped foot in a classroom to teach, their materials help you feel confident and comfortable.
I was part of the Carnegie Science Center’s Mentors in the Making program. Even if you are not science- or tech-oriented at all, the experience is wonderful.
While living in Washington, I was privileged to be asked to be the Campaign Manager for a woman running to be the first Latino woman running for a seat on the City Council. With the help of other professional campaigners, we managed to win the election, and Iris Carias became the first Latin woman in a county made up of 33% Hispanics. I participated in Leadership Skagit and spearheaded Canstruction for its first two years.
In Connecticut, I initiated a Relay for Life team for the American Cancer Society for ten years, helping to raise over $15,000. I served on the Board of the Housatonic Coalition Against Substance Abuse and the Western Connecticut Federal Credit Union.
“The mountains are calling and I must go.”
John Muir
It’s time for you to be inspired.
Start your journey to living a life where you trust, love, and believe in yourself.