1. Your message to kids today that you wish you knew back then what you currently know now. Be specific.

“You have the power to make changes in your life and break unhealthy family habits. Just because your Mom only feeds you fast or frozen packaged foods, doesn’t mean it’s the right thing for your body. It’s ok to ask for something different and try new things if it will make you feel better, play sports better or help you study. I saw something great on Facebook this am and makes my point: ‘Life is simple: Are you happy? If the answer is yes, keep going. If the answer is no, change something.’ Kids can also relate to Nike’s tagline which I think is really great: Just Do it.”

2. How did you learn your lesson or what was your lesson? Did you get hurt, did you upset someone, did you get scared?

“I stood up for myself and broke family customs of eating unhealthy foods. I had a mom who was as wide as she was tall and though I loved her chile rellenos, I had to stop eating what she cooked. As a kid I had become obese from all the wonderful Mexican cuisine on which I grew up. I started exercising and running around the track while rest of the family literally sat and watched me. At first it was tough to be the ‘odd’ ball and I was teased and taunted. But when my family saw the physical changes in me, they stopped laughing. I started cooking healthy meals and shared with everyone my tasty low calorie creations. Now I’ve made a career vocation of my commitment to health.”

3. What you would have done differently back then if you could turn back time.

“Because of my family constraints, being a Mexican family – they just cooked the food they knew. Every ethnicity does that. So, as a kid I could not have done anything much differently. When I was old enough to make my own decisions and control my own food, I took my health into my own hands and this was a huge change.”

4. Do you convey this message to children in your life today?

“I put my money where my mouth is and created a product that was just for kids. Because every parent knows that kids are ruled by their taste buds, we looked at kids favs like strawberry Quik and Coco and made powders that tasted almost exactly like them, but are filled with 5 servings of fruits and berries and 5 servings of veggies. Most kids have no idea what they’re drinking, so if it’s yummy that’s all that matters! I wish I had more opportunity to reach out to kids and provide mentor-ship, as I think that good nutrition starts at home.”

– Sylvia Ortiz was an obese kid, stuffed with chile rellenos by a Latina mom. She spent a lifetime learning about food to thin out. Then, when she had her own child, he became obese as well. She went about learning about natural fat shedding and bumped into the whole alkaline vs. acid conversation. The cobbled together a “green drink” with 7 servings of veggies, minerals, and probiotics that made his body alkaline. He shed 65 pounds in 6 months. And, this became a company – her vocation (Macrolife Naturals). The son became her biz partner. She’s now known as the “pioneer of pH.”