Today we’d like to introduce you to Ana Katia.
Hi Ana, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
Pura Vida! Thank you for having me today. I am so honored. My name is Ana Katia. I am the author and founder of Adopted4Change, an advocate and past model for Saprea (Younique Foundation), and a board director of Artists Against Human Trafficking. I am additionally an international speaker, local actress, life coach, and trained O.U.R community volunteer.
To be honest, my story is one that I had no idea would transpire into a life journey. Raised on top of a rainforest-covered mountain in San Vito, Costa Rica, abandoned, orphaned, and adopted–all before my third birthday, the state of my country found me and my two siblings. Alone on the dirt, without food, hardly clothed, and sitting near our tin shack in critical health, the state whisked me off quickly to a nearby hospital. Next, I and my siblings were able to be reunited, and then later admitted to an orphanage. Graciously and gratefully, months later we were adopted by a new American family and brought to America.
America showed to be a great experience. It also was very new and different. Surprisingly, I did well to adapt to the lifestyle, however, from within me I felt something was missing, and I felt very confused. These feelings increased as time moved on, and so did my curiosity. Naturally, as my curiosity grew, so did my questions. Left with many questions about my past, and having no record of my birth mother, I often felt drawn that my heart was telling me something. Fast forward another year, and sitting outside on my 4th birthday with friends, I found myself next blowing out my birthday candles…whispering deeply, “I want to fly home.” Interestingly, later in time, I would recognize the unknown choice of my cake to be a “butterfly”, and finding this choice later to be of no coincidence.
As years passed, and with each wish, still not much in life had changed. Birthdays had come and gone, but still, I kept my hope and belief that miracles would come. Thankfully, a great portion of my life was filled with good friends and a great community. Yet, as usual, and as life would have it, trials came. It would be my 14th birthday, left broken-hearted and sad, as next my biological brother, in the best interest of his health, would need to be re-adopted to another family and leave me far from his loving laughter. Soon after, unfortunately, my adoptive parents would also divorce. This was very difficult for me. Feelings of anxiety and concern flowed greatly, and raw, with now little faith, and no hope; I chose next a permanent decision to have my birthday wishes forgotten. Additionally, before my 15th birthday came, I no longer believed in miracles.
Finally, my adulthood came and I moved out. Although I hadn’t had a birthday wish since moving out, I was now happily 21-years-old, and on my own. Then, that’s when it happened. He walked into my life. He became my best friend for a chosen season, and our similar circumstances led us to both find out we were both adopted, Utah residents, and Costa Ricans; finding out also we had been raised only one city away, and strangely, that each of our adopted parents knew each other.
Keeping in contact, and dedicated to keeping our friendship, a phone call came as he next offered over the receiver what I had been waiting 18 years for. Sharing enthusiastically, “Ana… let me help you “fly home.” And let me help you find your adopted mother; just as (I) had journeyed back to go find mine. “I can help you”, he said. Because I have carried out the same desire and accomplished it. I had no words. May 10th, 1981 had come. The plane landed in Costa Rica, the Fourteen Day journey began, and days and days of searching for records went on. And with only the name of my birth mother and the lady of my orphanage. Through many twists and turns, my native people led me home, I met my birth mother, and I had 5-7 mins with her. I looked equal to her. I was humbled, grateful, and full of hope and faith. I had returned home, and forever became a miracle believer!
This experience alone, coupled with my life lessons, my family, a loving God, and the support of my community have all brought me today to want to only “give back”, love my community, believe in miracles; and love my ever-loving God. Today, I share my story because I want others to feel they matter, and that they are looked after. I additionally love that I want to be an advocate, not just for adopted children… the lost, the hopeless, the lonely. But also, for all of the children, adults, believers, positive role models, fighters, survivors, and thrivers. I want others to know that miracles aren’t just something that just comes and go, but that the miracles are… EACH of US.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I wish I could say it was all smooth sailing, but like I said before, my wish, and the miracles given, were not all smooth. I learned quickly after getting on the plane back to my Country of Costa Rica, and in return, obtaining my wish, that it had come with a price. After the journey, I knew I had received all of my questions answered from the past, however, I also knew obtaining my answers would draw my heart to now “want to do more.”
That “more”, I learned later, was to recognize that my journey back WAS my story. And that later it would come to me that I should write a book. And not only would I write a book, but shortly after writing my book, I’d feel moved to additionally become an international speaker. This is where I paused, I was scared. I knew I had had no formal training, or experience in either. It was scary and it was very new. Yet, interestingly again, I could feel it strongly in my heart to go forward in this. While I “changed” a lot to learn new things I also realized in writing my book, and speaking, that another struggle to be vulnerable would come.
The vulnerability it took to have others hear my story was me having to choose to be vulnerable enough to share it publically. I hadn’t known exactly how people would respond etc. But again, I felt to go forward. I have been through a lot of training since, and learning, and after both, I have accomplished many of these things, I went with courage and received much learning and training in the needed areas, and now that I have learned how to “Create Change From Within” I now teach others how to do this; and it brings me great joy.
“I am very grateful for my struggles which have taught me more about my strengths and weaknesses” a.k.
“It’s not so much what happens to you that matters, but what you choose to do with it that matters most.” a.k.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am an advocate, life speaker, and author, as well as a marriage, family, and relationship coach, with an emphasis on Social Work. Among my many community service efforts, Adopted4Change hosts my new “pass along card” –which is my most recent work in protecting children from cyberbullying/sextortion/suicide awareness, etc.
I am also a director of Artists Against Human Trafficking, I was a certified Rape Crisis Center Facilitator, and I am currently a certified volunteer for Operation Underground Railroad (OUR). I am lastly an advocate and model for the (past) Younique Foundation’s, rebranded Saprea non-profit. The retreat’s previous name, “New Haven Retreat.” is now called, The Saprea Retreat. In addition, as the Founder of adopted4change.com, I am an author and international speaker.
Author of my book, Fourteen Days (in UT print only), the inspiring story of my adoption, and return to Costa Rica years later to find my birth mother, I have pursued a deep passion for promoting personal transformation, building resilience through hard times, increasing faith, and accepting change. I am also a sought-after model and actress, I can also be frequently seen on local film and television, as well as in print and digital media, which sets me apart from many.
I reside in Utah, USA, and I am a devoted mother of two incredible sons which I am most proud of. Strong in my faith, and a believer in miracles, I greatly value my opportunities to promote growth in others, building spiritual development, healing, and praiseworthy social causes. I feel that my ultimate mission in life is to create and nurture ongoing connections that help others to succeed in achieving their dreams, to become personally fulfilled, and to live more abundant lives.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I feel like the quality and characteristics most important to my success are foremost being myself. To show that I can be a leader, a learner, at times a follower of wisdom, and a teacher of truth. To be in the constant practice of being humble and kind. And to work on my weaknesses and will to forgive and apologize often; especially if ever offended.
It is most important to my success to ever be learning and not to give only to the world, the worries of only money, fame, and attention. But to give back, practice empathy– to the best of my abilities, and continuously continue the power of creating, as a lifetime goal, and for the “good of many.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://adopted4change.wordpress.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anakatia_adopted4change/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Adopted4Change/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ana-katia-adopted4change-aa42181a1/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChF3_aQgyHWDZLIAf3X8E7Q
- Other: https://adopted4change.wordpress.com/advocate/pass-along-card-artists-against-human-trafficking/
Image Credits
@airreyphotography, @ljkingsphotography, @byutv, @byubroadcasting, @theyouniquefoundation, @ldspma, and @cinematherapy
