It is our pleasure to introduce you to Dr. Lisette Sanchez (she/her/ella) who shares her perspective on feeling like an imposter when showing up—especially when there aren’t many people like you paving the way.

Lisette is a first-gen Latina psychologist, speaker, and founder of First Gen Sin Barreras—a movement empowering first-gen Latine professionals to embrace their bicultural identity, rewrite limiting narratives, and lead with confidence. Her mission is to normalize mental health, celebrate cultural resilience, and create spaces where healing and empowerment go hand in hand.

When she’s not speaking or supporting her community, you can find her nurturing her plantitas, going on walks with her cat, spending slow mornings with a good book in bed, or going on adventures with her spouse and loved ones.

Hola Dr Lisette, we’d love to kick this interview off with some celebratory energy. What’s a recent milestone or achievement in your work that you’re most proud of?

A recent milestone I’m really proud of is completing a 12-week TEDx course and group coaching program. As I continue to invest in myself as a speaker, this experience helped me refine my message, deepen my confidence, and craft a talk rooted in both personal truth and collective impact. It was equal parts challenging and empowering, and it reminded me that showing up for our growth, especially as first-gen professionals, is an act of courage and legacy building.

That is incredible! I love how you prioritize public speaking as a physhologist. When it comes to your profession, how do you differentiate yourself?

I differentiate myself through my lived experience. As a first-gen Latina, I deeply understand the unique challenges and strengths of navigating systems we weren’t raised in. My work blends clinical expertise with storytelling, advocacy, and empowerment to help first-gen and BIPOC communities feel seen, heard, and supported in ways that go far beyond a therapy room or a stage.

Can you share a story of a time when you felt truly seen or validated in your work?

​One moment when I felt truly seen in my work was when I received an unexpected email informing me that my writing had been cited in a published book. If you’re reading The Latina Anti-Diet: A Dietitian’s Guide to Authentic Health that Celebrates Culture and Full-Flavour Living by Dalina Soto, you’ll find a quote from one of my articles included. I had no idea until I received that email; it was such a special and affirming moment. Knowing that my words resonated enough to be included in someone else’s work made me feel deeply honored and validated as both a writer and a voice for my comunidad.

It’s so beautiful when our work inspires others. If we look at folks in your personal life, how would your best friend describe you in three words, and why?

My best friend would describe me as inspirational, compassionate, and encouraging.

Inspirational, because I lead by example and remind others of what’s possible, especially when the path feels uncertain. Compassionate, because I hold space for people’s realness, struggles, and growth without judgment. And encouraging, because I’m the friend who will hype you up, remind you of your power, and lovingly push you to go after what you truly want.

When you do go after what you want and actually get it, how do you celebrate those wins?

I celebrate my wins, big or small, by slowing down and being present with the moment. Sometimes that looks like grabbing my favorite snack (often Hot Cheetos), adding it to my win jar, or simply letting myself rest without guilt. As a first-gen Latina, I’ve learned that slowing down is a powerful way to celebrate because rest is resistance, and every step forward deserves to be acknowledged. Whether it’s journaling, sharing the win with my people, or treating myself to something small, I make it a point to honor my growth along the way.

I love how you celebrate in so many different ways! Now, I know not everything is always sunshine and rainbows… Have you ever faced imposter syndrome as a speaker? How did you overcome it?

Yes, I’ve absolutely experienced the impostor phenomenon, especially before doing something big or stepping into something new for the first time. It tends to show up right at the edge of growth, when I’m stretching into spaces where I haven’t seen myself represented.

What I’ve learned to do is reframe it. I always remind myself that we don’t “have” impostor syndrome. That framing makes it feel like a personal flaw, when in reality, it’s a response to systems and environments that weren’t built for us to thrive in. I don’t believe I’ve overcome it—but now, when those feelings creep up, I recognize them for what they are, and they no longer hold the same power over me.

This is something I speak about often—for anyone navigating self-doubt while stepping into their power. My goal is to help people name what they’re feeling, reconnect with their worth, and move forward with pride in who they are and where they come from.

What does success mean to you on a personal level?

To me, success means having the freedom to make my own choices about how I live my life and where I spend my time. It’s about creating a schedule with flexibility, honoring what I value most, and living in alignment with those priorities. One of the biggest lessons I carry is from my mom, who once shared that she wished she had chosen family over work, but felt she didn’t have that option. I never want to feel like I have to choose work over what matters most. For me, success is choosing presence, not pressure.

What’s an exciting project you’re currently working on? 

An exciting project I’m currently working on is First Gen Sin Barreras—a free quarterly guide I created for my newsletter community to support first-gen individuals in breaking through internalized barriers like the impostor phenomenon. Each edition offers reflection prompts and mindset tools to help folks reconnect with their cultural identity, own their voice, and move forward with confidence.

What started as a simple guide is growing into a larger movement. I’m currently working on building a community around it, including in-person events and more resources to help first-gen folks connect, heal, and grow—together and sin barreras.

If you could share one message with the world from a stage, what would it be?

Embrace the parts of yourself that live in the in-between. The parts that speak two languages, hold multiple histories, and shift between worlds, even when no one notices.

Because those parts are not your weakness. They are your strength. When systems don’t reflect us, when we’re the first or the only, it can make us question if we’re enough.

You are not the problem. Your presence is the breakthrough. And every time you show up fully, you create space for others to do the same.

Connect With Dr. Lisette

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