From Survivor to Advocate: Noelia Gutierrez on Family, Resilience, and Giving Back
Noelia Gutierrez wears many hats: she’s a nurse practitioner, a devoted wife, a mother of three, and a stroke survivor. Despite her busy life, Noelia finds joy in helping others and strength in her family. Her personal health journey and cultural roots have shaped her commitment to healthcare and her volunteer work with the American Heart Association. In this interview, Noelia shares how her upbringing inspired her career, how surviving a stroke transformed her perspective, and why she’s passionate about spending time with loved ones and giving back to her community.
What's a typical day in your life look like?:
Hectic! Mom of 3 wonderful girls, Wife and dog mom. We set the mornings with a ride to school, then fulfill my corporate duties. To then return home and continue my mom duties, serve as uber for dance classes, cook dinner, help with homework all while trying to bond with my husband.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?:
Helping others. Seeing how much the right care and choices can tackle a disease and being able to walk hand in hand with patients seeing them improve their health is remarkable.
How would you say your upbringing and cultural background contributed to your career aspirations?:
I would say seeing my mom care for her mom and many others gave me the foundation and nurtured in me the desire to work in healthcare.
What would you say is a common question or concern you get from your clients/followers?:
How do you do it! I don't stop.
What would you say has been your biggest obstacle in launching a successful career? How have you overcome it?:
Time management, understanding that life is one and everything changes in a blink of an eye has allowed me to slow down while still giving it my all to my career.
What is the phrase, sentence, or conversation that stopped you in your tracks and changed your outlook in life?:
My stroke! 2017 was life changing indeed. I became a mom for a third time, but I also almost lost my life. Knowing that I was allowed to still be here today makes me see life differently. I am so grateful to the American Heart Association's advancements in medicine and research that gave me a second chance at life.
If you had the choice to go back to your past or fast forward to your future, which one would you choose? Why?:
This is a very difficult question. I am stuck between both and here is why. The past because of my parents. I would like to enjoy more time with my parents. The future, because I can't wait to see my grandkids!
What are you committed to doing no matter what happens?:
Spending time with family. Always choosing them first.
Where might you be found on a Saturday afternoon with no plans?:
In my house, in my room listening to music.
If you were to meet 10 year old you, what would you say to them?:
Take it slow and enjoy the ride. You will want to be this age again!
What is something you’re willing to start all over again?:
Motherhood
When are you the happiest?:
With my family! With my girls, in my car doing karaoke.
What is stopping you?:
Money.
Hustle culture and burnout is so prominent in our community. How do you prioritize self care?:
Trying very hard to stop and say no let's go!
Same goes for imposter syndrome. How do you combat those feelings (if any)?:
The stroke I had eliminated the feeling of not being good enough. Family helped me cope.
How do you stay connected to your culture, heritage, and community?:
Food and Music.
What would 18-year-old you say about where you are at in life now?:
It's scary now but it gets so much better.
What accomplishment are you most proud of, both in your personal and professional life?:
My family, my girls, my husband. The career path I chose and my volunteer work with the American Heart Association.
Drink 🫖
What is Noelia’s go-to drink?
Iced caramel latte! Green tea/ water add peach infusion.
Listening To 🎧
What is Noelia listening to at the moment?
Nada se compara contigo - The legend
Your Truth 🗣️
What is a Noelia’s truth?
√ Because I was given another chance at life, and I must not take that for granted.
√ My mother- I have to be better than the amazing mother she already is <3
√ The sky is not the limit.
Your Plug 🔌
What is Noelia plugging today?
R a p i d o! A stroke awareness campaign by The American Heart Association That aims focus bridge caps with educating the Hispanic community. Participating in a Spanish speaking campaign that brings awareness to my community in a matter where there is no barrier has been to date the greatest project; I have ever been fortunate in a very unlucky way to be able to participate and raise awareness. The new Spanish Stroke Website is live, www.derramecerebral.org.
More about Noelia Gutierrez
Noelia Gutierrez is a nurse practitioner, mother of three, and a resilient stroke survivor. Just eight days after giving birth to her third child, Noelia, just 29-years-old at the time, experienced an intense headache and tingling that quickly escalated. Recognizing something was wrong, she called 911 and was rushed to the hospital, where doctors discovered a life-threatening clot in her brain stem. The stroke was likely caused by hormonal changes from pregnancy and a previously undetected hole in her heart.
Through an emergency thrombectomy procedure, the clot was removed, saving her life. Noelia spent weeks in rehabilitation, relearning how to walk, eat, and even speak, which she temporarily lost. Her recovery was challenging, marked by anxiety and postpartum depression, but she persevered with the support of her family.
Today, Noelia is a volunteer advocate for the American Heart Association, raising awareness on stroke and heart health. She’s committed to breaking the stigma around discussing health, a topic often overlooked within the Hispanic community. By sharing her story, Noelia encourages others to recognize and act on symptoms early.