Why Being "The Strong One" Isn't Always Strength: Lessons from Dr. Lisette Sanchez

PrFor many Latinos, being "the strong one" isn't just a personality trait—it's a role we've learned from a young age.

We're often the ones translating for our parents, caring for siblings, or putting everyone else's needs before our own. While these experiences can build resilience, they can also leave us carrying emotional burdens that follow us into adulthood.

In the first episode of the Buena Cura Podcast, Dr. Lisette Sanchez, Licensed Psychologist and founder of The First Gen Psychologist, shares how first-generation experiences can shape our mental health—and why healing starts with understanding them.

Understanding Parentification

Dr. Sanchez explains parentification, a dynamic where children take on adult responsibilities too early.

This can be instrumental, like helping with household tasks or translating for family members, or emotional, where a child becomes the family's source of comfort and support.

While these experiences can build valuable life skills, they may also make it harder to recognize your own needs, set boundaries, or ask for help later in life.

What Is Trailblazing Guilt?

Many first-generation Latinos are the first in their families to reach milestones like graduating college, building a career, or achieving financial stability.

Instead of feeling only pride, success can come with guilt.

As Dr. Sanchez says, "Trailblazing guilt is often self-imposed."

It often comes from feeling caught between honoring your family's sacrifices and stepping into spaces where people like you haven't always been represented.

Why Imposter Syndrome Feels So Common

When you're one of the few Latinos in a classroom, workplace, or leadership role, it's easy to question whether you belong.

Dr. Sanchez explains that imposter syndrome isn't just personal insecurity—it can also be shaped by cultural and systemic experiences. Recognizing that can help replace self-doubt with self-compassion.

Redefining Strength

One of the most powerful moments in the episode is Dr. Sanchez's reminder:

"Being the strong one [in a Latino household] means not resting."

Many of us were taught that strength means pushing through exhaustion and never asking for help. But true strength also includes setting boundaries, making time to rest, and caring for your own well-being.

Therapy Is Preventive Care

Therapy isn't only for moments of crisis.

Dr. Sanchez encourages us to think of it as preventive care—a space to better understand ourselves, build healthier coping skills, and heal before burnout takes over.

Listen to the Full Episode

This conversation is a reminder that healing begins with awareness. Whether you've experienced parentification, trailblazing guilt, or imposter syndrome, understanding these patterns is the first step toward breaking them.

Listen to the full episode of the Buena Cura Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts, and follow Dr. Lisette Sanchez for more culturally grounded mental health insights.