Introduction

“AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE CAN ENDURE MUCH MORE THAN WE THINK WE CAN.” —FRIDA KAHLO

I remember feeling negative and defeated in the days leading up to the MasterChef auditions. I was drumming up every single excuse I could to continue living my paycheck-to-paycheck life. I was a single mom who provided a living for her daughter and was still striving to find her place in the professional world and in life. With no savings, no childcare, and little hope in my heart, I tried to convince myself that I couldn’t afford to take that kind of risk. When I think back to that time now, I see how close I was to letting fear dictate my life.