From Rock Bottom to Rebuilding: IZA MONTALVO Shares a Blueprint for Starting Over

In a recent LinkedIn post, IZA MONTALVO shares a deeply personal account of losing everything and offers a strategic framework for rebuilding from scratch. MONTALVO details a period in her early thirties when she experienced a devastating loss that encompassed her income, home, and car, forcing her to move back in with her mother.

The experience, as MONTALVO describes, was profoundly demoralizing. She writes about the feelings of defeat and failure that accompanied this setback, noting,

“You start questioning everything. And that’s when things get worse.”

However, MONTALVO emphasizes her refusal to remain in that state of despair. Instead of waiting for readiness, she adopted a proactive approach, which she terms ‘just started moving.’

Embracing Vulnerability and Letting Go of Ego

A key element of MONTALVO’s strategy for recovery and rebuilding involved a conscious shedding of ego and pride. She advocates for a willingness to embrace inexperience and to accept starting from a lower position. As MONTALVO puts it:

“I got willing
Willing to look inexperienced
Willing to start at the bottom
Willing to do the work I used to avoid.”

This willingness to be vulnerable and to confront the fear of judgment was instrumental. MONTALVO explains that by asking herself the simple, pragmatic question, “What works?”, she was able to shift her perspective and initiate a process that led to new opportunities and connections.

A Practical Roadmap for Rebuilding

Looking at how she would approach rebuilding from zero today, MONTALVO outlines a phased plan that prioritizes visibility and momentum over perfection. Her immediate actions in Week 1 would focus on maximizing her online presence.

Week 1: Gaining Visibility and Creating Value

MONTALVO suggests transforming her LinkedIn profile into a “landing page” to communicate her rebuilding journey and purpose. She also advises proactively reaching out to individuals who have successfully navigated similar challenges. Furthermore, she stresses the importance of creating and sharing valuable content:

• Start a simple newsletter.
• Share real-time learning experiences.
• Offer pro bono assistance to build credibility.
• Document the entire process publicly.

According to MONTALVO, the core principle is to generate momentum rather than getting bogged down in perfect planning. She states, “You don’t need a perfect plan. You need momentum.”

Month 2 Onwards: Monetization and Reinvestment

By the second month, MONTALVO’s strategy shifts towards monetization. She advocates for turning her acquired knowledge and experience into a service, thereby generating income. The emphasis here is on reinvesting all earnings to fuel further growth.

MONTALVO concludes her post by framing the situation as a fundamental choice: “Staying stuck or starting over? That’s the choice.” She then poses a question to her audience, inviting them to share the very first step they would take if faced with starting from zero.