Showing Up As Human Part 1 with Angelee Fortuna

Written By Rocky Garza

In today’s episode, I’m joined by my good friend, Angelee Fortuna, for a real and candid conversation about leadership, emotions, and the power of showing up as your true self. Over the years, Angelee has been an incredible example of leadership, not just through her achievements, but through her willingness to show vulnerability and authenticity.

We’re diving into how she balances being emotionally present and being a leader. We talk about people-pleasing, the struggle with finding your voice, and the power of being memorable without diminishing others. I also challenge Angelee to think about how she shows up fully in her life, both professionally and personally, and how to do that without feeling drained.

About Angelee

Angelee is a Dallas local with a deep passion for intentional living, storytelling, and cultivating genuine connections. With a background spanning retail visual merchandising, marketing, and photo production, her career has always been rooted in creativity and collaboration. These days, she works closely with Le Social, a boutique creative and marketing agency, helping brands bring their vision to life through thoughtful strategy, impactful content, and client engagement. A lifelong hustler with a heart for creative communities, Angelee thrives at the intersection of artistry and entrepreneurship. Always energized by the opportunity to build something meaningful alongside fellow dreamers and doers.

Angelee's Journey: Awareness and Impact

Angelee opens up about a conversation she had with her husband, Eddie, where he helped her realize the impact she has on those around her. Through their 20 years together, she’s learned how her words—both positive and negative—cut deep for people. She struggles with finding the balance between wanting to be understood while also not wanting to overwhelm others with her intensity.

Angelee reflects on this realization and how, for her, expressing herself honestly isn’t about being aggressive; it’s about being clear. This part of our conversation reveals how often we don’t realize the weight of our words until someone else brings it to our attention.

The Struggle with People Pleasing

A huge part of Angelee’s journey has been tackling her own people-pleasing tendencies. She admits that while she’s always eager to serve others, she’s also battling with the feeling that it’s often at the cost of sacrificing herself. We dig into the difference between sacrifice—losing yourself to gain approval—and service—giving freely from a place of overflow and love.

Angelee admits she struggles with this, and we both share how easy it is to confuse the two. It’s a conversation that’s so valuable because, in the pursuit of serving others, we often lose sight of our own needs.

Defining Service vs. Sacrifice

This conversation led us to a critical reflection on how we define sacrifice and service. Sacrifice, in this context, isn’t about selflessness—it’s about losing yourself to gain approval. On the other hand, service comes from a place of abundance and a desire to support others without depleting your own energy.

This shift in perspective has been an important lesson for both of us. We discuss how we’ve both, at times, sacrificed our own needs for others, and how, with growth, we’ve learned that service should come from a healthier, more sustainable place.

The Desire to Be Memorable

We dive deeper into Angelee’s personal desire to be memorable. But what does that truly mean? She recognizes that her instinct is to blend in, to be part of the group, but also feels the pull to stand out in a way that’s uniquely hers. She grapples with the idea of being memorable without taking away from others.

I challenge her with a tough question: Can you be memorable without overshadowing others? The answer is a resounding yes, and we talk about how embracing your individuality doesn’t need to be in conflict with others doing the same.

The Importance of Individuality

Angelee shares how, as she’s grown older, her circle has gotten smaller and more intentional. She reflects on how important it is for her to be surrounded by people who make her feel safe, accepted, and in control—not in the sense of dominance, but in the sense of emotional security.

It’s a beautiful reminder of how essential it is to surround ourselves with those who help us grow, while also allowing us to maintain a sense of safety and belonging.

Creating Safe Spaces and Boundaries

In this segment, we explore how creating safe spaces is critical for healthy leadership and personal relationships. We discuss boundaries—how they’re not just about keeping people out, but about creating room for the things we love to thrive.

I encourage Angelee to think about the boundaries she’s setting in her life, both personally and professionally, and how they enable her to serve from a place of overflow instead of depletion.

The Power of Human Connection

We dive into the concept of human connection and how showing up as your true self, with all the messy emotions and imperfections, can create deeper, more meaningful relationships. Angelee reflects on how showing up as “herself” allows others to feel more comfortable doing the same.

The vulnerability and authenticity that come with this approach lead to more real conversations, better leadership, and deeper trust.

Embracing Emotion in Leadership

Angelee has learned to embrace her emotions in leadership—understanding that they don’t make her weak, but rather make her relatable and human. We explore how allowing ourselves to show emotion as leaders actually strengthens our connection with those we lead, rather than diminishing it.

This was such a powerful part of the conversation because it’s often hard for leaders to admit that they are emotional beings, and yet, that’s exactly what makes us great leaders.

Conclusion: Show Up Fully

As we wrap up, I encourage Angelee to continue showing up as her full, authentic self. The more we lean into who we really are, the more we can give to others without depleting ourselves. And when we embrace the full range of emotions, we create an environment where others feel safe to do the same.

I’m so grateful to have had this conversation with Angelee. Her vulnerability and honesty are inspiring, and I know they’ll resonate with you too.

Resources Mentioned

Rocky Garza
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Showing Up As Human Part 2 with Angelee Fortuna
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