Today we’d like to introduce you to Illami Romero Martinez-King.
Hi Illami, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
If you ask me where my story begins, I won’t point to degrees, success, or the life I have now. My story begins in Cuba, in the warmth of my culture, in the rhythm of my ancestors, and in the spiritual energy that has guided me long before I had words for it. I am the product of love, sacrifice, and resilience. I am the continuation of my family’s dreams. I am the daughter of people who taught me to survive and to rise.
I was born in Havana, Cuba, and spent the first nine years of my life surrounded by family, community, and love. We were poor by the measures of finance but rich in ways that mattered more. The adults in my life made sure that I never felt lacking in care, guidance, or belonging. Growing up in a shared, small apartment, I learned early what it meant to share, to support one another, and to find joy in the little things.
Even as a little girl, I sensed the limitations imposed by the world around me. Life in Cuba offered love and warmth, yes, but opportunities were scarce. Resources were limited, and dreams were often curtailed by circumstance. Still, I carried an unwavering belief that I could be more, that my life could stretch beyond what I saw in the streets of Havana. My parents nurtured that belief in me, they celebrated my curiosity and encouraged my ambitions, even when the odds were stacked against us.
Our family’s journey to the United States began with a leap of faith. Through a lottery system, my mother applied for a visa on behalf of my father. We were blessed enough to have an uncle, who still lives in Canada, provide us the finances through debt to be able to afford this opportunity. I was just nine when I first set foot in the U.S., carrying fear, excitement, hope, and the weight of leaving everything familiar behind. The transition was daunting. We arrived briefly in Miami, then were guided toward Lansing, Michigan, a city completely unfamiliar to us. I didn’t speak English, I looked different from my peers, and I felt the sting of bullying. Yet even in that isolation, I held onto a sense of possibility.
Life in the south side of Lansing was hard. My parents worked multiple jobs, my father studying English late into the night, my mother cleaning offices in conditions most people would shy away from. I understood their sacrifices, and I did my best to match their endurance. I learned to be resourceful, resilient, and humble, to find joy and pride in small victories, whether through school, sports, or personal accomplishments.
I also carried the ache of distance from my family back in Cuba. Communication was limited, slow, and expensive, and that loneliness sometimes became unbearable. There were moments when I felt like I couldn’t go on, moments when I understood despair in a way that was almost physical. But even then, I found a lifeline in focus, determination, and the belief that education could carry me forward. I submerged myself in schoolwork, clubs, sports, and eventually programs like Upward Bound, which opened doors I had never imagined.
Through all of it, I began to understand who I was, a girl born into constraints who refused to be confined by them, a child shaped by love and struggle, a young person cultivating resilience in the face of isolation and hardship. These early years, these experiences of scarcity, adaptation, and hope, became the foundation for everything I would later build: my education, my career, my family, and my practice. I am, in every sense, the sum of my beginnings, a product of my roots, my challenges, and the unwavering faith that no matter the circumstances, I could rise.
Upward Bound changed the trajectory of my life. It opened doors I didn’t even know existed. Through this program, I toured historically Black colleges and universities, experienced life on campus during summer residencies at MSU’s campus and even traveled to Puerto Rico with other students of color from underserved communities. It taught me that my dreams were valid, that I could belong in spaces that once seemed out of reach. By the time I was a senior in high school, I had cultivated the grades, the experiences, and the confidence to know that I could go anywhere, but my heart was drawn to the place that had shown me so much: Michigan State University.
College taught me grit, perseverance, and resourcefulness. I learned that success was not about luck or perfection, it was about showing up, asking for help when needed, and refusing to be defined by setbacks. I surrounded myself with mentors, found my voice, and discovered the power of community in spaces where I felt seen. It was here that the foundation of my future professional path began to take shape.
It was also here that I discovered the field that would define my career. I met a professor who was a licensed marriage and family therapist, and I was captivated, not just by the work, but by her dedication, her authenticity, and the love she poured into helping others heal. I knew instantly that I wanted to follow that path. I wanted to combine my lived experience, my empathy, and my desire to give back into a profession that empowered others to thrive. That conviction led me to Northwestern University, a place that demanded excellence but offered the resources, mentorship, and challenges I needed to grow into the therapist I was meant to become.
Transitioning to Northwestern was a leap into the unknown. I was entering a highly prestigious program, one where I was among the few people of color in my cohort and the only Afro-Latina. It was daunting at times. I questioned myself, my belonging, and my ability to keep up. I leaned on mentors, immersed myself in my work, and committed fully to becoming the therapist I had always envisioned.
It was also at Northwestern where another significant chapter began, my love story. During my second year, I started taking dating seriously. After a few mismatches, I swiped right on a man who would change the trajectory of my entire life.
When I first looked into his bright blue eyes on a very chilly day in December, something in me shifted. We talked the entire night, he cooked me my favorite meal, never even watched the movie we had planned. We discovered we were both from Michigan, both had challenging upbringings, both had so much love to give and a profound loved family and community. From that date on, we never separated.
As I finished my last year at Northwestern, he was completing his first professional year at UIC. When I realized I wouldn’t be making enough as a crisis therapist to afford living in Chicago, I faced a huge decision: move back to Michigan or move in together. We chose each other, without hesitation. With his friend/roommate, we created a small, humble home where our relationship blossomed. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was ours.
Life took us to Ohio next, where we welcomed our oldest child. We were young parents trying to find our footing. Shortly after, we moved back to Michigan, bouncing between his mom’s home and my parents’ home as we searched for stability. Those months were uncertain, but they were filled with love. I never felt displaced because our families kept their doors open, and my husband kept reminding me: “We’re going to be okay.” And I believed him.
Back in Michigan, I continued with community mental health. I did therapy in homes, in schools, with refugee families, with foster youth, with children surviving trauma. I met people where they were, literally and emotionally. These years shaped me. They strengthened my passion for advocacy, healing, and being a voice for those who don’t always have one.
When COVID hit, everything changed. My job required me to be in the community, face-to-face with clients. But I had a child with health concerns, especially asthma. The risk was too high. I was terrified. We all were. And then my husband, the one who has held me through every transition, said: “You’ve been dreaming about private practice. Do it. I’ve got us, financially, spiritually, emotionally. We will be okay.” That blessing changed the rest of my life.
Holistic Vida Therapy Is Born
In 2020, I founded Holistic Vida Therapy, a practice rooted in humanity, culture, compassion, and authenticity. My husband helped me name it. He believed in every part of my vision. For a few years, it was just me, one clinician building something from scratch, slowly and intentionally. By the end of 2023, I felt it was time to expand. I wanted a team that shared my values: accessibility, diversity, empathy, and genuine presence. Today, Holistic Vida Therapy includes clinicians who lead with their hearts and honor every client’s humanity. We are fully virtual but fully present. This practice has become a sanctuary for healing, for clients, clinicians, and myself.
Today, I am the mother of two incredible children, nine and four years old, and two angel babies who will always be part of our family’s story. Parenthood is wild, exhausting, beautiful, humbling and sacred. Our days revolve around sports, laughter, tantrums, hugs, morning chaos, bedtime routines, and the pure joy of watching our kids discover who they are. We’re entering a new phase, active, full, sometimes overwhelming, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
When I look at my life today, I am proud, deeply proud. Proud of my parents for everything they gave me. Proud of my ancestors for guiding me. Proud of my husband for being my grounding force. Proud of my children for being the light of my world. Proud of myself for never giving up, even when it felt impossible at times.
Holistic Vida Therapy is growing. My impact is expanding. My story is still being written. I have lived through trials that could have broken me. But I believe something with my whole heart, there is no such thing as failure. We either learn or succeed, and success takes many trials and tribulations.
I am living proof that we can rise. We can shift. We can start over. We can heal. We can create the life we once only dreamed of. And I’m only just getting started.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We aim to create a safe space where vulnerability can be accessed and utilized throughout your journey. You will be able to explore your past, present and future. This introspection can highlight not only the most fragile parts of yourself but also your gifts, resiliency and wholeness. Finding support is an act of courage and we look forward to being with you every step of the way. Thank you for choosing us as your safe place for healing. Trust the process-Most importantly, trust yourself.
How do you define success?
Success, to me, is not about wealth, prestige, or recognition. Success is showing up for yourself and others, even when it feels impossible. It is rising through challenges, learning from failures, and growing through every experience. Success is living authentically, being true to your values, nurturing your relationships, giving back to your community, and creating a life that aligns with your purpose. Success is resilience, love, impact, and the courage to keep moving forward no matter the odds. It is measured not by what you accumulate, but by the lives you touch, the love you give, and the legacy you leave behind.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.holisticvidatherapy.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holisticvidatherapy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/holisticvidatherapy
