My name is Refugio, I'm a 38 years-old, Latino, originally from Mexico -- was born in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato. I came with my family when I was 13 years old and have lived in Southern California ever since. I went to school at California State University, Northridge and studied Cultural Anthropology, as well as marketing at UCLA. I work at Resource Media, a nonprofit P.R. firm that offers communications support for social justice and environmental organizations throughout the country. I have been a community organizer and a progressive activist for over 10 years now, doing work in the immigrants' rights movement, labor, environmental, and LGBT spaces. I like to exercise my mind, spirit, and body with yoga, meditation, and other exercising and spiritual practices.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I am attending a life coaching training in Sacramento with the Academy for Coaching Excellence https://acecoachtraining.com that it's considerably pricey that I'm already paying out of my own pocket. Being able to find a place that could save me money to sleep for the night would be a really big help for me to be able to attend this training. Additionally, I'd love to be able to get to know new people - I believe in the power of being open to inspire each other. I've traveled abroad, for example, been able to share spaces with others before and it's been great to get to experience that.

Interests

• yoga
• meditation
• run
• lifting weights

Music, Movies, and Books

On The Road was a big influence for me. Also political books that got me interested in communications and organizing like "Don't Think of An Elephant" and "Rules for Radicals" were some of my favorites. Music wise, I'm really big into bands like Radiohead and The Doors. Movies I've loved films like "The Motorcycle Dairies," "Waking Life," "Frida," and "The Devil Wears Prada." I'd say I like pretty much everything as long as it's got a good story, and the acting is decent.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Volunteered at a children's center in Peru and a daycare center for toddlers in Mexico that had single moms or were orphans. I say it was amazing because it brought me many teachings and it humbled me in more ways than one.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can definitely share my knowledge of the Spanish language :-) and although I'm not an instructor, I've got some practice in me with yoga moves that I could be a yoga buddy :-)

What I Can Share with Hosts

Yoga moves, Spanish classes, and good company since I'm a vary laid back :-) Also, respect - I'm very respectful of people's places and spaces.

Countries I’ve Visited

France, Mexico, Netherlands, Peru, Spain

Countries I’ve Lived In

Mexico