Daniela Gooding

My name is Daniela, but everyone calls me Nani. I was born in Bogotá on July 16, 1999, and since then, my life has been a whirlwind of love, adventures, and challenges. My mom, Yoma, was only 16 when she had me, so from the very beginning, it was always the two of us, inseparable. Even before I was born, my life was already filled with magic. My mom had her best friend Javi, who she’d known since they were kids. When Javi found out I was on the way, it was like a spark—he decided he wanted to be part of this story, and together, they joined forces to take on the most important project of their lives: creating a family.

From that moment, Javi became my dad, and the three of us were an unstoppable team. My mom balanced work and school like a superhero, while Javi supported her every step of the way and worked on his own ventures. My early years were filled with love, laughter, and a lot of running around, as my mom always did her best to give me everything.

One of my favorite memories from that time were the vacations at my grandpa Fernando's summer house. Every year, I’d count the days until we could go. It was a place full of fun, sunshine, and endless hours in the pool. My grandpa always had fascinating stories to tell or a new adventure for us to dive into. Those days were pure happiness.

And of course, the Carrillo family gatherings were something else. They weren’t just regular get-togethers—they were real celebrations of life. The whole family would come together, and there was always laughter, stories, and music. My uncles, the Ramírez family, were always looking out for me, and my cousins and I spent hours playing and chatting. No matter the occasion, they were always there, ready to support me with their unconditional love. Having that circle of love around me, even across distances, always made me feel safe and protected.

My grandma Flor Ángela was also a key figure in those years. She was a teacher at the school I attended, so just imagine having your grandma as a teacher! She took me to school every day, and I felt like royalty because everyone knew me and treated me with so much kindness.

When I was 7, my little brother Ian was born. I was beyond excited to have a playmate, but when I saw how tiny he was, I realized I’d have to wait a bit before we could run around together. From the first day, though, I became his protective big sister. Three years later, Owen arrived, the baby of the family and the most spoiled one. With him, our family felt complete. Even though I was already a teenager, I always felt responsible for my brothers—I took care of them, took them everywhere, and, of course, spoiled them.

In 2018, our lives took a big turn when we moved to Toronto, Canada. Leaving Bogotá was tough, but it was also full of excitement for what was coming. Toronto was a huge change for me. I learned English quickly, and although school was challenging at first, I adapted bit by bit. I graduated from high school with honors, and with each step, I felt stronger and more confident.

After high school, I enrolled at Laurier University, and everything started to make sense. I joined the university’s dance group, and those moments dancing were some of the happiest of my life. I also learned French, which led to an amazing experience—a semester of study in France. Traveling, discovering new cultures, and learning languages was one of the best decisions I ever made. Those years at university were like an emotional rollercoaster. There were moments of hard work, laughter, learning, and the occasional disappointment too.

Today, looking back, I can’t help but feel proud of everything I’ve accomplished. I’m graduating from Laurier University, and this is just the beginning of a new adventure. Every step, every challenge, every laugh, and every tear has brought me here. Life hasn’t always been easy, but every moment has been worth it. I’ve learned that with love and dedication, anything is possible.

Now, I’m ready for whatever comes next. Because if there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that with my family by my side, I can achieve anything. And the best is yet to come!