My journey hasn’t been a straight line.
It’s been messy, beautiful, painful, hopeful… and deeply transformative.
I am a mother, a wife, an advocate, a student, a storyteller, and a woman of faith who has learned how to rise, again and again.
“Sometimes the hardest seasons shape us into the people we were always meant to become.”
Bridget Montalvo
Founder • Bridget’s Heart & Soul
Rising Like the Phoenix
The phoenix has always spoken to my soul.
Life has brought seasons I never saw coming — loss, uncertainty, rebuilding, and moments when I wondered how I would keep going. But every time I have been knocked down, something inside me, something greater than me whispered, “get back up.”
And I did.
Not the same woman… but a stronger one. A softer one. A wiser one.
At one point in my journey, I had a phoenix tattoo placed along my side as a permanent reminder that no matter what life brings, I will rise again.
To me, the phoenix isn’t just a symbol.
It is a promise.
A reminder that even after the fire, God can bring something beautiful from the ashes.
This resilience has shaped not only how I have survived life’s hardest moments, but how I now live; with purpose, faith, compassion, and a deep desire to help others believe in their own new beginnings.
Because rising isn’t a one-time event.
It is something I choose, again and again… in how I live, how I love, and how I show up for others.
Strength in Single Motherhood
Becoming a single mom changed me in ways I could never have imagined.
It taught me courage on the days I felt afraid.
It taught me perseverance when I was exhausted.
And it showed me the depth of unconditional love.
There were nights I prayed for strength and mornings I woke up determined to keep going. Every challenge became fuel to build a better life, not just for my daughter, but for the future we were creating together.
She remains one of my greatest inspirations and the reason I continue moving forward with purpose, gratitude, and a heart committed to helping others.
Pageants With Purpose
Pageantry entered my life in a season I never expected.
After my daughter was grown, I found myself rediscovering who I was beyond motherhood. What started as a fun experience to share with friends a chance to step outside my comfort zone and try something new, quickly became something much more meaningful.
Through pageants, I found my voice. I built confidence. I discovered the power of connecting with others and using my story to uplift women and mentor youth. What began as something lighthearted became a platform for purpose.
For me, crowns are not about titles.
They represent service.
Leadership.
And the opportunity to remind others of their worth and God-given strength.
Following the Path Placed on My Heart
Returning to school as an adult was both exciting and intimidating.
In my 50s, I earned my Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration and Leadership from Capella University — a milestone that represented far more than education. It was a promise to myself that growth never stops and that it is never too late to follow what has been placed on your heart.
What began as a step of courage has become part of a deeper journey. Today, as I continue pursuing my master’s degree, I do so not only to expand my knowledge, but to better serve others and create meaningful change in healthcare and in my community.
Balancing school, work, advocacy, and life has not always been easy, but it has been deeply rewarding. With my daughter now grown and building a life of her own, this season has allowed me to step fully into my second act, a season rooted in purpose, faith, and the dreams that once had to wait.
Each class completed reminds me that when we listen to the quiet calling on our hearts and trust where God is leading us, new paths open and we begin to walk more fully in the purpose we were created for.