My Story
I’m Ana Sofia Oquendo, the founder of the Breathe and Believe Foundation. I’ve struggled with anxiety for most of my life, especially when it comes to academics. I’ve had panic attacks, felt completely overwhelmed, and for a long time, I didn’t even understand what I was feeling. What made it harder was that no one around me really talked about anxiety. I didn’t know anyone who could relate, and I thought I was the only one going through it. I’ve always put a lot of pressure on myself. I want things to go perfectly.That pressure can build up and become too much. I am an International Baccalaureate (IB) student and the class president at my school. I truly love what I do. I care about being involved and leading in my community. But even when I’m doing what I love, there are moments when everything feels overwhelming. That’s why I started Breathe and Believe. I wanted to create something I wish I had, a space where teens like me could feel understood, learn what anxiety really is, and discover real ways to manage it. This foundation is my way of saying you're not alone. What you're feeling is valid and you don't have to go through it by yourself.