Today we’d like to introduce you to Marcella Cintra.
Hi Marcella, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up in a military family, which meant moving more times than I can count. Every few years, it was a new house, a new school, and new people. I learned how to adapt quickly and how to be the “new kid” over and over again, but if I’m being honest, there was always a newer kid which made some things easier, but finding friends harder. I figured out how to make anywhere feel like home, but at the same time, I never truly felt like I belonged. That feeling stuck with me long after we stopped moving.
As I got older, that sense of uncertainty followed me in a different way. I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life and explored way too many degree paths along the way. Eventually, I got my act together and went to grad school, earning my MBA in Marketing, but even with a degree, I never felt like I had it all figured out. I battle imposter syndrome daily, constantly questioning if I am actually good enough in my field if I deserve a seat at the table, and if I will ever feel like I truly know what I am doing. I kept waiting for some big moment of clarity, but it never came. Instead, I had to learn to trust my knowledge and instincts.
At the same time, I was dealing with something I hardly saw anyone talk about. I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Hashimoto’s Hypothyroidism, both of which caused insane weight gain, acne, and more. It completely cracked my self-confidence. I felt like I was constantly battling my own body, struggling to find answers while doctors dismissed my symptoms. Eventually, I did find a great team (they were the ones who found the hypothyroidism on top of my PCOS) and we’ve been working together to get things back under control and where I feel comfortable. PCOS affects one in ten women, but over seventy percent of cases go undiagnosed, leaving so many people feeling like they are fighting it alone. Beyond that, it’s hereditary from both parents so fathers, brothers, sons, etc can carry the gene for it without even knowing. I used to think I had to shrink myself to take up space, but slowly, I started to realize that my worth was never tied to a number on a scale.
Through it all, I kept coming back to the things that made me happy: travel, theme parks, and storytelling. At first, I never thought they could be more than just hobbies, but then something unexpected happened. I started sharing about Disney and Universal online, just for fun, and people began reaching out for advice. I found joy in planning trips, discovering the best experiences, and helping people take the stress out of travel so they could focus on the fun. Before I knew it, I had built a business without even realizing it.
Flash forward a few years, and now, as a travel advisor specializing in theme park destinations and cruises, I help people create stress-free, unforgettable vacations while also building my own presence in the theme park space. I still struggle with imposter syndrome, and there are days when I wonder if I am qualified to do any of this. But I have learned that sometimes, you do not need all the answers. You just need to start. I still don’t know exactly where this journey is taking me, but for the first time, I am okay with that.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t been a smooth road, but I don’t think it ever is when you’re figuring things out as you go. Imposter syndrome has been one of my biggest challenges. There were so many times I felt like I wasn’t “the right kind of person” to be a content creator because I didn’t fit the image I thought people expected. Over time, I’ve had to unlearn that mindset and remind myself that I belong here just as much as anyone else. Building a business and personal brand in an industry as competitive as travel hasn’t been easy, there’s no clear roadmap, and it’s been a constant cycle of trial and error. I’ve had to trust myself even when I didn’t feel qualified and stay consistent even when it felt like no one was paying attention; except they were because I’ve found an incredible and supportive community along the way that just wants to build each other up. If I’m being completely honest, I wouldn’t have made it anywhere near this far without the support of my amazing fiance, Jc, he always pushes me to do more, be more, and grow as he supports me in quite literally everything.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I started as a content creator in the theme park space under the name TheDisneyGoers, sharing my experiences, tips, and behind-the-scenes insights. As more people reached out offline for travel advice, I realized I could take my passion a step further and became a travel advisor specializing in what I love, theme parks (i.e. Disney!). It’s been an amazing journey building up our platform and I’ve met the most amazing people doing it.
Now, I get to combine both, creating (what I hope is) fun content while helping others plan stress-free, unforgettable vacations. My eagerness and positivity set me apart, along with my ability to make planning feel fun instead of overwhelming. My clients all receive a detailed guide to their resort, the parks, and more as we find the best-fit itinerary for them, one time this looked like a 36-page PDF for a larger family, but it made things MUCH easier on their end to understand everything. Whether through my content or my travel services, my goal is always the same: to make the magic accessible, exciting, and easy for everyone.
In my full-time role, I do web and digital marketing for a state college and get to work closely with students to help build their portfolios and grow into their careers, with that i’ve developed a social media mindfulness workshop with a goal of helping them stay authentic and safe in online communities.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Finding a mentor or building a strong network starts with showing up and staying curious. Some of the best connections I’ve made have come from simply engaging with people whose work I admire, this can look like interacting/engaging with their content, asking thoughtful questions, or joining conversations in online communities. Instead of searching for a single mentor, I’ve found value in learning from multiple people. I follow creators large and small in my space, business owners, and industry professionals who inspire me. I pay close attention to what they do well and apply those lessons to my own work, in my own way. Sometimes, mentorship happens without an official title, it’s in the small moments of insight, advice, and shared experiences. In my fulltime role, I aim to be this person for the students I work with through my social media workshops.
Pricing:
- Free
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedisneygoers
- Other: thedisneygoers@gmail.com
Image Credits
If needed, many of those are photo pass photos at Disney, others were personally taken
