I was born in the heart of vibrant Cuba. I spent my childhood on an island surrounded by the sea, which accustomed me to the beauty and diversity of the world around me. However, my country had some restrictions and limitations that plunged us into poverty. To be exact, 90% of the population lived in poverty, there was no free market and there was no freedom of expression. However, in the midst of these difficulties, I found the inner strength to dream big and fight against whatever stood in my way to freedom.

I grew up with my mother as an only child. She took on all the responsibility as a single mother. I remember how my mother worked hard to make ends meet and give me the best she could. In my home country, scarcity was a constant problem and to get food we had to wait in long lines and make do with what the government provided us. Despite the difficulties, my mother did everything she could to ensure that I did not lack anything. From her I inherited Spanish blood and a very good education. Thanks to her I learned the value of effort and dedication by watching her struggle every day.

At school, I used to be a shy boy who had a hard time approaching the girl he liked. I used to be very disciplined, following all the rules. Deep down, though, I was a rebel against the public education I received. School was free, but I would have to pay a high price for unlearning the indoctrination that was exerted on me. I discovered early on that I liked to teach myself. It was an interesting time to grow up because it coincided with the expansion of the internet.

I was a kid who wanted to make a difference, to do great things. Sometimes I was in a hurry, and I could constantly be found immersed in books that transported me to new avenues of knowledge and stories. I loved to read, but I couldn’t afford to buy new books because we had to prioritize food. So I accessed books donated by others. The first novel I read was “The Alchemist” and then “One Hundred Years of Solitude.” Since then I have not stopped reading everything that comes my way.

One day I made the decision to leave everything behind and go into exile in the United States. Mandatory military service was approaching and the Cuban dictatorship seemed to never end. I was not the only one. More than a million Cubans fled Cuba. My experience in the United States was like a love story. The country adopted me and gave me the freedom I was looking for, and in return I felt deeply responsible for giving my best to preserve and honor the principles that make it great. Although not everything was rosy. I had to go through all the conflicts and difficulties of an immigrant.

My first job in the United States was as a salesman. It was a time when my introverted nature clashed with the need to communicate with strangers. My initial job was collecting contact forms from people who, over time, could become clients of the company I represented. That is how I found myself knocking on doors under the Miami sun. Likewise, for a shy person like me, it was a challenge. Despite the thousands of rejections I received and the doors closed in my face, I kept going. I had a clear goal in mind and a vision of the future I wanted to build. For every client I managed to get for the company, I earned $5, but what I gained in experience and skills was priceless. Most importantly, this stage of my life taught me the value of hard work and perseverance. I learned not to give up, to face rejection, and to stay focused on my goals. Every day, in the midst of difficulties, I remembered my dreams and that gave me the strength to keep going. Today, I look back with pride on this initial experience as a salesman. It was a crucial chapter in my life story that transformed me from a shy young man into a more confident and capable person.

My career as a novelist began when I realized that my passion for words was not limited to reading; I was willing to write the stories I wanted to read and that did not exist. I remember that before I learned to write, I was already pretending to write. One day I began to write a story that I had in my heart and memory. The story took shape. As the pages piled up, so did the lessons learned and the certainty that my dream was within my reach. That story started my career as a novelist, it was a novel that I titled; Climbing Mountains.

Often, in order to work on my novel, I had to find creative solutions within my limited environment. I often had to work in a small, secluded corner. But in reality, literature became my true refuge, a means of escape and a form of expression that allowed me to share my thoughts and visions with the world.

At nineteen, I founded a company whose mission is to transform global healthcare. The pursuit of innovation and democratization of healthcare became my new goal. Turning the vision into reality became a responsibility for me. Our beginnings were humble too, but it turned into an adventure and I am excited for what the future has in store for us at Mederi KOI.

My story is just beginning. I have barely begun to write the pages of what is to come. Sometimes I even surprise myself. My mission continues, my vision continues to evolve, and my passion is stronger than ever. I am ready to face any storm, learn lessons from it, and continue forging my way.

– Rene De Paz

Update: 2024