About

My
Story

🌿 About Ricky Cortez

Founder of CARE | Breath Work & Meditation Educator

Human Rights Advocate | Parent | Artist | Community Connector

🧠 From Performance to Purpose: A Journey of Transformation

I’m Ricky Cortez—a lifelong creative, parent, and deep feeler who’s found powerful grounding in the nervous system. My professional journey began in theatre, where I spent 12 years telling stories, building characters, and understanding human emotion from the inside out. What I didn’t know then was that I was laying the groundwork for the work I do now: helping people regulate their nervous systems and reconnect with their breath, bodies, and relationships—both personally and professionally.

After transitioning into tech and human rights advocacy, I worked for renowned organizations like Witness, where I helped amplify marginalized voices around the globe. Yet despite outward success, I often found myself dysregulated, burned out, and longing for deeper connection—especially as a same-sex parent raising two neurodiverse children, through adoption. That longing led me to something ancient, yet revolutionary: the breath.

🌬️ Bridging the Gap: Breath, Buddhism & Belonging

My practice, Connected And Rooted Everywhere, is an outgrowth of my personal healing and professional evolution. Drawing from the science of neuroplasticity, polyvagal theory, and co-regulation, and infused with the spiritual depth of Buddhist philosophy, I’ve developed a series of practical, powerful offerings for:

Families & Parents
Couples
Individuals
Local Businesses
Friendship & Support Groups

My series Bridging the Gap invites people into a regular breath work and meditation practice that isn’t about escaping—but about returning: to yourself, your community, and your capacity for peace in motion.

Through guided practices, role play, real-life scenarios, and compassionate awareness, I help others:

Reclaim emotional safety 🤝
Build trust through co-regulation ❤️
Develop resilience through the nervous system 🧘
Create felt safety at home, work, and beyond 🌈

👨‍👨‍👧‍👦 Parenting, Partnership & Practical Wisdom

As a queer parent of two, my daily life is an ongoing lab for these practices. Whether supporting my child on an IEP or 504 plan, navigating ADHD in myself and my family, or showing up fully in my relationship, I have learned that emotional presence is more powerful than perfection. The breath has been my compass—whether I’m preparing for a high-stakes meeting, helping with homework, or managing a meltdown.

These practices don’t remove the messiness of life—they root us more deeply in it, with tools to grow instead of retreat.

🌎 For Community & Workplace Culture

My workshops aren’t just for home—they’ve proven transformational for local business teams, leadership circles, and educators. I bring a trauma-aware, neurodivergent-affirming approach that helps:

Improve workplace communication 💬
Create psychologically safe spaces 🧠
Reduce burnout & stress 🕊️
Enhance team trust & connection 🧩

I believe every meeting room, staff training, or team retreat is an opportunity to co-regulate and build culture from the inside out.

🌟 Why Join

Those joining CARE aren’t seeking perfection—they’re seeking presence. Whether it's for five minutes or five weeks, participants walk away with:

Tools to regulate emotions 🛠️
Language to name what’s happening inside 🌪️
Permission to rest and reconnect 🛏️
A new sense of self-agency in relationships 🌱

It's a practical transformation rooted in breath, neuroscience, regulation, and connection.

💚 Ready to Root?

Whether you’re showing up solo, with your partner, your kids, or your work team—you are welcome here. My job is to hold space, guide practices, and offer a roadmap for reconnecting to the wisdom already inside you.

I invite you to come curious, come messy, come as you are.

Let’s connect. Let’s get rooted. 🌿

Find Your Calm with CARE. If you’re not able to participate directly, I’d be deeply grateful if you’d share CARE with friends, family, or colleagues who may benefit.

🌿 CARE Mantra