Resilience, Faith, and the "Butterfly Moment"
What does it take to leave everything behind—not once, but twice—to pursue a dream in a language you don’t yet speak?
In my latest episode of The Axel Axe Show, I sat down with the incredible Aurora Cossio. You may know her as Estela from Netflix’s global hit Griselda or from her recent work on FBI, but her off-screen story is just as dramatic as anything captured on camera.
From the streets of Colombia to leading roles in Italy, and finally to the competitive grind of Hollywood, Aurora’s journey is a blueprint for anyone fighting to manifest a vision against all odds.
The Superpower of Resilience
Aurora’s story began with a detour. Bound for Spain to study acting, a stopover in Rome changed her life. "My intuition, my gut was telling me: stop here," she says. Despite not speaking the language and losing financial support from her family, she stayed.
That "superpower of resilience" turned her into an Italian movie star. But when she felt she had reached a plateau, she did it all over again—moving to Los Angeles with zero English and zero connections.
Mental Health in the Entertainment Business
One of the most profound parts of our conversation centered on Good Morning Happiness, Aurora's brand dedicated to mental health and neuroplasticity.
As actors and creators, we deal with a unique kind of trauma: constant rejection, isolation, and the "borderline crazy" pursuit of a career with a tiny success rate. Aurora shared how she navigated a deep depression in 2022, nearly giving up on LA before a prophetic dream and a call for Griselda changed everything.
The "Butterfly Moment"
Aurora introduced a concept that every stressed creator needs to hear: The Butterfly Moment.
“When you see a butterfly and you try to catch it, it flies away. But when you are steady and wait patiently, the butterfly comes to you. That is the moment to embrace—when you get back to yourself.”
The Actor’s Craft: Living in the Shadow
Aurora gave us a rare look at her process. When she played Alicia Ortega, she admitted that the character’s fearless, "spicy" energy bled into her real life. For two weeks after production, she found herself fighting with people and feeling a strange, dark confidence she didn't usually possess.
"I loved that character so much because she was fearless, and in that moment, I needed her," Aurora explained. We discussed the "emotional first aid kit" every actor needs—the tools to dive into darkness for a role without getting lost there.
Aurora Cossio
""I am always afraid. I welcome it. I say, 'Hi fear,' and then, 'I don’t need you right now.' I focus on the positive, on what I have to offer, and what life is showing me.""
Advice for the Next Generation of Dreamers
When I asked what she would tell her younger self, her answer was simple: Faith. Not just a religious faith, but a deep-seated belief that you have a gift the world needs to see. She envisions a "big screen" in her mind where she commits to her vision and takes daily actions toward it. Whether it's dreaming of a role in a Marvel movie or a House of the Dragon style fantasy, Aurora proves that if you can see it, and you’re willing to suffer for it, it will happen.
Watch the full episode with Aurora Cossio and Axel Axe on YouTube
