This episode continues Belize Tourism Futures Season 3 with a conversation about confidence, communication, and mentorship.
I sit down with Bella Zabaneh, the current Miss Universe Belize, to discuss why many Belizeans hesitate to speak up, how confidence is built through practice, and why iteration matters if we want higher standards.
Bella shares her belief that practice does not make perfect—it makes permanent, and explains how discipline and repetition shaped her preparation. We also explore curiosity, comfort, and why too many people stop improving once something feels “good enough.”
A key part of the conversation focuses on mentors and role models. Bella views mentorship as community-driven and goal-oriented: identify someone doing what you aspire to do, learn from them, and stay open to growth. In a small country like Belize, raising ambition requires stronger mentorship networks and more people willing to seek guidance.
Presented by BELTRAIDE, Belize’s national economic development agency.
