When someone writes their story with as much honesty, humor, and heart as Lizette, the best approach is simple. Let her tell it herself. Below is Lizette’s spotlight in her own words based on the form interview we sent her. It’s a journey through family, career twists, personal growth, travel, baking, and the small brave moments that shape who we become.

Lizette Rodriguez

`Software Developer`
`Member since April 2025`

Background & Growing Up

“I’m the oldest of six, with the youngest being less than half my age. Horror movies are my favorite and I love live music. I moved to DFW four years ago with one tabby cat… and now I have three of them.”

“I grew up on the outskirts of East Austin, around where the Formula 1 racetrack is now. When I lived there, it was basically just land and the schools we went to. Now there are convenience stores, fast food places, and even apartments. It’s almost unrecognizable. Half the times I visit, I miss the turn I need to take to get where I’m going.”

“Once I graduated college, the job I got was here in Dallas.”

Career & Unexpected Paths

“I work as a software developer for Chase, and this was an unexpected and unplanned landing space for me. My favorite subject in school was math, so I majored in it without knowing what I was going to do with it. I also got minors in secondary education and computer science.”

“Covid crashed my final semester in college and financial aid to finish my teaching program ran out. I made the leap to frantically find something I could do with my comp-sci minor, and Chase had the perfect program. So here I am, and have been for the last four years.”

“I wouldn’t say I was drawn to software development, but what I enjoy about it is that it’s basically like solving puzzles.”

Growth, Health and Achievement

“I have lost 50 pounds since the beginning of this year. I’ve worked really hard on building healthy food and movement habits, and it has paid off.”

“Finding the club has absolutely helped with that. Dancing is fun and a good way for me to move after working in an office all day. The hardest part is being consistent and waiting for time to pass so the little efforts start to show.”

“The most rewarding part of what I do is getting to share what I’ve learned. I’ve onboarded new folks and junior devs who were once where I was. I like that I get to share a slice of knowledge cake with someone else. Maybe that’s why I thought about teaching originally. Looking back, I think I’d do better with small groups or one-on-one than a class of 25+.”

Finding Community

“I discovered DFW Young & Social on Instagram. I saw a board game night with vendors, and I don’t need much convincing to support small businesses. I do need convincing to walk into a place without company though.”

“The last couple years had been a roller-coaster with lost connections, and going to this event was another attempt to find new ones. I got to the place 15 minutes after it started, didn’t find parking right away, and almost let that be the reason to turn around.”

“I parked, sat in the car watching others walk in for another 15 minutes, and finally had to stop thinking and move my feet. And now I’m glad I didn’t turn around.”

“The biggest thing that sticks out to me is that I am not alone. When you move away from where your family is settled, it can feel isolating. But when I walk into the club space, that withers away.”

“Whatever event I’m there for, there are others in the same boat — learning a new thing, being bad at it because it’s new, talking to strangers, playing a game and not understanding it but playing anyway. We are connected for a moment, not because of proximity but because we chose to be there.”

Life Beyond Work

“Aside from dancing at the club space, I love to bake. I like to brag that I’ve successfully made macarons more than once. They were lavender lemon! Other honorable mentions: croissants, cinnamon rolls, habanero peach jam, pasta from scratch.”

“I got my sweet tooth from my grandma. She pretty much raised me and always had sweets around. I’ve started venturing into alternative dessert recipes too, like sweet potato brownies and egg-free versions of things. Those can be testy, but I love sharing with friends and coworkers and accommodating allergies or diets.”

“Otherwise: live music, thrifting, walking, visiting any lake, camping here and there, craft classes here and there.”

Travel, Identity & Peru

“Peru! I went this year and it was my first international flight. And I did it with strangers. Twenty-two queer folks, and it was a lot of fun.”

“My favorite part was the rich culture and history, and being in a Spanish-speaking community for the whole week. Only my dad’s side speaks Spanish, and I didn’t spend much time with that side growing up. I understand most things, but I never picked up the fluency.”

“Getting around Peru made me realize I know more than I think, and I shouldn’t let the shame of broken Spanish stop me from getting better or connecting with my own family and culture.”

“I also visited Machu Picchu. The circuit we did included the mountain hike, and I made it 70 percent of the way before we had to head down. The fact that I made it that far — I don’t think I could have done that a year ago. Anytime I’m doing something physically difficult, I tell myself: I climbed Machu Picchu. I can do this.”

Looking Ahead

“Nobody else’s feelings are yours to manage or fix. Your feelings are your responsibility. That advice came from a book my therapist recommended: Codependent No More.”

For the future, she says:
“I don’t have concrete plans except for growth. This time last year, life looked different. Same apartment, same job, but different daily patterns. Now my free time is full of connecting with people and new experiences. It’s been enriched.”

“I don’t know if I’ll be living the same life, but considering how much I’ve grown in the last year, I’m excited for what may come.”

Final Thoughts

“It’s been a roller coaster since I moved to Dallas four years ago. I made friends, lost some, tried new things, learned a lot about myself. I tried fitness clubs, dance studios, random events. Through it all, there wasn’t a community I felt part of as much as this one.”

“It’s unfortunate I didn’t find it sooner, but maybe I wouldn’t have been in a place to accept the welcoming energy of everyone here. Thank you to Marco, Alexi, and everyone who makes this place run. Thank you to everyone who shows up, despite being nervous, shy, or anxious.”

“Stories like Lizette’s remind us why community matters. Her courage, kindness, and openness bring something special into every space she steps into, and this community simply wouldn’t be the same without her. We’re honored to share this journey with her and grateful for the light she adds to DFW Young & Social. Thank you, Lizette, for helping shape the environment we’re so proud of.”

— Alexi & Marco