In this episode of Conquering Spanish, host Tania Roman sits down with Adam, an international development professional from Washington, DC, who is no stranger to language learning. After more than fifteen years with Chinese, he set a goal in 2025 to learn Spanish deeply, and this conversation is an honest look at what that commitment really takes.

Adam shares why he wanted to connect with his neighbors and the Latino community in DC, how his experience learning Chinese shapes the way he approaches Spanish, and what has surprised him along the way. He also talks about his recent trip to Mexico City, Puebla, and Oaxaca, including a visit to a Zapotec pottery studio where he followed an entire presentation in Spanish.

He explains how he sustains momentum with a standing schedule of lessons alongside coaches Valeria and Ana, why he treats practice like going to the gym, and how he immerses himself daily through Netflix, local Spanish news, podcasts, and Spanish language comedians on Instagram.

At the center of the episode is a mindset worth borrowing: the journey is the destination, and the challenges are the fun part. If you have ever felt impatient with your progress, or wondered whether it is worth committing seriously to a language as an adult, this episode offers a grounded and encouraging perspective from someone who genuinely loves the process.

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