Incarceration has really impacted my life in ways I never expected. It changed everything about how I see the world and how I move through it. Looking back, I’ve had to learn some big lessons—some that made me a better person and some that were just about survival. The good lessons I took away were mostly about my mindset. I learned real patience because, in there, you don't have a choice but to wait. I learned how to get by with very little, realizing I don’t need much to actually survive. It made me appreciate the little things and, more than anything, it taught me to value the time I have with my family and loved ones. You don't realize how precious that time is until it’s taken away. But there were hard lessons, too. I learned quickly that you have to keep to yourself because people aren’t your friends in that environment. I learned the code: don’t see anything, don’t say anything, and don’t take anything from anyone. If you take a favor or an item, it’ll cost you something later, and usually, it’s not worth the price. The toughest part is that it doesn't end when you get out. Those charges stick with you for a long time, causing major issues with housing and employment. However, this experience also completely shifted my academic and career ambitions, giving me a mission I never had before. Instead of letting my past hold me back, I’m using it as a blueprint to help others. My goal is to start my own rehab reentry program that provides a real path forward. This program will include work release opportunities and safe places to stay in sober living houses that I run myself. I am starting this career path by launching a peer support business. I know that my lived experience is a tool that can help people who are walking the same path I once did. I plan to start by volunteering and working on the ground to learn the business inside and out. My academic focus is now locked in on learning how to manage these programs and support the recovery community effectively. I want to take those hard lessons I learned about who to trust and how to survive and turn them into a professional program that I built from the ground up. I’m turning the time I lost into a career dedicated to making sure others don’t lose theirs.

My experience with substance abuse has influenced my life in ways such as making me focus on my values and beliefs more, the way I look at relationships, my career ambitions, building a strong resilience, enforcing personal growth, and opening up doors to a renewed sense of purpose. Overcoming challenges shifted my perspective on relationships and fueled my ambition, turning past hurdles into career drivers. Navigating challenging times taught me the importance of clear communication, ethical decision-making, and proactive problem-solving—skills I now bring to my professional career and collaborative relationships. Living in recovery has fundamentally reshaped my view on relationships, transforming them from sources of chaos into spaces for growth and healing. I previously viewed vulnerability as a weakness to be hidden, but I’ve learned it is actually a courageous bridge to true connection. By being honest about my struggles, I replace old patterns of shame with authentic intimacy. Rebuilding trust has been a patient process. I now understand that trust isn't restored through grand promises, but through the quiet consistency of my actions over time. This reliability allows for genuine healing, both for myself and for those I’ve hurt. Growth also required me to dismantle codependency. I’ve learned to nurture connections that are supportive rather than enmeshed, shifting from a "fixer" to a partner. Central to this is setting healthy boundaries; I now see these not as walls that push people away, but as essential guidelines that protect my sobriety and respect the other person’s autonomy. By fostering honest communication and prioritizing self-care, I’ve moved away from the exhaustion of "performing" and into the peace of belonging. Today, my relationships are defined by mutual respect and a shared commitment to staying whole. My experience has deeply influenced my values, making me more empathetic toward others facing unseen struggles. It strengthened my commitment to personal growth and gave me a clearer, more intentional purpose in my career. My recovery has taught me that looking for happiness from external sources is fragile. My career is dedicated to leading people to their purpose and internal happiness. My work isn't just about "staying clean", we're thriving! I'm not just teaching my people how to survive, but how to find passion and joy. I'm beginning my career in Peer Support because I believe lived experience is a vital tool for connection. My substance abuse history is a "unique specialization" that gives me a level of insight and authenticity that can't be learned in a textbook. Peer Support will allow me to use my history not as a burden, but as a map for others navigating their own recovery. I have already developed a specialized 8-week curriculum focused on seeking internal validation and finding purpose. My goal is to teach others that fulfillment doesn't come from external approval, but from aligning their daily actions with their deepest passions and values. Ultimately, I am building toward opening my own private counseling practice. I realized that my greatest challenges were actually my greatest teachers. I’m moving toward clinical counseling because I want to provide the same life-changing guidance I once needed, help to move past a poor history and into a life of purpose. I want to combine clinical excellence with the empathy of someone who has walked the path, creating a space where clients find the tools to build truly happy and fulfilled lives. I also want to have a rehab with a re-entry program that (teaches my built curriculum), and involves work release and housing. I have big dreams!! I also want to start a non profit for youth with anger issues

Faith plays a major role in my life. I rely on my faith in Jesus as a compass that influences my character, relationships, and decision making. I can live in peace without fear or worry for the future knowing that my path is secure in His hands. Even when I don't always understand, I trust His plan for me. I can see Him working through my schooling because each semester prompts me to work on something towards my goals. Every semester so far has been that way, it's wild! It's all be aligned. When things are difficult, I see them as opportunities to grow and lean on God's strength. I trust that God has placed my specific passions and skills in my heart and that I am pursuing my career as a calling, not just a job. My goal is to use my talents to make it positive impact, knowing that God's plans for me are meant to bring hope and a future. My dreams are aligned with His goals, so my focus is simply to follow where He leads, confident that He will establish my steps. I'm not rushing or worried about the future because I know His plan will unfold perfectly and in the right time. I've always felt like I was here for something greater. Couldn't say what? I've just always felt it. I was also always very good in school. Pursuing higher education is a powerful, intentional step toward transforming my personal history into a tool for advocacy and community impact. My primary motivation is to occupy a position where I can act as an effective, knowledgeable resource for individuals—particularly those from underserved or marginalized backgrounds—who often fall through the cracks and lack access to the right assistance. By earning a degree, I am not just seeking professional development; I am acquiring the critical thinking skills, expertise, and authority needed to challenge systemic barriers. Furthermore, my journey serves as living proof that a challenging past does not define a person’s future. By overcoming obstacles to achieve academic success, I aim to show others that they can rise above their circumstances, break generational cycles of poverty, and pursue the lives they truly want. This education will empower me to be a voice for the voiceless and provide the mentorship I once needed. Ultimately, I want to use my education to create a bridge between opportunity and necessity, helping others transform their narratives from adversity to accomplishment.

Faith plays a major role in my life. I rely on my faith in Jesus as a compass that influences my character, relationships, and decision making. I can live in peace without fear or worry for the future knowing that my path is secure in His hands. Even when I don't always understand, I trust His plan for me. I can see Him working through my schooling because each semester prompts me to work on something towards my goals. Every semester so far has been that way, it's wild! It's all be aligned. When things are difficult, I see them as opportunities to grow and lean on God's strength. I trust that God has placed my specific passions and skills in my heart and that I am pursuing my career as a calling, not just a job. My goal is to use my talents to make it positive impact, knowing that God's plans for me are meant to bring hope and a future. My dreams are aligned with His goals, so my focus is simply to follow where He leads, confident that He will establish my steps. I'm not rushing or worried about the future because I know His plan will unfold perfectly and in the right time. I've always felt like I was here for something greater. Couldn't say what? I've just always felt it. I was also always very good in school. Pursuing higher education is a powerful, intentional step toward transforming my personal history into a tool for advocacy and community impact. My primary motivation is to occupy a position where I can act as an effective, knowledgeable resource for individuals—particularly those from underserved or marginalized backgrounds—who often fall through the cracks and lack access to the right assistance. By earning a degree, I am not just seeking professional development; I am acquiring the critical thinking skills, expertise, and authority needed to challenge systemic barriers. Furthermore, my journey serves as living proof that a challenging past does not define a person’s future. By overcoming obstacles to achieve academic success, I aim to show others that they can rise above their circumstances, break generational cycles of poverty, and pursue the lives they truly want. This education will empower me to be a voice for the voiceless and provide the mentorship I once needed. Ultimately, I want to use my education to create a bridge between opportunity and necessity, helping others transform their narratives from adversity to accomplishment.

My addiction started slow in 2009 with a lover and pills, but it eventually escalated to shooting heroin. Because I always worked to support my habit and never stole or lied for money, I didn't think it was that serious. Even after the relationship ended in 2012, I never quit the needle; I learned how to inject myself and then it was game on. Between 2014 and 2021, I caught multiple felonies and probation violations that landed me in jail and rehab three times. During those 14 years, I overdosed about 15 times. Those early ones didn’t phase me because I was asleep—I would just wake up and go on. When I got out in February 2019, I wanted nothing to do with heroin because it was all Fentanyl and it was killing everybody. But after eight months clean, I saw some needles and had an urge. I had just been introduced to meth, and by the fall of 2019, I took off shooting meth. I eventually went to rehab for a third time but relapsed smoking crack and shooting cocaine. My turning point came in July 2023 with a cocaine overdose where I was fully awake and conscious. I felt my last breaths being withheld from me. That experience stripped my mental ability to use needles ever again. It took having my choice taken for me to finally stop, an experience I see as God’s work on me. I truly believe that recovery is about more than just stopping the use of drugs or alcohol. It is about completely rebuilding your life and learning who you really are. I want to live a life of service, which is why I created my own 8-session psychoeducational group for people in recovery. My goal is to help them stop looking for everyone else to tell them they are good enough and start finding that validation inside themselves. They will also be finding their passions and purpose which will together help lead them to happy, successful, and fulfilling lives. I am currently looking for an organization where I can volunteer to lead this group so I can earn my 500 Peer Support hours. I am already trained I just need my certification. My school work is helping me get ready for this. Right now, I am working on my Associate’s degree in Human Services. Ultimately, I want to have a Master’s in Counseling. Each class I take gives me more ways to help people in my community. It also prompts me to work on things that I need to for my career! For example, the group started as an assignment!! My big dream is to have my own counseling practice one day. I want to use what I learn in books and what I have been through in my own life to show people they can move past their history. By leading this group, the goal is to show that everyone has something special inside them, even if it has been hidden for a long while. I want to help people find a way to feel steady on the inside so they don't always need the world to tell them they are okay. This is more than just work for me; it is what I feel I am meant to do, to help others find the same kind of freedom I am looking for every day.

I don't think my experience with addiction was like most. It started out slow, with a lover, and pills. It then escalated to shooting heroin. I never used publicly or hung around with people. I never stole or made up lies to get money- I always worked and supported my habit. Maybe that's why I didn't think my addiction was so serious. It all began in 2009, and when the relationship ended in 2012, I never quit the needle. I learned how to inject myself and that was game on. Between 2014 and 2021, I accumulated multiple felonies (marijuana, LSD, heroin) and probation violations, resulting in several jail sentences and a treatment program. Following a final probation violation for methamphetamine, I served my remaining time and completed all probation in September 2021. Around 2016 is when I experienced my first overdose. It happened so quickly and I had to think on my feet to speak to the ambulance, so I never even processed it I guess. This would be the first of many over the next year or so. At least six. And they never seemed to phase me! I just, woke up and went on. Over my 14 years in addiction, I have overdosed about 15 times. I figured out that they didn't phase me because I was asleep.. until that one.. Upon release in February 2019, I wanted nothing to do with heroin. It was all Fentanyl and it was killing everybody. After 8 months clean, I was exposed to some needles and had an urge. I had also just been introduced to meth. Fall 2019 was when I took off shooting meth. Although it was really horrible, I did discover my passion for writing. Unfortunately, a few short months later, I got back on meth and let it take me all the way down. I went to rehab for the third time, got out and relapsed smoking crack and shooting cocaine. Remember that one overdose I mentioned earlier? Yeah it was on cocaine and I was fully awake and conscious! I felt my last breaths being withheld from me!! Although I did try once more to shoot up, I yanked it out of my arm halfway through. I simply couldn't go through with it. That experience stripped my mental ability to use needles ever again. That's what it took for me. To have my choice taken...This experience in July 2023 was a powerful one of God and His work on me. Ever since then I have been airtight close with God and on the path of faith and His works. I continued to smoke crack until October 2023 when I moved to my new home and I've been clean ever since then. I started school in the Fall of 2024 and have been on a roll with that ever since. Ever since being sober, my life is so surreal. My dreams are ACTUALLY coming true each day. I know that my dreams are aligned with God's plan because of the way my school pushes me to do the work each semester. Everything is aligned! Also, I'm always getting signs of confirmation from God! Using my education and Peer Support training to empower members to find passion, purpose, and fulfilled lives, I will bridge the gap between clinical care and lived experience. By reducing stigma and building coping skills, I will show that recovery is possible. This is more than just a job to me; this is my calling: helping others find the same freedom I pursue daily.

When I look back at the most defining chapter of my life, the setting isn’t a classroom or a stage; it’s the floor of a busy restaurant where I was gritting my teeth through a crazy shift, drowning in the quiet desperation of addiction. At that low point, I wasn't looking for a mentor or a spiritual awakening; I was just looking to survive the day without spiraling further. That was the day I met Pastor Bill. He was just a nice customer at one of my tables. He gave me his card that I would use to call weeks later. Our connection sparked a relationship that would not only save my life but completely rewrite the blueprint for how I engage with every human being I meet today A truly meaningful relationship is defined by "staying power," and Pastor Bill became the living embodiment of that concept. When we first met, I was a master of the "mask"—showing the world a functional server while hiding a life that was rapidly coming apart at the seams. Somehow, Bill saw through the performance. He approached me with a consistent, quiet presence that made me feel seen for the first time in years. As I eventually hit a breaking point and came clean about the addiction, and waited for the inevitable exit. I expected the judgment, the disappointment, and the eventual distancing that I had experienced from so many others. Instead, Bill stayed. He stayed through the relapses, phone calls of despair, and the grueling process of rebuilding a shattered identity. Most importantly, Bill introduced me to God—someone I had never truly known before. I had grown up with a vague or perhaps distorted view of the divine, but Bill showed me a God of radical grace. He didn't just talk about faith; he modeled it by never leaving my side. He also wasn't pushy about the topic, which I realized later and appreciated. Through him, I realized that if a man could love me through my darkest behaviors, then the God who created me must love me even more. This set me on a spiritual journey that shifted my foundation from the shifting sands of addiction to the solid rock of faith. By staying, he taught me that I was more than my dependencies; I was a child of God worthy of restoration. This relationship has fundamentally altered the way I build connections with others. The most significant shift is that I now lead with empathy rather than judgment. Because Bill didn't treat me like a "project to be fixed," I don't look at people in crisis as problems to be solved. When I meet someone who is struggling, I remember the server I used to be—tired, scared, and hiding. This allows me to create a "safe harbor" for others. I’ve learned that the most powerful thing you can say to someone in pain isn't a piece of advice, but the words, "I’m not going anywhere." Furthermore, Pastor Bill taught me the value of "tough love" and healthy accountability. He wasn't a pushover; he cared enough to tell me the truth even when it hurt. Because of this, I build relationships based on radical honesty. I’ve moved away from superficial, "people-pleasing" interactions and toward deep, authentic bonds. I’ve learned that you can’t have true intimacy without the freedom to be vulnerable. In my friendships and professional life, I strive to be the person who can handle the "real talk," creating a space where others feel they can drop their guard without fear of rejection. Ultimately, my relationship with Bill taught me that trust is built in the valleys, not just on the mountaintops. It gave me a blueprint for resilience and a heart for service. Today, I don't just look for fair-weather friends; I look for—and strive to be—an anchor. I am much more intentional about investing in people’s long-term growth, understanding that transformation is a slow, non-linear process rooted in love. I am who I am today because one man decided that a struggling server, with purple hair, was worth the effort of staying. Every time I offer a hand to someone else, or stay a little longer to listen to a friend in need, I am simply paying forward the grace that Bill gave to me. He taught me that the most meaningful connections aren't found in perfection, but in the steadfast refusal to leave someone’s side when they are at their worst.

I want a business named NewLifeVibes. This company is kind of a mother company I concluded, because I couldn't put the name on just on thing. Let me explain, I have really big dreams, that are coming true, little by little by the way. I want to have a rehab that expands out to a work release program and living as well. Everyone would get all of their obligations paid off or arranged to be and have gone through my program. Also I also would like to lead groups in my own counseling practice. I have already almost finished the creation of an 8-session a psychoeducational group that teaches recovering addicts to find internal validation, find their passions, purpose and that will lead them to happy, successful, fulfilled lives. I truly believe that recovery is about more than just stopping the use of drugs or alcohol. It is about completely rebuilding your life and learning who you really are. I care a lot about this because I too believe that learning new things can really change a person's life. If someone is in the right environment with the right information, they can finally see what they are capable of doing. In this group, the focus will be on finding what we are passionate about and what our purpose is so we can be happy. We will talk about letting go of shame, dealing with hard feelings, and trying to think better of ourselves. I am currently looking for an organization where I can volunteer to lead this group so I can earn my 500 Peer Support hours. I am already trained I just need my certification. This will be my foot in the door into the Human Services field!! My school work is helping me get ready for this. Right now, I am working on my Associate’s degree in Human Services. Later, I want to get a Bachelor’s in Psychology and then a Master’s in Counseling. Each class I take gives me more ways to help people in my community. As I've gone along through school, I've been pushed to do things that I need to do for my career. For example, I also have a draft for the whole rehab program as well. Both of these were school assignments. I just continued on with the group....! My big dream is to have my own office and practice one day where I can be a counselor. I want to use what I learn in books and what I have been through in my own life to show people they can move past their history. I want to help people, of all kinds!, find a way to feel steady on the inside so they don't always need the world to tell them they are okay. This is more than just work for me; it is what I feel I am meant to do, to help others find the same kind of freedom I am looking for every day.

I want a business named NewLifeVibes. This company is kind of a mother company iI concluded, because I couldn't put the name on just on thing. Let me explain, I have really big dreams, that are coming true, little by little by the way. I want to have a rehab that expands out to a work release program and living as well. Everyone would get all of their obligations paid off or arranged to be and have gone through my program. Also I also would like to lead groups in my own counseling practice. I have already almost finished the creation of an 8-session a psychoeducational group that teaches recovering addicts to find internal validation, find their passions, purpose and that will lead them to happy, successful, fulfilled lives. I truly believe that recovery is about more than just stopping the use of drugs or alcohol. It is about completely rebuilding your life and learning who you really are. I care a lot about this because I too believe that learning new things can really change a person's life. If someone is in the right environment with the right information, they can finally see what they are capable of doing. In this group, the focus will be on finding what we are passionate about and what our purpose is so we can be happy. We will talk about letting go of shame, dealing with hard feelings, and trying to think better of ourselves. I am currently looking for an organization where I can volunteer to lead this group so I can earn my 500 Peer Support hours. I am already trained I just need my certification. This will be my foot in the door into the Human Services field!! I also have a draft for the whole rehab program as well. Both of these were school assignments. I just continued on with the group....As I've gone along through school, I've been pushed to do things that I need to do for my career. In multiple semesters.... It's kind of crazy! My school work is helping me get ready for this. Right now, I am working on my Associate’s degree in Human Services. Later, I want to get a Bachelor’s in Psychology and then a Master’s in Counseling. Each class I take gives me more ways to help people in my community. It also prompts me to work on things that I need to for my career! For example, I also have a draft for the whole rehab program as well. Both of these were school assignments. I just continued on with the group....! My big dream is to have my own office and practice one day where I can be a counselor. I want to use what I learn in books and what I have been through in my own life to show people they can move past their history. I want to help people, of all kinds!, find a way to feel steady on the inside so they don't always need the world to tell them they are okay. This is more than just work for me; it is what I feel I am meant to do, to help others find the same kind of freedom I am looking for every day.

Living with a combination of ADD, bipolar depression, rapid mood swings, and intense anger has been a tumultuous journey, a constant battle between high-energy chaos and paralyzing lows. These experiences have deeply influenced my perspective, forcing me to build immense resilience and shaping my understanding of the world as a complex place that requires profound empathy. While these challenges have created roadblocks in my relationships and daily life, they have also ignited a burning passion to become a counselor, not just to treat, but to genuinely understand and help others heal through love and kindness. The impact of my mental health on my relationships has been significant. Mood swings often created an unpredictable environment, where high-energy, joyful periods could abruptly shift to severe depression or intense rage. This instability made it difficult for loved ones to know what to expect, often leading to tension or misunderstanding. The anger associated with my depression, which can feel like an uncontrollable attack, was particularly difficult to manage, often causing me to say things I did not mean. Furthermore, the lack of focus from ADD, coupled with the fatigue of depression, often left me feeling distant or unresponsive, creating unintentional barriers with friends and family. However, these struggles taught me the critical importance of open communication, patience, and separating the illness from the person, fostering a deeper, more resilient kind of love in the relationships that lasted. My goals, specifically my desire to build a diverse counseling practice, are born directly from this lived experience. Because I have traversed the extremes of both depression and high-strung mania, I do not believe in narrowing down to one type of group. I understand that mental health issues can manifest in countless ways, and that everyone, regardless of their struggle, deserves unconditional support. I have witnessed firsthand that therapy, when coupled with genuine human connection, can help people navigate their most intense emotions, from fear to anger. My goal is to create a safe space where I can help people, not by just treating a diagnosis, but by walking alongside them in their journey. My understanding of the world is that true healing comes from love and kindness. I believe that no one is beyond help; it is simply a matter of finding the right way to connect with them. Having felt the isolation of mental illness, I want to use my own experiences to bridge the gap for others, fostering a sense of community and understanding. I firmly believe that by offering compassion rather than judgment, we can heal deep-seated emotional wounds and help people manage their own, sometimes chaotic, worlds. In conclusion, while the path of bipolar disorder and ADD has been difficult, it has forged a unique purpose in my life. It has not just altered my goals, but has redefined them, turning my pain into a catalyst for helping others. I am determined to show that, with the right approach—rooted in empathy and unconditional love—everyone can be helped, and healing is possible.

Living with a combination of ADD, bipolar depression, rapid mood swings, and intense anger has been a tumultuous journey, a constant battle between high-energy chaos and paralyzing lows. These experiences have deeply influenced my perspective, forcing me to build immense resilience and shaping my understanding of the world as a complex place that requires profound empathy. While these challenges have created roadblocks in my relationships and daily life, they have also ignited a burning passion to become a counselor, not just to treat, but to genuinely understand and help others heal through love and kindness. The impact of my mental health on my relationships has been significant. Mood swings often created an unpredictable environment, where high-energy, joyful periods could abruptly shift to severe depression or intense rage. This instability made it difficult for loved ones to know what to expect, often leading to tension or misunderstanding. The anger associated with my depression, which can feel like an uncontrollable attack, was particularly difficult to manage, often causing me to say things I did not mean. Furthermore, the lack of focus from ADD, coupled with the fatigue of depression, often left me feeling distant or unresponsive, creating unintentional barriers with friends and family. However, these struggles taught me the critical importance of open communication, patience, and separating the illness from the person, fostering a deeper, more resilient kind of love in the relationships that lasted. My goals, specifically my desire to build a diverse counseling practice, are born directly from this lived experience. Because I have traversed the extremes of both depression and high-strung mania, I do not believe in narrowing down to one type of group. I understand that mental health issues can manifest in countless ways, and that everyone, regardless of their struggle, deserves unconditional support. I have witnessed firsthand that therapy, when coupled with genuine human connection, can help people navigate their most intense emotions, from fear to anger. My goal is to create a safe space where I can help people, not by just treating a diagnosis, but by walking alongside them in their journey. My understanding of the world is that true healing comes from love and kindness. I believe that no one is beyond help; it is simply a matter of finding the right way to connect with them. Having felt the isolation of mental illness, I want to use my own experiences to bridge the gap for others, fostering a sense of community and understanding. I firmly believe that by offering compassion rather than judgment, we can heal deep-seated emotional wounds and help people manage their own, sometimes chaotic, worlds. In conclusion, while the path of bipolar disorder and ADD has been difficult, it has forged a unique purpose in my life. It has not just altered my goals, but has redefined them, turning my pain into a catalyst for helping others. I am determined to show that, with the right approach—rooted in empathy and unconditional love—everyone can be helped, and healing is possible.

Living with the intersection of bipolar disorder and ADD is like trying to navigate a ship during a storm where the compass keeps spinning. My diagnosis isn't just a clinical label; it is a lens that has fundamentally reshaped how I view the world, how I love others, and how I envision my future. My beliefs about myself and the world have been forged in the fires of extreme mood swings. In my deepest depressions, the world felt fundamentally gray and hopeless, leading me to believe I was a burden. Conversely, manic episodes often brought an inflated sense of self that felt invincible, only to be followed by the crushing weight of reality. Over time, these cycles taught me that my "feelings" aren't always "facts." I’ve had to develop a core belief in resilience—a faith that the person I am during a mood swing is not the sum total of who I am. I’ve learned to value stability over intensity, a shift that changed my worldview from one of constant chaos to one of intentional, hard-won peace. In my relationships, the combination of ADD-driven impulsivity and bipolar anger has been my greatest challenge. Anger, in particular, often felt like a physical takeover—a flash of heat that bypassed my logic and landed on those I loved most. For years, I struggled with the guilt of "exploding" over minor frustrations or losing focus during important conversations. These experiences forced me to become an expert communicator. I’ve had to learn the art of the sincere apology and the necessity of boundaries. My relationships are now built on radical transparency; my loved ones know the signs of my shifts, and we work as a team to manage the "storm" rather than letting it tear us apart. Finally, my career aspirations have undergone a massive transformation. Growing up, I was told I could do anything, but the reality of managing symptoms like brain fog, executive dysfunction from ADD, and the exhaustion of depression made a traditional 9-to-5 path feel like a minefield. I’ve had to let go of the "hustle culture" mentality that values output over well-being. Today, my aspirations are rooted in sustainability. I no longer seek the highest-stress position; instead, I look for environments that offer flexibility and value my unique perspective. My struggle has given me a deep sense of empathy, leading me toward roles where I can help others navigate their own complexities. Ultimately, my journey with mental health hasn't just been about managing symptoms; it’s been about rediscovery. While bipolar disorder and ADD have taken much from me, they have also given me a level of self-awareness and emotional depth I never would have found otherwise. I am not "cured," but I am conscious, and that makes all the difference.

I truly believe that recovery is about more than just stopping the use of drugs or alcohol. It is about completely rebuilding your life and learning who you really are. I want to live a life of service, which is why I created my own 8-session psychoeducational group for people in recovery. My goal is to help them stop looking for everyone else to tell them they are good enough and start finding that validation inside themselves. They will also be finding their passions and purpose which will together help lead them to happy, successful, and fulfilling lives. I am currently looking for an organization where I can volunteer to lead this group so I can earn my 500 Peer Support hours. I am already trained I just need my certification. I care a lot about this because I too believe that learning new things can really change a person's life. If someone is in the right environment with the right information, they can finally see what they are capable of doing. In this group, the focus will be on finding what we are passionate about and what our purpose is so we can be happy. We will talk about letting go of shame, dealing with hard feelings, and trying to think better of ourselves. My school work is helping me get ready for this. Right now, I am working on my Associate’s degree in Human Services. Later, I want to get a Bachelor’s in Psychology and then a Master’s in Counseling. Each class I take gives me more ways to help people in my community. It also prompts me to work things that I need to for my career! For example, the group started as an assignment!! My big dream is to have my own office and practice one day where I can be a counselor. I want to use what I learn in books and what I have been through in my own life to show people they can move past their history. By leading this group, the goal is to show that everyone has something special inside them, even if it has been hidden for a long while. I want to help people find a way to feel steady on the inside so they don't always need the world to tell them they are okay. This is more than just work for me; it is what I feel I am meant to do, to help others find the same kind of freedom I am looking for every day.