5/18/2023 is the date I checked myself into rehab for my alcohol addiction. I arrived at detox drunk, and it wasn't until the 3rd day detox, I thought to myself "What did I just set myself up for?" I have been to rehab two more times since 5/18/23 and, after (two) 34-day residential stays, I went into sober living for four months. My date of last use has changed many times since last May, but that date signifies a change. It represents my bravery in addressing my depression, trauma, MPD; learning about boundaries, triggers, community, surrendering; and how these things impacted my everyday thoughts, lifestyle and relationships. I hold this date closely to my heart because recovery for me, represents when I made a conscious change to improve my life, admit my powerlessness over drugs and alcohol, remind myself to maintain accountability, and there's nothing too hard for my Higher Power, God & Jesus Christ. I am grateful to be a decorated soldier who's fighting & at this time, winning against addiction. My world was once clouded with drunken thoughts and dead ends. I plan to use the same strength and power hold addiction once had over my life towards my academic studies and provide a brighter future for myself. I would like to be a testament to others that recovery is possible that the grass is greener on the side of recovery. The majority of my professional experience is in the fitness industry. From being a club attendant (clean team), front desk, class instructor, sales consultant and assistant manager. My struggles with addiction greatly affected my career, because I put my addiction before anything. As a child, whenever a teacher or family member asks me "What do you want to be when you grow up?" I always thought to myself "I want to help people!". As a child, police officers, firefighters, military, and lawyers were members of society that helped people. In my late teenage years and early twenties, I helped people start and continue their fitness journey and taught them to view exercise as a form of self-care rather than punishment or a daunting task. Now, as an adult in recovery, who is rebuilding her life, that goal remains true. I am enrolled in a bachelor’s program for Healthcare Administration/Healthcare Management/Business. My hopes are for me to obtain the professional and educational experience I learn and earn, with my life experience to open up a youth center (or centers!) aimed at teenage and adolescent young girls/ladies with self-care classes, fitness classes, group therapy, addiction/drug prevention and other community resources. I have no idea where to begin, other than to just start, which is why I enrolled in school. I have always been described as an introvert, down-to-earth, quiet, but observant. I believe I am this way because I feel emotions deeply and strongly. In my eyes, I have transformed a passion into a mission. A mission that will give a percentage of young girls, resources that I did not have available inside or outside of my home at an impressionable age.

5/18/2023 is the date I checked myself into rehab for my alcohol addiction. I arrived to detox drunk and it wasn't until the 3rd day in detox, I thought to myself "What did I just set myself up for?" I have been to rehab two more times since 5/18/23 and, after (two) 34-day residential stays, I went into sober living for four months. My date of last use has changed many times since last May, but that date signifies a change. It represents my bravery in addressing my depression, trauma, MPD; learning about boundaries, triggers, community, surrendering; and how these things impacted my everyday thoughts, lifestyle and relationships. I hold this date closely to my heart because recovery for me, represents when I made a conscious change to improve my life, admit my powerlessness over drugs and alcohol, remind myself to maintain accountability, and there's nothing too hard for my Higher Power, God & Jesus Christ. I am grateful to be a decorated soldier who's fighting & at this time, winning against addiction. My world was once clouded with drunken thoughts and dead ends. I plan to use the same strength and power hold addiction once had over my life towards my academic studies and provide a brighter future for myself. . I would like to be a testament to others that recovery is possible that the grass is greener on the side of recovery.