One of the most painful moments of my life was losing my mom while I was still in active addiction. As she lay on her deathbed, the last thing I told her was that I was going to change my life for my children. That promise stayed with me. It became a turning point—not because everything suddenly became easy, but because I knew I could no longer keep living the way I had been living.

My addiction affected everyone who loved me. I put my children, family, and friends through more than they ever deserved. There were broken promises, damaged relationships, and moments I wish I could go back and change. I cannot rewrite those parts of my story, but I can choose what I do with them now. I can live differently, love my children differently, and honor the promise I made to my mom through the life I continue to build.

During the hardest parts of my addiction, I felt like I had no one in my corner advocating for me. People saw my choices, my mistakes, and my circumstances—but very few people saw the person underneath all of it. I often wonder how different my journey might have been if I had known a peer support specialist: someone who had walked through their own darkness, understood without judging me, and could show me that recovery was truly possible.

That is why peer support is so much more than a career to me. It is my passion and my purpose. I want to be the person I needed when I was struggling—the person who listens, advocates, offers hope, and refuses to reduce someone to the worst thing they have ever done.

I cannot change my past, but I can use it. Every painful experience has given me a deeper understanding of the people I serve. Today, I use my story to remind others that they are not alone, they are not beyond help, and their life is still worth fighting for. I made a promise to my mom that I would change my life for my children. Every day that I show up for my family and for others seeking recovery, I am continuing to keep that promise.
Today, my life looks completely different. I have custody of my daughter, a relationship with my 27-year-old son, a wonderful husband, incredible friends, and the kind of support system I once thought I would never have. I also have what I truly believe is the best job in the world with Motivational 1, where I get to use the hardest parts of my story to help other people find hope in theirs.