For decades, I was trapped in a really dark place—think self-harm, suicide attempts, and a different addiction every day, plus toxic relationships that left me more broken than before. I was living in a world of pure pain. But then, something incredible happened. In the middle of a global pandemic, I got decertified as having a Serious Mental Illness (SMI)—something the so-called experts said was impossible. That moment sparked a fire in me.

I threw myself into my own healing journey with everything I had, determined to create the life I’d only ever daydreamed about. I went back to school for Forensic Psychology, diving deep into the human mind to truly understand it. This blend of personal struggle and formal education has led me to write for Oxygen, Women’s Health, Strong, Yoga Journal, and more.

Here’s what I’ve discovered about anxiety and depression: we were never really taught how to handle them—only that they’re scary and supposedly lifelong. They told us to “deal with it,” which really meant “ignore it and pretend it doesn’t exist because it might make others uncomfortable.” Well, I’m calling out that nonsense. If you want to learn how to live a fulfilled, fun, and happier life, come join me.