My story with addiction and recovery began long before I realized it would become my life’s work.

At just 13 years old, I was serving as Chairman of the Youth Opioid Trainers in my hometown in Colorado. Our community was facing a rising opioid crisis, and we believed that kids teaching kids about addiction might be what finally broke through the stigma and silence. I stood in front of classrooms and community members talking about prevention, statistics, and awareness. I understood the urgency. I believed in the mission. What I did not yet understand was how personal this fight would become.

By 15, I began my own recovery journey from opioids and benzodiazepines. At 18, I had to begin again, this time from alcohol. Recovery has never been about perfection for me. It has been about honesty, accountability, and learning how to rebuild a life rooted in intention. It has meant starting over, asking for help, and choosing growth even when it felt uncomfortable.

Addiction does not discriminate. It does not care how old you are, where you come from, your financial status, or how much potential you have. It impacts individuals and families across every background. I have seen that truth both in my community and in my own life. But I have also learned something equally important: recovery is not one-size-fits-all. There are many pathways. For some, that means complete abstinence. For others, it begins with harm reduction, safety, and small steps toward change. What matters most is meeting individuals exactly where they are and walking beside them as they define what recovery looks like for their own lives.

During the pandemic, I moved to Texas and continued strengthening my foundation in recovery. I began working as a Behavioral Health Technician at Resurgence Texas and Driftwood Recovery, where I had the privilege of walking alongside individuals in some of their most vulnerable moments. Those experiences deepened my belief that structure, compassion, and consistent support change lives. They also showed me that lived experience, when paired with accountability, becomes one of the most powerful tools in this work.

Eventually, I stepped into my role as a Peer Support Specialist, where I could fully integrate my personal journey with professional training. Today, as a Recovery Coach with You Are Accountable, I bring both prevention and personal recovery into every conversation. I know what it is like to educate others about addiction. I also know what it is like to fight for your own life. My approach is rooted in accountability, but also in respect  and honoring each person’s autonomy, goals, and readiness for change.

I am currently pursuing my degree in Social Work because I believe recovery extends beyond the individual. It affects families, communities, and future generations. My siblings, including my twin siblings and my youngest sister back home in Colorado, are part of my reason for doing this work. They remind me that breaking cycles matters. They remind me that healing creates ripple effects far beyond ourselves.

Recovery did not just give me sobriety. It gave me clarity, direction, and purpose. Now I am honored to walk alongside others as they reclaim their lives and discover that accountability is not punishment it is empowerment. And no matter what path recovery takes, no one has to walk it alone.