“After every storm, there is a rainbow. If you have eyes, you will find it. If you have wisdom, you will create it. If you have love for yourself and others, you won’t need it.” – Shannon L. Alder
Some of the most successful folks in our community thrive despite experiencing mental health challenges. We are inspired by their strength and honored that they would share their stories with us below.
Jenise Rodriguez
I persisted by moving away from survival mode and into intentional mental health care. For years, I relied on willpower to push through responsibilities even when things felt overwhelming. Getting the right professional support helped me understand my mind better, set healthier boundaries, and manage my triggers instead of spiraling. That shift changed how I show up every day. Read More>>
Rori Zura
Being diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer at 33 (right in the middle of a global pandemic) was the kind of plot twist no one prepares for. Overnight, I went from feeling invincible to navigating chemo in isolation, processing medical trauma without my usual support system, and trying to make sense of a world that kept spinning while mine completely stopped. Read More>>
Tiana Balthazar
For me, overcoming mental-health challenges has been about staying self-aware and choosing persistence over perfection. I’ve learned how to pause, regulate myself, and communicate instead of reacting. I’ve built routines like journaling, grounding practices, and movement—that help me stay centered even when things feel overwhelming. I’ve also become intentional about my boundaries and the environments I allow myself in. Read More>>
Martha Argyriou
I always go back to personal experiences and how people that I have met have shaped me and also gave me so much life and experiences Read More>>
