We were lucky to catch up with Danny Torres recently and have shared our conversation below.
Danny, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
Resilience wasn’t something I was born with—it was something life forced me to build. I’ve struggled with my mental health since I was a kid, and there have been so many moments where I wanted to give up completely. At my lowest points, when I truly felt like I couldn’t go on, there was always this tiny part of me that refused to let go. I didn’t know why at the time, but something inside me kept pushing me to hold on, even when everything felt impossible.
I’ve lost everything multiple times. I’ve messed up relationships, jobs, and friendships—things I’ll never be able to get back. I’ve also found myself in situations where I needed more help than I could handle on my own, including being admitted to a psych ward at one point and attending many intensive treatment programs. These were moments when I felt completely out of control, when it seemed like everything was falling apart no matter how hard I tried. Even then, I always found a way to stand back up. Getting sober was a huge turning point for me. It forced me to face myself in ways I had been avoiding for years, and it taught me that resilience isn’t about never breaking—it’s about choosing to rebuild, over and over again.
For me, resilience has always been about small choices. It’s not about waking up one day and feeling strong; it’s about deciding to take just one more step forward, even when you don’t feel like you can. That’s what’s gotten me through every hard moment in my life, and that’s what I try to share with others. No matter how broken you feel, no matter how many times you’ve fallen, you still have the power to keep going. And sometimes, that’s all resilience really is—the choice to not give up on yourself, even when it feels like the hardest thing to do.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m Danny Torres, a content creator whose journey has been anything but conventional. From a young age, I’ve struggled with mental health and have gone through periods where I felt completely lost. Overcoming those challenges is what fuels my work today—whether that’s through sharing my personal experiences or helping others navigate their own mental health struggles.
Through my content, I focus on real, raw conversations about mental health, self-worth, and authenticity. My mission is to create a space where people feel heard, seen, and empowered to embrace their journey. I share both the highs and the lows, offering a glimpse into the realities of working through anxiety, depression, and self-doubt, but also the growth and healing that come with it. The goal is to make mental health discussions more accessible and relatable, and to help people feel less alone in their struggles.
In addition to my content, I’ve launched The Journey Is Ours, a clothing brand born from my own mental health journey. It’s not just apparel—it’s a symbol of community and connection. Through this brand, I want people to know that they’re not alone and that it’s okay to talk about the challenges we face.
I’ve also ventured into coaching, where I work one-on-one with people to help them overcome limiting beliefs, build confidence, and transform their mindset. The best part of my work is seeing others gain the confidence to live the life they’ve always wanted.
What I hope my community takes away from all that I do is that vulnerability is not a weakness—it’s a strength. Whether through my videos, clothing, or coaching, my goal is to inspire others to embrace who they are, no matter how messy the journey may be.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back on my journey, I believe the three qualities that have had the most impact on my personal growth are perseverance, authenticity, and vulnerability.
1. Perseverance: Pushing through pain and self-doubt has been absolutely essential in my journey. I’ve faced countless challenges, setbacks, and moments where it would’ve been easier to give up. But what kept me going was the belief that if I kept pushing forward—even when things felt impossible—there was always a possibility of change and growth. In many ways, perseverance allowed me to keep going even when the road was tough, and that mindset helped me turn setbacks into learning experiences.
For anyone just starting their journey, I would say: don’t expect things to be easy or smooth. It’s okay to face difficulties, and it’s okay to fall sometimes. The key is not letting those moments define you. Keep moving forward, no matter how small the steps may seem. Every bit of effort counts, and sometimes that perseverance is what leads to the breakthroughs you need.
2. Authenticity: Being true to myself has been essential to my healing and my growth. It was easy to feel like I had to be someone I wasn’t in order to fit in or succeed, but embracing who I truly am—without pretending to be perfect—has made all the difference.
For those struggling to be their authentic selves, my advice is to stop comparing yourself to others and focus on being yourself. Your uniqueness is what makes you powerful.
3. Vulnerability: I used to view vulnerability as a weakness, but I’ve learned that it’s actually a source of strength. Opening up about my struggles has allowed me to connect with others and help them feel less alone in their own journeys.
If you struggle with vulnerability, I encourage you to start small. It can be as simple as sharing a thought or feeling you’ve been holding back. The more you allow yourself to be vulnerable, the easier it becomes, and the more you’ll realize how freeing it is.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
Without a doubt, one of my best friends, Chad Caruso, who has become a mentor figure for me over the years, has been the most influential person in helping me overcome challenges and build the essential skills I needed to succeed. I met Chad through my YouTube days, where we were both content creators, Beyond his career, Chad is known for holding the Guinness World Record for skateboarding across America in 57 days, and not only did he do that, but he did it completely alone. This accomplishment is a testament to his incredible resilience.
Chad has been there for me through some of the toughest moments in my life, especially during times when everything seemed to be falling apart. He played a crucial role in helping me get sober, but beyond that, he’s taught me how to push through the most difficult challenges and to never let struggles define who I am. Chad continues to inspire me to become a better version of myself, to stay focused on helping others, and to keep going, no matter how tough things get.
Having Chad in my life means the world to me. I’m incredibly grateful not only for the guidance and support he’s given me but for the way he consistently shows up when I need him most. Chad’s not just an inspiration—he’s someone I can always rely on, and I’m deeply thankful for his friendship. I truly love him and appreciate everything he’s done for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://stan.store/dannyxtorres
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dannyxtorres
- Other: Email: [email protected]
Image Credits
Hi-res headshot: John Medeiros
IG: instagram.com/johnmedeiros_photo
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
