Born and raised in Los Angeles.

I am the 7th of 9 siblings and had to deal with poverty, mental illness, violence, and hunger while growing up. I joined the U.S. Army at the age of 17. After completing college, I was accepted into one of the top medical schools in the country. That is when I ran face-first into my PTSD and the constraints it placed upon my mind.

A challenge I faced when learning my limits was how to push beyond them while keeping a hold of my humanity. I am open about what I live with to help others understand the importance of mental health and therapy.

Photo by: Jenna Schoenefeld