Meet Brianna Mendoza | Business Development Representative

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brianna Mendoza and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brianna, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
What’s most inspiring to me are my clients. I know that can seem like a cliche, simple answer, but seeing the lights turn on in their eyes and seeing the transformation of someone who came in so defeated with the only last bit of hope being the willingness to reach out and get help, to becoming the confident individuals they transform into over time is everything to me. It inspires me most because that too was once me. Completely lost, bonded to the chains of addiction. It’s a reminder that gives me the drive to help others I was given when I needed it most. I went from being that individual with no self esteem, to being a woman in recovery who helps others. Getting to be that initial conversation in getting someone the help they need and be able to relate and lead by attraction rather than promotion that I was once there, inspires the inner child in me faced with self doubt. It keeps me going because I no longer suffer the way my incoming clients do when they enter, and know they can create beautiful lives as well. Seeing those shifts happen, remind me of how far I’ve come and push me to do better. Through the empathy and compassion of others when I sought help, I was able to heal, and if you told me years ago that my biggest downfalls would be my biggest assets in making a difference… well… I would have thought you were completely full of it! Breaking old patterns takes work, and I can’t transmit what I don’t have. The suggestions I make to clients are all things that I must continue to practice myself, so in a sense they hold me accountable just as I do for them.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My career is ever changing on a day to day basis, depending on who I am helping and what I plan for that week. My role allows me to be a resource for anyone seeking help for their mental health or substance abuse which is near and dear to my heart. I’m fortunate to work for a place that helped me when I needed it most. Going from a client at one point, to having a life of my own outside of treatment, to then being asked to join the team has been an honor and incredibly fulfilling. I essentially get to help a space that provided me healing, to help others heal. It’s a beautiful thing to be on this side of things and relate to clients and where they’re at which is to me unique and sets me apart from others. I get to speak about the program I work for from personal experience and can give a realistic expectation and lead by example. I never knew the lowest moment of my life was able to lead to the growth that opened the doors to an incredible career, which not everyone gets the opportunity to experience unfortunately. In this line of work, many people don’t make it which is definitely the hardest part about working in this industry. Throughout my time in this field, I’ve learned to continue to keep an open mind to different avenues of what recovery looks like. We all have different stories and situations, where a cookie cutter solution isn’t going to set everyone up for success. What may have worked for me, might not work for the person sitting next to me and vice versa. I love my place of employment, because we encourage people to make the choices themselves that fulfill them and what they will bring with them when they leave treatment. Whether that be the job they pick, whether they’re students/going back to school, or choosing to do volunteer work. Deciding to take up golf, surfing, skateboarding, yoga, or pilates, we offer a variety of different activities to release endorphins healthily that are all optional and available if the client chooses. I know for me I picked gardening and surfing, and let me tell you… it definitely came in handy during the pandemic to combat with anxiety, depression, and sleeping better. Recovery may look different for everyone, but is still possible for everyone.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well living and being a native from beautiful San Diego, there’s so much to explore! I would start off with an AM mini-hike through Torrey Pines State Beach that leads you up to a beautiful peak overlooking the ocean, and right down to the beach. From there, we’d head on over to La Jolla Cove where the seals are, but go the secret way to hang out on one of the hidden swings for a bit before grabbing a bite to eat. Depending on our mood, which I can assume we’d be pretty tired, we’d probably stop at fig tree cafe for a iced coffee, bomb smoothie, and pastry or sandwich. Dinner options would vary between Coasterra, Mister A’s, Duke’s in La Jolla, World Famous, the options are honestly unlimited, but those are a few of my favorites. Being in SoCal, we’re known for our Mexican food being top tier, Salud near Chicano Park, where there are beautiful murals that cover every post under the bridge is a great spot, but my personal favorite is a Marisco’s food truck in National City where the fish tacos are the best, along with their ceviche. If you haven’t had a California Burrito or carne asada fries, those are also a must try here in San Diego. It’s basically a burrito or plate with your meat of choice, fries, along with guac, cheese, at a little bit of soul healing. We’d probably go on a walk around Coronado Island after crossing over on the ferry, and hang out by the hotel del after taking a bike ride over. Our last night would probably be spent watching the sunset at Sunset Cliffs in Ocean Beach after walking down the Nimitz Blvd. strip and maybe heading into Black’s, a store with the most random souvenirs.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Ryan Witt and the team at Healthy Life Recovery- giving me the tools to cope with life on life’s terms and help me get on my feet without having to do it alone. Ryan Witt our owner for believing in me to bring me apart of the team where I graduate from their program and seeing that I could help more people in this life than I ever thought imaginable.

Ryan Martin, my spouse, who supports my ambitions and encourages my growth. He’s taught me the importance of getting centered and shown me through his opposite personality type that we all can struggle the same internally, yet express it differently on the outside. I cherish this lesson because it continues to allow me to see the similarities, rather than the differences, which allows me to be of maximum service to my fellows in a more selfless way. “Seek rather to understand than to be understood” (even though there’s a time for that too).

Norma Leal, my mother. The ability to share my inner most self and thoughts with my own mother is something I’m truly fortunate to have. She has taught me, as a single mother, endurance and strength. Her perseverance and ability to carry on and move forward no matter what has made me the woman I am today, and I wouldn’t change any bit of our journey because of it. I carry a depth and weight to keep advocating for others because of how I’ve seen her show up for her children and for herself.

Friends- Ashley, Brittany, Nicole, Sydney, Sonya. My safe haven women who have my back no matter what and celebrate my victories and care for me through my downfalls. These women are some of the most trustworthy people I’ve had the privilege to meet, and loved me when I didn’t know how to love myself. Being the total vaults they are in allowing me to be my authentic self with them, we all check in with each other and it’s incredible to have friends who care about each other’s mental health the way we all do each other.

Tonya Hogue- She was a previous sponsor of mine/current mentor who walked through some of the most challenging things life can throw your way. I value her ability to validate her sorrows and use service work as a way to combat the difficulties she has endured. Her ability to walk with grace and save others from spiraling has been so inspiring to watch. Tonya is one of the most selfless women I have met, who still maintains strong boundaries which is a direct correlation of her spiritual fitness.

Website: www.healthyliferecovery.com

Instagram: briannammendoza

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/bmmendoza

Facebook: www.facebook.com/briannamariemendoza

Yelp: Healthy Life Recovery

Other: Admissions: 858-221-3676

Image Credits
Ned Gittings