¡Hola! Me llamo Dara Mendoza.
I was born in Tijuana, Mexico in 1990 and have been substance-free since October 2021 after a 10-year cycle of addiction. For me, recovery is so much more than abstinence—it’s a whole new way of living. It means being honest, punctual, consistent, keeping my word, and showing up for myself and others. These simple yet powerful habits make me feel proud and grounded.

My passion is helping others discover their own happiness and joy—whatever that looks like—so they can break free from substance use and the lifestyle that comes with it. I want you to see just how AMAZING your life can be!

I spent a year and a half in prison, where I reflected deeply on my life. Today, I’m committed to challenging cultural barriers that discourage Hispanics from seeking help. In our culture, asking for assistance is often seen as shameful—but I believe it’s a sign of strength. Language should never be a barrier, and I strive to make resources accessible, fun, and friendly for Spanish speakers.

Outside of my advocacy work, I prioritize self-care: going to the gym, eating healthy, reading, maintaining my mental health with therapy, and my Recovery journey with the support of my own peer coach. Recovery gave me the tools to live intentionally—and I want to share those tools with YOU.