About Kompashion

A Legacy of Compassion and Personal Growth

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My parents taught me that there's always a way to help

My story is woven from three generations of compassion, though it took personal tragedy for me to fully understand its depth.

It begins with my grandmother on her ranch, where she not only grew crops for local stores but opened her heart and land to those in need, ensuring no one in her community went hungry.

This foundation of giving was strengthened by my parents, who each found their own unique ways to help others.

Our family's understanding of compassion would deepen in ways we never expected

My mother's heart led her to care for special needs children, dedicating herself to those who needed extra attention and love. She often provided care without payment, understanding that some families couldn't afford the specialized attention their children needed. Later, when she faced her own mental health struggles, our family's understanding of compassion would deepen in ways we never expected.

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The simplest acts of kindness can have the most profound impact

My father, too, embodied this spirit of giving.

He would always find ways to help those in need, never turning away from an opportunity to make a difference.

His practical approach to compassion showed me that there are countless ways to support others, and that sometimes the simplest acts of kindness can have the most profound impact.

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One devastating year completely transformed my understanding of compassion

But it was during one devastating year that my understanding of compassion transformed completely.

Within twelve months, I faced a series of life-altering challenges that brought me to my knees.

It began with an ectopic pregnancy that nearly claimed my life, a traumatic experience that shook me to my core.

As I was still processing this loss, I developed breast implant illness, which brought its own set of physical and emotional challenges.

During this same period, our family faced another crisis as my mother struggled with her schizophrenia, requiring support and understanding in ways we had never anticipated.

It was during this darkest time that I learned a profound truth

This convergence of crises - my brush with death, my physical illness, and supporting my mother through her mental health journey - stripped away every pretense and forced me to confront my own vulnerability.

It was during this darkest time that I learned a profound truth: when someone is struggling, people often don't know what to say, so they stay away. Yet these are precisely the moments when support is most crucial. I discovered firsthand how isolation can compound suffering, as many stepped back during my greatest time of need, unsure of how to help or what to say.

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Therapy was only for "crazy people"

As I sought healing through personal development retreats and wellness spaces, I confronted another challenge: I was often the only Latina in the room.

The rare moments when I encountered another Latino became instant connections, powerful reminders of how underrepresented our community was in these healing spaces.

This realization highlighted a painful truth about the deeply entrenched mental health stigma in our community. It wasn't just about silence - it was about generations of ingrained beliefs that seeking help was a sign of weakness, that family struggles should remain behind closed doors, that therapy was only for "crazy people."

Breaking through these barriers felt like trying to tear down a brick wall with bare hands. Every conversation about mental health was met with resistance, uncomfortable silences, or outright dismissal. "No estás loca," they'd say, or "Just pray about it," dismissing the very real need for professional help and support.

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Our personal struggles can become our greatest tools for helping others

Through these challenges, I found myself drawn to deeper healing work. Each retreat and convention added new layers to my understanding of human connection and growth.

The turning point came when I had the profound opportunity to be personally coached by Trent Shelton, one of the most influential voices in mental health speaking.

His guidance helped me understand that our personal struggles can become our greatest tools for helping others.

Breaking the mental health stigma

This understanding led me to create Kompashion, born from the recognition that most people stay away during difficult times not out of indifference, but because they feel helpless or uncertain. I wanted to bridge this gap - to create a way for people to show up for each other even when they don't have the perfect words. Because sometimes, just being present is the most powerful form of support we can offer.

Every time someone whispers "we don't talk about these things," we speak louder

Each time we share our story, we face the deep-rooted resistance in our community.

Some family members still won't speak to us about our mental health advocacy, believing we're bringing shame to the family by speaking so openly about these struggles. But working closely with my father, we've chosen to break this generational silence.

Every time someone whispers "we don't talk about these things," we speak louder, sharing our stories and slowly, persistently chipping away at the walls of stigma in our Latino community.

Our mission today

Today, my mission has evolved into something I never imagined, though the path hasn't been easy.

Together, we speak about our experiences, showing that vulnerability isn't weakness - it's a pathway to healing. Through Kompashion, we're not just talking about change; we're providing practical tools and support systems that make it easier for people to be there for each other during life's most challenging moments.

Each person who finds the courage to seek help makes the fight worthwhile

When I was struggling, someone reached out with genuine understanding and support, offering gifts that helped me feel seen and supported during my darkest moments.

Now, I'm dedicated to creating that same lifeline for others. I'm working to bring healing modalities and wellness practices directly to my community, making them accessible to those who might never have considered them before.

Breaking down these barriers has been like swimming against a powerful current, but each small victory - each person who finds the courage to seek help, each family that begins to talk openly about their struggles - makes the fight worthwhile.

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Our mission is to make wellness and healing accessible to everyone

Today, I carry forward this multi-generational legacy of compassion, now deeply enriched by my own journey through trauma and healing.

Through Kompashion, I'm working to create bridges where there were once gaps, helping people connect and support each other even when they don't have the perfect words.

My understanding of service has evolved into a mission to make wellness and healing accessible to everyone in my community, especially those who feel overlooked or unseen in traditional wellness spaces.

Our deepest wounds, when healed, become our greatest gifts to others

As I move forward, I remain committed to both honoring my roots and creating new pathways for healing in our Latino community.

Each lesson learned, whether from my grandmother's practical kindness, my parents' devoted service, my own near-death experience, or the challenges of breaking cultural barriers, contributes to a deeper understanding of how to serve others while continuing my own growth journey.

Through it all, I've learned that our deepest wounds, when healed, become our greatest gifts to others, and that true healing happens when we make it accessible to all, regardless of their background or circumstances.