​If im being completely honest, this whole experience leading up to here, was hard as F***! My journey as a Shaman honestly began with a lot of disbelief, hesitation, and—if I’m being real—straight-up fear. I don’t have the type of story like most mediums, that grew into their gifts or saw spirit one day and were like “Woah” *lightbulb*. No. The truth is, while Shamanism runs through my blood, I was a non-believer. ​I grew up confused, dancing between my cultural heritage and Catholicism. One felt like it rejected the other. So at a young age, to not overcomplicate things, I decided I wouldn’t believe in anything. Not in God, spirit, or any life after death. My grandmother would always tell me that I needed to remember who I was, or I’d lose my way. ​​

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Everything started to shift after she passed. I actually felt her passing, like a jolt to my whole being, and then she visited me in spirit. That was the beginning of feeling like I was being pulled into this whole new way of experiencing life, even though it was terrifying to me at the time. All of a sudden, I could see, hear, and feel, things I never saw, heard, or felt before. 

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But it wasn’t just about seeing things differently—it was like I had no choice but to face what was happening, even as my family struggled to understand it. They thought I needed therapy or that I was inviting in something evil. That if I kept going down this road, they couldn’t support me. That hit me hard. My family means everything to me, but deep down, though I didn’t know what road exactly they were talking about, somehow I knew I was exactly where I was supposed to be. So, in one of the hardest decisions of my life, I let them go.

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I was completely alone in this new city, dealing with these unexplainable experiences, and the fear was so intense. But one day, in pure desperation, I went to Balboa park, sat under a tree, looked up at the sky, and it was the very first time I spoke to God. Truthfully, I felt embarrassed. Surely, there wasn’t anyone up there listening and I looked crazy talking to the sky. But I was so angry that this was my life. Why was this happening to me? Was I really being punished? With all the rage inside me I basically told the universe, “I’m done being scared.” I didn’t want any help. I just wanted to let the universe know that this fear wasn’t going to control my life anymore.

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When I got back to my apartment, everything felt different. There was this lightness in the air, like a weight had lifted. That night, I had my first moment of true peace in months when La Virgen de Juquila appeared to me in this beautiful, blinding light. I’ll never forget how she looked—brown skin, long jet black hair down to the floor that moved like water. In her white robe, every inch of her was covered in diamonds. SO radiant she was literally glowing, and she felt like pure love. She leaned over, touched my eyes, and told me to sleep. For the first time, I wasn’t scared; I just felt…safe. That night was the first good sleep I’d had in what felt like forever. When I awoke the next morning, everything shifted. I wasn’t afraid anymore, and I knew I didn’t have to be. 

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That experience changed everything, showing me that this path wasn’t about punishment or fear. It was about connection, understanding, and finding my own strength. Now, I’m finally embracing who I am—a Shaman, a guide, psychic medium, whatever you want to call it. And while there are loads of things I may not understand, I do know I’m here to help people find their own sense of peace and purpose, just like I found mine. It’s been messy and real, but that’s what makes it feel like mine.

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​Authors note: Don’t worry—my family eventually came around! When I stopped trying to prove everything, the truth revealed itself. I don’t hold any blame for what happened; I love my family dearly and I know sometimes we do things out of fear. Honestly, I think I needed that time alone. In that dark place, I found the strength to be my own light. With a lot of patience and growth, I’m happy to say I feel closer to my family now more than ever before.  

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