Roxanne Lara's story will leave you breathless. From smuggling people across borders at age 13 to becoming addicted to "daybreak pills" that made her violent and unpredictable, Roxanne lived a life straight out of a crime thriller. Her candid testimony reveals how deeply entrenched she became in a world of drugs, violence, and criminal enterprises.

The raw details of her journey are staggering – pistol-whipping a boyfriend, burning houses, multiple incarcerations, and even being kidnapped by a Mexican cartel (a situation few survive). After losing both parents and spiraling further into addiction and crime, Roxanne hit absolute rock bottom. Yet it was precisely at this darkest moment that light broke through.

Through an unexpected spiritual encounter while following a guided meditation video, Roxanne experienced what she describes as a warm, yellow light enveloping her. This led to a prayer of complete surrender – "Jesus take the wheel" – that transformed her life instantaneously. The burden she had carried for decades lifted, and she emerged as "a new woman."

Today, Roxanne ministers to incarcerated women, sharing her testimony as living proof that no one is beyond redemption. Her powerful message to those still trapped in cycles of addiction, shame, or criminality is simple yet profound: "Don't give up. Forgive yourself." She emphasizes that often our inability to forgive ourselves becomes our biggest prison.

Roxanne's story demonstrates that no matter how dark your past, complete transformation is possible. Her journey from cartel-kidnapped criminal to faith-filled minister showcases the redemptive power of surrender and second chances. Have you been holding onto shame from your past? What might happen if you finally let it go?

Resources Mentioned:

EmpowerHer Purpose Program

Interested on coaching but still not sure? Grab your free copy of:
EmpowerHer Purpose Guide

MAMI on a Mission LLC: info@mamionamission.com

Grab your Copy of my book MAMI on a Mission - A Guide Towards Healing, Self-Discovery and Walking in Confidence

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What happens when rock bottom has a trap door? When Denise Rodriguez met host Mariana at a women's conference, neither could have imagined how powerfully their parallel journeys would resonate with listeners. This raw, unfiltered conversation takes you inside the reality of domestic violence, offering both gut-wrenching moments and breathtaking testimony of divine intervention.

Married at 19 with two children already, Denise shares how she ignored spiritual warnings about her first marriage, only to find herself divorced and vulnerable to a "love bomber" who quickly isolated her from support systems. As pregnancy, homelessness, and physical abuse created seemingly inescapable bonds, Denise reached her darkest moment in a hotel room, crying out with nothing left but desperate prayer.

The turning point came through the most unlikely source – an Uber Eats driver who delivered more than just coffee, but a lifeline to Bay Area Turning Point, a domestic violence organization that would ultimately provide Denise with a year of housing support. This divine appointment marked the beginning of her transformation from victim to victor.

What makes this episode particularly powerful is the spiritual thread woven throughout both women's stories. Mariana's reflection that "I am you in 20 years" offers listeners a rare glimpse at the long arc of healing – from emergency survival to thriving purpose. As Denise describes her journey toward ordained ministry, we witness how past trauma becomes powerful testimony that helps other women find courage to leave abusive situations.

Whether you're currently living in fear, supporting someone who is, or simply seeking to understand the complex dynamics of domestic violence, this conversation offers both practical insight and spiritual hope. As Denise powerfully states, "He literally will pick you up and put you back together. Even if it's your third time, even if it's your fourth time, don't be afraid to go back." Ready to hear a story that might just change your life or someone else's? Listen now and share with someone who needs to know they're not alone.

Resources Mentioned:

EmpowerHer Purpose Program

Interested on coaching but still not sure? Grab your free copy of:
EmpowerHer Purpose Guide

MAMI on a Mission LLC: info@mamionamission.com

Grab your Copy of my book MAMI on a Mission - A Guide Towards Healing, Self-Discovery and Walking in Confidence

Amiga, Ready to Read Your Bible? Join the Group Today!

FOLLOW
Follow me on Instagram: @mamionamissionpodcast

Follow me on Facebook: @mamionamission

Checkout Boymoms Overcoming Obstacles Podcast

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What happens when childhood trauma plants seeds of rejection and abandonment in your life? How do you break free from cycles that have shaped your identity and relationships for decades?

In this deeply moving conversation, Pastor LaToya Chrisman takes us through her remarkable journey from foster care to freedom. Placed in the system at just four years old due to her parents' substance abuse, LaToya shares how growing up in South Central LA led her to join a gang at 14, witnessing violence that no child should experience. Yet through it all, God's hand of protection remained.

LaToya reveals the profound truth that our early experiences create patterns that follow us into adulthood. "We become magnets," she explains, attracting what feels familiar even when it's harmful. Host Mariana connects through her own story of growing up with an alcoholic father who passed away when she was ten, showing how different paths of trauma can lead to similar struggles with identity and belonging.

The discussion ventures into territory rarely explored with such honesty – how the absence of parents creates voids in our understanding of ourselves. "A man is what gives a young girl her identity," LaToya shares, explaining how father wounds impact relationships with men, while mother wounds affect our ability to nurture and process emotions.

What makes this episode especially powerful is the hope it offers. Both women have transformed their pain into purpose, becoming beacons for others still walking through darkness. Their candid exploration of forgiveness reveals a liberating truth: our parents could only give what they themselves received. This understanding opens the door to breaking generational cycles.

The conversation culminates in a challenge about legacy: "What will people say about you when you're gone? How are you showing up day in and day out?" It's an invitation to consider not just healing for ourselves, but the impact our healing journey can have on generations to come.

Ready to transform your pain into purpose? Connect with LaToya through her website or social media to learn more about her books, counseling services, and ministry.

Resources Mentioned:

EmpowerHer Purpose Program

Interested on coaching but still not sure? Grab your free copy of:
EmpowerHer Purpose Guide

MAMI on a Mission LLC: info@mamionamission.com

Grab your Copy of my book MAMI on a Mission - A Guide Towards Healing, Self-Discovery and Walking in Confidence

Amiga, Ready to Read Your Bible? Join the Group Today!

FOLLOW
Follow me on Instagram: @mamionamissionpodcast

Follow me on Facebook: @mamionamission

Checkout Latoya Christman

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