Jordana Blesa is a passionate married Latina who is driven to lead in the behavioral Healthcare space. She believes in change, and has faith in innovation, believing everyone deserves a chance who is willing to seek change. Jordana is obsessed with tradition, family, friends and living life to the fullest. She enjoys dancing, travelling, laughing, and taking care of others and herself. Jordana is not defined by her past; she is defined by her daily actions and sincere authentic desires to innovate and create movements.

www.hygea.healthcare

Q. If you are in recovery, what was your drug(s) of choice and when is your sobriety date?

A. 12/27/2012 – alcohol, substances. I have been in and out of treatment since I was 18 years old. I struggled with the idea of letting go of control of my life and did not trust that anyone had my best interest at heart until “all my score cards read zero” and I was faced with a near death experience that forced me to be open minded enough to the idea of change.

Q. What do you like most about 12-step meetings?

A. Community, spiritual principles, fellowship, being a vessel in someone else’s life and watching their life transform through practical application of willingness, open mindedness, and honesty. I love the anonymous component on a group conscious level where no dues or fees are required to host a meeting. I love that there are meetings available all over the world and resources available.

Q. Do you think addiction is an illness, disease, a choice, or a wicked twist of fate?

A. I do not like to label addiction as a disease, but I do know there is a cure which requires abstinence from mind altering substances, a sincere desire to acquire and learn spiritual principles and addressing underlying mental health conditions that exacerbate addiction. I believe addiction is a Superpower that if harnessed and channeled with medical attention and therapy, can be a springboard to a genius and passion driven life.

Q. Who is your favorite celebrity in recovery?

A. Robert Downey Jr. He is a huge success story. He was in the midst of his addiction that completely ruined his life, he went to jail, and he did not let his current situation become his reality. Instead, he took on recovery and the 12-steps with support from others, fought his recovery and was given several opportunities to prove himself and become one of the most successful actors in his career/of all time. To me this is an example of the spiritual principles of our 12-step program.

Q. If you ever retire, would you prefer to live by the ocean, lake, river, mountaintop, desert, or penthouse?

A. I would like to live in Georgia by the lake where I can be at peace, in nature, connected with my higher power and loved ones living in the south.

Q. Is there anything special in your sobriety toolkit that helps keep you sober?

A. There are people in my life no matter what the circumstance is, no matter if we are angry with one another or not speaking, if one of us is in need no matter what we are doing we are there for one another lowering our egos and pride for the fundamental truth and foundation of unconditional love.

Q. How do you measure success?

A. Success to me is measured by daily actions and decisions made to improve and learn from setbacks. Every setback is an opportunity to grow and develop. Success is how many times you are willing to continue to practice humility, transparency, and learning. Success to me is not defined by your pocketbook, but by the lives you have touched, the words you have spoken when others don’t, and your sincere altruistic desire to make an impact in your life as a thank you to God and the lives of others and the community.

Q. What is your biggest pet peeve?

A. Not being heard or listened to.

Q. If you had an extra million dollars, which charity would you donate it to?

A. Mobilize recovery- this organization is run by one of my peers I got sober with. He has involvement with political parties to make movements and bring awareness to substance abuse and mental health needs in our industry. Providing them with a million dollars will help continue to move mountains, make bold statements, and provide services to everyone who needs help globally.

Q. Who has been the biggest influence throughout your life?

A. My mother- my mother was an immigrant from Argentina who broke the stigmas during her generation surrounding being a woman. My mother fought stigmas every day, pressed through her education to Become a Dr. and moved to the United States to provide my sister and me with the American dream/opportunity. My mother battled her own mental health, discrimination, bias, stigmas and rose above every challenge she faced because she believed being a doctor was God’s plan for her life. She inspired me every day and she is in her mid 80’s still practicing and refuses to give up.

Q. From what school of thought or teacher did you learn the most from?

A. School of hard knocks – members and mentors who have battled addiction, overcome mental health, and pursued their dream and passion regardless of their limitations or societies stigmas.

Q. Where are you from and where do you reside now?

A. I was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina and raised in San Marino, California and currently reside in Baltimore, Maryland.

Q. What’s your concept of a higher power?

A. My concept of a higher power is God, source, energy, love, grace, compassion, and forgiveness.

Q. What surprised you most about living sober?

A. That I was capable of doing it. I had no idea that sobriety could be fun, entertaining, and enjoyable. Sobriety scared me and the thought of never having a drink again scared me. Since applying the principles and structure of 12-step program, therapeutic guidance, and plans, I have travelled the world, danced late into the evening, attended family functions and events, been in dangerous situations with zero desire to drink or use all with a sincere desire to be helpful and impactful.

Q. If you could give advice to your younger self what would it be?

A. You are enough, you are worthy, smart, kind, and beautiful. Never buy the lie that you are not enough. You were always enough and screw what society says or labels you as.

Q. What is your favorite app?

A. Instagram- you get to build your vibe and content surrounding your life and likes.

Q. Are you binge watching any tv series?

A. Selling Sunset- so inspiring to hear these beautiful women working in a prestigious firm while being human and independent strong female realtors.

Q. Who is your favorite performer, living or dead?

A. Sam Hunt, country music singer, captivates the audience and has a melody and tone that is unique to country music.

Q. What is your favorite musician and or band?

A. NF who overcame addiction and raps about recovery and pain without the use of profanity. Heartfelt Artist.

Q. What is one word you would use to describe yourself?

A. Relentless.

Q. What is your favorite city?

A. New York City – the city that never sleeps, the history behind the architecture, the art, the shows, the fashion, the fast-paced environment, the innovation, education, and history all inspire me and bring me hope and inspiration.

Q. What sport(s) do you like to play or watch?

A. Since moving to Baltimore, I enjoy watching the Ravens play football. I am very passionate about soccer and enjoy watching Messi dominate the field.

Q. What is your favorite restaurant?

A. La Barrita- Argentinian cuisine here in Baltimore, Maryland. They make their food with recipes from Argentina, the atmosphere is energetic and alive, and community is a priority.

Q. What is your favorite cuisine?

A. Argentinian food … I love meat and Dulce de Leche.

Q. What is the best piece of advice someone has given you?

A. A mistake is only a mistake if it happens again… It’s a mistake if you repeat it and don’t learn from it. My mentor Robby Stempler shared this with me as I was learning to build a corporate environment and it exemplified grace and created a culture for growth and compassion and to this day I continue utilizing this approach. Our employees are extremely grateful and happy to be treated with respect, honor, dignity and being provided a platform/space to collaborate towards a common goal.

Q. What is the best piece of advice you’ve given someone else?

A. You are not defined by your past or mental illness.

Q. What is one thing that always makes you smile?

A. My Maltipoo, Rolo.

Q. What was the proudest moment in your life?

A. When I overcame my mental health, trauma, and my figure skating career where I overcame all the battles and stigmas placed on me. I channeled my experience into helping others and committing to change and today I am doing what makes me happy.

Q. What is a style trend you wish would come back?

A. ’90s. I love the vibe, transparency, and unique technological change.

Q. What do you love most about yourself?

A. My vibe and energy is contagious. My resilience and unwillingness to stop learning and growing.

Q. Where do you go when you want to be alone?

A. My bedroom. I listen to sound baths and meditation to channel my heart and mind with positive Vibrations.

Q. What is the greatest risk you’ve ever taken?

A. Moving across the country to build a substance abuse treatment center.

Q. What is something you are currently curious about?

A. How to make an impact on a larger scale in the mental health industry and how I can be provided with resources to continue building.