Krista was born to parents who both struggled immensely with addiction and mental health. Her father was incarcerated when she was an infant and spent 12 years in prison. She was raised by her paternal grandmother, enduring emotional and physical abuse and neglect throughout her childhood. In middle school, Krista experienced a traumatic school shooting. She struggled in her teen years with mental health and spent time in youth detention and several residential treatment centers. In 2012, Krista lost her mother to addiction.

Today Krista lives in Arvada, Colorado, is a mother to three young children and is in recovery from self-harm, Borderline Personality Disorder, and cocaine and alcohol use. She has been working as a peer specialist for 6 years, is a Colorado Peer and Family Specialist, and a National Certified Peer Specialist. Most recently, Krista joined HardBeauty as a Peer Recovery Coach. Krista works in the recovery field to bring hope to those in darkness, and be a source of compassion to those who need it most.

I hope that you can see it, the world needs people like you. You’re here to make a difference. Go on and make a change” – StickFigure