About Jessica

Jessica Dueñas, Ed.S., is a writer, TEDx speaker, educator, and recovery advocate whose work explores addiction, self-worth, and the courage to rebuild a life rooted in truth.
In 2019, she was named Kentucky State Teacher of the Year while privately struggling with alcohol addiction. Today she uses storytelling to examine the hidden cost of success and the transformative power of recovery.
Her story and writing have been featured on TEDx, NPR, CBS Evening News, and Red Table Talk.

What Jessica Does

Through her platform Bottomless to Sober, Jessica:

• writes personal essays about recovery and identity

• teaches storytelling through her Writing to Heal programs

• coaches individuals navigating sobriety and life transitions

•speaks about addiction, mental health, and the hidden cost of high achievement

Her current writing lives on Substack, where she publishes memoir-style reflections on sobriety, grief, and healing.

Her Story

Jessica’s life changed dramatically in 2020 after the loss of her significant other, Ian, to his addiction. That grief triggered an eight-month drinking spiral that nearly cost her everything.

Despite professional success, including being named Kentucky State Teacher of the Year, Jessica found herself facing hospitalizations, declining liver health, and a growing sense of shame.

Eventually, alcohol stopped working.

She chose recovery.

Jessica became sober on November 28, 2020, and began rebuilding her life through honesty, healing, and storytelling.

Today she lives in Tampa with her daughter, Amara, and works in higher education while continuing to use her story to help others confront addiction, grief, and the pressure of high achievement.

Photo by Regina Salazar

Credentials & Professional Background

• Certified Life Coach — ICF-Accredited Certified Life Coach Institute
• Certified in Trauma-Informed Compassionate Leadership (Working with Trauma & Adversity)
• Ongoing continuing education through NAADAC (National Association for Addiction Professionals)
• Master’s Degree in Special Education — Brooklyn College, CUNY
• Educational Specialist Degree in Instructional Leadership — Bellarmine University

Jessica previously served as a classroom teacher and was named 2019 Kentucky State Teacher of the Year.

She has also served as a meeting leader and course instructor with The Luckiest Club, a global sobriety support community.

Today, Jessica works in higher education as a Residence Life professional, supporting college students while continuing her work as a writer, coach, speaker, and facilitator of the Writing to Heal programs.

In 2021, Jessica was named a Kentucky Colonel in recognition of her advocacy in mental health and addiction recovery.

Selected Media & Interviews