At Leaving Mayhem, we believe in the power of personal stories to inspire change.
That’s why we’re proud to share the journey of Monika, a mother, wife, and the founder of Mission Invictus.
Monika’s story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit, the importance of recovery, and the power of transformation.
Monika’s battle with addiction began at a young age.
Growing up, she struggled to find her place and often felt the pressure to fit in.
It was at a school party when she first turned to alcohol, seeking a sense of belonging.
This moment, though seemingly harmless at the time, set the stage for years of struggle.
Alcohol slowly began to take over her life, and Monika found herself trapped in a cycle of shame, regret, and guilt.
By 2017, Monika was at a breaking point.
Every attempt to seek help felt like another failure.
Counseling didn’t seem to work for her, and she grew disillusioned with the idea of recovery.
She gave up, convinced that freedom from addiction wasn’t possible for someone like her.
But in 2020, everything changed. Monika had an epiphany: addiction wasn’t a sign of weakness—it was a disease.
Alcohol use disorder is classified in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), and learning this fact gave her the freedom to forgive herself and let go of the shame she had carried for so long.
She realized that addiction was not her fault, and this understanding sparked a journey of education, self-discovery, and growth.
It wasn’t easy.
Monika spent time building new tools, changing her mindset, and re-establishing trust in herself.
Over time, she found the strength to take control of her life. With sobriety, she began to see things differently.
Her beliefs, perspectives, and behaviors started to shift, and she realized that sobriety wasn’t just about giving up alcohol—it was about giving her children all of her, not just pieces of what was left after alcohol had taken its toll.
This transformation led to the creation of Mission Invictus. The name “Invictus,” meaning unconquerable and unbroken, was inspired by the words of William Ernest Henley:
“It matters not how straight the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.”
These words became the foundation of Monika’s program, which helps individuals struggling with addiction find their way back to a life of freedom, strength, and purpose.
Through Mission Invictus, Monika provides the support, tools, and guidance needed to break free from the cycle of addiction and shift mindsets to create lasting change.
Monika often reminds those in her program that, “Breaking free from the alcohol first is key.
The mindset shift will follow.
Your beliefs, perspectives, and behaviors will change over time.” The recovery journey isn’t about perfection; it’s about progress and learning to move forward, one step at a time.
For Monika, sobriety is not just about living free of alcohol—it’s about giving her children a full, authentic version of herself.
She believes that sobriety means showing up every day as the person you were always meant to be, free from the influence of alcohol and ready to embrace life in its fullness.
Monika encourages others in recovery to understand that triggers are a part of life, but they don’t have to control us.
“Never believe the voice of addiction. Never believe the lie that you’re not strong enough,” she says. “You have everything it takes to step into a brighter, better life.”
Every day sober is a new opportunity to enjoy the person you were always meant to be.
Monika’s journey proves that recovery is possible, no matter how far someone feels from the path.
It’s never too late to take control of your life and become the master of your fate, the captain of your soul.
Mission Invictus is here to help those who are ready to make that change. Monika and her program offer support, guidance, and a community for anyone struggling with addiction.
If you’re ready to take the first step toward a brighter future, Mission Invictus is here for you, visit mission-invictus.com
Monika Instagram here
