Join me, Jason LaChance host of the Knockin' Doorz Down podcast, certified addiction recovery coach, and mental health advocate for my sit down with special guest the beautiful Darlene Bernaola Mahoney. Darlene was born in L.A., but as a child, she moved around a lot living most of her life in the jungles of Peru, in a village called Villa Rica. Darlene wanted more, wanting to better herself, so she decided to move to the U.S. at fifteen with only $300 in her pocket. Along with having no education beyond elementary school, Darlene had to teach herself to write, speak, and read Spanish and English. Darlene is an accomplished author of the highly successful novel, El Simbolo, Peru. Where she also volunteers, as a representative of Centro de Madres Adolecentes de Villa Maria del Triunfo, in Lima, Peru.Where Darlene advocates for young girls that become mothers due to rape assisting them in healing and finding a purposeful life to provide for themselves. Also, Darlene has a passion for writing screenplays, and 5 films have been produced from her writings thus far. I am so grateful that Darlene opened up about the various traumas and life circumstances that led her to do the work that she does today as well as my guest cohost Mike Diamond who has been friends with Darlene for several decades. Intro 00:00 My mom had no idea how to raise a kid 6:30 reality hit hard when I came to the USA 12:30 How did you end up in Playboy? 29:30 The night before our wedding we were in a car crash. 31:30 How are you getting through your husband's passing? 43:30 This is Darlene Bernaola Mahoney Knockin’ Doorz Down. For more on Darlene: https://www.instagram.com/darlene_aka_d/ Please subscribe and share and to get the YouTube visit https://www.KDDPodcast.com for more celebrities, change makers, and expert conversations on turning your greatest adversities into your most significant advantages. Get your copy of Carlos Vieira's Autobiography Knockin' Doorz Down. Hardcover, Paperback & Audio Book https://linktr.ee/kddbook For the KDD Inspired t-shirts brought to you by 51FIFTY. https://www.kddmediacompany.com/shop For more information on Carlos Vieira's autobiography Knockin' Doorz Down, the Carlos Vieira Foundation, the Race 2B Drug-Free, Race to End the Stigma, and Race For Autism programs visit: https://www.carlosvieirafoundation.org/ #sober #wedorecover #mentalhealth #sobriety Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices