Rising From the Flames: Josette’s Journey Through Betrayal, Sobriety, and Second Chances
What Makes You a Beautiful Disaster?
I have seen and lived through fire and rain, but I am now over three years sober and doing very well.
Why Do You Identify with the Beautiful Disaster Brand?
I identify with Beautiful Disaster because I have survived so much disaster in my life, but I still know I am a beautiful person inside and out.
I am over three years sober, working full-time, and I created Green Chile Girl — a food business I built from my home. I put all my extra energy into it because I love cooking and feeding people. It’s truly in my heart.
I wear Beautiful Disaster with pride and tell all my friends and followers about the brand because I absolutely love what it stands for.
Tell Us Your Beautiful Disaster Story
Boy, do I have a story.
I am 53 years old and have worked in the mortgage business for over 30 years. When I got sober, I created Green Chile Girl as a way to stay focused and keep myself busy doing something I truly love.
But before sobriety and healing, my life went through many storms.
I survived multiple marriages, including relationships filled with physical abuse and horrible verbal abuse. After one divorce, I married a longtime family friend who had recently returned from war in 2005.
At first, I thought things would be different.
But over time, the cheating started.
We divorced, and then later remarried because I believed he had changed. But once trust is broken, it’s never truly the same. Little by little, I discovered more lies and more betrayal.
I started drinking heavily to numb the pain and the feeling that somehow I wasn’t enough.
I couldn’t understand why he cheated on me.
I was smart, attractive, loving, hardworking, and loyal.
Then I learned the betrayal went even deeper than I ever imagined.
I discovered he had cheated on me with my own mother.
That devastation nearly destroyed me.
Eventually, I found the strength to leave him, and over time, I was even able to forgive my mother.
After that chapter ended, something beautiful happened.
I reconnected with my first love from over 35 years earlier, and we have now been together again for over 10 years.
He truly saved me.
About a year into our marriage, I became very sick. Doctors believed I had Stage 4 colon cancer. My husband and family were preparing for the worst.
I underwent surgery and had 12 inches of my colon removed. My doctor said it looked like “a black carpet” covering part of my intestine and that after all his years practicing medicine, he truly believed it was cancer.
But somehow, every single test came back negative.
My doctor called me his “miracle child.”
Recovery took nearly a year, and then COVID hit. I spiraled into depression and drinking again.
Three years ago, my husband and I made the decision to stop drinking completely because alcohol was destroying our lives.
Together, we got sober.
And everything changed.
That’s when I started Green Chile Girl.
Cooking became therapy for me. Feeding people became healing. Pouring love into food gave me purpose again and helped save my life.
Today, I wear Beautiful Disaster as a reminder that I survived the fire, the rain, the betrayal, the addiction, and the heartbreak.
I carry the scars proudly, but I live for the future now.
I have risen from the flames, and I will never look back.
What Happened for You to Turn It Around?
My husband came back into my life at exactly the right time.
When things became dark, he encouraged both of us to completely stop drinking, and together we chose sobriety.
Then I started Green Chile Girl, which gave me purpose, focus, and joy again.
I’ve now had my business for over three years.
Name 3 Things You’ve Done to Move Closer to Happiness
- Married the love of my life
- Became a grandma to four beautiful grandbabies
- Worked incredibly hard to build a good life and help support my children and grandchildren
What Is Your Favorite Beautiful Disaster Collection, Past or Present, and Why?
The Phoenix Collection is my favorite because I truly feel like I have risen from the flames.