Chronic Illness & Mental Health with Blanca Rodriguez

If you’re living with chronic illness, struggling with the mental toll it takes, or supporting someone who is, this episode with Blanca Rodriguez is a must-listen—raw, real, and full of insight on healing, resilience, and self-advocacy.

More info, ways to connect & resources (plus a bonus life hack answer from Blanca!): https://www.tacosfallapart.com/podcast-live-show/podcast-guests/blanca-rodriguez

On this episode of Even Tacos Fall Apart, I sat down with Blanca Rodriguez to talk about the intersection of chronic illness and mental health. Blanca is a powerhouse—she’s the owner and CEO of Wounded Healer LLC, a licensed massage therapist for humans and canines, a fitness instructor, a holistic life coach, and a bestselling book co-author. She’s also a dedicated volunteer who supports senior dogs, survivors of sexual violence, and no-kill shelters. With a life full of service, she knows firsthand the toll chronic illness can take on mental health.

Blanca opened up about growing up with trauma, including losing her father at age eight in a violent incident and being raised by a mother struggling with untreated mental illness. In an era when mental health wasn’t openly discussed, Blanca absorbed the message that she had to stay silent and keep moving forward. That survival instinct kept her going, but it also led to years of self-destruction—turning to drugs, alcohol, and toxic relationships. It wasn’t until her 40s that she finally broke the cycle, sought support, and started truly healing.

One of the biggest lessons Blanca shared was about forgiveness—not just of others but of herself. She talked about how, for years, she held resentment toward her mother, who was both loving and abusive, sometimes in the same day. But understanding her mother’s struggles helped Blanca release that resentment. Now, at 93, her mother has advanced dementia, and Blanca cares for her with empathy and compassion. She also made a conscious effort to break the generational cycle with her own kids, ensuring open communication, something she never had growing up.

We also talked about how chronic illness affects mental health. Blanca knows this all too well, having watched family members suffer from untreated conditions while navigating her own challenges. She emphasized the importance of seeking support instead of suffering in silence, noting how much progress has been made in mental health awareness over the years. She sees that change firsthand in her daughter, who, despite dealing with anxiety and depression, has built a successful career in engineering—all because she had access to therapy and the freedom to talk about mental health without shame.

Blanca’s passion for healing extends beyond humans—she’s a huge advocate for animals. She spoke about the resilience of shelter pets, especially those who have faced abuse and neglect, and how their ability to trust and love again is a lesson in healing. Through her volunteer work with The Inner Truth Project, she also helps survivors of sexual violence rediscover self-worth and reclaim their lives.

Her biggest takeaway? Healing is work, but it’s worth it. Trauma isn’t your fault, but recovery is your responsibility. And no matter how far down the wrong path you’ve gone, there’s always a way forward. Blanca is proof of that.