About

Gabriela D. Ayala is an educator-turned-author whose work explores survival, belonging, and the courage to choose life. A first-generation Puerto Rican daughter with a B.A. in English Literature and an M.Ed. in Education, she also holds Harvard University certificates in Business and Education.

For more than 20 years, she taught English, designed curricula, and led college access programs for first-gen and emergent bilingual students.

Her debut memoir, All the Pills I Swallow, began during a mental-health crisis when writing one true page a day became a lifeline. Today, she advocates for stigma-smart conversations about bipolar disorder and recovery, balancing honesty with hope.

Gabriela, a multi-genre writer, lives in Georgia with her family and is currently developing a young adult sci-fi series (The Legend of the Tektites) and a multigenerational literary fiction novel (Cathexis).

Gabriela is also a strong advocate for the mental health community. Her brand, Pers; st: Beyond the Stigma, focuses on several services, including writing for mental health and wellness and conducting inspirational/motivational speaking engagements.