My name is Vanessa Bartsch, born on August 29, 1996 in Cologne – with a heart full of curiosity, zest for life and the belief that light can emerge even from the darkest chapters.

I like to call myself a phoenix rising from the ashes, because my path has been anything but straightforward. Growing up with my mother after my father left me over the phone, I learned early on that love isn't always safe. Manipulation, lies, and abuse shaped my childhood. Even as a young girl, I was searching for the light—often outside, on the run, trying to find a better life.

I grew faster than a child should, becoming my own anchor. Every fall forced me to get up, every encounter taught me a lesson. But amidst the darkness, I lost myself, entangled myself in lies, ran away from problems, and for a long time believed I was trapped inside them. I sought salvation outside—love, money, recognition—until I realized: The only person who could set me free is myself.

At 21, I wasn't free yet, but I was on my way there. A long-term relationship showed me what I wanted in a partnership—and what I would never accept again. Then the coronavirus pandemic came and gave me the peace I had longed for. For the first time, I was truly able to look within.

At the end of 2023, the separation came, which initially threw me into disarray, but also gave me the opportunity for a real new beginning.

In July 2024, I moved into my own apartment—the space where my self-healing began. Radical honesty, conscious isolation, and letting go of my past were the steps that led me back to myself.

Since 2025, I've been at a point I could hardly have imagined before: free from old beliefs, reconciled with my history, happy with myself. Healed, grateful, and full of joy—proud of never having given up.