Mercedes’ incredible story of survival and resilience has captivated audiences across the globe. From major newspapers and national magazines to primetime television and international broadcasts, her journey has been featured in countless media outlets across the United States, Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe.

For over two decades, Mercedes’ powerful message of Second Chance Living™ has continued to resonate, drawing ongoing national and international media attention. Her story isn’t just about survival—it’s about strength, perseverance, and turning adversity into purpose. Whether through print, television, or digital platforms, Mercedes’ journey continues to inspire millions and spark conversations about resilience, recovery, and the power of a second chance.

Television Features

• Air Emergency: Crash on the Mountain, The National Geographic Channel
• Survivor’s Guide to Plane Crashes, The BBC (British Broadcasting Channel)
• Scars, The Discovery Health Channel
• PrimeTime, ABC (not yet aired)
• Sabado Gigante, Univision Network
• Why Planes Crash, The Weather Channel
• The Revolution, ABC
• The Montel Williams Show, CBS
• The Jeff Probst Show, CBS

Printed Media

• “Triunfadores Latinos” (“Triumphant Latinos”), People en Español (People Magazine’s Spanish edition). Mercedes was recognized as one of the country’s young Hispanic up-and-comers.
• “Finding Hope in Despair,” Dallas Morning News
• “Mercedes’ Miracle,” Kansas City Star Magazine
• “Motivational Speaker: A Second Chance,” The Fort Worth Star-Telegram
• “Why Did God Choose Me to Live?” The Kansas City Star
• “Life After an Airplane Crash,” Cromos Revista (People-type Colombian magazine with circulation in Colombia and major metropolitan U.S. cities)
• “Triumph Over Tragedy,” Northwest Alumni Magazine
• Heads Up! A Zillion Ways to Survive Negativity by Christine Rossi. Mercedes’ example of perseverance and positive attitude served as the content for the Introduction of this book.
• Exit Row: The True Story of an Emergency Volunteer, a Miraculous Survivor and the Crash of Flight 965 by Tammy Kling. Mercedes contributed to portions of the book.
• Release Your Brilliance- The 4 Steps to Transforming Your Life and Revealing Your Genius To The World by Simon Bailey