AJ Mendez

Wrestler · Author

United States

Bipolar II disorderSelf-disclosed [1]

AJ Mendez, known professionally in WWE as AJ Lee, is a wrestler and author. She became a three-time WWE Divas Champion and later wrote the memoir Crazy Is My Superpower. [2][3]

Last updated September 15, 2026

Career and work

Mendez rose to prominence in WWE under the ring name AJ Lee. After appearing on the third season of WWE NXT, she debuted on SmackDown in 2011 and went on to win the WWE Divas Championship three times, including a 295-day first reign. She retired from wrestling in 2015 before returning to WWE in 2025. [2]

Mendez published her memoir, Crazy Is My Superpower, in 2017; it became a New York Times bestseller. She has also written comics, including co-writing Dungeons & Dragons: At the Spine of the World with Aimee Garcia. [3][4]

What has been publicly discussed

“Survive today. Tomorrow will be different.”
— AJ Mendez [1]

The following sources contain information that supports the claims made in this profile.

Bustle“What It’s Like To Go Through A Depressive Episode When You Have Bipolar Disorder”
First-person essay describing Mendez’s bipolar II disorder diagnosis, depressive episodes and “survival mode.”
WWE“AJ Lee”
Official WWE biography covering her wrestling career and championship history.
Penguin Random HouseCrazy Is My Superpower
Publisher page documenting Mendez’s memoir and its bestseller status.
SYFY WireIDW’s Dungeons & Dragons: At the Spine of the World miniseries
Article crediting AJ Mendez and Aimee Garcia as co-writers of IDW’s Dungeons & Dragons: At the Spine of the World.
StarTalk“Wrestling with Mental Health, with AJ Mendez”
Interview covering her diagnosis, medication, exercise and approach to managing bipolar disorder.
FOX Sports“AJ Mendez Brooks opens up on her suicide attempt and helping others with mental illness”
Covers her suicide attempt and mental-health treatment.
State of Mind with Maurice Benard“AJ Mendez / AJ Lee on WWE, Bipolar Disorder, and Making Peace With ‘Jean’”
2026 interview about bipolar disorder, anxiety and the tools she developed before returning to wrestling.
NAMI“Ambassadors & Supporters”
NAMI’s official listing identifying Mendez as an ambassador.
NAMI“Discovering My Superpower”
Mendez discusses bipolar disorder, stigma and mental health in Latino families.
ESPN“AJ Mendez Brooks writes about turning perceived flaws into strengths”
Interview about her memoir, wrestling career and perspective on bipolar disorder.

Recommended books and other resources about AJ Mendez and lived experience.

CBS New York“WWE Trailblazer AJ Mendez Brooks Opens Up About Her New Memoir”
Interview about her memoir, wrestling career and mental-health stigma.
The A.V. Club“AJ Mendez Brooks on taking the first step toward treating mental illness”
Short interview focused on seeking help and beginning treatment.

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