Scars to Stars™ Podcast

About Scars to Stars™ Podcast

Welcome to the Scars to Stars™ Podcast, where we share stories of resilience and hope. Your host, Deana Brown Mitchell is the founder of the Realize Foundation whose mission is to reduce the number of humans who struggle with suicidal ideation by creating a world where having the conversation becomes commonplace. Like many, she kept silent about her own struggles with mental health for 23 years due to shame and stigma. It wasn't until she lost a friend to suicide that Deana realized the power of sharing our stories. In this podcast, we invite guests who have overcome adversity to share their journey and provide a safe space for vulnerability and openness. Our goal is to let other silent humans know that they are not alone and that there is always hope. Whether you are struggling with your mental health or simply feeling alone, this podcast is for you. Come join our community and let's inspire each other to turn our Scars to Stars.

Publisher

Deana Brown Mitchell

Category

education · health & fitness · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

19 May 2023

Latest episode

12 Aug 2026

Latest episodes

138 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   12 Aug 2026

   Stronger Together: Where Physical Health, Mental Health & Human Connection Meet

   In this special episode of Scars to Stars, Deana sits down with Sandi Griffin, founder of the Colorado Springs Health & Fitness Expo, to explore the deeply personal mission behind an event that is about much more than physical fitness. Sandi shares how her family’s 17 years in Germany, her husband’s experience with PTSD while serving in the Air Force medical community, her work with wounded Special Operations service members, the loss of military friends to suicide, and suicide attempts within her own family shaped her commitment to mental health awareness and suicide prevention. They discuss why physical and mental health cannot be separated, the life-saving power of human connection, and why sometimes the most meaningful thing we can do is simply listen without trying to fix someone. Sandi also shares the vision behind the Colorado Strong fitness competition, designed to create a more inclusive environment for athletes of different ages, abilities, and backgrounds. The conversation also explores Sandi's own health transformation and unexpected journey into becoming a professional fitness coach, along with the Expo's Vendor Success Studio and its mission to help small businesses build relationships rather than simply make sales. At the heart of it all is one powerful idea: we are stronger together, and connection can change lives. #ScarsToStars #RealizeFoundation #MentalHealthAwareness #SuicidePrevention #HumanConnection #HealthAndWellness #MentalHealthMatters #ColoradoSprings #ColoradoSpringsHealthAndFitnessExpo #HealthAndFitness #StrongerTogether #CommunityMatters #YouAreNotAlone #VeteranMentalHealth #MilitaryMentalHealth #PTSDawareness #WholePersonHealth #FitnessCommunity #HopeAndHealing #ConnectionMatters Sandi Griffin is a professional fitness coach, entrepreneur, and founder of the Colorado Springs Health & Fitness Expo. Her passion for whole-person wellness grew from her family’s 17 years in Germany as part of the U.S. military community, where she worked as a strength and conditioning coach with wounded Special Operations service members and witnessed firsthand the connection between physical health, trauma, PTSD, and mental health. After moving to Colorado Springs and experiencing the devastating impact of suicide within both the military community and her own family, Sandi created the Colorado Springs Health & Fitness Expo to bring physical wellness, mental health resources, suicide prevention, education, and community connection together under one roof. A professional trainer since 2009, Sandi’s own health transformation led her into fitness, bodybuilding, coaching, and opportunities to work with elite athletes, including members of the U.S. women’s wrestling community. Today, her work is driven by a simple belief: we are stronger together, and healthier communities are built through connection, collaboration, and making sure people feel seen and supported.

2. 

   5 Aug 2026

   Softening the Suffering with Jewel Baker

   In this heartfelt episode, Jewel Baker shares her journey through physical pain, scoliosis, emotional suffering, and self-neglect while learning how deeply mental health and physical health are connected. After a traumatic childhood injury and years of believing she had to sacrifice herself for others, Jewel struggled with chronic pain, low self-worth, and suicidal ideation before beginning a healing journey rooted in self-care, nervous system regulation, yoga, mindfulness, and body awareness. She also discusses her published chapter, The Grind Is Not the American Dream, and how learning to nourish both herself and the collective transformed her life. I’m Jewel—an embodiment coach, licensed massage therapist, and intuitive guide for women who are so done living in pain and ready to rise into their power, presence, vitality, and ease. As a survivor of scoliosis and narcissistic abuse, I know what it’s like to feel stuck, overwhelmed, and out of sync with your own body. That’s why I’m deeply passionate about helping sensitive women who feel unsupported or trapped in cycles of pain, tension, and exhaustion. Through a gentle, integrative approach—blending Coaching, Craniosacral Therapy, Traditional Thai Healing, and Cayce-Reilly Massage—I help women reconnect with their bodies, release stored stress, and awaken the energy to move toward their deepest desires. Together, we uncover the patterns holding you back, deepen your self-healing abilities, and get you deeply present to your potent power. My work weaves ancient healing traditions with modern wisdom, creating a sacred path to inner harmony, resilience, and joy. And when I’m not in session, you’ll probably find me hoop dancing—my favorite way to stay playful, grounded, and wildly alive! #MentalHealthAwareness #ChronicPain #HealingJourney #ScarsToStars #SelfWorth #MindBodyConnection #YogaHealing #MentalHealthMatters #NervousSystemHealing #Mindfulness #EmotionalHealing #YouAreNotAlone #TraumaHealing #SelfCare #HolisticHealing #ScoliosisAwareness #HealingThroughStorytelling #PodcastEpisode #ChooseHope #WellnessJourney

3. 

   29 Jul 2026

   Push Through the Pressure with Olivia Cook

   In this powerful and honest episode, Olivia Cook shares her journey as a restaurant leader, mother, mentor, and entrepreneur while navigating stress, adversity, mental health struggles, and personal growth. Olivia opens up about overcoming suicidal thoughts, learning emotional resilience, and discovering how prayer, gratitude, community, boundaries, and self-awareness became essential tools in her healing journey. She also discusses leadership in high-pressure environments, the importance of mental toughness, and why learning to “push through the pressure” without losing yourself is critical for long-term success and emotional wellness. Olivia Cook is a Christian, Air Force wife, and devoted mother who brings faith, resilience, and vision into every aspect of her leadership oliviaotm@gmail.com #MentalHealthAwareness #Leadership #MentalResilience #ScarsToStars #PersonalGrowth #EmotionalWellness #HealingJourney #YouAreNotAlone #RestaurantLeadership #WomenInLeadership #MentalHealthMatters #SelfDevelopment #HopeAndHealing #EntrepreneurMindset #FaithAndHealing #BurnoutRecovery #LeadershipDevelopment #PodcastEpisode #ChooseHope #MindsetShift

Who has been a guest on Scars to Stars™ Podcast

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Rhonda Nelson
• Carissa
• Barton
• Jennifer
• Danielle

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 51 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

79

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

60

Contact Scars to Stars™ Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.