Hi, I’m Stephanie, the Founder and CEO of Breaking Barrs, INC.
First, I want to welcome you to our site and thank you for taking this step. Let me start with sharing a little bit of my story.
I was raised in what looked like a picture-perfect home. We were in church every time the doors were open. I gave my life to Christ at a young age, and God has always been a part of my life. Yet, despite knowing He was there, there were times when I wondered why I felt so alone. After highschool, I thought I was grown. Grown choices which led me down the wrong path.
For years, I struggled with depression, addiction, eating disorders, low self-esteem, and more—each battle consuming different parts of my life. My self-worth and sense of safety were shattered when I was drugged and raped while bartending. After that, I endured two marriages; the first resulted in a heart-wrenching divorce after 10 years, and the second was a joke. Each relationship left scars I thought would never fade.
I didn’t want to feel anymore, so I turned to the only things that made me numb. The pain, the memories, the self-doubt—I drowned it all in temporary escapes that only pulled me deeper into the void. I was trapped in my own thoughts, fighting invisible battles that no one else could see, and in those moments, I questioned whether healing was even possible. At my lowest, I felt caught in a painful limbo—I didn’t truly want to die, but the idea of living with such overwhelming pain felt unbearable. It was a close friend who noticed the subtle signs of my distress and refused to leave me to my despair. Their unwavering support became a lifeline, but even then, I hadn’t hit my rock bottom.
It was in those darkest moments—while facing my demons—that I found my faith again. Not in the perfect, easy way I imagined faith should look, but in the raw, broken places where I had no choice but to surrender. I learned that God had never left me, even when I felt lost. He was there in the quiet moments, in the people who refused to give up on me, and in the strength I never thought I had.
Through these tumultuous experiences, I discovered that healing is not a linear path, but rather a journey filled with ups and downs. Every small victory—whether it was getting out of bed, seeking help, or simply allowing myself to feel joy once again—was a step toward recovery. I learned to celebrate these moments, understanding that they were crucial to rebuilding my sense of self.
I’ve come to appreciate the strength it takes to face your demons and the beauty of emerging stronger from the ashes. Each struggle has shaped me into the person I am today, and for that, I am grateful. Healing may be a lifelong pursuit, but it is one that has the power to transform.
Now, I am a 45-year-old mother to a 4-year-old—something I never imagined I would be. I thought that dream was stolen from me by a cancer scare at age 19, but God’s timing is perfect, even when we don’t understand it.
I am also a full-time college student, working toward my AA degree. Against all odds, I have found myself thriving in ways I never expected. I am a proud member of Phi Theta Kappa, the national honor society for two year colleges, and I even represent Florida Gateway College as the mascot for the Wolves cheerleading team.
Life has a way of bringing us full circle, often in ways we could never predict. Every challenge, every setback, and every moment of doubt led me here. And now, I am walking in a purpose far greater than I ever imagined.