When Grief Stops Driving the Story: Kristina Mills on Survivor, Loss, and Hope

Kristina Mills did not apply for Survivor because she loved camping. In fact, she had never been camping before. She applied because she felt stuck. After walking through postpartum depression, losing her mother to a fentanyl overdose, and realizing her kids could see the sadness she was carrying, Kristina knew something had to change. So she recorded a simple 60-second audition video and sent it in. That decision eventually took her to Fiji as a contestant on Survivor 49. But the deeper story is not just about a television show. It is about grief, courage, motherhood, mental health, and choosing to move forward when staying stuck would have been easier. In this episode, Kristina shares about her mother’s life, the pain of losing her to addiction, the healing power of telling the truth, and the hope she discovered on the other side of fear. Episode Highlights Kristina’s path to Survivor 49 Why she applied in memory of her mom Postpartum depression and feeling stuck Losing her mother to fentanyl addiction The importance of vulnerability Why addiction can affect any family A powerful moment in Fiji on her mom’s death anniversary Her work helping OU graduate business students prepare for their careers Why grief can be a passenger, but not the driver Guest Kristina Mills Career Coach, University of Oklahoma Graduate Business Program Contestant on Survivor 49 Links Voices of OKC: voicesofokc.com City Center: okcitycenter.org