Come Back To Earth | Music & Mental Health

In this episode, we sit with Mars Hendrik, a musician and coach whose journey from Costa Rica to international stages is really a story about learning to climb — not just toward success, but toward the fullest expression of who you're meant to be.

Mars grew up immersed in a rich blend of musical influences, from Santana's guitar mastery to Sublime's laid-back rebellion, and these early sounds became the foundation for a career that spans over a decade of inspiring audiences across continents. But what makes Mars's story unique isn't just his musical evolution — it's his understanding that true performance is about more than entertainment. It's about transformation.

We explore how Mars has learned to be both artist and guide, helping others find their own voices while continuing to develop his own. His approach to music and coaching reveals someone who understands that potential isn't just waiting to be discovered — it's waiting to be claimed, one courageous step at a time.

What We Talk About:
  • Growing up in Costa Rica and the musical influences that shaped his artistic foundation
  • The evolution from passionate musician to international performer
  • How cultural diversity influences creative expression and artistic identity
  • The intersection of music and personal development
  • Learning to guide others while continuing your own growth journey
  • The role of music in helping people connect with their potential
  • Building confidence through creative expression and performance
Resources:

A Note from J.D.: Mars's conversation reminded me that some of the most powerful artists are those who understand that their gift isn't just about what they can create — it's about what they can awaken in others. His approach to music as both personal expression and collective inspiration feels especially relevant in a world hungry for authentic connection and guided growth.
If you're on your own creative climb, whether that's musical, professional, or personal, I hope Mars's story offers you both inspiration and practical wisdom. The summit you're reaching for isn't just about arriving somewhere new — it's about becoming someone new in the process.
Come Back To Earth exists to explore these intersections between creativity, personal growth, and the ongoing work of becoming who we're meant to be. If these conversations resonate with you, consider supporting the show on Substack, where we continue diving deep into the stories that shape us.

Keep climbing. Keep creating. Keep trusting the path.

Theme music by: Lincoln Parish

Creators and Guests

Host
J.D. Murgolo
Founder of Story House

What is Come Back To Earth | Music & Mental Health?

What does it cost to make music, and what does it give back? Come Back to Earth is a weekly music interview podcast where host J.D. Murgolo sits down with musicians and songwriters to explore mental health, creative survival, and the stories hidden behind the songs.

We go beyond the stage to uncover the wounds, turning points, and hard-won hopes that shape an artist's life. Through honest conversations about the creative process, music and mental health, and what it means to keep going, this is a show where the music is the doorway — and the soul is the destination.

Because the most important thing an artist makes isn't the record. It's the decision to come back to themselves.