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August 26, 2025 71 mins

Have you ever felt like you’re grinding hard but not getting anywhere?

Or maybe you’re pushing through personal challenges, setbacks, or even trauma—and wondering if it’s all worth it.

If that’s where you are right now, my guest Mark Astor is here to share how grit and grind, when fueled by purpose, can lead to real transformation.

Mark’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and relentless advocacy. From the courtroom to the corner gym, he’s lived the hustle—and now he’s helping others fight for their freedom, their families, and their futures.

Mark, an attorney since 1994, was born and raised in the UK and began his legal career as a Palm Beach County Assistant State Attorney before entering private practice. He served as Chief of two County Court Divisions and later worked in a felony trial division, handling thousands of cases from misdemeanors to capital murder.

Admitted to the Florida Bar in 1994, Mark later gained admission to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida (1995), the District of Columbia Bar (2005), and the Massachusetts Bar (2022), where he opened a Boston office.

Mark holds a BA from the University of Michigan (1990), a JD from Nova Southeastern University (1994), and an LLM from American University (2005).

In 2016, Mark founded Drug and Alcohol Attorneys, a service for individuals and families affected by substance abuse and mental health disorders. In 2017 he co-founded Astor Simovitch Law with his wife, Audra Simovitch, a firm dedicated to saving families whose loved ones are suffering from substance use, mental health disorders and failed attempts at recovery. In 2020, he founded Baker Act Attorneys, advocating for individuals wrongfully detained in the State of Florida’s mental health system. Mark has successfully litigated against hospitals and facilities violating
rights under the statute and is known for his relentless commitment to securing releases, day or night.

Outside of law, Mark teaches Krav Maga and maintains a fitness routine, believing that physical health fosters mental well-being.

Join me on this episode as we dive into Grit & Grind: How to Hustle Through Personal Challenges, Setbacks, and Trauma with Mark Astor.


To learn more, visit:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/denleymcintosh/

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:

https://missionmatters.com/author/denley-mcintosh/

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