Rise Above with Kevin Lanning

John Rokee’s story is a terrifying look at the lengths an addict will go to maintain a "perfect" life. By day, he was a high-earning union steamfitter. By night, he was a "chameleon" trapped in a $1.2 million downward spiral, snorting up to 200 bags of heroin a week. In this raw and "brutal" interview on Rise Above with Kevin Lanning, John details the physical and financial devastation of his addiction: The $1.2M Habit: The math behind a decade of OxyContin and heroin use that drained every union fund, savings account, and personal loan. The "Water Overdose": The shocking medical anomaly that put him in a week-long coma after he tried to flush his system to beat a drug test. Knocking at the Pearly Gates: Waking up in a hospital bed to find a priest performing his last rites when doctors said he would be a "vegetable." The True Healing: How John moved past 11 years of "white-knuckle" abstinence to find true spiritual recovery and a new life as a sober coach. Connect with John Rokee: Instagram/TikTok: @JohnRokee21 Website: JohnRokee.com If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or mental health, you don’t have to do it alone. Reach out to my partners at Compassion Behavioral Health. They offer individualized care and a full continuum of treatment. Call or Text: 844-443-5669 Visit: https://compassionbehavioralhealth.com/?utm_source=rise%20above%20with%20kevin%20lanning&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=april #RiseAbove #HeroinAddiction #RecoveryStories #ComaSurvivor #LastRites #JohnRokee #KevinLanning #AddictionRecovery #SoberCoach #OpiateCrisis #MentalHealth Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kim House’s life story sounds like a movie script, but the trauma was all too real. After fleeing an abusive home at just 14 years old, Kim found herself winning bikini contests and dancing in clubs just to survive. By her early 20s, she was diagnosed with a rare, "terminal" bone marrow cancer—but instead of getting sober, she ramped up her drug use, even attempting to balance chemotherapy with meth and alcohol. In this episode of Rise Above with Kevin Lanning, Kim details the harrowing "redline" abuse of her childhood, the insanity of flying drugs across state lines, and the moment of "existential clarity" that led her to nearly a decade of sobriety. Today, she’s the founder of Sober Surfers, turning her darkest trials into a message of hope for foster youth and addicts everywhere. Connect with Kim House: Website: sobersurf.org If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or mental health, you don’t have to do it alone. Reach out to my partners at Compassion Behavioral Health. They offer individualized care and a full continuum of treatment. Call or Text: 844-443-5669 Visit: https://compassionbehavioralhealth.com/?utm_source=rise%20above%20with%20kevin%20lanning&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=april #AddictionRecovery #Sobriety #RiseAbove #CancerSurvivor #MethAddiction #RecoveryStory #KevinLanning #SoberSurfers #TraumaHealing #MentalHealthAwareness Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Molly Haneke opens up about her journey from early self-harm and blackout drinking at just 16, to hitting a breaking point that landed her in a mental hospital at 22. What started as insecurity and isolation quickly spiraled into daily drinking, drugs, and destructive coping mechanisms. After a life-threatening moment forced everything to stop, Molly entered treatment and completely rebuilt her life. Now over two years sober, she shares how recovery, discipline, and community helped her turn pain into purpose—and how young people can get sober too. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or mental health, you don’t have to do it alone. Reach out to my partners at Compassion Behavioral Health. They offer individualized care and a full continuum of treatment. Call or Text: 844-443-5669 Visit: https://compassionbehavioralhealth.com/?utm_source=rise%20above%20with%20kevin%20lanning&utm_medium=youtube&utm_campaign=april #addiction #sobriety #mentalhealth #recovery #selfharm #alcoholism #sobertok #healingjourney #rockbottom #riseabove Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sean Young survived three deployments to Afghanistan, saw his brothers-in-arms blown up in front of him, and lived through a childhood that sounds like a horror movie. In this raw and unfiltered interview on Rise Above with Kevin Lanning, Sean reveals the most salacious details of his past—including the infamous day he finalized a divorce at noon and was remarried to another woman by 3:00 PM. From the high-stakes adrenaline of being a Forward Observer in the Army to the soul-crushing reality of a suicide attempt in the Alaskan wilderness, Sean’s story is a masterclass in survival and the power of total surrender. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or mental health, you don’t have to do it alone. Reach out to my partners at Compassion Behavioral Health. They offer individualized care and a full continuum of treatment. Call or Text: 844-443-5669 Visit: https://compassionbehavioralhealth.com/?utm_source=rise%20above%20with%20kevin%20lanning&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=april #RiseAbove #KevinLanning #SeanYoung #VeteransRecovery #CombatPTSD #SobrietyStory #AddictionRecovery #MentalHealthMatters #ArmyVeteran #HealingTrauma #RecoverOutLoud Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cassidy’s story is one of the darkest I’ve ever heard. She grew up in a good home, loving parents, big family… and still addiction found a way in. One pill turned into daily use… then heroin… then fentanyl… then she ended up in the most dangerous open-air drug market in America — Kensington. What she experienced there is not normal addiction. It’s human trafficking. Violence. Rape. Murder. Bodies in the street. Burning victims alive. Trap houses. Dealers beating people for losing product. Young girls disappearing. This is a level of hell that most people in this country will NEVER see. And she survived it. Cassidy opens up about overdoses, abusive relationships, jail, street life, losing friends, and the spiritual war that fentanyl brings with it. She rebuilt her life — and is now sober — and her story will change perspectives for families everywhere struggling to understand addiction. Watch this entire interview start to finish — share with a parent, sister, brother, someone who needs to know the reality of fentanyl before it’s too late. Rise Above. Always. #kensington #fentanyl #fentanylepidemic #opioidcrisis #philadelphia #addiction #recovery #sobriety #drugabuse #narcansaveslives #harmreduction #addictionawareness #recoveryispossible #riseabovepodcast #drugcrisis #openairdrugmarket #truecrime #streetsurvival #kensingtonphilly #fentanlyawareness Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ema Burgic was the #1 ranked junior in Europe, a standout star at Baylor, and a professional tennis powerhouse. On the outside, her life looked perfect: a successful career, a "perfect" husband, and a beautiful home. But inside, Ema was fighting a silent battle with major depression and a loss of identity that nearly cost her everything. In this episode of Rise Above, Ema gets vulnerable about the reality of being a professional athlete under extreme pressure, the "numbness" of long-term medication, and the grueling journey of rebuilding her life from zero after a divorce and a 10-year hiatus from the sport. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or mental health, you don’t have to do it alone. Reach out to my partners at Compassion Behavioral Health. They offer individualized care and a full continuum of treatment. Call or Text: 844-443-5669 Visit: https://compassionbehavioralhealth.com/?utm_source=rise%20above%20with%20kevin%20lanning&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=april #MentalHealth #Tennis #EmaBurgic #RiseAbove #DepressionRecovery #ProAthlete #OvercomingAdversity #DivorceRecovery #Bosnia #WTA #SurvivorStory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Justin Clancy was a rising star in the music industry, but behind the scenes, he was battling a soul-crushing addiction to opiates. In this episode of Rise Above, Justin gets incredibly vulnerable about the "white light" moment that saved his life—literally seconds away from ending it all. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction or mental health, you don't have to do it alone. Compassion Behavioral Health offers individualized, stigma-free care. Visit them here: https://compassionbehavioralhealth.com/?utm_source=rise%20above%20with%20kevin%20lanning&utm_medium=youtube&utm_campaign=march Call or Text: 844-443-5669 Follow Justin Clancy: Instagram: @justin_clancy TikTok: @justinclancy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris was a high school football coach on top of the world—winning state championships, raising two kids, and leading one of Georgia’s most promising teams. But behind the success was a man silently battling addiction. After a devastating DUI, Chris lost everything—his job, his reputation, and his sense of self.In this raw and emotional interview, Chris opens up about childhood trauma, pressure to prove himself, spiraling into daily drinking, and the powerful moment of surrender that saved his life. Now sober and rebuilding, he’s using his pain to help others—including coaches, athletes, and anyone silently struggling. Chris's website: Www.movethechains.squarespace.com #AddictionRecovery #CoachingLife #SobrietyJourney #RockBottom #FootballCoach #DUIRecovery #StateChampion #MentalHealthAwareness #HighSchoolFootball #AlcoholAddiction #RedemptionStory #RiseAbovePodcast #MoveTheChain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"I knew the moment I did it, this will ruin my life—and I’m going to keep doing it." In this raw and unfiltered episode of Rise Above, Kevin Lanning sits down with Alyx Gold for a follow-up to her viral interview. Alyx takes us deeper into the "underworld" of her addiction—a journey that started with shooting heroin and meth at just 15 years old. Alyx reveals the terrifying details of being held hostage for over a week by a biker gang president, the moment she was stabbed and nearly killed in an abandoned alleyway, and the miraculous stranger who saved her life. But this isn't just a story of darkness. Today, Alyx is over 8 years sober, a dedicated single mother, and is in the process of opening the Gold Center for Recovery to help others escape the same trenches she once lived in. In this episode, we discuss: The reality of being a 15-year-old IV drug user. The harrowing escape from a biker gang "trap house." Surviving a brutal assault and the "angel" who intervened. How Alyx changed her entire belief system to stay sober for 8 years. The launch of the Gold Center for Recovery. Connect with Alyx Gold: Instagram: @_alyxgold TikTok: @in_my_everything_era If you or someone you love is struggling, reach out to Compassion Behavioral Health: 844-443-5669 or visit https://compassionbehavioralhealth.com/?utm_source=rise%20above%20with%20kevin%20lanning&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=march #RiseAbove #Recovery #Addiction #HeroinAddict #Sobriety #AlyxGold #KevinLanning #BikerGang #TraumaHealing #RedemptionStory Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Rise Above, I sit down with Anthony Wilson, a top 1% real estate agent whose journey to the top started at the absolute bottom. Born addicted to methadone and raised in the chaos of a "trap house" family environment, Anthony’s life was a cycle of high-stakes sales and low-bottom addiction. Anthony gets brutally honest about: The "Eddie Haskell" Charm: How he used his innate personality to manipulate dealers out of thousands of dollars. The Breaking Point: Finding out his father was smoking crack in the next room while Anthony was trying to build a career. The Real Estate Secret: Why being "hand-delivered" by God to a broker who understood his struggle changed everything. The 1% Mindset: How sobriety gave him the "ice in his veins" to close million-dollar deals without breaking a sweat. This isn’t just a story about real estate; it’s a masterclass in internal change, spiritual surrender, and what happens when you stop chasing and start attracting. Connect with Anthony Wilson: [Insert Social Media Links/Website] If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or mental health, you don’t have to do it alone. I’ve partnered with Compassion Behavioral Health because they offer true individualized care, from detox to virtual support. They are in-network with major providers and available 24/7. 📞 Call or Text: 844-443-5669 🌐 Visit: https://compassionbehavioralhealth.com/?utm_source=rise%20above%20with%20kevin%20lanning&utm_medium=youtube&utm_campaign=march 🙏 A Message from Our Sponsor #RealEstate #AddictionRecovery #SuccessStory #Sobriety #Entrepreneurship #MillionDollarListing #RiseAbove #Inspiration #MentalHealthMatters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Arthur Favors joins the podcast for an unfiltered look at the cost of success. From selling peanut brittle in the 8th grade to generating $1.2 million in sneaker sales, Arthur has always had the "hustler" spirit. But behind the scenes of his successful Atlanta storefront, a deadly addiction to Lean, Percocet, and Xanax was spiraling out of control.In this episode, Arthur opens up about:The "backdoor" sneaker world and how he flipped his way to the top.Living a double life: Managing a retail empire while fueled by opioids.The terrifying moment he was robbed at gunpoint with his daughter in the car.Why he chose to close his successful store to save his mental health and his family.His journey to 2 years of sobriety and finding peace through yoga and fatherhood.Recovery isn't just about stopping the substance; it’s about healing what’s underneath. If you or a loved one is struggling, reach out to Compassion Behavioral Health. They offer individualized care, from detox to virtual support, and are in-network with major insurance providers. Call or Text 24/7: 844-443-5669 Visit: https://compassionbehavioralhealth.com/?utm_source=rise%20above%20with%20kevin%20lanning&utm_medium=youtube&utm_campaign=march #ArthurFavors #SneakerReseller #SobrietyJourney #AtlantaHustle #RecoveryIsPossible #SneakerHead #Entrepreneurship #MentalHealthMatters #Podcast #AddictionRecovery Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Boyer had the "Hallmark" childhood: two loving parents, a stable home, and a dream career as a sports broadcaster. But behind the scenes, a secret OxyContin habit spiraled into a daily heroin addiction that turned him into a "slave" to the substance while he was traveling with sports teams and working for the State Capitol. In this raw and revealing interview, Mike discusses: The "Twin Intuition": How his addiction fractured the bond with his twin sister. The Broadcaster's Secret: Balancing an on-air career while battling the constant fear of withdrawal. The Breaking Point: The day he stole from his boss at the State Capitol and the police intervention that saved his life. 12 Years of Sobriety: How he moved from "chaos and crisis" to building a beautiful life as a father and husband. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or mental health, there is a way out. Our sponsor, Compassion Behavioral Health, focuses on the "why" behind the addiction, offering individualized care and innovative treatments like TMS and EMDR. Start your journey here: https://compassionbehavioralhealth.com/?utm_source=rise%20above%20with%20kevin%20lanning&utm_medium=youtube&utm_campaign=march Call or Text 24/7: 844-443-5669 #Addiction #RecoveryStory #HeroinAddict #Sobriety #Broadcaster #MentalHealth #RiseAbove #MikeBoyer #DrugAddiction #RecoveryIsPossible #Documentary Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Getting through the day without a substance was enough to make you feel decent, but it wasn't enough to live a life." Today, Anthony Scamardella joins the show to share his incredible story of overcoming a massive Adderall addiction. From his roots as a perfectionist student in New Jersey to managing high-stakes healthcare audits while secretly maintaining multiple prescriptions, Anthony reveals the moment his "secret" began eating him alive. He discusses the reality of the 4-year "flat" period after quitting, how he re-sensitized his dopamine receptors, and why he’s more optimistic now than ever before. Key Topics: The 9/11 trauma that shifted his childhood. Taking 200mg of Adderall daily and the physical toll. The letter from the "Substance Abuse Division" that changed everything. How skating and structure replaced the "jolt" of pills. If you’re struggling with addiction or mental health, contact our sponsor Compassion Behavioral Health at 844-443-5669 or visit https://compassionbehavioralhealth.com/?utm_source=rise%20above%20with%20kevin%20lanning&utm_medium=youtube&utm_campaign=march #Recovery #Addiction #Adderall #SobrietyStory #Fitness #MentalHealthAwareness #ADHD #NewYorkCity #Skating Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this deeply personal episode, we sit down with Paula to discuss the hidden reality of "mummy wine culture" and the terrifying moment she realized her drinking was costing her a relationship with her children. From being a scholarship athlete and a successful professional in the liquor industry to finding her true purpose as a recovery coach, Paula shares the raw truth about emotional sobriety. Connect with Paula:Instagram: @happiest_hour_af If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction or mental health, you don’t have to do it alone. I’ve partnered with Compassion Behavioral Health (CBH) because they offer a full continuum of care—from detox and residential treatment to neurofeedback and EMDR. They are in-network with major providers and available 24/7. Call or text: 844-443-5669 or visit: https://compassionbehavioralhealth.com/?utm_source=rise%20above%20with%20kevin%20lanning&utm_medium=youtube&utm_campaign=march #Sobriety #RecoveryStory #MotherhoodUnplugged #AlcoholFree #SoberCurious #EmotionalSobriety #RiseAbove #AddictionRecovery #WineMomCulture #SoberParenting Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Rise Above, we sit down with Glynis Franz, whose story sounds like something out of a Hollywood movie—except she lived it. From growing up in a chaotic household in New England to becoming a high-end escort, smuggling people across the border in her trunk, and eventually landing in federal prison, Glynis’s life was defined by the "brutal lifestyle" of addiction and meth psychosis. Now 6.5 years sober, Glynis has completely transformed her life. She is now a business owner, a podcast host, and the founder of Peak Path Health, helping others find the same freedom she discovered after hitting the ultimate rock bottom. [Sponsor Message] If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction or mental health, you don’t have to do it alone. I’ve partnered with Compassion Behavioral Health (CBH) because they offer a full continuum of care—from detox and residential treatment to neurofeedback and EMDR. They are in-network with major providers and available 24/7. Call or text: 844-443-5669 or visit https://compassionbehavioralhealth.com/?utm_source=rise%20above%20with%20kevin%20lanning&utm_medium=youtube&utm_campaign=march to start your journey today. #AddictionRecovery #HumanSmuggling #RiseAbove #SobrietyStory #FentanylCrisis #FederalPrison #RecoveryIsPossible #GlynisFranz #CompassionBehavioralHealth Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this raw and unfiltered interview, Rachel Sereni pulls back the curtain on a seven-year descent into Xanax and alcohol-fueled blackouts. Rachel doesn't hold back, taking full accountability for the "Ratchet Rachel" alter ego that emerged—a persona defined by physical and mental abuse toward her loved ones and the terrifying reality of drinking and driving with her young son in the car. Rachel reveals the "brutal" lifestyle of mixing Xanax, Molly, and 99 Bananas, and the haunting trauma of finding her mother after a fatal overdose at just 16 years old. This is a story of total surrender—from collapsing in a Taco Bell field to losing 80 lbs and finding a new life in sobriety. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or mental health, there is a structured, stigma-free place to start. Today’s episode is sponsored by Compassion Behavioral Health. Recovery isn't just about removing a substance; it’s about addressing the anxiety, trauma, and depression underneath. Compassion Behavioral Health focuses on the mental health side of recovery with individualized care—from detox and outpatient support to innovative treatments like EMDR and neuro feedback. Call or Text 24/7: 844-443-5669 Visit: https://compassionbehavioralhealth.com/?utm_source=rise%20above%20with%20kevin%20lanning&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=march In-network with major insurance providers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Rise Above, Ali Zansberg shares one of the most intense addiction stories we’ve ever featured on the podcast. After surviving stage-four liver failure as a teenager, Ali was prescribed opioids — which quickly spiraled into doctor shopping, oxy addiction, meth use, psychosis, and repeated overdoses. At her lowest point, she overdosed nine times in a single month, experienced severe drug-induced psychosis, and found herself in and out of jail. Her addiction escalated from prescription opioids to meth and eventually kratom, where she became trapped in brutal withdrawals and a cycle she couldn’t escape. Ali opens up about surviving overdoses, being revived multiple times with Narcan, doctor shopping prescriptions, battling addiction across multiple states, and the moment she finally surrendered and asked for help. Today Ali is over a year sober, sponsors other women in recovery, and is helping others find a way out of addiction. If you’ve been listening to Rise Above for a while, you know I don’t believe in shame, stigma, or one-size-fits-all treatment. That’s why I partnered with Compassion Behavioral Health. Compassion is intentionally boutique sized so clients receive real individualized care. Whether someone needs detox, residential treatment, partial hospitalization, IOP, or even virtual support, they offer a full continuum of care built around evidence-based therapy along with innovative options like TMS, neurofeedback, and EMDR when appropriate. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, mental health, or both and you don’t know where to start, this is a compassionate place to begin. Call or text 844-443-5669 or visit https://compassionbehavioralhealth.com/?utm_source=rise%20above%20with%20kevin%20lanning&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=march #addictionrecovery #opioidcrisis #sobrietyjourney #overdose #riseabovepodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan Yonkers grew up in a seemingly normal household outside Chicago. But behind the scenes, childhood trauma, addiction, and a chaotic home life pushed him down a dangerous path. Ryan started experimenting with substances at just six years old, eventually falling deep into drug culture. By his late teens he was selling drugs, running with dangerous people, and chasing a rap career that briefly put him on stage with artists like Young Buck. But addiction took over. What started with pills turned into heroin, armed robberies, and a life completely controlled by drugs. Ryan lost friends to overdose, watched people he loved die, and spiraled into a lifestyle he thought he would never escape. After hitting rock bottom, Ryan found recovery and a new purpose helping others battling addiction. Today he shares his story in hopes of helping someone who is still suffering. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or mental health, help is available. Compassion Behavioral Health offers compassionate, evidence-based treatment for addiction and mental health disorders. 📞 Call: 877-414-3007 🌐 https://compassionbehavioralhealth.com/?utm_source=rise%20above%20with%20kevin%20lanning&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=march Recovery is possible. #addictionrecovery #heroinaddiction #sobrietystory #recoverypodcast #riseabovepodcast #mentalhealthrecovery Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, mental health, or both, Compassion Behavioral Health offers individualized treatment designed to address the root causes — not just the symptoms. Compassion Behavioral Health is intentionally boutique-sized, allowing clients to receive personalized care rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. They provide a full continuum of care including detox, residential treatment, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient programs, and virtual support. Alongside evidence-based therapies, they also offer innovative treatment options like TMS, neurofeedback, and EMDR when clinically appropriate. They are in-network with most major insurance providers and are available 24/7. Call or text 844-443-5669 Visit https://compassionbehavioralhealth.com/?utm_source=rise%20above%20with%20kevin%20lanning&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=march Serena Lamotte joins Kevin Lanning to share her powerful story of addiction, trauma, and survival. After growing up in a difficult environment and experiencing significant loss, Serena found herself pulled into a destructive lifestyle that eventually led to a three-year ketamine addiction. What began as partying quickly spiraled into toxic relationships, dangerous living situations, and a life she barely recognized. Everything changed after a devastating drunk driving crash that left Serena with severe injuries and permanently blind in one eye. In this episode of Rise Above with Kevin Lanning, Serena opens up about grief, addiction, abusive relationships, surviving violence, the crash that nearly took her life, and how she ultimately found the strength to rebuild. Her story is a raw reminder that even after the darkest chapters, it’s still possible to rise above. #RiseAbovePodcast #KevinLanning #KetamineAddiction #AddictionRecovery #SobrietyJourney #MentalHealthAwareness #RecoveryStory #DrunkDrivingCrash #DomesticAbuseSurvivor #TraumaRecovery #Sobriety #PodcastInterview Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction or mental health, Compassion Behavioral Health offers personalized treatment and a full continuum of care, including detox, residential, and outpatient services. Their team is available 24/7 and works with most major insurance providers. Call or text 844-443-5566 or visit https://compassionbehavioralhealth.com/?utm_source=rise%20above%20with%20kevin%20lanning&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=march Kristine Bowers lived through things most people could never imagine. As a teenager, she was pulled into escorting through her mother’s boyfriend, entering a dark world of exploitation, drugs, and survival. What started with partying and pills eventually spiraled into heroin addiction. At one point, Kristine was using heroin while pregnant. Her life became a cycle of trafficking, abusive relationships, overdoses, and near-death experiences. She even survived a terrifying medical crisis where her organs began shutting down. But Kristine’s story didn’t end there. After hitting rock bottom and nearly losing everything, she entered treatment and began rebuilding her life through sobriety, faith, and helping others struggling with addiction. Today she works in recovery and speaks openly about trauma, addiction, shame, and redemption. This is a powerful story of survival, accountability, and transformation. #AddictionRecovery #HeroinAddiction #HumanTrafficking #SobrietyJourney #RiseAbove Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is sponsored by Compassion Behavioral Health. Compassion Behavioral Health is a boutique mental health treatment center that focuses on the deeper issues driving addiction, anxiety, depression, and unresolved trauma. Their intentionally small program allows for highly individualized care rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. They offer a full continuum of care including detox, residential treatment, outpatient programs, and virtual support. Alongside evidence-based therapy, they also provide innovative treatments like TMS, EMDR, and neurofeedback when clinically appropriate. If you or someone you love is struggling with mental health or addiction, Compassion Behavioral Health is available 24/7. Call or text 844-443-2274 Visit https://compassionbehavioralhealth.com/?utm_source=rise%20above%20with%20kevin%20lanning&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=march Jessica Tanir shares her journey from the nightlife and bartending culture of New York City to finding sobriety and clarity in Florida. What started as casual drinking slowly turned into blackouts, toxic relationships, and nights she couldn’t remember—including the moment she woke up covered in sand after passing out on the beach. In this episode of Rise Above with Kevin Lanning, Jessica opens up about the hidden side of alcohol misuse, the hospitality industry’s drinking culture, and how spiritual healing, retreats, and deep self-reflection helped her walk away from alcohol for good. Now over two years sober, Jessica helps others explore sobriety through mocktails, wellness practices, and mindful living. Her story is a powerful reminder that alcoholism doesn’t always look the way people expect—and that real transformation is possible. #sobriety #addictionrecovery #riseabovepodcast #alcoholism #recoveryjourney #mentalhealth #soberlife #selfhealing #mocktails #podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ava Fox opens up about the dark reality behind the modeling industry and the pressure to drink, party, and use drugs just to survive in the entertainment world. In this episode of Rise Above with Kevin Lanning, Ava shares how she grew up largely on her own, started drinking at just 12 years old, and fell into a lifestyle surrounded by drugs, older crowds, and a reckless party culture. As she entered the modeling industry, she saw firsthand how alcohol, cocaine, and networking culture were deeply embedded in the business. After years of chaos, health scares, and watching others lose themselves to addiction, Ava made a life-changing decision to walk away from it all. She quit drinking, changed her entire lifestyle, strengthened her faith, and has now been sober for 11 years. This is a powerful conversation about independence, addiction, boundaries, healing, and what it takes to choose a different path when the entire industry pushes you in the opposite direction. #sobriety #addictionrecovery #modelingindustry #recoveryjourney #riseabovepodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nicky Santora grew up in Staten Island surrounded by addiction, chaos, and loss. When he was just 15 years old, he found his mother dead after an overdose from Percocet and OxyContin. What followed was years of destruction. He started with weed and cocaine as a kid… then moved to Roxy blues, Xanax, and eventually heroin. Within months he was shooting heroin, robbing houses, stealing air conditioners out of windows, and overdosing. At his lowest point, Nicky was homeless, facing multiple arrests, and eventually landed inside Rikers Island, where violence and drugs were everywhere. But somehow, he made it out. Today Nicky is over 10 years sober, a father of three, and a rising comedian who uses his brutally honest story to help others battling addiction. This is a raw conversation about addiction, recovery, prison, and rebuilding a life when everyone thinks you're finished. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, stories like this prove that recovery is possible. #addictionrecovery #heroinaddiction #soberstory #recoveryjourney #rikersisland #opioidcrisis #recoverypodcast #riseabove Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kira looked like the “good kid.” 3.8 GPA. Band. Job. Involved in everything. Behind the scenes, she was self-harming at 12, drinking at 12, snorting ketamine in the school bathroom, selling alcohol through her locker, and attempting suicide multiple times. At 18, she shaved her head, stopped showering, lived with strangers, and drove 12 hours to Georgia to move in with a man she met online… before barely escaping. Her true rock bottom? A little kid knocking on a drug dealer’s bedroom door asking for his dad. That moment changed everything. Today, Kira is 6+ years clean and sober, graduated from Michigan State, worked in Child Protective Services, and is now pursuing her Master’s in Social Work. This episode is about addiction that doesn’t look “broken,” mental health, grooming, suicide attempts, recovery at 18, and how contentment—not happiness—is the real goal. If you’re struggling, there is hope. Stay. #AddictionRecovery #MentalHealthAwareness #SobrietyJourney #SuicidePrevention #YoungPeopleInRecovery #KetamineAbuse #RecoveryStory #AARecovery Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Logan Houle looked like he had it all. Triple-A hockey. A long-term girlfriend. Good grades. No major trauma. A “normal” life. But behind closed doors, he was blacking out daily by 16… flipping his Jeep while drunk at 17… and later—after getting sober—developing a hidden gambling addiction that led him to wager over $3.7 million in just four months. From stealing from family, draining paychecks in hours, and losing $10,000 in under 60 minutes… to rehab, self-exclusion, faith, and helping the next generation through his podcast New Generation Sobriety — this is one of the most powerful young recovery stories you’ll hear. Addiction isn’t always drugs. Sometimes it’s alcohol. Sometimes it’s gambling. And sometimes it’s the pain underneath it all. If you're struggling, you're not alone. #AddictionRecovery #GamblingAddiction #SobrietyJourney #AlcoholismRecovery #RiseAbove Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sponsored by Cozy Earth — elevate your everyday with premium bedding designed for deeper rest and calmer nights. Use code RISEABOVE for up to 20% off at cozyearth.com. Fausto grew up in fear. A narcissistic, abusive father. Sexual abuse at 7 years old. Bullying. Codependency. Addiction to validation. By 14, he was faking his own death on MySpace, getting 5150’d into a psych ward, drinking Jack Daniel’s daily, and chasing ecstasy just to feel normal. By his 20s, he was smoking meth, having 3–5 grand mal seizures a day, overdosing on pills, blacking out on cruises, and attempting suicide more than once. He says alcohol saved his life before it nearly killed him. But that wasn’t even the end. In sobriety, he faced betrayal, family deaths, brain aneurysms, EMDR trauma breakthroughs, and a collapse that almost took him out at six years clean. This is a raw conversation about sexual abuse, addiction, masculinity, forgiveness, service, and protecting your peace. If you’ve ever felt broken, ashamed, or alone… watch this. There is purpose in pain. — Follow Fausto: YouTube / IG / TikTok: @HopeDealers If you’re struggling with addiction or trauma, you are not alone. Reach out. Help exists. #AddictionRecovery #SobrietyJourney #TraumaHealing #MensMentalHealth #SexualAbuseSurvivor #FromRockBottom #5150 #GrandMalSeizures #AARecovery #RiseAbovePodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sponsored by Cozy Earth — elevate your everyday with premium bedding designed for deeper rest and calmer nights. Use code RISEABOVE for up to 20% off at cozyearth.com. At 23, Jordan Lexell was exposed on national television after appearing on Dr. Phil in an episode titled “Young, Reckless & Enabled.” By 35, she was shooting heroin on the South Side of Chicago, addicted to fentanyl, arrested nearly 30 times, faking drug tests, and living in and out of hotels while facing multiple felonies — including Grand Theft Auto, possession of fentanyl, and her third DUI. She overdosed in her mother’s home. She detoxed in Sarasota County Jail. She was looking at serious prison time. On August 24, 2022, Jordan did her last line of fentanyl pulling into treatment. Today, she’s over three and a half years sober — rebuilding her life from the ground up, repairing her relationship with her mom, grieving her father’s death in sobriety, and proving that even after 30 arrests… redemption is possible. This is a raw, unfiltered conversation about: Heroin & fentanyl addiction Being enabled by family Fake rehab culture vs state-funded treatment Jail detox and felony probation Brain recovery after opioids Losing a parent in sobriety Rebuilding from rock bottom If you or someone you love is battling addiction — this episode is proof that no one is too far gone. Recovery is possible. #FentanylCrisis #HeroinAddiction #DrPhil #AddictionRecovery #SobrietyJourney #GrandTheftAuto #OpioidEpidemic #RiseAbove #RecoveryIsPossible #FelonToFreedom Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spencer Forester had the dream résumé. CPA. 4.0 student. Six-figure career. Big firm promotions. But behind closed doors? He was drinking at 6:30 AM just to steady his hands. What started as weekend partying turned into round-the-clock alcohol dependence. Hallucinations. Severe esophagitis. Resting heart rate over 150. Doctors debated ICU. One doctor told him directly: “Rehab is going to save your life. You’re going to die if you don’t go.” Instead of disappearing, Spencer raised his hand and asked for help. Three meetings a day. Calling sober men constantly. Rebuilding from zero. Now 2.5 years sober, he left his CPA career and is building something in the recovery space to help others. This episode is proof that addiction does not discriminate. You can look successful on the outside and still be dying on the inside. If you’re struggling — raise your hand. Ask for help. You don’t have to go through it alone. Follow Spencer: @sober.spenny Follow Rise Above for more real recovery stories. #AlcoholAddiction #SobrietyJourney #RecoveryIsPossible #DetoxStory #AARecovery #AddictionRecovery #SoberLife #MensRecovery #HealingJourney #RaiseYourHand Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sponsored by Cozy Earth — elevate your everyday with premium bedding designed for deeper rest and calmer nights. Use code RISEABOVE for up to 20% off at cozyearth.com. Blake Bilder went from a small-town kid in Minnesota to signing with the UFC… but behind the fights was chaos no one saw. Blackout drinking. Adderall and cocaine. Microdosing mushrooms every day. Taking LSD before a UFC fight. Smuggling 81 pounds of weed. Arrested before his debut. Facing federal charges. His brother’s suicide. Ayahuasca ceremonies deep in the Amazon jungle. At the height of his career, Blake was spiraling. In this raw interview, Blake opens up about nearly ending his life, relapsing in sobriety, cartel involvement, fighting on psychedelics, prison time, and the moment he finally surrendered and asked for help. This is a story about ego, faith, shame, redemption, and what it really costs to chase greatness. If you’re struggling with addiction, depression, or suicidal thoughts — you are not alone. Watch until the end. #RiseAbove #UFC #AddictionRecovery #SobrietyJourney #MentalHealthAwareness #BlakeBilder #RiseAbove #Psychedelics #AyahuascaExperience #MMAFighter #FromAddictionToRecovery #SuicideAwareness #RecoveryIsPossible Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sponsored by Cozy Earth — elevate your everyday with premium bedding designed for deeper rest and calmer nights. Use code RISEABOVE for up to 20% off at cozyearth.com. Evan grew up in a good Italian family on Long Island. Loving parents. Sunday dinners. Sports. No trauma to blame. By 12, he was smoking weed. By high school, he was selling cocaine. By his early 20s, he was running mortgage fraud in Florida. After his father tragically took his own life, Evan spiraled deeper into addiction — first pills, then heroin, then meth. In California, he built a sophisticated mail theft and credit card fraud operation, stealing checks directly from post office boxes, washing them with chemicals, and cashing out thousands of dollars a day. He was arrested 18 times. When the feds finally caught him, he was facing serious prison time. Behind bars during COVID lockdown, locked in a cell for months, starving and isolated, Evan made a decision that would change his life forever. Today, he’s sober, rebuilding his relationship with his children, and running operations at one of the fastest-growing supplement companies in the country. This is a story about greed, addiction, federal prison, and what happens when you finally stop running. If you’re struggling — don’t give up. #FederalPrison #FraudStory #AddictionRecovery #HeroinAddict #RedemptionStory #TrueCrimeStory #RiseAbove #SoberLife #PrisonStory #FromPrisonToPurpose #RecoveryJourney #ExConSuccess Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steven Clark was living two lives. From delivering cocaine between California and Hawaii and serving over five years in federal prison… to managing some of the biggest names in professional surfing — including world champions during the height of the Andy Irons and Kelly Slater era. On paper, he had it all. Global travel. Elite athletes. Money. Status. Behind the scenes? Alcohol. Drugs. Ego. Emptiness. At 50 years old, sitting at a high-profile event surrounded by celebrities and legends, Steven realized he had never felt more alone. That night he asked God for help. The next day, a childhood friend showed up and took him to his first AA meeting. He hasn’t had a drink since. In this episode of Rise Above, we talk about: • Federal prison and mandatory minimums • Surf industry fame and managing world champions • High-functioning addiction in elite environments • Andy Irons’ impact on him personally • The moment of clarity that changed everything • 90 meetings in 90 days • Making amends • Life on life’s terms • Finding real fulfillment in sobriety This is a story about ego, consequences, humility, and spiritual transformation. If you're struggling, know this: You don’t have to feel that way again. #AddictionRecovery #FederalPrison #SurfCulture #AARecovery #RiseAbovePodcast #SobrietyJourney #KellySlater #AndyIrons #CocaineTrafficking #HighFunctioningAddict Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Landon Finn had everything going for him. Good grades. Fraternity president. Bright future. But behind closed doors he was drinking at 7AM, tripping on LSD four times a week, blacking out in a Bugs Bunny costume, and hearing voices that weren’t there. He lied to his parents. He lied to his sponsor. He lied to himself. After passing out behind the wheel and landing in acute kidney failure at 21 years old, doctors told him if he showed up a few hours later… he wouldn’t be here. This is the raw story of alcoholism, psychosis, relapse, overdose loss, humility, and rebuilding a life from rock bottom. Three years sober. University of Colorado recovery center leader. Working to open treatment centers and change the system. This is what choosing life looks like. If you or someone you love is struggling with addiction, this episode could save a life. #AddictionRecovery #Alcoholism #SobrietyJourney #RockBottom #MentalHealth #LSDTrip #Psychosis #YoungAndSober #RecoveryIsPossible #RiseAbove Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices