Afleveringen
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In this gripping episode of Rise Above, Kim shares the unfiltered truth about life as an IV heroin addict — from shooting up daily to selling heroin alongside her own mother. Caught in a generational cycle of addiction, Kim’s story is unlike anything we’ve shared before.
She opens up about the codependent bond she shared with her mom, how they used and dealt drugs together, and the moment she knew she had to break away — not just to survive, but to finally live.
Now sober and rebuilding her life, Kim’s journey is a raw look at the brutality of addiction, the courage it takes to walk away from family, and the hope that recovery brings.
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Kyle Sandler was once hailed as the tech savior of a small Alabama town — a former Google executive launching a startup incubator with big promises. He raised millions, inspired dreams, and even claimed to have worked closely with cybersecurity pioneer John McAfee. But it was all a lie.
In this exclusive interview, Kyle opens up about the truth behind the scam, the fantasy he created, and how he convinced an entire community — and even national media — to believe in him. From tech deception to prison time, this is one of the most unbelievable stories in startup history.
This is a raw, honest conversation about ego, addiction to power, and the cost of deception.
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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Chris Norton’s life changed in an instant when a tackle during a college football game left him paralyzed. Doctors gave him just a 3% chance of regaining movement, but Chris refused to accept that fate. Through relentless determination and unwavering faith, he not only defied the odds but also made headlines when he walked across the stage at graduation and later down the aisle at his wedding. In this powerful conversation, Chris shares his journey of resilience, mindset shifts, and what it truly means to rise above adversity.
🔹 Overcoming paralysis
🔹 The mindset that changed everything
🔹 Walking at his wedding against all odds
🎧 Listen now and be inspired by Chris’s incredible story!
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On this episode of Rise Above with Kevin Lanning, I sit down with Elizabeth Chance, who is approaching 19 years of sobriety. She opens up about the chaos of alcoholism, the breaking point that changed everything, and how she was able to find lasting sobriety.
Elizabeth shares the raw truth about addiction, the struggles of early recovery, and the tools she used to maintain a sober life. Whether you’re in recovery, struggling with addiction, or supporting a loved one, her journey is one of hope, resilience, and transformation.
🔔 Subscribe for more inspiring stories of overcoming adversity!
📩 Need support? Drop a comment below or reach out—you're not alone.
#RiseAbove #Sobriety #Recovery #Alcoholism #Addiction #SoberLife
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What happens when the FBI believes you’re involved in one of the worst attacks in history? After 9/11, Khalid’s life took a shocking turn when he was interrogated and followed by federal agents—all because hijacker #20 was a member of his mosque and a childhood friend.
Brutal interrogations, relentless surveillance, and a world flipped upside down—Khalid’s story didn’t end there. Instead, he made an unbelievable pivot: from being accused to becoming a spy for the U.S. government.
In this episode of Rise Above, Khalid reveals the truth behind his terrifying FBI encounters, the shocking moment he realized his friend was a terrorist, and his transformation into a covert intelligence asset.
This is a story you won’t believe.
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Michael Chernow’s powerful story of overcoming alcoholism and transforming his life is nothing short of inspiring. From battling addiction to becoming a successful entrepreneur, Michael shares his raw and honest journey of hitting rock bottom, finding sobriety, and building Creatures of Habit, a brand dedicated to health, wellness, and personal growth.
In this conversation, Michael opens up about:
• The struggles of alcoholism and its impact on his life
• The turning point that led him to seek help
• The challenges and triumphs of sobriety
• How he channeled his energy into entrepreneurship
• Advice for anyone struggling with addiction
If you or someone you know is battling addiction, this episode is a must-watch. Let Michael’s story serve as proof that change is possible, and success is within reach.
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Norman Seabrook, the once-powerful president of the Corrections Officers’ Union at Rikers Island, built a reputation as one of the most influential figures in the prison system—until it all came crashing down. Arrested and convicted for corruption, Norman went from overseeing guards to serving time behind bars. In this explosive interview, he reveals the dark realities of Rikers Island, the power struggles within the system, and what led to his shocking downfall.
Was he a corrupt leader or a victim of the system he once controlled? Watch now to hear the untold story from the man who lived it.
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Nelson was once at the top of a multi-million dollar health insurance fraud scheme—until the feds came knocking. In this episode of Rise Above, he takes us inside the world of healthcare fraud, how he got caught, and what life was like in federal prison. But his story doesn’t end there. After serving his time, Nelson turned his life around, overcoming a heavy binge eating disorder and building a new career in podcasting. This is a raw and inspiring conversation about crime, redemption, and second chances.
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Nick, an Air Force Sergeant, shares his harrowing experiences from multiple deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan—dodging bullets, surviving bombings, and losing friends to war and suicide. In this powerful episode of Rise Above with Kevin Lanning, he opens up about the lasting mental health toll of combat and the tools he’s used to heal. Now a fitness trainer, Nick has transformed his trauma into strength, proving that resilience is possible after war.
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In this powerful episode of Rise Above, Kevin Lanning sits down with John Valerio, a man whose journey from suburban normalcy to addiction, crime, and near-death survival is nothing short of jaw-dropping.
John opens up about how a tragic turn of events spiraled his life out of control—starting with his father’s sudden abandonment, a painkiller prescription after a quad accident, and how it all led to full-blown heroin addiction. As his need for the next fix grew, so did the chaos: robberies, gun violence, and prison time became his reality.
But John's story didn’t end there.
In one of the most shocking moments of his life, John survived a suicide attempt that should have killed him. Instead, it became his turning point. Now, he’s not only clean and sober but also a dedicated father, family man, and successful business owner.
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Thank you to the sponsor of this episode, BetterHelp. Get 10% off your first month at: betterhelp.com/riseabove
In this special episode of Rise Above, the roles are reversed as Annabella Rockwell interviews the usual host, Kevin Lanning. Kevin opens up about his personal journey—starting from his days playing college sports, climbing the ranks in corporate America, and eventually facing addiction to OxyContin.
Now, with 7 years clean and sober, Kevin shares the powerful tools, mindset shifts, and support systems that keep him grounded and on track every day. This honest and vulnerable conversation dives deep into overcoming addiction, finding purpose after hitting rock bottom, and what it really takes to maintain sobriety long-term.
If you’re seeking inspiration or strategies to rise above your own challenges, this episode is for you.
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At just 16, Mo Nelson was involved in a robbery on the USF campus in Florida that turned tragic when his codefendant shot and killed a 57-year-old man. Charged with first-degree murder and attempted robbery, Mo was sentenced to 15 years in prison. But instead of letting prison define him, he took full accountability, surrounded himself with the right people, and committed to deep self-reflection and change. Today, Mo is a completely different person—helping others break cycles of crime and find a better path.
In this episode, Mo shares his journey of transformation, what prison taught him about life, and how he turned his darkest moment into a mission to inspire others.
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Jason Votrobek, once at the center of one of the most notorious pill mill operations in the country, joins me for an exclusive interview to reveal the shocking truth behind the prescription drug epidemic. As the co-owner of Atlanta Medical Group, a Georgia-based pain clinic that became one of the top distributors of Oxycodone in the nation, Votrobek made millions before the law caught up with him. His network of pill mill pain clinics stretched from Fort Lauderdale to Atlanta, flooding the streets with highly addictive opioids and fueling a crisis that devastated countless lives.In this deep-dive conversation, Jason opens up about:
🔹 How his clinics operated as a front for mass opioid distribution
🔹 The loopholes that allowed pill mills to thrive across state lines
🔹 The role of doctors, fake patients, and big pharma in fueling the crisis
🔹 His 15-year federal prison sentence and what he learned behind bars
🔹 The impact of the opioid epidemic and his message for those still struggling
This is a raw and unfiltered look at the rise and fall of a pill mill empire. Watch now to hear Jason’s side of the story and the lessons he learned from living on both sides of the law.
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Ross Mandell, a former Wall Street broker and the founder of Sky Capital, once dominated the financial markets before being convicted of a $140 million fraud scheme and serving over nine years in prison. Accused of manipulating the London Stock Exchange, Mandell faced intense legal battles, extradition challenges, and the harsh realities of the federal justice system.
Now free and determined to make a difference, Mandell has reinvented himself as an educator and online course creator. He shares hard-earned lessons through The Wealth Formula, teaching others how to turn ideas into businesses. Beyond finance, he has dedicated himself to helping families navigate college recruitment and coaching young athletes.
In this interview, Mandell breaks down his rise in the financial world, the scandals that led to his downfall, his struggles with addiction, and his inspiring journey to redemption. From speaking in the House of Parliament to the inside story of the Madoff scandal—this is a must-watch deep dive into the mind of a man who lost everything and fought to build a new legacy.
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Zach Rance, known from Big Brother, reveals the harsh reality of life after the show, describing how his world came crashing down. In this powerful conversation, he shares how he hit rock bottom and rebuilt his life through structure, discipline, consistency, and fitness. Now a thriving entrepreneur, Zach opens up about the mindset and habits that helped him turn it all around.
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Daniel Phaithaisong, better known as internet personality Dpeezy2099, opens up about his addiction to Xanax, lean, and methadone, as well as his struggles with the law that led to multiple stints in prison. In 2021, while living in a sober house, he discovered content creation—a passion that not only changed his life but also helped him stay clean.
Daniel shares the highs and lows of his journey, from the depths of addiction and incarceration to finding purpose through social media. His story is a testament to resilience, proving that no matter how far someone falls, there is always a way back.
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Adam Jablin lived a double life—on the surface, he was a devoted husband and father, but behind closed doors, he was battling a relentless addiction to alcohol. Now sober since 2006, he shares the brutal consequences of his alcoholism, how it tore apart his family, and the turning point that led him to recovery. In this powerful episode, Adam discusses where and how to get help, his experience bridging back to life, and the challenges of navigating divorce with kids while rebuilding trust and purpose. His story is a raw and inspiring testament to the power of redemption and second chances.
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Dr. Linda Varisco was indicted in a massive FBI healthcare fraud case—but that’s not where her story ends. In this episode of Rise Above, she shares her side of the scandal, the lessons she learned, and how she rebuilt her life after facing federal charges. From being named in a high-profile indictment to finding redemption, Dr. Varisco’s journey is one of resilience, accountability, and transformation.
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Debi Borger, founder of DB Wellbeing and creator of the transformative E3 Method, shares her powerful story of recovery and reinvention. After a devastating car wreck and hitting rock bottom, Debi got sober, but for her first nine years, she avoided working a recovery program, which led to heartbreak, ending an engagement, and moving back home. Now, with over a decade of sobriety and actively working a program, Debi has rebuilt her life as a life coach and nutritionist, helping others overcome similar struggles. In this interview, she opens up about the difference between going it alone and embracing a program, navigating social settings sober, overcoming trauma, and empowering women to elevate their lives through mindset, fitness, and holistic wellness.
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In this episode of Rise Above, Parker, a recovering fentanyl and heroin addict, shares her powerful journey of relapse and redemption. She opens up about how not working a strong recovery program led her back to a brutal lifestyle of addiction, but also how she found the strength to rebound and rebuild. Parker dives deep into the lessons learned from her relapse, the harsh realities of addiction, and the mindset shifts that saved her life, offering inspiration for anyone battling addiction or supporting someone in recovery.
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