When a spine infection stole her twenties, prescriptions promised relief but quietly rewired everything. In this episode, Janessa walks us through the years between her first Percocet high to a life rebuilt on surrender—forty pills a day, fentanyl patches, interventions, and the moment she chose honesty over hiding. This is not a neat redemption arc but a gritty, luminous one.

If you’ve ever wondered whether real freedom is possible after years of medicating pain, this conversation offers both candor and hope. It’s about finding a safe room where people understand and trusting God to do the heavy lifting. 

Press play, share this with someone who needs a way out, and if this story moved you, subscribe, leave a review, and tell us: what’s one thing you’re ready to surrender today?

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Janessa Baar is a survivor, mentor, and advocate for addiction recovery and mental health awareness. After overcoming years of pain medication and fentanyl addiction, she celebrates over 11 years of sobriety and now dedicates her life to helping others find hope and healing. A former business owner, Janessa sold her company to start an outreach program in Honduras, where she served from 2018 to 2023. 

With a background marked by trauma, loss, and resilience, Janessa brings raw honesty and compassion to conversations about recovery, faith, and rebuilding life after addiction. Today, she mentors through local ministries and the Big Brother Big Sister program, offering encouragement to those walking the same difficult road she once traveled.

About the She Surrenders Podcast:

On the She Surrenders podcast we are talking about women, faith and addiction all on the same platform. There are many podcasts for women and sobriety, but very few for women seeking information and stories from others about faith-based recovery.

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Find us on Instagram @shesurrenders_sherry, on Facebook @shesurrenderssherry, and online at www.shesurrenders.com.