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.

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

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Meghan’s story is one of the most emotional, raw, and impactful episodes we’ve ever filmed on Rise Above.

After years of opioid addiction, relapse cycles, losing her teeth, stealing to survive, and eventually living in a tent community—Meghan was ready to end her life. Instead, she made one call that saved everything.

Inside this episode we talk about:

Her descent from partying → pills → sniffing heroin → injecting

What actually triggered her relapse AFTER years sober

How dishonesty and “grey area using” almost took her out

The moment she raised her hand in AA and had to reset her sober date

Why secrets = the real relapse

How emotional sobriety, service, God & community changed her entire life

Today, Meghan is nearly 6 years sober, a professional speaker, a coach, and she helps others reclaim their power, heal trauma, and build real inner peace.

There are thousands of people right now who feel like THEY are beyond repair. Her story proves the opposite. If you’re struggling—don’t give up before the miracle happens.

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#AddictionRecovery #HeroinAddiction #OpiateEpidemic #RelapseRecovery #SobrietyJourney #EmotionalSobriety #RiseAbovePodcast #AddictionAwareness #MentalHealthMatters #RecoveredNotCured #HopeAfterAddiction #TraumaHealing #SpiritualAwakening #12StepRecovery #NeverRecoverAlone #SoberLife #RecoveryStory #OpioidCrisis #SoberCommunity #FaithInRecovery

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Boxing legend Vinny Paz sits down in the flesh on RISE ABOVE. The Tasmanian Devil himself. One of the wildest true comeback stories in all of sports.

Vinny broke his neck in a horrific car accident — doctors told him he’d never walk again… and he came back and won 5 world titles.

In this raw, unfiltered interview… Vinny opens up about chasing Muhammad Ali, fame, insane nightlife stories, partying with major celebrities, gambling a million dollars in one night, the movie made about his life, and what kept him alive when most would’ve quit.

If you’ve ever needed proof that the human spirit can overcome ANYTHING — this is it.

RISE ABOVE is about hope, adversity, and transformation. And Vinny Paz is living proof.

Subscribe for more real stories that give people strength to keep going.

#VinnyPaz #RiseAbovePodcast #BoxingLegends #ComebackStory #SportsDocumentary #CrazyLifeStories #OvercomingAdversity #NeverGiveUp #RedemptionStory #BoxingHistory #Motivation #AddictionRecovery #TriumphOverTragedy #UnderdogSpirit #MuhammadAliInspired

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At 17, Jerry thought he’d found a party drug that made him feel unstoppable.

Within years, addiction took over his life — and just when he thought he’d escaped it, a motorcycle crash left him literally cut in half.

In this shocking interview, Jerry reveals:

What life was really like inside Florida’s pill-mill scene

How OxyContin destroyed an entire generation

The crash that tore his body apart — and how he forgave the woman who caused it

What he saw when he died — and the spiritual moment that brought him back

This is one of the wildest, most powerful stories ever told on Rise Above.

#OxyContin #OxyAddiction #FloridaPillMill #RiseAbovePodcast #AddictionRecovery #OpiateAddiction #NearDeathExperience #SurvivorStory #Sobriety #AddictionStory #DrugEpidemic #PainkillerAddiction #Resilience #ComaSurvivor #MiracleSurvivor

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Chris Rosburg spent his 20s chasing ego, fame, and the next high — from starring in a Budweiser commercial to being cast in a reality TV show. But beneath the spotlight was an addiction that nearly killed him.

In this episode, Chris opens up about the fear of losing his identity when getting sober, his journey through rehab, finding fellowship and faith, and how his 15-year sobriety led him to create Sober City, a free app helping others find daily reflection and spiritual grounding.

We talk about accountability, ego, family, relapse prevention, and what true happiness in recovery really looks like.

If you’re struggling or know someone who is, this story is proof that it’s never too late to change.

📱 Download Chris’s app: Sober City (available on iOS & Android)

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Arayelle’s story is one of the most raw and inspiring transformations ever shared on Rise Above.

A Boston native, she opens up about growing up in chaos, battling addiction, stripping to survive, and finding herself trapped in toxic relationships. After years of substance abuse, self-harm, and pain, she found healing through faith, therapy, and fitness — and is now nearly five years sober.

In this episode, Arayelle and host Kevin Lanning have a deeply honest conversation about recovery, mental health, and learning to fill your own cup again.She now helps women in sobriety through fitness, mentorship, and her “Fellowship & Fitness” program — proving that no matter how far you fall, you can rise again.

Connect with Kevin:

📩 Email: [email protected]

🌐 RiseAbovePod.com

💬 Join our weekly Rise Above Recovery Meeting every Monday night — all are welcome.

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In this powerful episode of Rise Above, attorney Mark Astor joins host Kevin Lanning to discuss how families can legally intervene to save loved ones battling addiction and mental health struggles.

Mark founded The Mental Health & Addiction Law Firm of Florida, a groundbreaking practice that combines legal authority, clinical support, and investigative resources to help families take action when everything else has failed.

Together, Kevin and Mark dive into:

How families can legally get loved ones into treatment

The Marchman Act, Guardianship, and Baker Act explained

The emotional and legal battle parents face when trying to save an addict

Kevin’s own story of being “dragged to rehab” and finding lasting sobriety

Why recovery is a lifelong process — and what real hope looks like

Mark’s mission is simple: to save families whose loved ones are suffering from addiction and failed attempts at recovery.

👉 Learn more about Mark Astor’s work:
https://www.mentalhealthaddictionlawfirm.com

If you or someone you love is struggling, there is help and hope.

#RiseAbovePodcast #AddictionRecovery #MentalHealthAwareness #FamilyAddictionHelp #SobrietyJourney #MarkAstor #KevinLanning #AddictionSupport #MarchmanAct #Guardianship #BakerAct #LegalIntervention #RecoveryCommunity #HopeAndHealing #RiseAbove

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Jeff Baird’s story is one of survival, truth, and transformation.

But in October 2021, Jeff finally made the call that saved his life. Now, nearly 4 years sober, he’s helping others in recovery and proving that no matter how far you fall, you can rise above it all.

👉 Watch this full interview to hear how Jeff went from being a “wannabe gangster” trapped in addiction — to a man of purpose, faith, and service.

#addictionrecovery #riseabovepodcast #soberstories #recoveryjourney #overcomingaddiction #mentalhealth #sobriety #fentanylcrisis #addictionawareness #faith #redemption #southflorida #oxycodone #adhd #adderall

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Brian grew up in a strict Brooklyn home, surrounded by addiction, secrets, and death — living next door to a funeral home and watching grief daily. What started as a college experiment with ecstasy in Florence spiraled into a decade of cocaine dealing across New York City, gambling thousands he didn’t have, and a public arrest at the World Trade Center construction site.

After narrowly avoiding prison, he rebuilt his life — until opioids nearly killed him.

Watch as he shares how trauma, ego, and grief fueled his addiction — and what recovery really looks like when the spotlight fades.

0:00 Growing up next to death

📩 Join the Rise Above Community: [email protected]

#AddictionRecovery #Ibogaine #RiseAbovePodcast #Sobriety #DrugAddiction #WallStreet #CocaineAddiction #OpioidCrisis #RecoveryJourney #MentalHealthAwareness #BrooklynStories #KevinLanning #IbogaineTreatment #RedemptionStory #OvercomingAddiction

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Jay Mac up in chaos — born to two addicted parents, moving from town to town, finding identity through graffiti, and battling fear and dysfunction from an early age. By high school, he was using cocaine and opiates, and soon after, heroin became his escape.After years lost to addiction, theft, and survival on the streets, Jay rebuilt his life from the ground up. He found sobriety, purpose, and a voice through art, barbering, and recovery work. Now with nine years clean, Jay shares how he went from a broken kid on Section 8 housing to a man leading others through recovery and using creativity as medicine.This conversation goes deep — relapse, redemption, fear, faith, and the discipline it takes to stay free.

👉 Follow Jay Mac: Instagram @the_backstah

If this story moves you, please like, subscribe, and comment — it helps us keep sharing real stories that save lives.

#RiseAbovePodcast #JayMac #AddictionRecovery #HeroinAddiction #SobrietyJourney #GraffitiArtist #RecoveryStory #OvercomingAddiction #SoberLife #MentalHealthAwareness #RecoveryCommunity #CleanAndSober #DrugAddiction #StreetSmart #RiseAbove #SoberMotivation #AddictToAdvocate #BostonStrong #RedemptionStory

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