Nicole Meo survived the unthinkable — a horrific car crash that took the lives of her boyfriend and his best friend. She was the only survivor. What followed was years of pain, guilt, and a descent into opioid addiction after being prescribed OxyContin. Her journey spiraled into psych wards, rock bottom moments, and the darkest corners of active addiction. But against all odds, Nicole clawed her way out — and is now nearly 8 years sober. In this powerful episode of Rise Above, Nicole opens up about the night that changed her life forever, the brutal truth about opioid addiction, and the hope that recovery can bring.

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In this powerful episode, professional BKFC fighter Quentin "QG" Gaskins shares the raw truth behind his journey — living sober in a chaotic world. As he gears up for his next big fight, QG opens up about how yoga, breathwork, and daily movement have transformed his mind, body, and spirit.

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In this heartbreaking episode of Rise Above, Salena shares the devastating journey of her son's battle with addiction — from early trouble with the law, to opioid dependence after an injury, and years of struggling to stay alive. After surviving a shooting that left her paralyzed, Salena faced the unimaginable: losing her son to a fentanyl overdose just six months ago. This raw and emotional conversation shines a light on the hidden battles families face behind closed doors — and the brutal toll addiction takes on everyone it touches.

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Mason Stevens was shot five times in a violent altercation outside a nightclub — and lived to tell the story. Instead of letting it define him, he turned the trauma into fuel. Now an undefeated professional boxer, Mason shares the gritty, unbelievable journey from near-death to the top of the ring.

In this episode of Rise Above, Mason opens up about the shooting, his recovery, the mindset it took to survive, and how fighting in the ring gave his life new purpose.

#Boxing #Undefeated #BoxingTraining #Motivation #Inspiration #Mindset #Comeback #Survivor #OvercomeObstacles #YouTubeShorts #ViralVideo

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This week, we sit down with Ana Isabel Hume, aka Anabel — lifestyle and sports host, fitness competitor, and mental health advocate — for one of our most raw and powerful conversations yet. Anabel opens up about losing her father to suicide, being diagnosed with a brain tumor at 11, living with a shunt, growing up around addiction, and surviving a marriage marked by PTSD and emotional trauma. Despite the odds, she rebuilt her life through faith, healing, and discipline — and now she's helping others do the same. For anyone who’s walked through pain and still found the courage to rise — this episode will leave you inspired.

#trauma #ptsdrecovery #addictionrecovery #mentalhealthawareness #healingjourney #faithoverfear #resilience #overcomingtrauma #survivorstories #mentalhealthmatters #riseabove #healingfromtrauma #addictionawareness #emotionalhealing #inspiration #motivationalstories #mentalhealthsupport #growthmindset #traumasurvivor #recoveryjourney

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David was a corrections officer assigned to death row—what he witnessed during those two years broke him. From chilling confessions to disturbing inmate behavior, this interview uncovers the dark side of the prison system that most people never see. The trauma ultimately led David to walk away from the job for good. This is his story.

#DeathRow #CorrectionsOfficer #PrisonStories #MentalHealthAwareness #TrueCrime #BehindBars #PrisonSystem #DarkSideOfPrison #RiseAbovePodcast #CriminalJustice #PrisonReform #GuardStories #PsychologicalTrauma #InmateConfessions #LifeOnDeathRow #PrisonDocumentary #RealStories #PrisonTruths #TrueCrimeCommunity

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In this powerful episode of Rise Above, host Kevin Lanning sits down with John Ulsh, a motivational speaker and coach who has turned personal tragedy into a mission to inspire others.​

Seventeen years ago, John survived a devastating car accident that led to over 45 surgeries and numerous setbacks. Through unwavering determination, he transformed his pain into purpose, developing a roadmap for resilience that has empowered countless individuals to overcome their own challenges.​

Join us as John shares his journey of recovery, the mindset shifts that fueled his transformation, and actionable strategies to help you build an unbreakable spirit.​

#AddictionRecovery #RecoveryIsPossible #MentalHealthAwareness #SoberLife #OneDayAtATime #CleanAndSober #TraumaHealing #SelfImprovement #MindsetMatters #Motivation #Inspiration #Transformation #LifeAfterAddiction #HealingJourney #RiseAbovePodcast

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Kelsey grew up fast in a home filled with alcoholism and chaos — with both parents struggling and her father disappearing from her life for 14 years. By age 10, she was caring for her younger sister and operating far beyond her years. On the outside, she was a high achiever: great college, rising corporate career — but on the inside, addiction and depression were taking over. In this raw and unfiltered interview, Kelsey shares what it was like living inside an alcoholic’s chaotic lifestyle, the dark spiral she fell into, and how she finally hit rock bottom. With nowhere left to turn, she followed the same path as her parents — a 12-step program — and slowly rebuilt her life. Now seven years sober and a successful entrepreneur, Kelsey opens up about the reality of addiction, the pain behind the mask, and what it truly takes to find freedom.

#addictionrecovery #AlcoholismAwareness #SoberLife #12StepProgram #MentalHealthMatters #RiseAbove #RockBottomToRedemption

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Jessica nearly lost everything to addiction — including her life. While she struggled with various substances, it was nitrous oxide that almost killed her. Her true rock bottom came in an unexpected way: after receiving the Johnson & Johnson COVID shot, Jessica became paralyzed. But what could have ended her story became her awakening.

Four years sober today, Jessica has completely transformed her life. She now dedicates herself to helping others as a life coach and sober coach, using her experience to guide people out of the darkness she once knew so well.

In this powerful and emotional interview, Jessica opens up about:

• The dangers of nitrous oxide addiction

• The moment she became paralyzed

• How she found the strength to get sober

• Her journey from addiction to purpose

• The work she’s doing now to help others heal

This is a story of resilience, recovery, and redemption you don’t want to miss.

#RecoveryIsPossible #SoberLife #AddictionRecovery #SoberCoach #MentalHealthAwareness #Sobriety #RecoveryJourney #SoberLiving #LifeCoach #SoberCommunity

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Nick lost his father at just 7 years old and was homeless soon after. By his early teens, he was selling drugs to survive—and at 16, he stabbed someone and was sentenced to Rikers Island. After reoffending, he served another prison term. But after that second stint, everything changed.

Nick got sober, walked away from the street life, and started over. He launched a moving company, bought real estate, and—alongside his brother—opened one of the most successful jewelry stores in Brooklyn, New York. Today, he’s a clean and sober family man, a father of two, a business owner, and a symbol of what’s possible when you never give up.

In this episode of Rise Above with Kevin Lanning, Nick shares the raw and inspiring story of how he overcame trauma, addiction, violence, and incarceration—and rose above it all.

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