Rise Above with Kevin Lanning

Welcome to Rise Above with Kevin Lanning. Join Kevin, a former Google executive in sobriety, as he shares inspiring stories of resilience. Each episode features individuals who have faced life’s toughest challenges—addiction, trauma, anxiety, and more—and emerged stronger. These conversations aren’t just about survival; they’re about thriving and finding practical solutions to rise above adversity. Kevin’s own journey through addiction and childhood trauma fuels his passion for sharing stories that uplift, educate, and inspire. Tune in and discover the strength within you.

Latest Episodes:

Inside the Brutality of Drug Psychosis | D1 Baseball Star at 16 Spirals into Addiction May 21, 2025

Show notes

Jack seemed to have it all — a loving family, standout athletic talent, and a Division 1 baseball scholarship by the age of 16. But behind the scenes, he was battling deep emotional pain, addiction, and suicidal thoughts. In this raw and honest interview, Jack opens up about being expelled in 6th grade, spiraling into drug use by high school, and hitting rock bottom just weeks before leaving for college.

After a life-saving decision to enter rehab, Jack has now found purpose helping other young men fight the same demons he once faced. This is a story about ego, pain, identity, family pressure, and the long road to self-awareness and healing.

🎙 If you’re struggling or know someone who is — this episode is for you.

#addictionrecovery #mentalhealthawareness #sobrietyjourney #recoveryispossible #riseabovepodcast #inspirationalstories #d1athlete #drugaddiction #rehabstory #faithoverfear #selfgrowth #suicideprevention #youngandclean #overcomingaddiction #cleanandsober

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The Alcoholic's Struggle: How Sobriety Changed My Life and Saved My Mental Health May 18, 2025

Show notes

Austin went from living in a $3 million mansion in Florida and partying like a rock star… to spiraling into full-blown addiction. After years of binge drinking and daily marijuana use, he lost direction, purpose—and even the love of his life. But on April 24, 2022, everything changed. In this raw and unfiltered conversation, Austin shares how he went from a promising athlete and successful car salesman to feeling hopeless and broken, and how hitting rock bottom became the wake-up call he needed. Now almost two years sober, Austin is rebuilding his life and using his story to inspire others to find freedom in sobriety.

This is a story of resilience, redemption, and what it means to truly take your life back. If you’re struggling with alcohol or know someone who is, Austin’s journey will show you that it’s never too late to rise above.

#alcoholism #sobrietyjourney #addictionrecovery #soberlife #rockbottom #mentalhealthawareness #recoveryispossible #soberstories #soberliving #motivation

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Inside a War Hero’s Brutal Return Home: Addiction, Jail, Redemption (Security for Da Baby & Lil Baby) May 14, 2025

Show notes

Dr. JayR McIntyre went from battling poverty, addiction, and jail time in Los Angeles to serving 14 years in the U.S. Army, earning the Bronze Star, and becoming one of LinkedIn’s Top 100 Speakers to Watch. In this raw and inspiring interview, he opens up about losing his mother to AIDS, surviving street life, and finding purpose through service, entrepreneurship, and transformation. This is the story of how pain can become power—and how anyone can rise above their circumstances. #VeteranStory #AddictionRecovery #MentalHealthAwareness #VeteranSupport #IncarcerationToInspiration #CombatVeteran #PTSDRecovery #FromPainToPurpose #RiseAbove #SecondChances #RedemptionStory #MotivationalInterview #MilitaryToCivilian #OvercomingAdversity #TransformYourLife #RecoveryJourney #RealStories #YouTubeInterview #RiseAbovePodcast #JayRMcIntyre

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The Secret Hell of Anorexia: My Road to Recovery, Relapse Triggers & What It's Like to Live With It May 12, 2025

Show notes

Athena spent years silently battling an eating disorder that nearly took everything from her. In this raw and emotional interview, she opens up about the secret hell of anorexia, what it took to face her demons, and how hitting rock bottom became the start of her transformation. Her journey is a reminder that even your darkest days can lead to your greatest growth. If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, you are not alone—this episode is for you. #EatingDisorderRecovery #AnorexiaAwareness #MentalHealthMatters #RecoveryJourney #HealingFromWithin #RiseAbovePodcast #BodyImageStruggles #YouAreNotAlone #RecoveryIsPossible #SelfLoveJourney

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UFC Champion Kayla Harrison: From Sexual Abuse Survivor to UFC Bantamweight Champion May 09, 2025

Show notes

She just shocked the world at UFC 316—and now she holds the UFC bantamweight title. In this exclusive interview, Olympic gold medalist and two-time MMA champion Kayla Harrison shares the raw, unfiltered truth behind her rise to greatness. From surviving sexual abuse and family trauma to becoming a symbol of strength and resilience, Kayla opens up about the pain that forged her and the purpose that fuels her. This is more than a story about athletic triumph—it’s about turning trauma into power, advocating for survivors, and refusing to be broken. Watch as Kayla reveals what drives her in and out of the octagon—and why her fight has always been about more than just winning. #KaylaHarrison #UFC300 #UFCHistory #BantamweightChampion #SurvivorStory #TraumaToTriumph #MMAChampion #OlympicGold #MentalHealthAwareness #WomenInMMA #RiseAbove #UFCChampion #AbuseSurvivor #KaylaHarrisonInterview

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Inside a Drug-Fueled Armed Robber’s SHOCKING Double Life May 07, 2025

Show notes

Nick Marshall had a normal childhood—Disney trips, family dinners, and supportive parents. But underneath it all, he was battling brutal bullying, shame, and identity struggles. What started as seeking acceptance led to drug deals, a robbery crew, and eventually prison time. In this jaw-dropping episode, Nick opens up about the moment it all changed—and how he's now rebuilding his life after incarceration. His raw honesty and journey from ego to humility will leave you speechless.

#PrisonStory #DrugDealerToAuthor #TrueCrimePodcast #AddictionRecovery #MentalHealthAwareness #RiseAbovePodcast #RedemptionStory #FromPrisonToPurpose #TryAgain #OvercomingAdversity #EgoToHumility #NickMarshall

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Inside an OxyContin Addict's SHOCKING Lifestyle | Survivor's Guilt May 04, 2025

Show notes

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. 🎙 Watch now for an unforgettable story of trauma, addiction, and redemption. #AddictionRecovery #OxyContinSurvivor #TraumaSurvivor #MentalHealthAwareness #OpioidCrisis #PsychWardSurvivor #SoberLife #SurvivorsGuilt #RecoveryIsPossible #CarCrashSurvivor #8YearsSober #RiseAbovePodcast #SoberTransformation #FromAddictionToRecovery #RealStoriesRealImpact

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Undefeated BKFC Fighter Quentin "QG" Gaskins Reveals Traumatic Upbringing | Jake Paul, Rise To Fame Apr 30, 2025

Show notes

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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A Mother's Worst Nightmare: Losing My Son to Fentanyl After a Lifetime of Struggle Apr 27, 2025

Show notes

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. Watch her story of pain, resilience, and hard-won wisdom now. #AddictionAwareness #FentanylCrisis #RiseAbovePodcast #OpioidEpidemic #AddictionRecovery #OverdoseAwareness #MentalHealthMatters #ParalysisSurvivor #FamilyAddiction #GriefJourney #SubstanceAbuseAwareness #MothersStory #Resilience #HealingJourney #HeartbreakAndHope

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I Was Shot 5 Times: An Undefeated Boxer’s Incredible Comeback Story Apr 24, 2025

Show notes

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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