Rise Above with Kevin Lanning

• Homeless Fentanyl Addict’s SHOCKING Survival Story Living Under a Bridge

  Allen Lund’s story is one of the wildest and most heartbreaking transformation journeys ever shared on Rise Above. Born into chaos in Broward County, Allen grew up around addiction, violence, poverty, and dysfunction. By middle school he was on Xanax, smoking weed just to face the day, and eventually spiraled into a full-blown opioid and crack addiction that led to living two years under a bridge, watching people die around him, and surviving multiple fentanyl overdoses — including one where he woke up 6 hours later and should’ve been dead. After jail time, relapses, homelessness, and countless failed attempts to detox, Allen clawed his way into recovery. Today he’s coming up on one year sober, a devoted father, a partner, and a man with purpose. This episode is raw, graphic, emotional, and brutally honest — but it proves one thing: No matter how far you fall… you can rise again. #AddictionRecovery #FentanylCrisis #RiseAbovePodcast #SobrietyJourney #RecoveryStory #DrugAddiction #HomelessToHope #OverdoseSurvivor #RehabStories #SoberLife Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Fentanyl Nearly Killed Me | Gangster Disciple’s Descent Into Addiction, Drive-Bys & Sobriety

  Allen’s story is one of the most shocking transformations ever shared on Rise Above. Born into chaos, raised in violence, and surviving a childhood surrounded by abuse, Allen was forced to grow up fast. He joined the Gangster Disciples, earned his stripes through a drive-by shooting, and later became a U.S. Army interrogator deployed across Afghanistan and Africa. After five combat deployments, PTSD, a failing marriage, and a life filled with secrets, everything spiraled. Cocaine. Fake Percs. Fentanyl. Losing jobs. Losing hope. Losing himself. And when CPS took his kids — everything changed. Today, Allen is 15 months sober and rebuilding his life with purpose, faith, and service. His journey shows that no matter how far you’ve fallen, you can rise above.If you or someone you love is struggling… this episode could save a life. Join our Rise Above Recovery Meeting (Mondays at 8 PM EST):Email [email protected] for the link. Patreon members get early access + exclusive live interviews:Patreon.com/RiseAbovePod #riseabovepodcast #fentanyl #addictionrecovery #gangsterdisciples #armyinterrogator #ptsd #sobrietyjourney #drugaddiction #traumasurvivor #kevinalanning Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• From ‘Fun Drunk’ to Full-Blown Alcoholic | My Terrifying Descent Into Addiction

  Jessica Hoff’s story is one of the most powerful transformations ever shared on Rise Above. Growing up in a small Minnesota town with an alcoholic father, Jessica swore she’d never become him. But one blackout in college sent her spiraling into years of binge drinking, cocaine, Xanax, opiates, and a near-fatal battle with breast cancer. Her life completely unraveled—addiction, a failing marriage, losing custody, and waking up in rehab with no memory of getting there. But nothing compares to the day she flew home to make amends… and found her father dead on the floor. What happened next changed her life forever. In this raw, emotional, and deeply spiritual interview, Jessica reveals: Her first blackout that launched a decade of chaos How cancer, pain pills, Xanax, and coke took over her life The brutal detox she barely survived The divine intervention that got her into treatment Finding her dad dead—and the God moment that kept her sober Rebuilding her life, motherhood, spiritual connection & purpose Her work as a healer helping others through sound, energy, and meditation Jessica is now over 7 years sober, a mother, healer, and walking example of what recovery can look like when you surrender and do the work. 👉 If this episode moved you, please subscribe, comment, and share. Your support helps us change lives. 👉 Join our Monday Night Recovery Meeting: Email [email protected] for the link. 👉 Go deeper with Rise Above on Patreon — early access, live Q&A, behind-the-scenes, and more. #RiseAbove #AddictionRecovery #SobrietyJourney #TraumaHealing #Alcoholism #RecoveryCommunity #AddictionStories #SoberLife #MentalHealthAwareness #CocaineAddiction #OpiateAddiction #XanaxAddiction #AAProgram #SpiritualAwakening #HealingJourney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• I Lost Everything to Crack | My Descent Into Hell and the Fight Back

  Alex’s story is the definition of Rise Above. Raised just outside of D.C., Alex had a solid upbringing—until a life-shattering trauma at age 9 changed everything. Losing his father to addiction left a hole he didn’t know how to fill… and by 11 years old, he found the first thing that made him feel “connected”: getting high. What started as weed quickly turned into a full-blown lifestyle—dropping out of school, running the streets, dealing drugs, chasing status, and doing whatever it took to feel okay. By his late teens, Alex was deep into cocaine, then crack. Florida became a new playground, but the addiction followed—fast. The party life turned into homelessness, violence, felony charges, and multiple prison stints. At one point he had five felonies, lost every opportunity in front of him, and spiraled into the darkest place imaginable. But in the middle of prison—while getting high on rat poison and living in survival mode—one brutal moment of truth from a cellmate cracked the armor. That day became the turning point that led Alex to complete surrender, recovery, and a new life built on faith, service, and accountability. Today, Alex is coming up on four years sober, living with peace he never thought was possible, and dedicating his life to helping others find a way out. If you’re struggling, feel stuck, or think you’re too far gone… this one’s for you. Rise Above Recovery Meetings: Every Monday night. Open meeting for anyone struggling with addiction, alcohol, gambling, food, etc. Email me at [email protected] for the link + weekly updates. If this episode helped you, please like, subscribe, and share—your support helps us spread hope to the next person. #RiseAbove #AddictionRecovery #Sobriety #RecoveryStory #CrackAddiction #CocaineAddiction #PrisonToPurpose #FelonToFreedom #FaithAndRecovery #MentalHealthMatters #SecondChances #RecoveryIsPossible #FloridaRecovery #DelrayBeach #12StepRecovery #HopeDealer #LifeAfterAddiction #TraumaRecovery #SoberLife #Inspiration Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• How Trauma Shapes Your Life: Dr. Monica Vermani Breaks Down Stress, Anxiety & Healing

  In this powerful episode of Rise Above, Dr. Monica Vermani — clinical psychologist, trauma expert, TED speaker, and author — breaks down the true roots of stress, anxiety, trauma, maladaptive coping, and why so many of us feel overwhelmed in today’s world. From the role of childhood wounds to the patterns we repeat in adulthood, Dr. Vermani explains why we get stuck, how to break cycles of pain, and why rituals and slowing down are essential to healing. She unpacks everything from self-medication, addictive behaviors, people-pleasing, anger, boundaries, relationships, and the myth of “reinventing yourself.” If you’ve ever struggled with trauma, mood swings, anxiety, addiction, overwhelm, or feeling “not enough,” this conversation will change your life. Dr. Vermani’s work has helped thousands—and today, she shares her tools with you. 📘 Her Book: A Deeper Wellness: Conquering Stress, Mood, Anxiety & Trauma Available on Amazon & at DrMonicaVermani.com 🧠 Follow Dr. Vermani: Instagram | Website | Psychology Today Column 🆘 Every Monday Night: Rise Above Recovery Meeting Open to anyone struggling with addiction (alcohol, drugs, gambling, food). To join: Email [email protected] for the meeting link & updates. 💙 If this interview helped you, please LIKE & SUBSCRIBE to support the mission. #TraumaHealing #AnxietyRelief #MentalHealthMatters #StressManagement #PsychologyTalk #RiseAbovePodcast #AddictionRecovery #EmotionalHealing #TherapyTools #MindfulnessDaily #InnerPeaceJourney #DrMonicaVermani #ThoughtWork #HealingTrauma #CopingSkills #SobrietyTools #SelfImprovementDaily Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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