Rise Above with Kevin Lanning

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.

Episodes

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

April 30, 2025 • 48 mins
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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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A Mother's Worst Nightmare: Losing My Son to Fentanyl After a Lifetime of Struggle

April 27, 2025 • 96 mins
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 hidde...
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I Was Shot 5 Times: An Undefeated Boxer’s Incredible Comeback Story

April 24, 2025 • 54 mins
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 th...
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Surviving Trauma, PTSD, and a Household Shattered by Addiction: My Journey to Healing and Saving My Mental Health

April 21, 2025 • 80 mins
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 ...
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I Was a Death Row Guard — What I Saw Still Haunts Me

April 17, 2025 • 58 mins
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 #Pris...
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The Fatal Accident That Shattered Everything | How I Escaped Opiates After 45 Surgeries

April 13, 2025 • 72 mins
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 countle...
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Inside an Alcoholic's Chaotic Lifestyle | The Dark Side of Alcohol Addiction & How I Found Sobriety

April 13, 2025 • 69 mins
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...
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Inside a Nitrous Oxide Addict’s Brutal Lifestyle After Being Paralyzed by the COVID Vaccine

April 4, 2025 • 58 mins
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 t...
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Brooklyn's Drug Kingpin | From Prison at 16 to Building a Jewelry Empire

April 2, 2025 • 50 mins
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—ope...
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Joe "Tiger King" Exotic Drops BOMBSHELL About Trump Pardon… Tiger King 2 Coming?!

March 30, 2025 • 22 mins
In this explosive prison phone call interview, Kevin Lanning connects with Joe Exotic, the notorious “Tiger King,” for a raw and unfiltered conversation straight from behind bars. Joe shares a shocking update on his ongoing fight for a presidential pardon from Donald Trump, opens up about the possibility of Tiger King Part 2, and doesn’t hold back on his current legal battles. He also delivers a heartbreaking account of the inhuman...
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Inside A Heroin Addict's BRUTAL Lifestyle

March 26, 2025 • 85 mins
In this gripping episode of Rise Above, Kim shares the unfiltered truth about life as an IV heroin addict — from shooting up daily to selling heroin alongside her own mother. Caught in a generational cycle of addiction, Kim’s story is unlike anything we’ve shared before. She opens up about the codependent bond she shared with her mom, how they used and dealt drugs together, and the moment she knew she had to break away — not just ...
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The Ex-GOOGLE Exec Who Stole Millions With John McAfee | Tech's Dark Side

March 23, 2025 • 84 mins
Kyle Sandler was once hailed as the tech savior of a small Alabama town — a former Google executive launching a startup incubator with big promises. He raised millions, inspired dreams, and even claimed to have worked closely with cybersecurity pioneer John McAfee. But it was all a lie. In this exclusive interview, Kyle opens up about the truth behind the scam, the fantasy he created, and how he convinced an entire community — and...
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Inside a College Football Player’s Tragic Injury That Left Him Paralyzed & His Unbelievable Comeback

March 20, 2025 • 72 mins
Chris Norton’s life changed in an instant when a tackle during a college football game left him paralyzed. Doctors gave him just a 3% chance of regaining movement, but Chris refused to accept that fate. Through relentless determination and unwavering faith, he not only defied the odds but also made headlines when he walked across the stage at graduation and later down the aisle at his wedding. In this powerful conversation, Chris s...
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I Am An Alcoholic | How I Knew I Had a Problem & Got Treatment for Alcoholism

March 18, 2025 • 67 mins
On this episode of Rise Above with Kevin Lanning, I sit down with Elizabeth Chance, who is approaching 19 years of sobriety. She opens up about the chaos of alcoholism, the breaking point that changed everything, and how she was able to find lasting sobriety. Elizabeth shares the raw truth about addiction, the struggles of early recovery, and the tools she used to maintain a sober life. Whether you’re in recovery, struggling with ...
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I Was Childhood Friends With the 20th 9/11 Hijacker – The FBI Came for Me, Then I Became a Spy

March 14, 2025 • 77 mins
What happens when the FBI believes you’re involved in one of the worst attacks in history? After 9/11, Khalid’s life took a shocking turn when he was interrogated and followed by federal agents—all because hijacker #20 was a member of his mosque and a childhood friend. Brutal interrogations, relentless surveillance, and a world flipped upside down—Khalid’s story didn’t end there. Instead, he made an unbelievable pivot: from being ...
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Overcoming Alcoholism | Inside An Addicts Brutal Lifestyle

March 12, 2025 • 76 mins
Michael Chernow’s powerful story of overcoming alcoholism and transforming his life is nothing short of inspiring. From battling addiction to becoming a successful entrepreneur, Michael shares his raw and honest journey of hitting rock bottom, finding sobriety, and building Creatures of Habit, a brand dedicated to health, wellness, and personal growth. In this conversation, Michael opens up about: • The struggles of alcoholism an...
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Former Rikers Island Chief Reveals the Mental Health Crisis Behind Bars & Its Deadly Consequences

March 10, 2025 • 60 mins
Norman Seabrook, the once-powerful president of the Corrections Officers’ Union at Rikers Island, built a reputation as one of the most influential figures in the prison system—until it all came crashing down. Arrested and convicted for corruption, Norman went from overseeing guards to serving time behind bars. In this explosive interview, he reveals the dark realities of Rikers Island, the power struggles within the system, and wh...
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Inside A Kingpin's Multi-Million Dollar Health Clinic Scam | From Federal Prison to Media Mogul

March 6, 2025 • 67 mins
Nelson was once at the top of a multi-million dollar health insurance fraud scheme—until the feds came knocking. In this episode of Rise Above, he takes us inside the world of healthcare fraud, how he got caught, and what life was like in federal prison. But his story doesn’t end there. After serving his time, Nelson turned his life around, overcoming a heavy binge eating disorder and building a new career in podcasting. This is a ...
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Surviving Iraq: The Psychological Impact of War on an Air Force Sergeant

March 4, 2025 • 94 mins
Nick, an Air Force Sergeant, shares his harrowing experiences from multiple deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan—dodging bullets, surviving bombings, and losing friends to war and suicide. In this powerful episode of Rise Above with Kevin Lanning, he opens up about the lasting mental health toll of combat and the tools he’s used to heal. Now a fitness trainer, Nick has transformed his trauma into strength, proving that resilience is...
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An IV Heroin User's DARK Reality in Kensington | Surviving a Self-Inflicted Headshot Su*cide Attempt

February 26, 2025 • 65 mins
In this powerful episode of Rise Above, Kevin Lanning sits down with John Valerio, a man whose journey from suburban normalcy to addiction, crime, and near-death survival is nothing short of jaw-dropping. John opens up about how a tragic turn of events spiraled his life out of control—starting with his father’s sudden abandonment, a painkiller prescription after a quad accident, and how it all led to full-blown heroin addiction. A...
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