Overcoming Adversity

Episode #33 is live and today's guest is the inspirational, Bonnie Mathews! Bonnie's story dives deep into what it's like being addicted to a loved one's addiction. Bonnie is a therapist with decades of experience in the mental health and substance use field but she is also in recovery from codependency for three decades! Bonnie tells the story of her mother's alcoholism, how she tried to save her, and how her father's words left a lasting impression on her. OA listeners...Please help us welcome Bonnie Mathews to the show! **If you enjoy this podcast, please leave us a review! Know someone who you think would make a great guest? Email us at OvercomingAdversityPodcast@gmail.com

Welcome back OA podcast listeners! This is episode number 32 and we hope you enjoy it! For this episode, Amanda and Blake enjoy, what was supposed to be, a conversation about nothing that quickly evolves into a conversation about life, the importances of being authentic, the struggles with self-work, and more! We hope you enjoy this episode and as always, please leave a kind review!  

Episode 31 is out and available for your listening pleasure. This episode's guest is the incredible, Brent Bryant. Brent is a Family Ambassador for Family First Adolescent Services. He is so much more than that, though. Brent is a highly sought-after speaker and advocate for addressing mental health and substance use disorder challenges within the adolescent population. He uses his personal experiences with addiction, mental health, and grief to inspire others in choosing hope and change.  Brent is a fascinating story teller and his testimony makes for another great episode of the Overcoming Adversity Podcast! Enjoy Episode #31! *This podcast is sponsored by Next Level Recovery Associates Inc. Please leave us a 5 star review on any of your favorite listening platforms!    

Help us bring in our 30th episode by listening to this episode of the Overcoming Adversity Podcast! On this episode, your hosts, Amanda & Blake discuss the reason its taken so long to get from episode number 29 to number 30, the importance of shifting our mindsets to overcome fear, and how entrepreneurship has changed their lives! Episode number dirty 30 is fun, funny, and inspiring so it's highly suggested you drop what you're doing and check it out! Sponsored by: Next Level Recovery Associates Inc *Enjoying the podcast? Leave us a review! *Interested in being on the show? Shoot us an email at OvercomingAdversityPodcast@Gmail.com

Episode 29 is live and ready to rock some ear drums.Speaking of drums, our guest this week is Jordan Meyers!Jordan was diagnosed with depression at an early age but through a series of events found him self using percussion to get out of it. Little did he know that this life of playing drums professionally and traveling the world with his band would lead him down a very dark road.Jordan is a true inspiration today. He is an example to our youth and does anything he can to share his story, wisdom and knowledge with today's generations.Enjoy Episode #29 of the Overcoming Adversity Podcast!Follow Jordan on Instagram at: @_JordanMeyers_Check out his non-profit: @FindingAlostVoiceThis episode is sponsored by Next Level Recovery Associates Inc

Episode 28 is live and ready for your ears and minds to ingest! This week we have Jeremy Plummer as our guest. He shares his incredible story of overing adversity, how there must be someone looking out for him, and how we can turn our tragedies into testimonies! Jeremy is the creator of Recovery Through Repetition which is a CrossFit based workout program for those in recovery! It's free and open to anyone in Recovery that can make it! Please enjoy Episode #28 of the Overcoming Adversity Podcast with Amanda Marino and Blake Cohen. As always, this podcast is sponsored by Next Level Recovery Associates! You can find Recovery through Repetition, by clicking here! Enjoying the podcast? Leave us a review on any of your favorite listening platforms!

Episode number 27 of the OA podcast is now live for your listening pleasure and we have a guest this week that just makes us smile! This week, Felicia Kleinpeter of Imagine Recovery, fills us in on her adversity and explains what it's like going from being deemed an "unfit mother" to an inspiration to thousands! Her story is jam packed with loss, pain, humility and, of course, overcoming adversity. This special episode is one that we KNOW will tickle your brainwaves with inspiration and joy! Please enjoy episode #27 of the Overcoming Adversity Podcast hosted by Amanda Marino and Blake Cohen! This podcast is sponsored by: Next Level Recovery Associates Inc ***If you're enjoying this podcast please drop a 5 star review on any of your favorite listening platforms! To email us or nominate a guest, please email:Overcomingadversitypodcast@gmail.com

Episode #26 is live and we've got a story for you.This week's guest is George Bullock IV. George is now happily in recovery from a substance use disorder and leading a happy life but it wasn't always that way.After the heartbreaking, and sudden, loss of his father and then his father-like Uncle, Bob, Georgie was left alone with his mother trying to figure out how to deal with the grief. George's story is emotional and riveting and, certainly, one a lot of people are going to relate to.I suggest you listen closely. His message of hope is powerful. Enjoy Episode #26! The Overcoming Adversity Podcast is hosted by Amanda Marino & Blake Cohen. It is sponsored by Next Level Recovery Associates.George Bullock, this week's guest, is the Director of Business Development for Seacrest Recovery Center.If youre enjoying this show, please leave us a review on any of your favorite listening platforms!To nominate someone to be a guest on the show, please email OvercomingAdversityPodcast@gmail.com with their name, contact info, and a brief description as to why you think they should be on the show!

"If you want a great community around you, you have to build it!"Those are the words Matt's mentor spoke to him while he was in early recovery from a substance use disorder (addiction). That day and those words changed his life forever.Matt is the founder of FroPro.But he is so much more than that. He is a teacher, a coach, a mentor, and all around spreader of positivity. That doesn't mean he didn't face adversity though!Check out Episode 25 to hear how Matt overcame his struggles to create a life that he truly loves today!This is one episode you won't want to miss!*************************************This episode is sponsored by Next level Recovery Associates IncTo learn more about ordering FroPro's delicious frozen protein snacks, go to GoFroPro.comIf you enjoy this podcast, please leave us a review. We value your feedback and will randomly select reviews to read on the next episode!

The OA podcast is back in action and for this episode we have an incredible guest!Today's episode features Cheri Garcia, the founder of the Cornbread Hustle which is an organization that offers job placement to formally incarcerated individuals. Her story is full of twists and turns but she made one thing very clear...everyone deserves a second chance and when you give them that second chance, be ready for the amazing gifts you're about to receive.This episode covered so much ground, was fluid, compelling, and so much more!You know what? Why don't you just listen to the episode for yourself and you'll see what I mean!Enjoy Episode number 24 with Cheri Garcia!For more information on the Cornbread Hustle, go to: www.Cornbreadhustle.comFor more information on Amanda and Blake's company, Next Level Recovery Associates Inc, visit: NextLevelRecoveryassociates.comIf you or someone you know should be a guest on the OA podcast, email us at: Overcomingadversitypodcast@gmail.comKeep living your best life and thank you for listening! MUCH LOVE!  

Welcome to Episode #23 of the Overcoming Adversity Podcast with Amanda Marino & Blake Cohen!Collectively, as a population, we are all in the midst of some incredible Adversity. The Coronavirus has flipped the world on its ear and we are all adjusting to the infamous "new normal".In the midst of the chaos, the hosts of the OA podcast have added a little salt and pepper to the situation by venturing out to start their own company and begin a Master's degree program at the same time. Check out this episode to hear how your favorite podcast hosts are coping with Covid-19, how they've faced the fears of starting their own company, and how they've truly made lemonade out of lemons!**Enjoy this podcast? Please leave a 5-star review on your favorite listening platform**Want to learn more about Amanda and Blake's new coaching company? Visit:Https://NextLevelRecoveryAssociates.comKnow someone who might be a great guest for our show? Maybe it's you! Shoot us an email at OvercomingAdversityPodcast@Gmail.com so we can get them on the show!

Welcome back to the Overcoming Adversity Podcast with this show's guest, Rebecca Reeder!Rebecca's inspiring story made for a great episode! She offers incredible insight into what it's like to live with, and overcome, an eating disorder as well as a Substance Use Disorder.She is real, vulnerable, and incredibly passionate about using her story to inspire others. She helps offer a clear message of hope in Episode #22 of the OA Podcast.We can't wait for you to listen. Enjoy!**If you know someone who would make a great guest on the OA podcast, shoot us an email at OvercomingAdversityPodcast@Gmail.comTo learn more about today's guest, visit: Rebecca's LinkedIn Page

First off, let me start by saying that we apologize for the dropped calls that we've poorly tried to edit out of this episode.Now that we've gotten that out of the way, you are in for a real treat with one!Tim Clarke is the co-founder and CEO of UNCrushed.org.In episode #21, Blake and Amanda start off with some exciting news and then dive in the interesting live of Tim Clarke discussing how he's overcome a wide array of adversities, from addiction to an eating disorder to workaholism, which ultimately led him on his journey to speak out against outdated stigmas with Uncrushed!This is an episode for the record books and we were delighted to have Tim Clarke as our guest this week on the Overcoming Adversity Podcast. *Please Rate our Podcast on Apple and Spotify!**If you'd like to be a guest on our show, please email us at OvercomingAdversityPodcast@gmail.com

As you'll hear Co-host Amanda Marino say many times in this episode, the OA podcast is looking to bring this show into the "next level"!In this episode, Amanda and Blake recap 2019 and throw out their goals for 2020. They discuss what the future of the podcast looks like and what we can expect from the upcoming guests.There are a ton of positive changes happening, starting with an improved listening experience!Enjoy Episode #20!  (or 19...You'll get it when you listen)*If you enjoy the podcast, please leave us a positive review and if you want to nominate yourself or someone to be a guest, please email us at OvercomingAdversityPodcast@gmail.com

Eric Paskin, a man in long-term recovery and owner of a Substance Use Disorder treatment facility, and his wife faced one of most difficult times of their lives just three years ago. As their second son was born, he became fatally ill and with only moments to live, rushed him to the hospital to attempt to save his short life. They spent 90 days in that hospital facing adversity after medical adversity but were fortunate enough to bring their beautiful son home at the end of those three months. Their life was forever changed the day he was born but Eric is here to tell us how he got through such a tough time with resilience.Enjoy episode #18!**If you enjoy the overcoming adversity podcast, drop us a review on your favorite podcast platform!***If you want to nominate someone to be a guest or have a story to tell yourselves, please email us at OvercomingAdversityPodcast@Gmail.com

You may have been thinking to yourself, "Where have Amanda and Blake been for two weeks?"Well, this podcast episode will answer your questions as to where your favorite two show hosts have been and what they have been up to.This episode is a series of gems from Amanda and Blake regarding their experiences with their own positive/negative adversities.We find ourselves at a turning point for the OA podcast. It's time to throw it into high gear and move full throttle bringing this podcast into the stratosphere.**We are always looking for new guest that have overcome adversity in their lives. Please email us at OvercomingAdversityPodcast@gmail.com or shoot us a message on our facebook page (@OvercomingAdversityPodcast)Thank you for listening and enjoy episode 17 of the Overcoming Adversity Podcast!

Randy Grimes, second round draft pick into the NFL, hit the lottery when his dream of playing professional football became a reality. Little did he know that the following decade would be the greatest years of his life but shortly after he would find himself living in the worst years of his life.This is a story of adversity in so many ways where Randy discusses with Amanda and Blake how he found himself in the NFL, how he became addicted to prescription drugs, and how he found recovery 20 years later.Randy is an incredible man and we are delighted to share his story with you.Enjoy episode number 16 of the Overcoming Adversity Podcast.**If you are interested in being a guest on our podcast, please email us at: OvercomingAdversityPodcast@gmail.comIf you are enjoying the show, please leave us a review on any of your favorite listening platforms! 

Thank you for listening to Episode #15 of the Overcoming Adversity Podcast with your hosts, Amanda Marino and Blake Cohen!This episode is guest-less but full of gems that can be pulled out of a conversation between Amanda and Blake.After much turmoil and growth experiences, the two hosts discuss what their techniques are to help deal with life's daily grind and have a conversation about hope.If there is anything we've learned from our guests on this podcast, we've learned that life goes on and through the adversities we face, comes major growth.Enjoy this episode and pay close attention!To become a guest on our podcast, please email us at OvercomingAdversityPodcast@Gmail.comGive us feedback by leaving us a review on your favorite listening platform!

Take a second to imagine what it must have been like to be a 12 year old boy in the Bronx, NY during the worst crack-cocaine epidemic this country has ever seen. The violence, the gang banging lifestyle, the lack of structure or anyone to look up to but other thugs.That is what it was like growing up for Anthony Colon. With no one to steer him differently, Anthony led a life that landed him in prison for decades, had him dealing drugs at the age of 13, losing his brother to a brutal murder, and so much more.Today, Anthony is a better man who has dedicated his life to the service of others. He's filled with gratitude today because he knows whats on the other side. He is also a published author on Amazon and you can find his book HERE.Enjoy the episode that belongs to the number 14._________________________________________If you're enjoying this podcast, please leave us a review! Also, if you'd like to be a guest on our show and have a story to tell, please email us two paragraphs about yourself to OvercomingAdversityPodcast@Gmail.com

Episode number 13 has arrived and it can only be described as being taken on an emotional roller coaster.Our guests this week on the Overcoming Adversity podcast are Cale and Jen S., a married couple out of the midwest. Their story involves loss but not just any loss. Cale and Jen tragically lost their 15 year old daughter after 13 years of her battling an unknown neurological disorder that devastated their household. While trying to balance caring for their youngest daughter and her medical issues, they had to try to maintain a sense of normalcy in their house for their other two children and, frankly, for themselves.The two of them get real and emotional with us in the hope that they can inspire others who’ve lost a loved one to remember that there is light at the end of the tunnel.There’s a few firsts in this episode for the OA podcast. The first time we’ve all gotten emotional so quickly, the first time we’ve had two guests on at once, and the first time the show effortlessly went on for almost an hour.Please enjoy, Episode #13 and thank you for sharing with us, Cale and Jen.**If you are enjoying the OA podcast, please leave us a review!***If you’d like to be a guest on our show or know someone that should, please email us at OvercomingAdversitypodcast@gmail.com

Welcome back, everyone! This is going to be one of your favorite episodes yet!Similar to all of our past guests, Robin Styer has seen her fair share of adversities. From living with crippling alcoholism to raising three daughters on her own as a single mother to having 6 different boyfriends die, it's safe to say that "Robi" qualifies to be a guest on the Overcoming Adversity Podcast.What is different about Robi, though, is that she has handled every single one of these adversities with grace and a half-full outlook.This episode is a lesson in perspective, grace, patience, and understand.Thank you, Robin for joining us! **If you're interested in being a guest on this podcast or know someone that would be a great guest, please email us at OvercomingAdversityPodcast@Gmail.com or find us on Facebook! Happy Overcoming, everyone!

Eric "Brooks" Birkhimer was no stranger to adversity by the time he was diagnosed with Hepatitis C.At the time he was diagnosed, he had already been battling with a major substance use disorder as well as having his fair share of family struggles along the way.When Brooks decided it was time to clean up his life, he went to war with his addiction and came out victorious. Some of the fruits of his victory was gaining the ability to meet his wife and start a family. Life was sailing smoothly until he decided to clean up one more piece of his past...the Hepatitis C.In episode 11 of the Overcoming Adversity Podcast, Brooks details the physical and psychological battles he had to endure for months while taking the medication Interferon (a now out-dated cure for Hep. C).Once again, we find ourselves talking to another beacon of hope and another story of the power of the human spirit.Thank you, Eric "Brooks" Birkhimer!If you are enjoying this podcast, please drop us a review!Also, if you have a story to tell and would like to be a guest on our podcast, Please email us at OvercomingAdversityPodcast@gmail.com!Happy Overcoming, Everyone!

This guest was one of the first people we had in mind when starting this journey of sharing hope through incredible stories of overcoming adversity.Michael Gonzales is the definition of resilient between coming from a home filled with gang violence to becoming a daily methamphetamine user at the age of 14 to his most recent battle of trying to obtain sole custody of his children and circumnavigate the rough seas of single parenthood. Michael is well known in the field of behavioral health and has been a staple interventionist on A&E's Hit Television show, Intervention.We are proud to call this incredible man our friend and, after listening to this episode, we believe you will learn EXACTLY why we love Michael the way we do. Have you got a story to tell? Email us at OvercomingAdversityPodcast@Gmail.com or Shoot us a message on any of the socials at Overcoming Adversity Podcast!Enjoy listening? Leave us a review!Until next time, friends! Keep fighting the good fight. 

A former Orthodox Jew, an person in their 30's that's been diagnosed with early on-set Parkinson's disease, an amputee, and a formally homeless person turned CEO all walk into a bar...What do they have in common?They've all been guests on the Overcoming Adversity Podcast!Listen as Amanda and Blake reflect back on what they've learned from their first four guests on the podcasts and how to apply those lessons to their lives. Ultimately, this episode is a gentle reminder that being of service to others is the key to a fulfilling life and that we aren't defined by our diversities but we are defined by how we react to them!Enjoy Episode Number 9!If you are interested in being a guest on the Overcoming Adversity Podcast, Please visit us on Facebook at @OvercomingAdversityPodcast or shoot us an email to OvercomingAdversityPodcast@gmail.com.If you enjoy our show, please leave us a review on any of your favorite listening platforms!

Jeanne Albaugh...A true adversity warrior and the guest this week on the Overcoming Adversity Podcast.This incredible woman went from growing up in a house being physically and verbally abused to living a life of luxury to then losing it all and living under a bridge in Davie, Fl for 10 years while being addicted to substances.Jeanne's remarkable journey eventually led her towards a life of fulfillment and gratitude. As she likes to say, she's gone from Homeless to CEO and the Non-profit she runs has an amazing mission. It's called Showering Love which is a mobile service that provides showers to people who are currently experiencing homelessness.On a side note, we love to support our guests, so please take a moment to go to this link (CLICK HERE) and vote for her non-profit to receive much needed grant money to help continue on their very important mission of providing showers to the homeless.Enjoy Episode 8 with Amanda, Blake, and Jeanne Albaugh.If you have a story to tell, Find us on Facebook at @OvercomingAdversityPodcast and shoot us a message or send us an email at OvercomingAdversityPodcast@Gmail.comDON'T FORGET TO LEAVE US A REVIEW ON APPLE AND SPOTIFY!

This week's guest on the Overcoming Adversity Podcast with Amanda Marino and Blake Cohen is the incredibly resilient, Matthew Zetz.Matthew is 43 years old, has been in recovery from a substance use disorder for 12 years, and has an incredible tale of overcoming adversity after he recently had one of his legs amputated after a horrific accident.On this episode, Matthew tells us of the gut wrenching story that led to his amputation, how the people in his life kept him alive, and how his faith restored the grace he feels today.You won't want to miss this one! Please subscribe to this channel for a new, inspiring episode every week!If you've got a story to tell and want to be a guest on our show, shoot us an email at OvercomingAdversityPodcast@Gmail.com Visit us on FACEBOOK at @OvercomingAdversityPodcastIf you love this show, please leave us a review!

This week's episode is a tale of survival and a race against time.Kim Rogers, Assistant Principal and Single Mother, was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson's disease just a few short years ago. From pain to painful glares from others, Kim has worked so hard to prove to the world and this disease that it cannot get the best of her!She is living proof that it is possible to overcome major adversity and works hard, every day, to be an example of that!Enjoy this week's Overcoming Adversity Podcast with our special guest, Kim Rogers.Have a story to tell? Message us on Facebook at @OvercomingAdversityPodcast or email us at OvercomingAdversityPodcast@Gmail.com

We were honored to be graced with the presence of Public Intellectual, Motivational Speaker, and Rapper, Ben Stone this week on the Overcoming Adversity Podcast!There are many people we've met on our journeys but there are very few that have an impact every single time you talk to them and Ben is one of those. From his incredibly insightful perspective to his ability to freestyle rap at the drop of a hat, Ben works every single day to not only improve himself but improve the life of others.On this show, Ben talks to us about what it means to be "in recovery from religion" and what it was like for him to walk away from a religion that he dedicated most of his life to and the challenges that presented.Take the time to listen carefully because we can guarantee you will learn something from this episode and, if you're like us, you will leave it having fallen in love with the man that is Ben Stone.Find us on facebook: @OvercomingAdversityPodcastEmail us: OvercomingAdversityPodcast@Gmail.comFind Ben Stone on Facebook: @BenStoneSpeaks & @MatterMusic

Episode 4 of the Overcoming Adversity Podcast is here for your listening pleasure where your hosts, Amanda Marino & Blake Cohen, discuss their current affairs and what it means to overcome smaller, daily adversities. Both coming back from a week in sunny Las Vegas and away from their regular routine, our hosts discuss what it means for them to get off track for a little while and the issues that arise when away from their regular spiritual practices.Enjoy the show and give us your feedback on our Facebook page, @OvercomingAdversityPodcast.Potential Guests: Email us a brief description of how and when you've overcome adversity or nominate someone to be on the show by emailing us at OvercomingAdversityPodcast@Gmail.com.Namaste...or something like that :)

Amanda Marino: Concierge Life and Recovery Coach, Curator of Sober Retreats, Founder of Women Empowering Women, Nationally Recognized representative of Recovery Ways Treatment center, and just all around inspirational and motivational guru!This week is all about #Amanda where we get to learn the details of her past and how her road has led her to all of her incredible accomplishments she now humbly embraces today.For more information on the Overcoming Adversity Podcast, please visit us on Facebook at @OvercomingAdversityPodcast and if you've got a story to tell, we want to hear it so email us at OvercomingAdversityPodcast@gmail.comHappy listening!

Welcome to Episode 2 of the OA Podcast!It's time to meet your hosts so this episode and the next one will be all about Blake Cohen and Amanda Marino!This episode is called #Blake and it offers a small glimpse into the life and beliefs of one of the show's hosts, Blake Cohen.Blake is a best selling author, National Outreach Manager for Recovery Unplugged, a Drug Trends and Recovery Speaker for Living Skills in the Schools, and a public speaker bringing education and information to the corporate environment about the dangers of addiction in the workplace and how to overcome them fostering a healthier work environment. Blake currently lives in Fort Lauderdale with his wife, Chrissy and has is very own, personal, stories of overcoming adversity!Oh, and don't forget to join us next week for #Amanda!For More Information on Blake, you can visit his personal website BlakeEvanCohen.comIf you're interested in being a guest on the show, we are looking for people who have a story to tell about overcoming adversity and are now using their stories to help others! To apply, please shoot us an email at OvercomingAdversityPodcast@gmail.com with your contact information and little bit about why you should be a guest on the show!Feel free to follow us on facebook: @OvercomingAdversityPodcast and send us a message to give us your feedback on any of the shows!

Welcome to the Overcoming Adversity Podcast Episode 1 with your hosts Amanda Marino and Blake Cohen!This episode breaks down what you can expect from the show, details future topics, introduces you to your hosts, and reveals our favorite reoccurring segment called "Let It Out"We hope you stick around for the journey as we break down all the tips, tricks, techniques, and grit the hosts and an enormous number of incredibly inspiring guests have used to overcome their own adversities in the best way possible!For more, follow us on Facebook at: Facebook.com/OvercomingAdversityPodcast *“none of the authors, contributors, administrators, hosts, or anyone else connected with the Overcoming Adversity podcast, in any way whatsoever, can be responsible for your use of the information contained in or linked from this podcast. This show merely is offering the beliefs of the hosts and their guests. They are not liable for any decisions you make after hearing them.