Adversity to Strength with Lee Freeman

Lee Freeman

Adversity to Strength with Lee Freeman is a long-form interview podcast exploring extraordinary lives, personal journeys and the people behind the public image. Hosted by psychotherapist Lee Freeman, the podcast features honest, revealing conversations with musicians, actors, public figures and people from all walks of life. Beyond the headlines, careers and reputations, every guest has a story worth discovering. Beyond the public image. The person behind the story. Website: https://adversitytostrength.com

  1. 5d ago

    Seka: The Platinum Princess. Behind The Legend

    Seka reflects on her remarkable career, including working alongside some of the most recognisable personalities of her era. She discusses the importance of maintaining her independence, standing up for herself, demanding fair treatment and remaining true to her values.She also shares the circumstances behind her decision to step away from the film industry, reflecting on changing times, professional expectations and her determination to make decisions that were right for her.Beyond her famous career, Seka built a life filled with new experiences, including stage appearances, hosting a radio programme in Chicago and sharing her personal story through her book and documentaries.Throughout the conversation, Seka reflects on fame, friendships, relationships, misconceptions and the moments that shaped her life. With honesty, humour and a remarkable sense of independence, she offers a fascinating glimpse into the woman behind the Platinum Princess.More than a look back at an iconic career, this episode explores resilience, self-respect, personal freedom and the importance of living life on your own terms.Join Lee Freeman for a thoughtful and engaging conversation that goes beyond the headlines to discover the person behind the legend.https://www.seka.com/

  2. Oct 20

    Austin Rampt: Heroin Addiction, a Heart Attack at 21 & Life With a Drug Cartel | With Lee Freeman

    From a promising baseball star to heroin and crack cocaine addiction, a heart attack at just 21, multiple attempts at rehabilitation and living alongside members of a Mexican drug cartel, Austin Rampt's life became consumed by addiction, crime and self-destruction.In this episode of Adversity to Strength, psychotherapist Lee Freeman is joined by Austin Rampt, author of One Last Hit, who shares his extraordinary journey from addiction and chaos to sobriety, fatherhood and rebuilding his life.Austin reflects on his childhood, his struggles with neurological tics and how the need for achievement, acceptance and validation influenced his sense of self-worth. He discusses his early experiences with drugs and how his substance use developed into a devastating addiction that led to repeated relapses, serious health consequences, homelessness and eventually living in Mexico with connections to the Sinaloa Cartel.Throughout the conversation, Austin speaks openly about the psychological realities of addiction, the challenges of rehabilitation and the experiences that ultimately led him towards lasting recovery. He explores the importance of honesty, vulnerability and genuine human connection in overcoming addiction, alongside the difficult process of confronting his past and learning to accept himself.Now sober, a successful entrepreneur, husband and father of five, Austin shares how he has rebuilt his life, developed a deeper understanding of himself and strengthened his relationships with those closest to him. He also discusses writing his memoir, One Last Hit, and launching his podcast to share meaningful conversations about addiction, recovery and second chances.https://x.com/austinrampthttps://www.instagram.com/onelasthitbookhttps://www.facebook.com/onelasthitbookhttps://www.tiktok.com/@onelasthitbookand subscribe to the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OneLastHit Podcast: https://onelasthitbook.com/podcast Ebook: https://shop.onelasthitbook.com/product/ebook/ Audiobook: https://shop.onelasthitbook.com/product/audiobook/Paperback: https://shop.onelasthitbook.com/product/one-last-hit-paperback/SobrietyTalk Podcast Directory: https://sobrietytalk.com

  3. Oct 15

    Ken Tipton: Surviving Childhood Sexual Abuse – Grooming, Silence and the Fight for Justice

    In this episode of Adversity to Strength , Ken, author of Lost Valley – Lost Innocence, reveals his experiences of grooming and abuse connected to the Boy Scouts of America, the tragic loss of his childhood friend, and his decades-long struggle with guilt, shame and trauma. The conversation exposes the disturbing realities of grooming, explores allegations of institutional cover-ups, and examines why survivors often remain silent for decades. Ken also shares his fight for justice, his determination to uncover the truth, and his efforts to prevent other children from experiencing similar abuse. An important conversation about the hidden consequences of childhood sexual abuse, the failure of trusted institutions and the lifelong impact of trauma. https://lostvalleybook.com

  4. Oct 13

    Carrie Davidson: Kidnapped in Mexico. A Remarkable Story of Survival and Resilience

    In this episode of Adversity to Strength, psychotherapist Lee Freeman is joined by Carrie Davidson, a registered nurse, author, trauma survivor and trauma-informed coach, who shares her extraordinary journey through childhood adversity, addiction, kidnapping and recovery. Carrie speaks openly about the traumatic experiences that shaped her early life, the impact of abuse and loss, and how unresolved trauma contributed to years of emotional struggles and addiction. In one of the most remarkable parts of her story, Carrie recounts being kidnapped in Mexico, her terrifying ordeal, how she escaped and the aftermath of an experience that would become a significant turning point in her life. Together, Lee and Carrie explore the lasting effects of trauma, living in survival mode, and the importance of therapy, EMDR and self-compassion in the healing process. Carrie also reflects on the mindset shifts that helped her move forward, her journey into nursing and writing, and how she now uses her experiences to support others facing their own challenges. An honest and powerful conversation about survival, overcoming adversity, finding purpose and discovering that even after life's darkest moments, recovery and personal transformation are possible. https://carriepdavidson.com/ https://amzn.eu/d/08MI0fjZ

  5. Oct 6

    Caron Grossman: Losing Her Mother, Surviving a Heart Attack and Starting Again

    In this episode of Adversity to Strength, Caron Grossman shares a deeply personal journey shaped by grief, addiction, recovery and survival. Caron lost her mother suddenly to a heart attack when she was just 13. Decades later, at the age of 58, she experienced a heart attack of her own, forcing her to confront the reality of women’s heart health and the importance of recognising that symptoms can present very differently from those typically associated with men. What began as an article about women’s heart health eventually became her memoir, Listen to Your Heart Song: Navigating the Unexpected. But Caron’s story reaches far beyond the heart attack itself. We explore the lasting impact of losing her mother at a young age, food and alcohol addiction, recovery, resilience, self-advocacy and the importance of learning to trust the signals we often ignore — from the body, the gut and our own inner sense that something is wrong. Caron also reflects on how adversity reshaped her life, why listening to yourself can be lifesaving, and what it means to rebuild with greater awareness, honesty and purpose. This is an open and powerful conversation about grief, recovery, women’s health, self-trust and finding strength after life changes unexpectedly.

  6. Sep 1

    Colleen Clifford: Alcohol, Grief and the Turning Point That Changed Everything

    In this episode of Adversity to Strength, Colleen Clifford shares her deeply personal journey through grief, alcohol misuse, loss and recovery after losing her husband to alcohol-related suicide. Colleen reflects on her own relationship with binge drinking, the ways grief and trauma affected her behaviour, and the moment she realised that one reckless decision could have changed her life forever. That wake-up call became the beginning of a much deeper process of self-awareness, responsibility and change. We discuss the difference between alcohol dependence and binge drinking, the hidden risks of unhealthy drinking patterns, the impact of suicide on those left behind, and how loss can force us to re-examine the way we are living. Colleen also speaks about healing, personal responsibility, resilience, hope and why sharing painful experiences honestly can help others recognise patterns in their own lives before it is too late. This is an open and reflective conversation about grief, recovery, transformation and finding a way forward after profound loss.

  7. Aug 27

    Hollyanna Vellichor : Losing Everything and Rebuilding from the Ground Up

    In this episode of Adversity to Strength, Hollyanna Fisher shares her extraordinary journey of leaving the high-control religious cult she was born into and rebuilding her life after losing almost everything that had once defined her. Hollyanna opens up about the psychological impact of growing up within a tightly controlled belief system, the process of questioning authority, and the enormous personal cost of leaving. We explore identity, trauma, gaslighting, parental alienation, self-trust and what happens when the world you were raised to believe in suddenly falls away. We also discuss Hollyanna’s experiences with chronic pain and complex trauma, and how those experiences led her to explore the relationship between the body, movement, memory and recovery. She explains why she believes the body can communicate what the conscious mind has not yet understood, and how small, patient changes can help rebuild resilience over time. This is a deeply personal and thought-provoking conversation about freedom, identity, trauma recovery, self-discovery and learning to trust yourself again after years of being told who you were supposed to be.

  8. Aug 11

    Dale Atkinson: From Terminal Diagnosis to Patient Advocate

    n this episode of Adversity to Strength, Dale Atkinson shares his extraordinary journey after being diagnosed with stage four oesophageal cancer and told his condition was inoperable and incurable. Rather than accepting a single pathway, Dale immersed himself in research, explored personalised and integrative treatment options, questioned the limitations of standard approaches, and became a determined advocate for his own care. We discuss the emotional impact of a terminal diagnosis, the importance of patient advocacy, trust in healthcare, personalised medicine, immunotherapy, environmental factors, and the role of research in uncovering additional treatment possibilities. Dale also reflects on what he learned about the healthcare system from the perspective of both patient and experienced governance professional, including the challenges of navigating consent, communication, off-label treatments and fragmented care. This is a powerful conversation about resilience, research, uncertainty, advocacy and taking an active role in your own healthcare when the stakes could not be higher.

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About

Adversity to Strength with Lee Freeman is a long-form interview podcast exploring extraordinary lives, personal journeys and the people behind the public image. Hosted by psychotherapist Lee Freeman, the podcast features honest, revealing conversations with musicians, actors, public figures and people from all walks of life. Beyond the headlines, careers and reputations, every guest has a story worth discovering. Beyond the public image. The person behind the story. Website: https://adversitytostrength.com

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