Best Merik Podcasts (2025)

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S3: EP 17 - You Do You with Grit and Grace 33:07

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5M ago33:07

33:07

In this episode of Overcoming Adversity, we’re turning the mic around and spotlighting the powerhouse behind our own production - Janine Stella of StellaMix Studios. We’re talking podcasting, social media, and what it really takes to show up, be seen, and stay consistent when the haters come calling. We get real about the hustle behind visibility, …

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S3: EP 16 - What We Really Do and Why It Works 19:58

5M ago19:58

19:58

In this episode of Overcoming Adversity, we’re pulling back the curtain on what we actually do at Next Level Recovery Associates. From case management and companioning to interventions and aftercare, we break down the heart of our work—and how it goes far beyond the basics. Whether you're navigating mental health, substance use, eating disorders, o…

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S3: EP 15 - Sex, Shame & Survival: Reclaiming Pleasure as a Radical Act of Healing 32:03

5M ago32:03

32:03

In one of our most powerful conversations yet, Amanda Marino and Sarah Frias sit down with psychologist and certified sex therapist Dr. Rachel Needle to unpack the intersections of trauma, shame, intimacy, and resilience. From childhood abuse to substance use, from body detachment to rediscovering desire, we explore how reclaiming your sexuality is…

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S3: EP 14 - Behind the Brand: Yasmin Cuesta on Showing Up and Standing Out in Behavioral Health 21:39

5M ago21:39

21:39

In this episode of Overcoming Adversity, Amanda Marino and Sarah Frias are joined by Yasmin Cuesta, the founder and owner of Y&S Digital Growth, a boutique digital marketing agency based in South Florida and the creative behind Next Level Recovery Associates and Amanda's digital marketing efforts. Yasmin brings a unique blend of analytical thinking…

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S3: EP 13 - Merik’s Legacy: A Son’s Heart, A Mother’s Journey 12:00

6M ago12:00

12:00

In this deeply personal episode of Overcoming Adversity, Amanda Marino is joined by her 19-year-old son, Merik, for a rare and raw conversation about growing up, healing generational trauma, and finding your purpose in helping others. From EMT training to future goals in firefighting and intervention, Merik opens up about his quiet strength, his si…

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S3: EP 12 - Cake for Dinner & Other Ways We Rise: Keesha Scott’s Story of Grit, Grace, and Starting Over 49:21

6M ago49:21

49:21

In this uplifting episode, Amanda Marino and Sarah Frias sit down with Keesha Scott—mom of three, co-founder of Guardian Recovery, and author of the upcoming book Cake for Dinner. With 23 years sober, Keesha shares her journey of rebuilding after loss, raising kids as a single mom, and finding her purpose helping adolescents who don’t fit the mold.…

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S3: EP 11 - Never Outmatched: Strategy, Grit & Disruption with Lee Pepper 40:43

6M ago40:43

40:43

Lee Pepper flew in, rerouted his life—and dropped pure gold on this episode of Overcoming Adversity. Amanda Marino dives into Lee’s journey from military service to behavioral health marketing legend, and how his new book Never Outmatched turns battlefield strategies into business and life lessons. From leadership and AI to war-gaming your business…

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S3: EP 10 - We’ve Outgrown the Room: Why Playing Small No Longer Works 21:58

7M ago21:58

21:58

This one’s for anyone who’s ever walked into a networking event and left feeling drained instead of inspired. Amanda and Sarah reflect on the power of curating your circle—choosing real connections over forced conversations, and meaningful collaboration over performative support. From healing through loss to leveling up through masterminds, they’re…

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S3: Ep.9 - How to Make Faith Personal, Not Performative with Natasha Silver Bell (Part 2) 32:03

7M ago32:03

32:03

What if faith wasn’t something you performed… but something you personally experienced? In this continuation of our heartfelt conversation with Natasha Silver Bell, host Amanda Marino leans into the deeper layers of spiritual curiosity, motherhood, recovery, and learning how to live without guilt or hustle-driven pressure. Together, they explore wh…

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S3: Ep. 8 - Healing from Religious Trauma 34:48

8M ago34:48

34:48

Ever felt like faith should bring peace, but instead leaves you confused, hurt, or questioning everything? You're not alone. In this powerful episode of Overcoming Adversity, Amanda Marino sits down with Natasha Silver Bell, founder and CEO of SilverBell Global, for a raw and uplifting conversation about healing religious trauma, navigating the mod…

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S3: Ep. 7 - The Cool Kid Therapist: A Conversation with Eric Bricker 45:07

8M ago45:07

45:07

In this episode of Overcoming Adversity, powered by Next Level Recovery Associates, Amanda Marino and Sarah Frias sit down with therapist Eric Bricker—aka the “cool kid” of behavioral health. From cringey networking intros to real talk on grief, trauma, and post-COVID mental health, Eric keeps it honest and insightful. We cover the evolution of tre…

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S3: Ep. 6 - Grit, Growth & Giving Zero Energy to the Haters 22:44

8M ago22:44

22:44

In this episode of the Overcoming Adversity Podcast, hosts Amanda Marino and Sarah Frias toss the script and let the conversation flow—from navigating negativity on social media to building a business rooted in purpose and partnership. They open up about how opposite strengths make them stronger together, why vulnerability is their superpower, and …

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S3: Ep. 5 - Law Meets Recovery: Craig Robinson on Compassionate Legal Pathways to Healing 33:29

9M ago33:29

33:29

In this episode of Overcoming Adversity, Amanda Marino and Sarah Frias sit down with their friend and special guest Craig Robinson—a South Florida attorney who's not only helping families through the legal maze of the Marchman Act and guardianships, but also someone who’s walked the recovery road himself. Craig gets real about his past, how he ende…

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S3: Ep. 4 - Britney Spears & Lily Phillips: Fame, Freedom, And The Fight For Control 32:45

10M ago32:45

32:45

In this compelling episode of Overcoming Adversity, powered by Next Level Recovery Associates, hosts Amanda Marino and Sarah Frias, alongside producer Janine, dive into the struggles of two women who have lived vastly different yet equally scrutinized lives—Britney Spears and Lily Phillips. They explore Britney’s rise to superstardom, the heartbrea…

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S3: Ep. 3 - Parenting Through Recovery: Real Talk with Jessica Ponn, LCSW, CEO Jessica Ponn Coaching 23:47

10M ago23:47

23:47

Join hosts Amanda Marino and Sarah Frias on the Overcoming Adversity Podcast, powered by Next Level Recovery Associates, for a heartfelt and relatable conversation with Jessica Ponn, a licensed clinical social worker and parenting coach. Jessica opens up about her journey from therapy to coaching, sharing honest insights and real-life advice for pa…

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S3: Ep. 2 - Finding The Balance: Independence vs. Control 23:47

10M ago23:47

23:47

In this lively and heartfelt episode of Overcoming Adversity, Amanda Marino and co-host Sarah Frias dive into the real meaning of independence. From personal growth to leadership, relationships, and running a business, they explore the fine line between true independence and the need for control. Can you be independent while still asking for help? …

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S3: Ep. 1 - From Childhood Trauma To Healing: Ben Taratuta’s Journey & The Power Of Understanding 42:01

11M ago42:01

42:01

This episode has been a long time coming, and trust us—it was worth the wait. Amanda and Sarah finally sit down with therapist Ben Taratuta, LMHC, to talk about trauma, healing, and how our past shapes us in ways we don’t always realize. Ben gets personal about the moment his life changed forever—when his father suffered a traumatic brain injury—an…

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Boldly Brilliant With Braden Veronie 1:14:28

1y ago1:14:28

1:14:28

Send us a text Join in as we dive in to Greek life with an Ole Miss celebrity Braden Veronie himself. As well as go down memory lane talking about childhood memories we shared. And dive in and out of college football. Maddox and Merik continue to argue, very unprofessional.By Maddox and Merik Fuller

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Relationship Advice With Star Athlete Zach Hernandez 1:19:54

1y ago1:19:54

1:19:54

Send us a text A D1 athlete joins the podcast sharing his advice and views on relationships, even putting his relationship to the test live! But Zach also confesses his juicy beliefs on very political topics, meanwhile Merik and Maddox argue once again like 3 year olds throughout this episode.By Maddox and Merik Fuller

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Stunning Stories With Seth Geipe 1:05:55

1y ago1:05:55

1:05:55

Send us a text From relationship abuse to exploring abandoned houses gone wrong, a close friend of ours joins the podcast sharing some crazy stories of his own. Stories shared in this episode, we can only hope our parents never hear.By Maddox and Merik Fuller

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Thanksgiving Reunion 1:06:04

1y ago1:06:04

1:06:04

Send us a text After a long break were back better than ever. A slow return knocking off the cobwebs as Merik shares his experiences with strippers and Maddox still gets no hoes.By Maddox and Merik Fuller

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S2: EP. 18 - Breaking Down Narcissism, Trauma, and Real Healing with Esin Pinarli 33:32

1y ago33:32

33:32

In this episode of Overcoming Adversity, Amanda, Sarah, and Matt sit down with therapist Esin Pinarli for a look into narcissism, trauma, and the stuff we rarely talk about. Esin keeps it real, sharing how everything from somatic therapy to brain spotting and internal family systems (IFS) can help us break free from the emotional junk holding us ba…

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S2: EP. 17 - Let's Talk About Sex: A Chat with Sex Therapist Tempany Andersen 28:40

1y ago28:40

28:40

Join the team as they sit down with sex therapist Tempany Andersen for an open conversation about intimacy, sex therapy, and addiction. They tackle topics often avoided—from understanding sexual dysfunctions and what a healthy sex life looks like, to navigating porn addiction and breaking down taboos. Tempany shares her expertise with warmth and hu…

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S2: EP. 16 - Unplanned Planning: The Magic of Making Things Work 18:02

1y ago18:02

18:02

In this episode, we dive into the beauty of balancing planned and unplanned moments in life and work. Join Amanda, Sarah, and Matt as they share personal stories about helping families and individuals navigate the challenges of recovery, sobriety, and personal growth. From breakthrough moments with clients to the incredible progress they witness, i…

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S2: EP. 15 - Men's Mental Health and the "Dude Breathe" Approach 24:51

1+ y ago24:51

24:51

Join Next Level Recovery Associates on this episode that is breaking barriers in men's mental health. We sit down with Phil Treiber from Dude Breathe Counseling to talk about addiction, mental health, and why so many men avoid therapy. Phil breaks it down with real talk about using breathing techniques, letting go of old-school stereotypes, and mak…

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S2: EP. 14 - Stepping into the Unknown: Taking Leaps of Faith with Blake Cohen 23:41

1+ y ago23:41

23:41

On this episode of Overcoming Adversity, powered by Next Level Recovery Associates, hosts Amanda Marino, Sarah Frias, and Matt Williams welcome a very special guest—Blake Cohen! Blake, co-founder of Next Level Recovery, opens up about his bold decision to step away from the company to chase new dreams in organizational psychology. With real talk ab…

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S2: EP. 13 - Breaking the Myths: Suboxone, Addiction, and Recovery with Dr. Aldo Morales 22:08

1+ y ago22:08

22:08

In this compelling episode of Overcoming Adversity, hosts Amanda Marino, Sarah Frias, and Matt Williams are joined by special guest, Dr. Aldo Morales, a board-certified psychiatrist in addiction medicine. Dr. Morales shares his journey from pharmacy to addiction psychiatry and delves into the controversial topic of Suboxone. Together, they explore …

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S2: Ep.12- Rebuilding from the Ground Up 25:00

1+ y ago25:00

25:00

Amanda Marino, Sarah Frias, and Matt Williams are back! In this episode, they get real about the ups and downs of early sobriety. From landing that first "recovery job" to dealing with the fears and challenges of starting fresh, they share their own stories and some solid advice. Whether you're just out of treatment, figuring out a new career path,…

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S2: Ep. 11 - #MomLife: Motherhood, Recovery, and Community Support 25:35

1+ y ago25:35

25:35

In this episode of the Overcoming Adversity Podcast, powered by Next Level Recovery Associates, hosts Amanda Marino and Sarah Frias explore the ups and downs of motherhood and recovery. Dressed like twins, Amanda and Sarah share laughs and insights into their different parenting stages—Amanda with her teenage son and preteen daughter, and Sarah wit…

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S2: Ep. 10 - Overcoming Obstacles 29:03

1+ y ago29:03

29:03

Join hosts Amanda Marino, Sarah Frias, and Matt Williams on " Overcoming Adversity," an addiction and mental health podcast powered by Next Level Recovery Associates. In this episode, we explore the moments in life that feel like the end—whether it's divorce, loss, addiction, or other personal struggles. Through candid conversations, our hosts shar…

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S2: Ep. 9 - Breaking Free From Failure To Launch 31:23

1+ y ago31:23

31:23

Welcome to "Overcoming Adversity," the addiction and mental health podcast powered by Next Level Recovery Associates. Join hosts Amanda Marino, Sarah Frias, and Matt Williams as they dig into the raw realities of "Failure to Launch." Whether you're a young adult trying to figure life out or an adult who's starting over, this episode is for you. Ama…

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S2: Ep. 8 - Battling the Shadows: Overcoming Eating Disorders 40:33

1+ y ago40:33

40:33

On this episode of Overcoming Adversity Podcast, Amanda Marino, the founder of Next Level Recovery Associates, hosts this episode alongside her co-hosts, Matt Williams and Sara Frias. We introduce Season Twos first guest, Janine Stella, founder of StellaMix Podcast Production. This episode features an incredibly raw and honest conversation about th…

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S2: Ep. 7 - Beyond the Bubble: Mastering Life After Treatment 25:56

1+ y ago25:56

25:56

Step into the world beyond residential treatment with hosts Amanda Marino, Matt Williams, and Sarah Frias in this captivating episode of the Overcoming Adversity Podcast, powered by Next Level Recovery Associates. Discover the hidden challenges of transitioning from a structured treatment environment to the unpredictability of real life and learn h…

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S2: Ep. 6 - Family Matters: Navigating Addiction and Recovery Together 28:35

1+ y ago28:35

28:35

Join us in this heartfelt episode of "Overcoming Adversity" as hosts Amanda Marino, Matthew Williams, and Sarah Frias dive deep into the intricate web of addiction and its impact on families. From Matthew’s vivid recollection of his Uncle Harold’s struggles to personal stories of overcoming substance use, this episode paints a raw and relatable pic…

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S2: Ep. 5: The Intersection of Love and Addiction: Couples in Recovery 24:46

1+ y ago24:46

24:46

Dive in as we go into the intricate dynamics of couples battling addiction. offering a behind-the-scenes look at filming interventions, highlighting the unique challenges and emotional complexities of couples trying to break free from the grip of substance abuse. Through personal stories and professional insights, we explore whether it’s the addict…

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S2: Ep. 4: From Rock Bottom to Next Level Recovery: Amanda Marino’s Journey 23:13

1+ y ago23:13

23:13

Welcome to Overcoming Adversity with Amanda Marino, Matt Williams, and Sarah Frias from Next Level Recovery Associates. In this episode, we're diving into Amanda's incredible journey from early sobriety to running a successful recovery business. Amanda shares how she turned her trauma and experiences in the entertainment industry into a thriving bu…

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S2: Ep. 3: Putting Yourself First: Prioritizing Self-Care 24:37

1+ y ago24:37

24:37

In this episode of "Overcoming Adversity," Amanda Marino and Matt Williams chat with Sarah Frias about the real struggles and victories of self-care. Sarah opens up about her personal journey, from putting everyone else first to learning how to take care of herself, especially through motherhood and recovery. They talk about finding balance, the li…

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S2: Ep. 2: Turning Darkness into Light: Matt Williams' Journey of Hope and Recovery 28:29

1+ y ago28:29

28:29

Ever wonder how someone can transform their darkest moments into a beacon of hope for others? Join us as we chat with Matt Williams, Chief Heart Officer at Next Level Recovery Associates. Hosts Amanda Marino and Sarah Frias dive into Matt's inspiring journey from founding FRO Pro to earning double master’s degrees, all while navigating the ongoing …

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S2: Ep. 1: A New Era In OA: Insights From Our Executive Team 26:48

1+ y ago26:48

26:48

Hey everyone! We’re so excited to kick off a new chapter of the Overcoming Adversity podcast with two of my favorite people who have been with me since day one: Matt Williams and Sarah Frias. Join us as we dive into the amazing work we do at Next Level Recovery Associates. We'll be talking about interventions, recovery coaching, and sharing some tr…

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Our First Guest, Our Lame Sister 50:54

3y ago50:54

50:54

Send us a text Our first guest of the Podcast, our sister. Very unproductive.By Maddox and Merik Fuller

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Maddox Can't Talk To Girls? 55:15

3y ago55:15

55:15

Send us a text Our First episode, so prepare to witness history in the making.By Maddox and Merik Fuller

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Ep 35: The OA Podcast - Finding Resilience 39:28

3+ y ago39:28

39:28

Chris Martinez, founder of Resilience Recovery Resources, is our guest on episode number 35 of the Overcoming Adversity Podcast! Chris vulnerably discusses losing his father at a young age and how that life event altered his life, way of thinking, and ability to form relationships. He goes on to tell us how he found his way out of it and how he, st…

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Ep.34: The OA Podcast - Nursing and Babies 43:31

3+ y ago43:31

43:31

Yes, it's true. After one full year away, the OA podcast is back with episode number 34! We've missed you dearly which is why we wanted our first episode back to be a heartfelt one. Sarah Frias, a nurse in SoFla and the Family Support Specialist for Next Level Recovery Associates Inc, tells her story of surviving nursing school while battling a sub…

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Ep 33: The OA Podcast - Take Care of Your Mother for Me 29:52

4+ y ago29:52

29:52

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 …

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Ep 32: The OA Podcast - Nothing to Something and Beyond 26:59

4+ y ago26:59

26:59

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 …

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Ep 31: The OA Podcast - Putting Family First 39:48

4+ y ago39:48

39:48

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 …

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Ep.30: The OA Podcast - Mindset over Setback 24:35

4+ y ago24:35

24:35

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 di…

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Ep 29:The OA Podcast - World Tour Pity 55:14

5y ago55:14

55:14

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 wo…

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Ep.28: The OA Podcast - Recovery Through Repetition with Jeremy Plummer 41:12

5y ago41:12

41:12

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 …

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Ep 27: The OA Podcast - Unfit to Beyond Fit Mother 51:25

5y ago51:25

51:25

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, p…