This is a survivor story podcast interview about childhood abuse, sex trafficking, and healing

Courtney’s story is one of survival, strength, and hope. She grew up in a home with drug-addicted parents and faced abuse from a young age. As she got older, she went through abusive relationships and the painful reality of life in the sex industry.

Through years of trauma and struggle, Courtney never gave up. With therapy, fitness, and self-love, she began to heal and rebuild her life. Today, she uses her story to inspire others who feel stuck or hopeless, showing that it’s possible to turn pain into power.

Join us to hear Courtney’s journey from darkness to healing, and her message of hope and empowerment for anyone searching for strength and a fresh start.

00:00 Intro

03:02 Childhood Struggles

24:53 Life with Abusive Relationships

38:38 Opening the Reptile Store

39:20 Toxic Relationship and Financial Struggles

40:12 Escaping Abuse

42:40 Finding Independence

47:22 Webcamming

49:26 Another Abusive Relationship

54:39 Breaking Free and Seeking Help

57:40 Journey to Self Love and Healing

01:00:42 New Beginnings and Future Plans#survivorstory

A funny interview with Mark S Allen, 7x Emmy Award winner and PGA honoree, sharing his lessons on grit, risk, and purposed after an extraordinary 25 year career in entertainment and live TV.

He’s interviewed Hollywood icons like Ryan Gosling, Tom Cruise, Josh Brolin, and Tom Hardy, and now he opens up about the highs and lows that shaped his journey.

From his most embarrassing moments and extreme injuries on live TV to fundraising millions for Muscular Dystrophy by living on billboards and islands, Mark’s story is as inspiring as it is entertaining. He also shares the emotional impact of parenting a burn survivor, how horror filmmaking (Don’t Answer) sharpened his resilience, and why he believes risk, grit, and service to others are the true keys to success.Expect these takeaways:

1 – Stories & Lessons from 25,000+ hours of live TV & celebrity interviews

2 – How horror filmmaking built discipline, creativity & risk-taking

3 – Parenting through crisis & finding strength in family

4 – Turning criticism & setbacks into fuel for growth

5 – Why faith, resilience & service create lasting purpose

00:00 Intro

01:48 Behind the Mind of a Horror Film Maker

12:40 Knocked Out on Live TV

20:19 Life Lessons After 25,000 Hours On Air

20:44 Yes… He Was a Teenage Ventriloquist

21:13 What Parenting Really Taught Him, and what he regrets

23:03 The Call No Parent Wants to Get..

26:57 How a Burn Survivor Son Changed His Life

31:54 Why Risk Is the Secret to Growth

32:34 Dealing with Haters & Internet Trolls

Antonio Smothers opens up about his extraordinary journey, from winning his first pro bodybuilding show and preparing for the Olympia stage, to facing unimaginable personal challenges that shaped his life. At the heart of his story is the wrongful murder conviction of his father in a 1980s cold case murder, a devastating event that turned Antonio’s world upside down and tested his resilience.

Through the trials of family trauma, judgment, depression, and legal battles, Antonio found strength in bodybuilding, discipline, and his faith in God. His story is not just about muscle and competition, it’s about turning pain into purpose, building mental grit, and learning to serve others through struggle.

expect these takeaways:

1-How to transform pain, judgment, and ridicule into personal growth

2-The impact of his father’s wrongful conviction in a 1980s cold case murder

3-Why persistence, gratitude, and environment are the keys to lasting success

4-The role of faith, discipline, and self-awareness in overcoming adversity

5-How bodybuilding became therapy for trauma, depression, and panic attacks

6-Why serving others and finding healthy outlets leads to true fulfillment00:00 Intro

01:38 How 'Vibe with Humanity' Was Born

02:24 Creativity, Ideas & Content Creation

06:01 Training, Coaching & Personal Growth

07:56 Childhood, Family, and Early Struggles

17:13 Legal Battles & My Father’s Conviction

32:03 The Verdict That Changed My Life

32:31 Isolation, Faith & Lessons from COVID

33:19 The Appeal Process: Fighting for Justice

34:07 The Emotional Toll of a Parent’s Conviction

36:09 Coping with Depression & Leaning on Faith

45:23 The Power of Self-Talk & Mindset Shifts

50:04 Bodybuilding as Therapy for Pain

55:31 Why Environment Matters More Than Talent

58:00 Letting Go, Letting God, and Moving Forward

59:55 Final Reflections & Words of Wisdom#survivorstory