Comeback Stories

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny are joined by Tommy Rosen, a world-renowned yoga instructor, addiction recovery expert, author & founder/host of Recovery Addiction 2.0 . Tommy takes you through the psychological & physical dynamics of a complicated childhood, and how his swelling anxiety led to crippling patterns of addiction. Tommy talks about finding his sacred mo...

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny are joined by Jewel, a singer-songwriter, actress & author who has received 4x Grammy Award nominations and sold over 30 million albums worldwide. Jewel talks about growing up in the wilderness in Alaska and how nature taught her how to cope with growing depression & isolation. Her family dynamic set the tone for her career as a singe...

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny are joined by Brandon Marshall, fmr All-Pro NFL wide receiver and founder of Project 375 . Brandon begins by telling you about his childhood, and how abandonment issues led to larger challenges in early adulthood. He also talks about the moment where he knew his purpose was bridging the gap to bring awareness to mental health issues in Americ...

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny are joined by Ricky Williams, 1998 Heisman Trophy winner and fmr NFL All-Pro running back. Ricky talks about the road to achieving his childhood dream of playing professional football, and how when he reached the NFL...he was immediately searching for another dream to achieve. Ricky talks about feeling a lack of purpose in being defined as on...

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny are joined in studio by Kelsey Plum, All-Star PG for the WNBA's Las Vegas Aces & 2020 Olympic Gold Medalist. Kelsey talks about how an ultra-competitive childhood atmosphere led her to take a path less traveled, and how that paved the road to success when transitioning into adulthood. Kelsey details her battles with depression due to fan...

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny are joined by Steve Smith Sr., 3x All-Pro & 5x Pro Bowl NFL Wide Receiver. Steve talks about growing up in Los Angeles during turbulent times, and how that shaped his personality both on and off the field. He talks about one traumatic childhood experience in particular that led to years of anxiety and self-doubt. Steve details how comfort...

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny are joined by Rich Paul, Founder & CEO of Klutch Sports Group & Head of UTA Sports . Rich talks at length about growing up in an impoverished East Cleveland neighborhood and witnessing horrible tragedies as a child. He explains how these experiences brought a certain balance to life and provided him with the proper perspective to meas...

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny are joined in studio by Brad Lea, Chairman & CEO of LightSpeed VT and host of The Dropping Bombs Podcast . Brad describes how certain early life situations offered him a perspective to mentor and help others do good. He preaches content, repitition, practice & accountability in his daily work at LightSpeed, and tells you how all four...

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny are joined by Erik Harris, Free Safety for the Atlanta Falcons. Erik describes growing up poor in a turbulent household with 5 siblings, and how his mother's leap of faith changed everything for him. He details how the lack of a father figure led him to sports, which instilled discipline and taught him how to overcome adversity. Erik tells yo...

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny are joined by David Meltzer, 3x International Best-Selling Author and Host of The Playbook Podcast . David's mission in life is to empower over 1 billion people to be happy, and he details how he overcame his own share of pain & setbacks on his road to happiness. David explains how his faith and consistent nature has allowed him to mainta...

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny are joined by Raiders Pro Bowl DE Maxx Crosby. Maxx starts by describing how he grew up extremely insecure as a child and had a singular focus in chasing his dream of being an NFL star. He then talks about how alcoholism overpowered that strong will and almost took everything away at the height of his early NFL career. Maxx speaks about the s...

On this episode of Comeback Stories, Darren & Donny are joined by Michael Phelps. Michael shares his story of battling depression on his way to winning 28 medals, becoming the most decorated Olympian of all-time. Michael talks about consciously deciding to leave himself vulnerable, the process of dealing with deep rooted family issues & his subsequent therapy and recovery. Michael tells yo...

After overcoming drug addiction that led to homelessness and prison, Tony Hoffman went on to acquire many great accolades. His goal is to motivate his audience through the methods he personally used to overcome his struggles into the one choice that can change the rest of their life for the better. Learn about the quote that Tony discovered in prison that unlocked the mental shackles he had placed...

Carl Nassib joins us to do his first interview since coming out publicly in the NFL. His story is a testament for everyone to look deeper and realize that we all share similarities in this life of truth, discovery and triumph. In hopes to inspire the youth and bring further awareness about the LGBTQ community. Being the first does not mean having to stand alone. Carl felt he had a huge obligation...

Oliver Davis shares the story of how his love for football and the willingness to put in the work every single day eventually became the basis for his successful private coaching practice, and how setbacks can be blessings in disguise on your journey to doing what you love. Learn about Oliver’s 4D philosophy and why something as small as a 1% improvement each day can change your life completely. G...

Laura McKowen shares her story of discovery and pain in struggling with an alcohol addiction, and how nearly losing her daughter brought her back from the brink. Find out how Laura learned the way to find purpose in the everyday little things that make up life, why gratitude outweighs pain, and why the struggle with addiction is the common peril that connects everybody. Laura grew up in a suburban...

On this episode of “Monday Motivation Raw,” Donny talks about the “Four C’s of Mental Toughness,” and how these four practices/qualities can make your mind strong, and your life beautiful. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kelsey Chittick talks about the emotions and pain of losing a partner, and how the process of grieving and allowing herself the space to feel and release her emotions showed her that healing is possible. She learned that when you share your pain with the people that support you, it gets better. Kelsey says she grew up living a charmed life. She spent her childhood in a small town in Florida with a...

Today is Darren's 29th birthday and the start of the season - yet a great day to have that beginner's mind... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Meltzer shares some of the most powerful lessons he’s learned in the process of losing over $100 million dollars and nearly losing his life and family, and then rebuilding his life from scratch. Learn about David’s philosophy on faith and money, and why gratitude and humility are the keys to accelerating the process of creating wealth and happiness in your life. David grew up in the world of...

On this week's episode of "Monday Motivation Raw," Donny taps into the 1st Agreement from Don Miguel Ruiz's "The Four Agreements.” He shares some powerful lessons and insights on why it's so important to be impeccable with your word, and how this one agreement will totally transform your life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in...

Ryan Clark shares the lessons he learned from his near death experience and how facing death allowed him to realize how precious life really is. Ryan also tells the story of losing one of his oldest friends to suicide in college, and how that changed his perspective on life and why you shouldn’t wait to be a better friend and person to those people in your life, because they aren’t always going to...

For this week's Monday Motivation, Darren reflects on the power of self-acknowledgment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Baron Baptiste, the founder of Baptiste Power Yoga, talks about some of the major realizations and key lessons he’s learned in his life and why the hardships we encounter are things that allow us to choose how they shape and define us. Learn how Baron let go of his anger and resentment and how that became one of his life’s most impactful turning points. Baron describes his childhood with two words...

Sylvester McNutt III brings some hardwon and deep wisdom to the podcast. From a childhood where he faced death down the barrel of a gun held by the hands of his father, to nearly being expelled in high school and turning his behavior around and becoming a model student, to the simple yet powerful lesson he learned about love in a brief conversation with an elderly lady on the streets of LA. Sylves...