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< Back #003 I Lost My Sister to Addiction and Chose to Fight Back Living on Incline Sep 4, 2025 In this powerful episode of Living on Incline, host John Eklund sits down with Grayson Johnson, Miss Johnston County and founder of The Hope Project, to talk about the heartbreaking loss of her sister to opioid addiction—and the healing mission she’s carried ever since. In this powerful episode of Living on Incline , host John Eklund sits down with Grayson Johnson, Miss Johnston County and founder of The Hope Project, to talk about the heartbreaking loss of her sister to opioid addiction—and the healing mission she’s carried ever since. From competing in pageants as a teenager to launching a statewide initiative focused on ending stigma, Grayson shares the raw story behind her smile. She opens up about childhood trauma, family struggles, and the burden of silence in small-town culture—and how she’s now using her voice to advocate for change, recovery, and reform. Whether you’ve been touched by addiction or just need a reminder that pain can lead to purpose, this one will stick with you. Show More Previous Next comments debug Comments Log In Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. Latest Podcast Episodes #003 I Lost My Sister to Addiction and Chose to Fight Back #002 From Grammy Stage to Drug Addiction to Redemption #001 Why Religion Nearly Broke This Pastor

Discover real, redemptive conversations on the Living on Incline podcast. Join host John Eklund each week as he sits down with guests who share powerful stories of recovery, faith, and personal transformation. Keep climbing. #1 FAITH-DRIVEN PLATFORM FOR PERSONAL GROWTH & PURPOSE Not Just a Podcast. A Path Forward. Living on Incline Helps You Move Through What You’re Stuck In One Honest Episode at a Time. Discover real stories of healing, growth, and faith Access tools to help you break cycles and move forward Be the first to know about podcasts, events, and new resources Join a growing movement of people who refuse to settle SUBSCRIBE Sponsored by Recovery Alive Living on Incline means pushing into your full God-given potential! Recovery Alive provides a pathway to healing from the struggles and soul-wounds holding you back from living your life to the fullest. Start your recovery journey today! visit recoveryalive.com Listen on: Start Listening Today Latest Podcast Episodes It's Messy Read and Listen Today Your Daily Incline This Is More Than a Podcast. It’s a Movement. What We’re About You Weren’t Made to Stay Stuck. Living on Incline was built for people who know there’s more — more to heal, more to discover, more to become. This is a space for real growth, honest stories, and faith that moves you forward. Whether you’re navigating recovery, stepping into your purpose, or just learning how to keep going — you’re not alone. What Living on Incline Offers Podcast Conversations For Inspiration and Overcoming Limitations. Daily Incline For Motivation and Exponential Growth. Recovery Alive For Healing What's Broken. Retreats & Events (coming soon) For Connection and Next-Level Transformation. Why “Incline”? The name “Living on Incline” was inspired by a moment that changed everything for our founder, John Eklund. Years ago, he came across an article about the Manitou Incline — a steep, relentless trail in Colorado that climbs 2,000 vertical feet in under a mile. Something about it stuck. Not just the trail itself, but what it symbolized: the kind of path that’s hard, uncomfortable, and intentional — but ultimately transformative. John saw it as a metaphor for life and faith. Real growth doesn’t happen when we avoid struggle. It happens when we walk through it — with honesty, with purpose, and with God. That’s what Living on Incline is all about. LEARN MORE "You Were Made for the Mountain. No more flat living. No more mediocrity. It’s time to live on incline." - John Eklund PLAY TEASER Join the Newsletter Ready to Start Living on Incline? Take your first step. Whether it’s listening, sharing your story, or simply signing up — you don’t have to do it all today. Just move. SUBSCRIBE

< Back #001 Why Religion Nearly Broke This Pastor Living on Incline Aug 7, 2025 In the premiere episode of Living on Incline, host John Eklund sits down for a powerful and honest conversation with a pastor Rodney Pearce who nearly walked away from ministry after facing the weight of religion, performance, and legalism. In the premiere episode of Living on Incline, host John Eklund sits down with a pastor who came close to walking away from ministry. Burned out by the pressure of performance and trapped in legalism, he shares the moment he realized his church wasn’t ready for broken people—and how stepping into recovery ministry didn’t just save his faith, but transformed his entire church. This raw and redemptive conversation dives into: Show More Previous Next comments debug Comments Log In Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. Latest Podcast Episodes #003 I Lost My Sister to Addiction and Chose to Fight Back #002 From Grammy Stage to Drug Addiction to Redemption #001 Why Religion Nearly Broke This Pastor

< Back #002 From Grammy Stage to Drug Addiction to Redemption Living on Incline Aug 21, 2025 In this jaw-dropping episode of Living on Incline, host John Eklund sits down with former country music star Chris McDaniel, who opens up about his wild journey from fame to addiction—and the grace that saved him. In this jaw-dropping episode of Living on Incline , host John Eklund sits down with former country music star Chris McDaniel , who opens up about his wild journey from fame to addiction—and the grace that saved him. Chris was a rising star with Grammy nominations, hit records, and crowds screaming his name. But behind the scenes, he was spiraling into a dangerous world of drugs, broken relationships, and emotional torment. From cocaine runs in the music industry to near-death experiences, Chris lays it all out. What pulled him back? A church that wouldn’t stop knocking, and a moment of surrender in front of a mirror that changed everything. 🎧 This is the kind of redemption story you don’t want to miss. Show More Previous Next comments debug Comments Log In Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. Latest Podcast Episodes #003 I Lost My Sister to Addiction and Chose to Fight Back #002 From Grammy Stage to Drug Addiction to Redemption #001 Why Religion Nearly Broke This Pastor

< Back Trailer: Welcome to Living on Incline Podcast Living on Incline Aug 1, 2025 Living on Incline is a Christ-centered growth platform created to help people push past their spiritual, emotional, and physical limitations and unlock their full potential. Whether through stories of transformation, mindset tools, or soul-renewing retreats, our mission is to guide you up the hill — toward purpose, freedom, and fullness of life. What are we truly capable of? That’s the question Living on Incline sets out to explore. Hosted by John Eklund, this podcast brings you real conversations with people who have pushed through suffering, setbacks, and challenges — not just to survive, but to grow. From recovery to business, from faith to government, each guest is unlocking their full potential and inviting you to do the same. The name comes from the Manitou Incline — a steep, grueling hike in Colorado that inspired John to lean into discomfort as a path to growth. This show is about that same mindset: choosing to live on incline, on purpose, every day. Show More Previous Next comments debug Comments Log In Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. Latest Podcast Episodes #003 I Lost My Sister to Addiction and Chose to Fight Back #002 From Grammy Stage to Drug Addiction to Redemption #001 Why Religion Nearly Broke This Pastor

< Back #002 From Grammy Stage to Drug Addiction to Redemption Living on Incline Aug 21, 2025 In this jaw-dropping episode of Living on Incline, host John Eklund sits down with former country music star Chris McDaniel, who opens up about his wild journey from fame to addiction—and the grace that saved him. In this jaw-dropping episode of Living on Incline , host John Eklund sits down with former country music star Chris McDaniel , who opens up about his wild journey from fame to addiction—and the grace that saved him. Chris was a rising star with Grammy nominations, hit records, and crowds screaming his name. But behind the scenes, he was spiraling into a dangerous world of drugs, broken relationships, and emotional torment. From cocaine runs in the music industry to near-death experiences, Chris lays it all out. What pulled him back? A church that wouldn’t stop knocking, and a moment of surrender in front of a mirror that changed everything. 🎧 This is the kind of redemption story you don’t want to miss. Show More Previous Next comments debug Comments Log In Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. Latest Podcast Episodes #002 From Grammy Stage to Drug Addiction to Redemption #001 Why Religion Nearly Broke This Pastor Trailer: Welcome to Living on Incline Podcast

< Back Trailer: Welcome to Living on Incline Podcast Living on Incline Aug 1, 2025 Living on Incline is a Christ-centered growth platform created to help people push past their spiritual, emotional, and physical limitations and unlock their full potential. Whether through stories of transformation, mindset tools, or soul-renewing retreats, our mission is to guide you up the hill — toward purpose, freedom, and fullness of life. What are we truly capable of? That’s the question Living on Incline sets out to explore. Hosted by John Eklund, this podcast brings you real conversations with people who have pushed through suffering, setbacks, and challenges — not just to survive, but to grow. From recovery to business, from faith to government, each guest is unlocking their full potential and inviting you to do the same. The name comes from the Manitou Incline — a steep, grueling hike in Colorado that inspired John to lean into discomfort as a path to growth. This show is about that same mindset: choosing to live on incline, on purpose, every day. Show More Previous Next comments debug Comments Log In Write a comment Write a comment Share Your Thoughts Be the first to write a comment. Latest Podcast Episodes #002 From Grammy Stage to Drug Addiction to Redemption #001 Why Religion Nearly Broke This Pastor Trailer: Welcome to Living on Incline Podcast

< Back It's Messy Daily Incline - It's Messy Aug 7, 2025 A middle schooler’s messy first attempt at cleaning a fish turns into a powerful life lesson in humility, failure, and growth. What his dad said next stuck for life—and might just challenge how you see your own setbacks It's Messy Daily Incline - It's Messy 00:00 / 01:42 I was a middle schooler the very first time I tried to “clean” a fish. There was nothing clean about it. It was a mess. The fish had expired some time ago, but when I was done with it, I couldn’t help but feeling sorry for it (or what was left of it!). My dad, who was overseeing my first fumbling attempt, laughed good-naturedly at the gory havoc I had wreaked. I remember getting angry. I remember feeling ashamed. I tossed the knife on to the bloody carving board, and mumbled out a frustrated excuse, “I think the knife is dull.” He didn’t say a thing but simply grabbed the next plump trout on the stringer and, with staggering speed, economy and grace of movement I saw him carve out two perfect boneless filets. He smiled, looked at me and said, “There is nothing wrong with this knife son.” Show More Previous Next "You Were Made for the Mountain. No more flat living. No more mediocrity. It’s time to live on incline." - John Eklund Join the Newsletter Ready to Start Living on Incline? Take your first step. Whether it’s listening, sharing your story, or simply signing up — you don’t have to do it all today. Just move. SUBSCRIBE

Explore real stories of transformation through Living on Incline Docs. These short documentaries highlight powerful journeys of recovery, resilience, and purpose—capturing what it means to live on incline. Real Stories. Real Struggles. Real Growth. Living on Incline Docs We’re taking the Living on Incline mission even further — off the mic and into real life. Living on Incline Docs is a new documentary series capturing the raw, unfiltered journeys of people who have chosen the hard road, faced adversity, and grown through it. From recovery and redemption to leadership and legacy, these stories will move you, challenge you, and remind you of what’s possible when you live on incline. COMING SOON! Submit Your Story to Living on Incline Docs Have you faced the uphill climb — and kept going? We’re creating a documentary series that tells raw, honest, faith-filled stories of transformation. If you’ve walked through addiction, loss, recovery, breakthrough, or any moment where life demanded more from you — we’d love to hear it. We’re looking for: Stories of overcoming adversity through faith and grit Moments of radical transformation or healing Leaders, parents, workers, dreamers — real people with real journeys Honest accounts of what it means to live on incline Whether it’s something you’ve conquered or something you’re still walking through, your story matters — and it could encourage someone else to keep climbing. Ready to share your journey? SUMBIT YOUR STORY

Share your story with the Living on Incline team. Whether it’s a journey of recovery, faith, or personal growth, your experience could inspire others. Reach out and be part of the movement. Submit a Story. Have a question, story to share , or want to bring John to your next event? We’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re reaching out about a collaboration, a speaking engagement, or something you heard that moved you — this space is open. We’re also happy to answer questions about upcoming retreats, tools, or community updates. Want to share your incline story? Hit that inbox — we read everything. First Name Last Name Email Story How did you hear about us? I want to subscribe to the newsletter. Send Thanks for submitting!

Discover the powerful story of John Eklund—founder of Recovery Alive and host of the Living on Incline podcast. From addiction and depression to faith, healing, and purpose, John’s journey inspires hope and transformation for anyone seeking recovery. Hello As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and ordained minister, John has been serving individuals and families as a social worker, counselor and pastor for nearly two decades. Having worked as a national director for one of the largest faith-based recovery programs in the world, John has helped hundreds of churches throughout the country start and grow recovery ministries. John currently works as a therapist, and serves as the director for Recovery ALIVE!, a Christ-centered 12 step program he founded in 2020. John lives in North Carolina with his wife of 23 years and his four beautiful daughters. My Story From brokenness to bold purpose, John Eklund’s story is living proof that no life is beyond restoration. John grew up in a world marked by instability, rejection, and pain. After his parents’ divorce, he moved from place to place, never staying long enough to feel safe. Abandonment became a familiar theme—at home, in school, and in his heart. As a young boy, he learned to disappear, to shape-shift, to survive. But deep inside, he was losing himself. The pain of his past eventually pulled him into a dark season of depression and alcoholism. Feeling completely alone and convinced his life had no value, John came to the edge—both literally and spiritually. In one final act of desperation, he cried out to God. And God answered. What happened next wasn’t just a moment—it was the beginning of a miracle. That cry for help turned into a journey of recovery, healing, and calling. John began rebuilding his life—one decision, one step, one act of surrender at a time. He became a husband. A father. A pastor. A leader. But more than anything, he became a man on a mission: to create a safe place for others to heal, just like he did. That mission became Recovery Alive—a Christ-centered, 12-step recovery movement that now reaches across the country. Through it, John helps people discover the power of vulnerability, the beauty of community, and the freedom that comes from real, lasting transformation. Today, John continues to walk the recovery journey himself. He’s honest about the struggles, passionate about the process, and full of hope for those still in the fight. He’s not just teaching recovery—he’s living it. Through his work with Recovery Alive and the Living on Incline podcast, John is helping people everywhere know the truth: your pain doesn’t disqualify you. It prepares you. And healing is possible—one step at a time. Contact I'm always looking for new and exciting opportunities. Let's connect. john@recoveryalive.com

Find quick answers to common questions about the Living on Incline podcast. Learn how to listen, watch, subscribe, contact the team, and get involved in the movement. 1. What is Living on Incline? Living on Incline is a podcast and platform created by John Eklund that helps people grow through what they’re going through — emotionally, spiritually, and personally. It’s built for anyone tired of surface-level answers and ready to step into deeper, more honest growth. 2. Is this just a podcast? No — Living on Incline is more than a podcast. It’s a space for real stories, practical tools, community, and creative projects like our upcoming documentary series. Everything we create is designed to inspire movement and transformation. 3. Who is John Eklund? John is the founder and host of Living on Incline and Recovery Alive. With a background in recovery, leadership, and spiritual growth, John is passionate about helping people move forward in the middle of their mess — not just after it’s all cleaned up. You can learn more about him Meet John 4. Where did the name ‘Living on Incline’ come from? The name was inspired by a steep mountain trail in Colorado called the Manitou Incline. John came across an article about it years ago, and it stuck — not as a fitness challenge, but as a metaphor: real growth happens when we stop avoiding discomfort and start walking through it with intention. 5. What kind of topics do you cover on the podcast? We talk about recovery, identity, purpose, grief, faith, trauma, transformation, failure, resilience, and what it looks like to live with depth and honesty. Every conversation is grounded in real experience — not polished performance. 6. How can I listen to the podcast? You can listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or right here on our website. Just head over to the Our Podcast page to check out the latest episodes. 7. Is this a faith-based podcast? Yes — but not in the traditional, preachy sense. Living on Incline is grounded in spiritual values and shaped by John’s personal faith, but it’s not about religion or theology. It’s about real conversations, personal transformation, and the deeper questions we all face. Whether you’re rooted in faith, wrestling with it, or just curious — you’re welcome here. 8. What is Living on Incline Docs? COMING SOON! It’s our original docuseries — featuring powerful, real-life stories of people who’ve walked through pain, loss, and major life shifts, and found meaning on the other side. It’s raw, inspiring, and will be in production soon. 9. Can I share my story? Yes — if you’ve walked through something hard and found growth, purpose, or healing on the other side, we’d love to hear about it. Visit our Submit Your Story page to tell us more. 10. How do I stay in the loop? Join our email list. We’ll send you weekly encouragement, podcast updates, and early access to retreats, events, and new content. You can subscribe at the top right of the page. 11. Will there be live events or retreats? Yes — we’re currently building out experiences for people who want to unplug, reflect, and reconnect. If you’re looking for something deeper than just content, make sure you’re on our list to hear when retreats launch. 12. Can I support the podcast or donate? We’re building toward that. In the future, there will be ways to support through merch, memberships, or donations. For now, the best way to help is to listen, subscribe, leave a review, and share with someone who needs it. 13. Do you accept guests or collaborations? Absolutely. We’re always open to connecting with people who align with our message. If you or someone you know has a story or idea that fits, head over to our Submit a Story page. 14. I filled out the contact form — when will I hear back? We try to respond within 3–5 business days. If your message is time-sensitive, please make a note of that so we can prioritize it. 15. Is there a private community or membership group? We’re working on it. We want to build a space that feels safe, honest, and real. In the meantime, the best way to stay connected is through our email list and social channels.