From Gang Violence to Sobriety: A Journey of Survival, Addiction, and Unbreakable Faith

She ran away at 12 years old, stripped on stage at 15, and nearly boarded a plane that crashed weeks later. What saved her? Radical honesty, stubborn love, and a faith that outlived the rules.

In this episode of The Angela Rose Show, I sit down with my soul-friend Jamie, a survivor whose life began on the gang-controlled streets of Chicago. Her journey through childhood neglect, abuse, grooming pipelines, and severe addiction reveals a profound truth: healing is found in connection, not perfection.

Together, Jamie and I trace the thread that kept showing up: love wins. Her journey takes us through addiction with 7 DUIs, infertility grief, and the rebuilding of a sober community around a backyard campfire for women. If you’ve ever wondered whether authenticity can actually change a life, this story is for you.

With raw vulnerability, Jamie and I unpack:

•Surviving rape at 11 and being groomed by gangs for prostitution

•Physically dragged by church workers and sent to the Lester Roloff Baptist home

•Finding structure and faith for the first time

•The empty promise of escape through materialism and “call-girl” life

•The devastating spiral of alcoholism that led to 7 DUIs and jail time

•The life-or-death moment of self-confrontation that began 12 years of sobriety

•Clothing judgment within a Mennonite community and reclaiming personal faith

•How Jamie created Time Out for Women, a simple campfire community to fight loneliness and build authentic connection

This is more than a survival story. It’s a testament to the relentless power of showing up for yourself and the healing that happens when we choose to edify instead of judge.

🛑 Trigger Warning: This episode includes descriptions of childhood sexual assault, gang violence, kidnapping, prostitution, addiction, alcoholism, and infertility. Please listen with care.

💬 Has this conversation resonated with your story? Share your thoughts in the comments or reach out privately. You are not alone. And if you found hope in today’s episode, please like, share, and subscribe to help us reach more survivors and families.

  🔗Connect with Jamie Marts

Facebook: Jamie Marts

Cell #717-201-3395

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📍 Crisis Support Resources

• Crisis Text Line — Text TWLOHA to 741741
• Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Call 988
• National Child Abuse Hotline — Call 800-422-4453
• National Domestic Violence Hotline — Call 800-799-7233
• RAINN (Sexual Assault Support) — Call 800-656-4673