Living on Incline
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.
If you’re curious about what you’re capable of — physically, spiritually, emotionally — you’re in the right place.
Living on Incline
#003 I Lost My Sister to Addiction and Chose to Fight Back
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.
Chapters / Timestamps:
0:00 – Grayson’s opening message about The Hope Project
1:00 – Her sister Kinsley’s battle with addiction
3:00 – The moment that changed everything
5:00 – Creating The Hope Project at age 14
7:00 – Growing up in silence and shame
9:00 – The stigma surrounding addiction
12:00 – The family trauma no one talked about
15:00 – What pageants taught her about advocacy
18:00 – Losing her father to incarceration
22:00 – The moment she almost gave up
25:00 – Kinsley’s miraculous recovery—and relapse
30:00 – What grief taught her about herself
33:00 – Why structure and service saved her
37:00 – The power of showing up vulnerable
41:00 – Living on a mission, not for applause
45:00 – What’s next: Law school and legislative change
49:00 – How sharing her story helps others heal
52:00 – Final encouragement to anyone grieving addiction
Listen and Follow Living on Incline
Listen on your favorite platform:
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/living-on-incline/id1828304603
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/78HwNrRWZHGAHL8Zv90nO0?si=e4b5d032e9214deb
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZdyfS2K4OE4WFJRWSuAgsQ
RSS Feed: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2521959.rss
Website: https://www.livingonincline.com
Sponsored by Recovery Alive
Living on Incline is proudly sponsored by Recovery Alive, a Christ-centered recovery program helping people find hope, healing, and purpose through authentic community and biblical transformation.
Learn more: https://www.recoveryalive.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/recoveryaliveinc/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/recoveryaliveinc
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@recoveryalive
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