New York City's Bravest | Matt Long

"I was being blamed for the entire recession. Everybody hated me. I was public enemy number one." In 1980s Britain, Gerald Ratner, the CEO of the world's biggest jewelry chain, brought *bling* to the masses. Money meant power, and Ratner had it all until an ill-timed joke sent his business crumbling and his life into disrepair. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One of the NHL’s fiercest enforcers with four Stanley Cups to his name, McCarty literally had to fight his way into the NHL, but perhaps his biggest fight has been battling his demons off the ice. If you or someone you know is currently struggling with an addiction to alcohol or other substances, please visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at samhsa.gov or call at 1-800-662-4357 to speak to a trained specialist, or seek other professional help. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

“Next thing I know, I'm falling down a cliff.” World champion adventure racer Danelle Ballengee was always up for a challenge. But when she found herself severely injured and stranded in the Moab desert for 3 days, she prepared to give up. Fortunately, she brought a friend along, her dog Taz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"I wanted to have the glam, the fame, the riches... the life of a superstar." The allure of fame is intoxicating and Euodias wanted it badly. As a young teen she was lucky enough to be one of the few British hopefuls to have a shot at becoming a K-pop idol. But fame costs and Euodias quickly learned that she would have to start paying. If you or someone you know is currently struggling with an eating disorder please visit The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) at nationaleatingdisorders.org or calling 1-800-931-227. NEDA is the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by eating disorders. If you or someone you know is currently struggling with anxiety please visit the Anxiety & Depression Association of America at adaa.org. ADAA is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to the prevention, treatment, and cure of anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, and co-occurring disorders through the alignment of science, treatment, and education. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"I don’t know what was going through my head, but I was in pain and I wanted to quit. But I could hear the finish line.” The unstoppable New York City firefighter, Ironman, triathlete, and entrepreneur was in the prime of his life, until one Christmas morning, when his life was changed forever. If you or anyone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts please visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 1-800-273-8255 or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"To be a bullrider you have to have that eye of the tiger. You got to have that desire in your heart." Ezekiel Mitchell learned how to ride bulls from YouTube videos at the age of 16 and he was good — so good that he went pro to support his family. Then Hurricane Harvey hit, and his mom’s home was decimated. Now he’s climbing his way back to the top of this vicious sport, with the help of serial entrepreneur Max Maxwell and is on his way to becoming the first black bull rider to win a world title in 39 years. Ezekiel Mitchell: @thebluemitchell Max Maxwell: @therealmaxwell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"It's basically guaranteed death or maybe death... so I chose maybe death." Jennifer Lee, pka TOKiMONSTA, went from the underground beat scene in LA to playing at the biggest music festivals around the world. But a rare disease caused her to lose her ability to listen, comprehend, and even make music. How did she come back from the musical abyss with a Grammy nominated album? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"I started screwing up again but second chances are a lot of work. In some cases you need more than a second chance." Poised for riches beyond our wildest dreams, Dave is gearing up to make his company the largest organic bread company in the world. He's a local hero and celebrity, but a nascent mental health problem and a career of criminality threaten to undermine it all. If you or someone you know is currently struggling with an addiction to alcohol or other substances, please visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at samhsa.gov or call at 1-800-662-4357 to speak to a trained specialist, or seek other professional help. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"I had a black leather trenchcoat which was perfect for stashing a sawnoff shotgun, the dope was in a pouch but the gun was right there, at the ready." Cooking Meth, jockey-boxing, armed robbery. Dahl was a self-confessed "serious bad guy" and after 20 years in prison, it was hard to see how he could create the biggest organic bread company in the world, making him a millionnaire many times over. If you or someone you know is currently struggling with an addiction to alcohol or other substances, please visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at samhsa.gov or call at 1-800-662-4357 to speak to a trained specialist, or seek other professional help. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

"Imagine trying to outrun a 10-story building that is crumbling right behind you— that's big wave surfing." The hundred-foot waves in Nazare, Portugal are the most dangerous in the world, but Maya Gabeira didn’t fear them. In fact, she felt alive riding these monsters, addicted to the death-defying dance of Big Wave Surfing. But the conditions in Nazare can change in an instant, and when multiple waves pummeled her to the bottom of the ocean she was lucky to escape with career-ending injuries. Ridiculed by her peers and left without sponsorship, it seemed like an impossible dream to surf again, let alone break world records. Photo Credit: Pablo Garcia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices