Testimonials
RISE Testimonials
Client Testimonials (University & Business Consultant)
Randy stands out from other drug and alcohol programs
“You stand out from other drug and alcohol programs: the energetic way you present your story captures and engages the audience the entire time. Our students appreciated the fact that you did not lecture them or tell them not to drink, but you encouraged them to “Party with a Plan®”
Brandi Rideout, Director of Student- Athlete Services, University of Maine
Phenomenal at getting every student involved
“You are a dynamic presenter who is phenomenal at getting every student involved in the presentation and keeping them on the edge of their seats. You get to the heart of the matter and help students realize that what they do today will impact their tomorrow.”
Jennifer Blackwell, Director of Student Activities, Wesley College
Tremendous honesty and humor
“I know your approach, which incorporates tremendous honesty and humor, is unique but it is one that gets people to really listen to your messages. I certainly appreciate your focus on the concept of choices in life as well as your willingness to adapt your comments to the specific needs of the institution.”
Janet Lucas, Interim Director of Athletics, Cal State Northridge
Students were enthralled with your story
“The students were enthralled with your story and its impressive delivery! We really appreciated how you tailored the program for UMCP students from information you gleaned from them in such a short time!”
Jody Gan, Coordinator, AOD Programs, University of Maryland
Student Testimonials (*To respect the confidentiality of the students, we have removed their name.)
For the first time in over a year, I have gone 3 days straight without marijuana
“I can’t even begin to say what I’m feeling… walking out of that room changed my perspective on drugs. I can’t put in words how much I got out of that talk. You were definitely not an “average speaker on drugs.” You were so awesome. Your story was an incredible experience and I will never forget it.”
Student
You showed me how to go within and find something worth living for
“Thank you! I just have to thank you for everything that you said. I was talking to my friend last night and she started bringing up things about me that I wasn’t thinking about until she said something. Everything you said today applies to me. It’s amazing how God places people in your life to tell you things. I realized how close I am to touching EGO. I just didn’t know how to gain self-esteem. Of course, I always hear people saying, “You have to love yourself,” and ” It comes from within,” blah, blah, blah. But, what I needed to know is how to get within and find something worth living for. When I look in the mirror, I don’t see what other people see. I’m so glad that I came. I’m going to tell everyone about you. I applaud you on all of your accomplishments and I think it’s awesome that you have overcome so many things and are using your experiences to help other. Thank you so much for being real. I wish you the best and look forward to seeing you again!!
You inspired me to stop talking about suicide
“I’m generally depressed, and I talk about killing myself sometimes…. hearing you tell me your experience with suicide scared me…. I realized what my friends went through, and you inspired me to stop talking about suicide. Your speech made me see how I’d never be able to tell if I’d turn out like you did before you changed your life around.”
A speaker the college community could relate to
“I just wanted to say thank you for coming to speak at the University of Evansville last night. I am a member of our Greek Week committee so on a professional level, I felt it was very important to find a speaker that the college community could relate to. On a more personal level, the message you gave really touched me. I am currently struggling with an alcohol problem. Never stop talking to people because sometimes all its takes is just one more speaker to really open someone’s eyes. Thank you for finally opening up mine.”
You changed my perspective on drugs
“I can’t even begin to say what I’m feeling… walking out of that room changed my perspective on drugs. I can’t put in words how much I got out of that talk. You were definitely not an “average speaker on drugs.” You were so awesome. Your story was an incredible experience and I will never forget it.”
An amazing mentor! You have gone beyond just helping one person
“I wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your presence at Risk Management. You are wonderful to work with, and an amazing mentor. Everyone that I have talked to has said amazing things about your presentation. Your presentation has been the most applicable for Florida State, and I know that people have taken in your advice. All it takes is helping one person, and I know that you have gone beyond just helping one. Hopefully, your experiences will help others not to make the same mistakes. At the end of the day you have helped Greek Life to take more steps in ensuring their communities safety and for that I am grateful.”
Your advice and experiences made me stronger
“I just wanted to thank you for the outstanding job you did at the California Maritime Academy. I was touched by it and cried, I never got to see things that way and for the first time I feel like I learned something real about alcohol and drugs. I am over 25 years old and finally got my head straight about a college education. Your advice and experiences made me stronger. I know I was meant to be there that day at the auditorium and listen to you. You made a big difference that day. Thanks a lot!!!”
Student
You made us feel like we could talk to you
“I’m a new freshman at Wesleyan and I listened to your talk last night. First things first- It was awesome. I was so impressed by how you got us where you wanted us, kept our attention the entire time, made us feel like we could talk to you… Good job. Best of all, you slipped all these facts in there that I have already started thinking about and I barely even realized I was learning, I was just enjoying myself.”
Student
Made a huge impact on me
“I thought what you said was really important, and it made a huge impact on me. I want to also say thank you for listening to me after the assembly was over, and for helping me with my immediate drug related problems.”
Student
Excellent speaker! Really captivated the audience!
“Awesome!!! What you were saying the other day was great, but it was how you said it that made your story line and your conclusion so powerful. It was not the information that you were giving, but how you are able to “draw out” the plot. The ending was phenomenal and really captivated the audience. Excellent speaker!!!”
Student
Really made an impact on how I view drug and alcohol use
“I just wanted to let you know that I very much enjoyed the talk that you gave to the Greeks here at UAB. In a time where “Just Say No” just doesn’t reach college students as it once did, you presented your personal experience in a very effective and truthful way; I admire you and want you to know that your account and presentation really made an impact on how I view drug and alcohol use.”
Student
You are the most motivational speaker I’ve ever met
“I don’t know where to begin to explain how much I loved it. Every time you’d tell the group about another thing that happened in your life because of drugs, it kept us so interested- because everything you said was real. You didn’t just give the usual “I used to do drugs, and then I changed my ways,” you told us in detail everything you did, everything that happened because of drugs. You didn’t hide anything. You told us straight out what doing drugs were like. You are the most motivational speaker I’ve ever met.“
Student
