From Heroin, Homelessness & Crime to Saving Lives | Lance Orton's Comeback Story

On this episode of Fit For Radio, we sit down with Lance Orton, a man whose life story is a powerful reminder that addiction doesn't discriminate—and that no one is beyond redemption.Lance grew up moving between California and Texas, navigating his parents' divorce and attending three different high schools before graduating from a Catholic prep school in 1993. He went on to earn a degree in Business Administration from San Diego State University, worked in technology sales, helped launch a resort in Napa Valley with his father, and later served in the Army's 101st Airborne Division.From the outside, his future looked bright.But after the tragic loss of his father in 2005, Lance's life took a devastating turn. What began with prescription painkillers eventually spiraled into a heroin addiction that consumed everything in its path. Over the next decade, addiction cost him his career, his family, his stability, and ultimately his home. He bounced from city to city chasing a life that seemed to slip further away with every passing year.By 2018, Lance had reached rock bottom. Homeless, involved in crime, and living under the constant threat of the dangerous people surrounding the drug world, he found himself hiding in Portland after a drug dealer's enforcer tracked him down and stole his car. It was a moment that forced him to confront the reality of where addiction had taken him.That same year, Lance entered CityTeam's recovery program. What happened next is nothing short of remarkable.Not only did he rebuild his life, but he dedicated himself to helping others do the same. Today, Lance serves as the Executive Director of CityTeam Portland, leading efforts to provide treatment, shelter, and hope to those battling addiction and homelessness. He is also working alongside Portland Mayor Keith Wilson to expand access to recovery services throughout the region.This conversation is a raw and honest look at addiction, loss, resilience, faith, and the power of second chances. Lance's story proves that your worst chapter doesn't have to define the rest of your life—and that sometimes the people best equipped to lead others out of darkness are the ones who have fought their way through it themselves.