A Journey of Resilience, Loss, and Hope
On January 8, 2025, John Preston, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, firefighter, and musician, debuted his highly anticipated music video, Rise. This release follows Preston’s transformative 704-mile “Carry the Weight” hike in December 2023, which concluded at Cincinnati’s Paycor Stadium. The hike honored his late brother, Michael, and the countless veterans and first responders lost to post-traumatic stress. With Rise, Preston delivers a poignant anthem of resilience and hope, dedicated to those who serve and often bear unseen burdens.
Preston’s story begins in Northern Kentucky, where he grew up on a farm in a close-knit community. Inspired by his father, a Vietnam veteran and musician, Preston embraced a love of music before joining the U.S. Marine Corps. After serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom, he returned to the U.S. and became a firefighter in California. Despite his accomplishments, Preston grappled with post-traumatic stress and depression.
The turning point in Preston’s life came in 2016, following the tragic loss of his brother Michael, a Newport Police officer and veteran, to suicide. Stricken with grief, Preston transformed his pain into purpose, advocating for veteran and first responder mental health through music, storytelling, and impactful initiatives like the “Carry the Weight” hike.
Directed by Paul Sadowski of Full Range Films, Rise blends cinematic storytelling with archival footage from Preston’s 20-year music career. Set in the heart of Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati, the video features sweeping visuals that honor the communities that shaped him. Adding an emotional depth, Preston’s children, John Thomas (15) and Eleanor (3), appear as younger versions of him, symbolizing the passage of time and hope for a brighter future.
Preston describes Rise as “a tribute to resilience and a call to action for those who feel unseen.” The video captures the weight of service, the struggles of trauma, and the enduring strength of those who fight to overcome.
The release of Rise is supported by a collaboration with MUNICIPAL clothing, co-owned by Mark Wahlberg. Through social media campaigns, the partnership amplifies Preston’s message, raising awareness for the mental health challenges faced by veterans and first responders.
The visuals in Rise also include footage from Preston’s “Carry the Weight” hike, which symbolized the burdens borne by those affected by post-traumatic stress. Hundreds of supporters, including veterans, first responders, and community members, joined Preston during this journey, captured in a documentary by Sadowski. The hike and video serve as living tributes to Preston’s brother Michael and all who have been lost to these invisible battles.
The Rise music video is available on all major platforms. It’s more than a piece of art—it’s a movement. Through music and advocacy, Preston invites us all to see the unseen, hear the unheard, and act. His message resonates beyond his personal experiences, shining a light on the systemic issues affecting those who dedicate their lives to serving others.
For updates and behind-the-scenes content, follow John Preston on Instagram at @johnprestonmusic.
John Preston is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, firefighter, and musician who uses his platform to inspire and advocate for veterans, first responders, and their families. His mission, rooted in personal loss, continues to amplify the voices of the unseen and unheard, proving that hope and resilience can overcome even the darkest challenges.
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John Preston
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Amid his own struggles, Preston missed the signs of his brother Michael’s pain. Michael, also a veteran and a Newport police officer, took his own life in 2016. This loss became a pivotal moment for Preston, shifting his personal and professional mission toward advocacy and awareness. Through music and storytelling, he sought to create a platform where the voices of veterans and first responders could be heard.
In 2023, Preston undertook the Carry the Weight hike, a grueling journey symbolizing the burden carried by those affected by post-traumatic stress. The hike culminated in his hometown, drawing hundreds of supporters—veterans, first responders, and community members alike. The experience was captured in a documentary by filmmaker Paul Sadowski, further amplifying Preston’s message.
This collaboration with Sadowski continues in the music video for Rise. Described as “an anthem for the overlooked,” the video intertwines Hollywood-level storytelling with archival footage from Preston’s 20-year music career. It’s set against the backdrop of Northern Kentucky and Cincinnati, with sweeping visuals that pay homage to the communities that shaped him. Adding to the emotional depth, Preston’s children, John Thomas (15) and Eleanor (3), make their debut, portraying younger versions of him. Through their eyes, the video reflects on life’s passage—the innocence of childhood, the trials of service, and the enduring hope for a better future.
Preston’s advocacy has drawn the attention of high-profile supporters, including Mark Wahlberg’s MUNICIPAL clothing brand. The brand partnered with Preston to promote Rise through social media campaigns, leveraging its platform to bring attention to veteran and first responder mental health. This partnership exemplifies Preston’s relentless drive to expand his reach and impact.
Preston’s work is deeply rooted in personal experience, but it speaks to broader systemic issues. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, approximately 17 veterans die by suicide each day—a staggering statistic that underscores the urgency of Preston’s mission. Similarly, first responders face elevated rates of suicide compared to the general population, often stemming from the cumulative stress of their roles.
Through his music, Preston doesn’t just tell his story; he amplifies the voices of those who can no longer speak for themselves. Songs like “Superman Falls” and “Before I Am Gone” delve into themes of loss, resilience, and the enduring impact of service. His 22 and You campaign—a previous initiative where he hiked 22 miles a day with a 22-kilogram pack—symbolized the daily toll of veteran suicide and raised awareness across the country.
Michael’s death remains a driving force behind Preston’s advocacy. The Carry the Weight hike and the Rise video serve as living tributes to his brother and others who have been lost to the struggles of post-traumatic stress. The video doesn’t just memorialize; it galvanizes. It calls on society to see the unseen, to hear the unheard, and to act.
Rise is more than a music video; it’s a movement. It’s a reminder that behind every uniform is a human being deserving of support and understanding. As Preston says, “We want to see every veteran and first responder rise to a life of purpose and fulfillment.”
The music video for Rise premieres January 8, 2025, on all major platforms. For updates and exclusive behind-the-scenes content, follow John Preston on Instagram at @johnprestonmusic.
Through his music, his hikes, and his unwavering dedication, John Preston continues to shine a light on resilience, trauma, and the enduring power of hope. In doing so, he invites us all to take part in a collective journey toward healing and understanding.