Podcast Summary: True Crime with Kendall Rae

Episode: She Was Attacked by Her Ex and Survived: The Inspiring Story of Madison Schemitz

Date: November 6, 2025
Host: Kendall Rae
Production: Mile Higher Media & Audioboom Studios

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the harrowing and ultimately inspiring story of Madison Schemitz, a Florida high school student whose life changed forever after surviving a brutal attack by her ex-boyfriend. Host Kendall Rae covers the stages of Madison’s relationship, the warning signs of abuse, the escalation to violence, and Madison’s recovery and activism. The episode is filled with empathy, hope, and calls to awareness about teen dating violence, with a focus on survivors’ strength and the power of community support.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction and Foundation Work (02:00–06:10)

• Kendall discusses the importance of uplifting survivor stories in true crime.
• Announcement of collaborative charity work between Higher Hope (Kendall’s foundation) and the Gabby Petito Foundation, including funding a critical security fence for a Wyoming safe house.
• Interview clips from the Safe Project team highlight the urgent need for survivor security and support services.
  • Quote: "It’s really important for the healing journey of survivors that they feel 100% safe when they’re here." – Safe Project Team [06:03]

2. Madison Schemitz: Background and Relationship History (06:30–13:30)

• Madison’s background: a kind, talented student and athlete in St. John's County, Florida, close to her family, especially her mother Jackie.
• Beginning a relationship with Spencer Pearson in late 2022, which became toxic within months.
• Escalating abuse: jealousy, manipulation, stalking, threatening behavior, and attempts to maintain control after the relationship ended.
• Both Madison and her mother Jackie sought help immediately, involving trusted adults and eventually legal measures.
  • Quote: "For Madison, bringing this to the attention of a trusted adult is 100% the right thing to do..." – Kendall Rae [09:20]

3. Escalation to Violence and Stalking (13:40–19:30)

• After the breakup, Spencer’s behavior intensifies: stalking Madison’s movements, leaving threatening messages, nearly running her down with his car.
• Legal interventions pursued, but ultimately failed to keep Madison safe due to lack of enforcement and support from the perpetrator’s family.
• Describes chilling incidents of being followed and feeling constantly unsafe.

4. The Attack at Mr. Chubby’s Wings (19:30–23:00)

• On June 3, 2023, Madison, her friend, and their mothers met at a local restaurant.
• Spencer entered the restaurant, and after Madison’s party alerted staff and quickly left, Spencer ambushed Madison in the parking lot, stabbing her 17 times and severely injuring her mother.
• Good Samaritan Kennedy Armstrong intervened heroically, saving Madison and Jackie, but was himself injured.
  • Memorable Moment: Surveillance footage caught Madison’s shock at seeing Spencer; the attack unfolded within moments as they left the restaurant.
  • 911 Audio Clip Excerpt:
    “Somebody just got stabbed… There’s two victims and one is the suspect… a passerby tried to intervene and help…” [21:19–22:27]

5. Immediate Aftermath and Medical Response (23:00–27:30)

• Madison survives the attack but is left paralyzed from the chest down.
• Jackie endures her own significant injuries, yet remains her daughter's advocate and caretaker.
• Madison’s resilience appears immediately—even in the hospital, she sets ambitious goals, including walking at her graduation.
  • Quote: “Despite her entire world flipping upside down in moments… she set a goal that she was not only going to walk again, but she was going to walk across the stage at her high school graduation.” – Kendall Rae [26:50]

6. Recovery and Community Support (27:30–36:00)

• Community rallies around Madison and Jackie with fundraising, keychains, and unwavering emotional support.
• Hero Kennedy Armstrong becomes like family, maintaining a strong bond and continued support.
• Madison’s rehab journey: remarkable progress, standing within weeks, and ultimately walking at graduation.
  • Notable Quote:
    “If anyone is ever curious what true determination and grit looks like, it looks like Madison Schemitz.” – Kendall Rae [27:02]
  • Madison’s words at Press Conference:
    “I believe there’s no looking back now. Everything happens for a reason… I am determined and confident in myself that I will reach my goals to one day walk again.” [35:39]

7. Madison’s Advocacy: One Love Foundation and Peer Education (33:00–41:00)

• Madison quickly focuses on survivor activism, founding a One Love chapter at her high school, teaching about healthy relationships and warning signs of dating violence.
• Kendall shares staggering statistics on teen dating violence and the urgent need for education:
  • 1 in 12 teens experience physical dating violence; likely higher due to underreporting.
• Madison’s focus on controlling her narrative and supporting other survivors.
  • Quote:
    “The One Love Movement is about creating a culture where relationship violence no longer exists.” – Madison Shemitz [33:38]
  • Quote:
    “I aligned myself with [One Love] and have used my platform to share their message.” – Madison Shemitz [40:38]

8. Remarkable Rehabilitation & Academic Determination (41:00–44:00)

• Madison excels at Brooks Rehabilitation, inspiring other patients and maintaining rigorous therapy attendance.
• Emotional highlight: Madison walks—unaided—at her high school graduation, surprising many in attendance and receiving a standing ovation.
  • Quote:
    “To see her walk across that stage and for everyone to erupt in cheers… just the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.” – Kendall Rae [42:51]

9. Madison’s Resilience, Mantra, and Trauma (45:00–47:20)

• Madison credits her survival and recovery to a mantra shared by a respiratory therapist:
  • “If you’re going through hell, keep going.” – Winston Churchill
  • Madison has the quote tattooed and says it kept her motivated through the darkest times.
  • Quote:
    “If you’re going through hell, like, why would you want to stay there?... so you just have to keep going to get out of it.” – Madison Shemitz [46:15]

10. Court Proceedings and Sentencing (47:20–64:36)

• Spencer Pearson pleads guilty; his defense attempts to claim CTE, mental illness, and immaturity.
• Madison, Jackie, and Kennedy deliver powerful victim impact statements.
  • Madison’s Victim Impact Statement:
    “A 17-year-old girl should not know the feeling of getting stabbed… I remember the moment I realized I was paralyzed… But I was never prepared for the fears to come alive.” [51:32+]
  • Madison highlights her healing and achievements, from walking at graduation to inspiring others.
  • Jackie’s Statement:
    “You handed Madison a life sentence… It only seems fitting that you get the same… I have to watch my daughter struggle every night and day because of you.” [59:22]
  • Kennedy Armstrong’s Statement:
    “You thought you were going to kill people that day, but instead you blew on an ember that sparked a fire inside Madison. And that fire will continue.” [61:53]
• Spencer’s father and Spencer himself plead for mercy, but the judge sentences him to life in prison without parole.
  • Quote:
    “The judge ruled that he’ll never spend a day out of prison ever again. He got life without parole.” – Kendall Rae [64:01]

11. Honoring Heroes; Pursuing Accountability (65:18–66:45)

• Madison awards the Carnegie Medal for Bravery to both her mother Jackie and Kennedy Armstrong.
• Ongoing lawsuits against Spencer’s parents (for enabling him and gifting the knife) and Mr. Chubby’s Wings (for alleged failures to protect).
• Spencer’s side intends to appeal; future outcome pending.

12. Looking Forward: Madison’s Future and Continued Activism (66:45–69:00)

• Madison currently attends college and considers working with law enforcement.
• She promises to continue using her voice and story to educate and support others facing dating violence.
  • Quote:
    “What’s next is about finding peace, embracing the future, and using the strength I’ve gained to help others who may face similar struggles… My story truly is just beginning.” – Madison Schemitz [64:36]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "For Madison, bringing this to the attention of a trusted adult is 100% the right thing to do…" — Kendall Rae [09:20]
• "If anyone is ever curious what true determination and grit looks like, it looks like Madison Schemitz." — Kendall Rae [27:02]
• "You blew on an ember that sparked a fire inside Madison. And that fire will continue." — Kennedy Armstrong [61:53]
• "If you’re going through hell, keep going." — Quote that guided Madison’s recovery
• "A 17-year-old girl should not know the feeling of getting stabbed… I remember the moment I realized I was paralyzed..." — Madison Shemitz [51:32]
• "You handed Madison a life sentence on June 3, 2023… It only seems fitting that you get the same." — Jackie (Madison’s mom) [59:22]
• "My story truly is just beginning." — Madison Schemitz [64:36]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 06:10 — Start of Madison’s story and relationship background
• 13:40 — Escalation to stalking and abuse
• 19:30 — The attack at Mr. Chubby’s Wings
• 23:00 — Medical aftermath & Madison’s determination in hospital
• 33:00 — Madison’s victim advocacy (One Love Foundation)
• 41:00 — Progress in rehab; walking at graduation
• 45:00 — Madison’s mantra (“If you’re going through hell, keep going”)
• 47:20 — Legal proceedings, impact statements
• 64:01 — Sentencing: Life without parole for Spencer
• 65:18 — Carnegie Medal awards & lawsuits
• 66:45 — Madison’s future, ongoing advocacy

Takeaways

• Madison’s story is equal parts horrifying and uplifting, a testament to survivor strength and the importance of supporting victims.
• The episode highlights failures in the system regarding stalking/domestic violence, the huge role of bystanders/heroes, and the value of community intervention.
• Madison has transformed personal tragedy into motivation and activism, educating others and working to prevent future relationship violence.
• Kendall’s empathetic storytelling, supported by authentic quotes and primary source audio, makes this a must-listen episode for awareness, hope, and inspiration.

For more on Madison’s ongoing journey and resources for abuse prevention, links to the One Love Foundation, Safe Project, and Madison’s social media are included in the show notes of the podcast episode.