During my 26 years in prison, I saw how adversity could either break a person or help a person build. The outcome depends on how each person chooses to respond. This perspective transformed my life, opening opportunities for growth. I sense a duty, a responsibility to pass those lessons on to others—whether they’re in prison, navigating a personal crisis, or striving to reach a higher potential in life.
I spent most of the first year of my sentence in solitary confinement. I hadn’t been confined before and didn’t know how to make sense of my life. By reading, I started to find ways to move forward. By reading, I started to accept that I couldn’t change the bad decisions I made that led to my 45-year sentence.
Reading helped me to change my mindset. The time in prison wouldn’t have to define me. Leaders helped me believe that if we changed the way we think, we could change the way we respond to challenges. Through reading books and reflecting on the wisdom of leaders, I began to see adversity not as a punishment, but as a training ground.
Viktor Frankl, the Holocaust survivor who authored Man’s Search for Meaning. Frankl taught me that suffering itself isn’t inherently meaningful—but how we respond to it can create meaning. His writing helped me build strength, and I turned to his book several times during the decades that I served:
“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”
This lesson required me to act, and to tap into lessons I learned from Socrates, lessons that came from asking better questions:
- How can I grow in this moment?
- What small steps can I take to move closer to the person I want to become?
I began focusing on three areas:
- Education
Ignorance had led to my bad decisions, so I made it my mission to educate myself. I read hundreds of books, earning a bachelor’s and master’s degree while confined. This foundation didn’t just improve my knowledge—it rebuilt my confidence and created future opportunities. - Contribution
I wanted my life to matter, even while incarcerated. I started writing letters to universities, publishing articles, and creating programs to help others. Every effort reminded me that I could still contribute value, no matter my circumstances. - Support Network
Instead of focusing on what I’d lost, I built relationships with people who believed in my potential. Mentors, family members, and even strangers became part of my support system. Their encouragement fueled my drive to keep improving.
Living in prison, or adversity, taught me three key lessons:
- The Power of Choice: We can’t always control what happens to us, but we can control our response. This simple shift—from victim to active participant—gives us power.
- The Value of Small Wins: Big transformations don’t happen overnight. They’re built through daily, intentional actions. For me, learning one new word, writing one essay, or completing one workout was enough to create momentum.
- The Importance of Perspective: Challenges can feel overwhelming, but they’re also temporary. When we step back and focus on the bigger picture, we realize adversity often provides the clarity we need to grow.
Even after my release, these principles continue to guide me. Every setback—whether in business, relationships, or investments—is an opportunity to reflect, recalibrate, and grow stronger. When I think about the impact I want to make with our nonprofit, Prison Professors, I realize it’s about more than teaching strategies. It’s about showing others that they can turn their struggles into stepping stones.
If you’re facing adversity today, ask yourself:
- What is this challenge teaching me?
- How can I use it to grow?
- What small action can I take today to move closer to my goals?
Remember, if you choose, adversity can help you become stronger. Let the fire test you, just as fire tests gold.
Self-Directed Learning Question:
- How can you transform a current challenge into a catalyst for personal growth? What steps will you take today to begin that process?