Prison Professors

1. Abstract

This lesson explores how individuals can reinvent themselves, cultivate financial literacy, and use strategic thinking to build a prosperous future. Drawing from Dr. Sadeq's inspiring story of self-invention, from aspiring student in Saudi Arabia, to healthcare professional, to medical doctor, to a thriving career as a real estate investor, this lesson offers actionable insights to help students learn how anyone who aspires to reach a higher potential can pursue a self-directed approach by following principles of the Straight-A Guide.

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2. Detailed Narrative

Dr. Sadeq’s story is one of resilience and reinvention, demonstrating that regardless of past experiences, anyone can take intentional steps toward self-improvement. The key is to begin by knowing precisely what you want to achieve in life. With Dr. Sadeq's story, we also see that success at one level can open opportunities to succeed at another level.

Raised in Saudi Arabia within a traditional Asian household, Dr. Sadeq faced immense pressure to perform academically. From a young age, he learned that success came through hard work and dedication, values instilled by his family.

His aspirations extended far beyond the confines of his home country. He understood that he wanted to move on to other parts of the world, beyond Saudi Arabia. As an adolescent, he saw other friends of him wanting to play with toys, such as the Transformers series. Dr. Sadeq wanted to learn, and instead of asking for toys, he asked his parents to get him a copy of the Encyclopedia Brittanica.

Self-directed learning is a powerful tool that enables individuals to transcend the limitations of their circumstances and broaden their horizons. For those with curiosity and determination, knowledge becomes a gateway to understanding the world beyond their immediate environment. Through our MasterClass, we see this common theme in successful people.

They often share the common trait of seeking to learn continuously, recognizing that reading allows them to engage with ideas, cultures, and perspectives they may not otherwise encounter. By immersing themselves in books, encyclopedias, or other educational resources, they cultivate a global mindset and unlock opportunities for growth. This thirst for knowledge fuels innovation and resilience, proving that even without direct experiences, the world can still be explored through the written word.

Through reading the encyclopedia, he discovered an entirely new world of possibilities that extended beyond his life in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Each chapter he encountered illuminated different careers, universities, and ways of life that were vastly different from the familiar sands of the desert. He learned about architects designing towering skyscrapers, scientists uncovering the secrets of the universe, and artists creating timeless pieces that evoked deep emotion. These stories filled him with a sense of wonder and an undeniable yearning to leave the desert behind and explore something new. The knowledge he absorbed through those pages planted a seed of ambition, inspiring him to envision a future where he could step into the unknown and build a life of discovery and growth.

Reading and independent study helped him understand what it would take to get into a great university. He'd have to compete against other students, but his desire to push for a new life motivated him to learn. He excelled academically, and earned his way into an invitation to attend McGill University, one of the highest-rated universities in the world. It would be a life-changing opportunity that aligned with his personal goal of creating a brighter future.

McGill University stands proudly in Montreal, Canada, a vibrant city known for its cultural diversity, stunning architecture, and rich history. For him, the move to Montreal was not just a geographical shift but a profound transformation of environment and experience. The colder winters and the sight of snow-covered streets were a stark contrast to the climate he had grown up in, where warmth and the desert sun dominated most of the year.

Beyond the weather, his arrival in Montreal marked his first real exposure to Western Civilization. He'd read about it in the Encyclopedia, but it was one thing to read about the changes and another thing to experience them. With its blend of innovation, tradition, and an openness that broadened his perspective, Montreal opened many learning experiences. It was here, amidst the city's unique blend of old-world charm and modernity, that he would meet his future wife—an encounter that would forever intertwine his personal story with the next chapter.

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Facing & Overcoming Challenges

Dr. Sadeq’s openness to pivoting and reinventing himself numerous times throughout his career supports what we shared in various modules of the Straight-A Guide, including the principles of Defining Success, Aspiration, and Action. He always knew what he wanted, and he pushed himself to learn and position himself for more opportunities.

Dr. Sadeq made a commitment to his studies and became certified as a physical therapist, earning a bachelor's of science degree. After graduating, he and his future wife relocated to the United States, where she attended medical school and he began his career working as a physical therapist.

During our conversation, Dr. Sadeq spoke about pivotal changes in healthcare laws that altered the dynamics of his work. What once was a career focused on directly treating and helping patients increasingly became dominated by administrative tasks and paperwork. Recognizing his dissatisfaction with this shift, he chose not to be immobilized by frustration.

Instead of resigning himself to a situation he could not control, Dr. Sadeq made the courageous decision to pivot his career path. He transitioned into research, where he developed a deep curiosity for the evolving challenges in healthcare. Driven by his commitment to personal and professional growth, he began researching how he could work to advance his educational credentials while simultaneously supporting his young family. To pursue his goals, without burdening his family financially, he began researching how to obtain funding for further education. He wrote more than 180 requests for grands and scholarships. Those efforts led to his getting into a great university, earning a master's degree, which opened new career opportunities—without any financial burden on his family with tuition debt.

This choice exemplifies a vital principle that characterized his entire career, and from which we all can learn. If we want to follow in the footsteps of masters, we should never stop learning. If we want to reach our highest potential, we can even find resources to support our commitment to excellence.

Dr. Sadeq understands that the world is constantly changing, and while these changes can feel overwhelming, they should not be a source of defeat. Instead of resisting the inevitable shifts around us, we should focus on developing new skills and adapting. Growth is born from transformation, even when it feels uncomfortable.

By committing to ongoing education and self-improvement, Dr. Sadeq opened new opportunities at several states of his life. He demonstrates that success belongs to those who choose to evolve with the times rather than stands still, allows external forces to dictate what we do or what we become. He embodies a principle we teach through all our preliminary courses:

We have to live in the world as it exists, adapting in the face of change.

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As we conversed further, Dr. Sadeq shared that his unrelenting curiosity and passion for learning pushed him to take another bold step. Despite having multiple advanced degrees, he made another commitment to learning, enrolling in medical school. After several years of study, he earned an MD, and then continued to pursue advanced training that would lead to his becoming a board-certified anesthesiologist.

For 20 years, he devoted himself to the practice of anesthesiology, demonstrating excellence in his field while simultaneously building healthcare businesses that benefited his community and his family. Dr. Sadeq explained that his motivation stemmed from a belief that his purpose in life was to serve others. This guiding principle fueled his endeavors and brought a profound sense of fulfillment, as he balanced his roles as a physician, entrepreneur, and altruistic leader.

His story is a testament to the power of purpose-driven determination and the rewards of a life dedicated to helping others. Despite the financial success that followed his hard work, over time, Dr. Sadeq realized that his work was consuming his life. Professional commitments required more than 100 hours of work each week, which didn't leave sufficient time to enjoy his family.

“I wasn’t having fun anymore. Something needed to change," Dr. Sadeq shared during our conversation. Both he and his wife had devoted their lives to healthcare. They were earning a considerable income, but the tax burden meant that for every dollar they earned, they were losing 50 cents to taxes. To reach the next level in his career, he decided to follow the same principle that he had been relying upon since his adolescence: he would invest time to learn a new skill.

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Lifelong Learning as a Catalyst for Change

Despite having been extraordinarily successful as an accomplished healthcare professional, Dr. Sadeq recognized that he didn't have much knowledge on how money worked, or how high tax burdens limited his long-term success, Dr. Sadeq made a commitment to train himself more on financial literacy so he wouldn't have to rely upon guidance from wealth advisors, or others who charged fees to mange his money.

He began reading to learn about investments, tax efficiency, and wealth-building strategies. By immersing himself in books on finance and decision-making, he realized that managing money and making more tax-efficient investments wasn't as complicated as he had feared. He got motivated by books such as Money Master the Game by Tony Robbins, and proactively sought mentorship to better understand strategic investing.

This transformational period paved the way for his next pivot—from medicine to real estate investing. Dr. Sadeq and his wife began investing their own money, and then they established a real estate investment firm to help others. They specialized in two areas: buying and operating apartment buildings, or buying and operating nursing homes, to serve America's aging population. Both types of asset classes offered opportunities to leverage their knowledge and expertise, while simultaneously offering more efficient tax planning. Their typical investments exceed $20 million in value, with some exceeding $100 million. By collaborating with others, their company has built a portfolio of assets under management that exceed $750 million in value.

His methodical commitment to lifelong learning reinforces all that we teach through our introductory courses, including the Straight-A Guide. No one should work harder on our personal development than we're willing to work.

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Applying Lessons in Adversity

For those in confinement, Dr. Sadeq’s story offers profound guidance on how to maximize one’s time while facing adversity. His ability to reframe challenges as opportunities, coupled with structured self-reflection, embodies the essence of using small, daily actions to achieve large, long-term goals. TOFLL0nHh0c

Aspiring to a higher purpose, Dr. Sadeq leveraged every experience as a stepping stone for growth. His message to students mirrors the lessons of the Straight-A Guide:

Invest in yourself,
Focus on incremental progress, and
Develop a love of learning and personal development.

“I regret not understanding finance sooner, but I realize now it’s never too late to learn," Dr. Sadeq reflected. This mindset is a direct invitation for individuals in confinement to view their time as an opportunity to emerge stronger, smarter, and more prepared to succeed.

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3. Vocabulary Development

Resilience – The ability to recover and adapt after facing difficulties.
Pivot – Shifting focus or strategy to remain aligned with goals.
Financial Literacy – The ability to understand and effectively manage finances.
Empowerment – Gaining confidence to take control of your life decisions.
Wealth-Building – Generating long-term financial growth through strategic investments.
Mentorship – Guidance and support from someone experienced in a specific field.
Syndication – Pooling resources for investment in large projects.
Efficient – Achieving maximum productivity with minimal waste.
Incremental – Achieving goals step-by-step, progressively building toward success.
Legacy – The lasting impact of someone’s actions and contributions.

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4. Self-Directed Reflection Questions

What lessons from Dr. Sadeq’s career pivots resonate most with you?
How can you adopt Dr. Sadeq’s strategies to overcome challenges with resilience and financial literacy?
What small, manageable steps can you take to start achieving your long-term goals today?
What fears or uncertainties are preventing you from reinventing yourself, and how can you overcome them?
How does mentorship play a role in achieving success?
How can tracking incremental progress help keep you accountable?
What talents or skills do you possess that can add value to others?
How do you define success, and how is that influencing your current actions?
What books, courses, or mentors can you use to improve in the areas you struggle most?
How can the principles of resilience and preparation guide your future endeavors?

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5. Recommended Books

Money Master the Game by Tony Robbins

This book offers a roadmap to financial literacy, teaching readers about investments, compounding, and tax efficiency. Robbins emphasizes strategic planning, a lesson that aligns with how Dr. Sadeq transformed his financial future.
Key Quote: “Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world.”

Grit by Angela Duckworth

Duckworth’s examination of perseverance mirrors Dr. Sadeq’s determination to overcome setbacks and reinvent himself.
Key Quote: “Grit is passion and perseverance for very long-term goals. It’s like living life as a marathon, not a sprint.”

The Millionaire Real Estate Investor by Gary Keller

This guide captures the essential lessons for succeeding in real estate—an area where Dr. Sadeq excels. It provides actionable strategies for beginners to start building wealth through property investments.
Key Quote: “Financial wealth is achieved by doing what rich people do, not by doing what poor people do.”

Unshakable by Tony Robbins

This empowering book distills actionable financial advice for creating long-term security and achieving peace of mind. It serves as a roadmap for managing investments and navigating market uncertainties with confidence, aligning with Dr. Sadeq’s expertise in fostering financial resilience.
Key Quote: “The secret to wealth is simple: find a way to do more for others than anyone else does. Become more valuable. Do more. Give more. Be more. Serve more.”

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6. Recap of Straight-A Guide Lessons

Define Success – Dr. Sadeq’s success began with a clear vision of where he wanted his life to lead.
Set Clear Goals – From obtaining scholarships to mastering investments, every step aligned with those goals.
Right Attitude – His hunger for growth and optimism guided him through setbacks.
Aspire Higher – Each pivot in his career reflects an aspiration to improve personally and professionally.
Take Action – Dr. Sadeq’s story exemplifies the importance of consistent, disciplined steps.
Accountability – He held himself accountable, documenting progress and refining his goals.
Awareness – Understanding opportunities in health care and real estate helped him succeed.
Authenticity – His honest, purpose-driven approach built trust and credibility.
Achievement – Celebrating his wins, Dr. Sadeq also embraced learning from his failures.
Gratitude – Giving back underscores his values and fuels long-term fulfillment.

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7. Sample Response

As an example, I'd like to provide a sample response to one of the self-directed learning questions. If I had an opportunity to learn from Dr. Sadeq while I was incarcerated, I would have responded to each of those questions, developing the response in a way that would show my commitment to self-directed learning. We cannot wait on the prison system to change our lives. We've got to work continuously to develop new skills. We can always develop writing skills, critical-thinking skills, or a self-directed work ethic. I encourage you to my response as a sample, and think about how publishing it could lead to a stronger support network. Build a profile on Prison Professors Talent and publish your responses, if you think the effort is worth the energy. That strategy worked for me, and I'm convinced it can work for any student in our course.

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Sample Response

Question: How can you adopt Dr. Sadeq’s strategies to overcome challenges with resilience and financial literacy?

Response:

Sitting here behind these prison walls, a lot runs through my mind about resilience and financial literacy—two things I never gave much thought to before but now realize I should have. I think about the mistakes that got me here, the opportunities I missed, and the way forward once I step back into the world outside. What strikes me most about Dr. Sadeq’s story is how he turned adversity into a steppingstone, using resilience to build a future where others might have given up. That lesson isn’t just inspiring; it’s crucial for someone like me, trying to rebuild.

Resilience, to me, starts with mindset. Being in prison tests you in ways you never expect—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It strips away the comforts you’ve relied on, but it also forces you to confront what you’re made of. Maybe that’s the starting point, where you learn to stand back up after being knocked down. Dr. Sadeq’s ability to adapt and focus during uncertain times resonates deeply. I realize that I may not control the circumstances I’m in now, but I do control my choices within them. Each day is an opportunity to reframe my situation—to use this time to grow stronger, wiser, and more prepared for the challenges to come.

Financial literacy, on the other hand, is about gaining knowledge and understanding how money works. Honestly, that’s an area where I failed before, and part of why I’ve found myself here. Money used to feel like something I could chase endlessly without thought or strategy—just a means to an end. I never stopped to ask myself if I really understood how to use it properly, how to budget, invest, or even save for the future. It’s humbling to admit, but necessary if I want to create a new path.

Dr. Sadeq’s combined focus on financial literacy and resilience offers a clear roadmap. He didn’t just learn to endure; he learned to grow by educating himself about wealth-building opportunities and making informed decisions. That’s what I’m trying to do now with the resources I have. Books, for instance, have become my greatest teachers in here. I’ve read everything I can about budgeting, saving, and investments. Sometimes it feels overwhelming, but each bit of knowledge feels like a small step toward freedom—not just physical freedom but freedom from the mindset that kept me in cycles of poor decision-making.

It’s also about humility—acknowledging that I don’t have all the answers and seeking guidance from those who’ve done it right. Dr. Sadeq’s example reminds me that even the most successful people rarely do it alone. They listen, they learn, and they are willing to ask for help. When I look ahead at my future, I see myself seeking mentorship, surrounding myself with those who share my aspirations for growth and stability. These are the people who will hold me accountable, just like I’m holding myself accountable now.

Then, there’s gratitude. One thing that stuck with me was how Dr. Sadeq focused on giving back, even as he achieved his goals. That might sound far off for someone like me, but I’m starting to understand that planting those seeds now can lead to real fulfillment later. Prison has taught me to appreciate the little things—the letters from loved ones, moments of reflection, even acts of kindness from people I never expected. Carrying that sense of gratitude into my financial and personal goals creates a balance. It keeps me grounded and reminds me that true wealth isn’t just about money but also the connections you build and the lives you impact.

Adopting these strategies won’t be easy. I’ll face plenty of roadblocks—some external and some within myself—but focusing on resilience and financial literacy is a promise I’ve made to myself. It’s about more than surviving; it’s about thriving, no matter where my starting point is. If Dr. Sadeq can do it, then so can I. I refuse to be defined by my setbacks when I have the power to create comebacks.

This time in my life is tough, no doubt about it, but I’m learning to see it as something more—as the challenge that will shape my character and determine the future I build from here.

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8. Challenge

Develop a detailed profile on Prison Professors Talent. Highlight your skills, strategies, and growth aligned with the Straight-A Guide principles. Show how you’re building a case for your ability to thrive, proving that you are an extraordinary and compelling individual worthy of higher levels of liberty. Use this exercise to document your commitment to becoming a law-abiding, contributing citizen prepared for success upon release.

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Lessons on Reinvention and Financial Literacy_MasterClass with Dr. Sadeq