I remember standing in that courtroom when the judge said the number out loud.
Even though I saw it coming, it hit like a freight train. That moment made everything real—my mistakes, the impact on my family, the years I couldn’t get back. I felt exposed, ashamed, and totally alone.
That’s exactly why I’m writing this.
If you’re staring down a prison sentence right now, I’ve been where you are. I know what it’s like to wonder, What the hell happens next? I didn’t have a guide when I went in. I had to figure it out the hard way.
You don’t.
The Mindset Shift That Saved Me
When I got to Taft, a minimum-security camp in California, I was still angry. Angry at the system, at my co-defendants, at myself.
I spent weeks blaming everyone and everything. And all that did was waste time I couldn’t afford to lose.
Eventually, I had to decide: am I going to use this time to feel sorry for myself—or am I going to get serious about rebuilding?
That wasn’t some inspirational moment. It was survival. I stopped asking Why me? and started asking What now? That shift was the foundation for everything that came next.
I Didn’t Understand the System—And That Almost Cost Me
Nobody walked me through RDAP, halfway house eligibility, good time credits, or supervised release. Not my lawyer. Not my judge. Not even my probation officer.
So when I got inside, I started learning everything—how the system really works. How to shorten my sentence. How to earn back time. How to position myself for reentry.
That knowledge gave me confidence again. Gave me purpose. Today, it’s one of the first things I teach clients: Don’t go in blind. Learn how the system works before you step inside. The more you know, the more control you have.
Going It Alone Is a Trap
In the beginning, I tried to do it all by myself. I didn’t want to “burden” my family. I figured I’d just serve my time, then deal with the fallout after.
Big mistake.
The truth is, your support system is one of your biggest assets. Whether it’s your spouse, your kids, a best friend, or even a coach—bring people into the process. Let them see your progress. Let them help you hold yourself accountable.
One client I worked with completely turned a corner once he started sharing updates with his family. It didn’t just help him—it helped them, too. And it built trust he’s still leaning on today.
You Can Waste Time in Prison—Or Use It to Build Something
Once I got out of denial, I built a routine. Nothing flashy—just structure. I got up early. I read every day. I wrote. I planned. I trained. I mapped out the next version of my life.
A lot of guys thought I was crazy. Some even laughed. But when I got out, I had a manuscript, a plan, and momentum. They didn’t.
If you’re headed inside, ask yourself: What will I do with my time?
Because here’s the truth—prison is full of people killing time. You can be different. You can build something while you’re in there. But no one’s going to do it for you.
Reentry Doesn’t Start on Release Day. It Starts Now.
I didn’t wait until my final months to prep for reentry. I started week one.
I documented my routine. I wrote about what I was learning. I saved letters. I showed growth—real, steady progress that probation officers and employers could see.
You can’t fake that stuff at the last minute. If you wait until the halfway house to start “being serious,” people will see right through it.
Start now. Show your value now. That’s how you earn trust. That’s how you come home faster, with more freedom.
Small Wins = Big Momentum
My first win? I wrote a blog post from prison. Nothing fancy—just a few hundred words about what I’d learned.
That blog led to another. Then a manuscript. Then a career.
The point? Don’t wait for a breakthrough. Start with what you can do today. A letter. A journal entry. A walk. A workout. A promise you keep to yourself.
Stack those wins, and momentum will carry you further than motivation ever could.
One Last Thing
You might feel like your life just ended.
It didn’t.
This chapter—this hard, ugly, uncomfortable chapter—can be the one that changes everything. But only if you stop waiting, and start building.
If you want to talk about how to do that, join our Monday webinar. No fluff. Just real strategies, real stories, and real people who’ve been through it.
The sentence is done—but it doesn’t get the final say. What happens next? That’s on you.
