Damon West: From A Loving Home To Lifetime In Prison | E51

Damon West is an ex-meth addict and the ex-head of an organized crime ring who was sentenced to life in prison for his crimes.  Today, he is a college professor at the University of Houston, an exceptional motivational speaker, and a best-selling author.  His story is one of the most incredible and fascinating stories I have ever heard – do not miss this episode!

(01:56) Introduction to Damon West

• Grew up in Port Arthur, Texas with supporting parents
• A black athlete on the front page of a magazine (hate mail he had to read)
• Taking a stand and doing the right thing may mean standing alone
• Being molested by a babysitter at 9 years old introduced him to adult behaviors (started smoking, drinking, and doing drugs at 10 years old)
• High-school football in Texas
• From star athlete to a career-ending injury – identity shattered
• Going back to drugs being a functional addict
• Finished college and got a job in the US Congress and UBS

(16:20) Drug addiction and descending into criminal

• Addicts give up their goals to meet their behaviors
• Successful people give up their behaviors to meet their goals
• Everything can be an addiction
• 12-step recovery program
• Falling in love with crystal meth
• Known as "The Uptown Burglar"

(24:52) Life sentence in prison

• Arrested for his crimes (6 days of a public trial and sentenced to 65 years in prison)
• Great advice from his mother
• Mr. Jackson – a ray of sunshine in prison
• Prison is all about race and gangs
• The strongest men in prison walk alone
• The coffee bean story (the most important story of his life)
• His first day in prison (you don't have to win, just fight)

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