Damon West, the keynote speaker at ASCII Edge in Boston, joins Uncle Marv to discuss his extraordinary life story. West begins by praising ASCII Edge for their exceptional client relationships and event organization. West recounts his past as a Division 1 starting quarterback at the University of North Texas, whose career was cut short by injury. This led to substance abuse issues, which escalated when he was introduced to methamphetamine while working as a stockbroker in Dallas. His addiction spiraled out of control, resulting in a life of crime and eventually a life sentence for organized crime. 

The turning point in West's life came in Dallas County Jail, where he met a seasoned convict named Muhammad. Muhammad shared the powerful analogy of the coffee bean, encouraging West to be like a coffee bean that changes its environment rather than being changed by it. This philosophy transformed West's outlook and behavior in prison. West describes how he became a positive influence in prison, helping others and maintaining a hopeful attitude. His transformation was so significant that after seven years, the parole board interviewed him and ultimately released him. West now lives on parole until 2073 but has become a sought-after motivational speaker and author. 

The interview touches on West's efforts to find Muhammad after his release, only to discover he had passed away. In honor of Muhammad's impact, West established a scholarship in his name for students from Muhammad's old neighborhood. West concludes by mentioning his books, including "The Coffee Bean: A Simple Lesson to Create Positive Change" and his autobiography "The Change Agent." 

Buy the Books!

• The Coffee Bean: A Simple Lesson to Create Positive Change: https://amzn.to/4djhdxr
• The Change Agent: https://amzn.to/3WfXk3s

Key Takeaways: 

• Adversity can be an opportunity for personal growth and transformation
• The power of positive thinking and hope in overcoming challenges
• The importance of being a "coffee bean" - changing your environment rather than letting it change you
• The impact of servant leadership and believing in others
• The value of education and giving back to the community

=== Show Information

• Website: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/
• Host: Marvin Bee
• Uncle Marv’s Amazon Store: https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZ
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