
Sign up to save your podcasts
Or
Are You Living in a Prison Without Bars?
Some of the most locked-up people aren’t behind steel bars—they’re trapped in their own minds. My guest today, my friend Damon West, knows this better than anyone. Once a promising college quarterback, he spiraled into addiction and crime, ultimately sentenced to life in prison. But Damon didn't just survive—he transformed. He found a way to change his environment from the inside out, becoming what he calls a "coffee bean"—a force for change rather than a victim of his surroundings.
Damon’s story is unreal. He was sentenced to life but earned his way out by changing himself first. Today, he’s one of the most sought-after speakers in the world, sharing the same message that saved him. He went from practicing speeches in his parents’ spare bedroom to standing in front of NFL teams, Fortune 500 companies, and thousands of students. He’s proof that no matter how far you’ve fallen, you can rewrite your story.
This conversation is filled with raw truth and real strategies. We break down what it takes to overcome mental prisons, fear, and limiting beliefs. Damon shares how he got his first big break by refusing to take “no” for an answer and the lessons he’s learned from some of the world’s greatest leaders. And in a moment that will stay with you, he reveals a forgiveness letter from one of his victims—proof that redemption is possible.
This episode is about hope. It’s about getting back up when life knocks you down. And it’s about understanding that your past doesn’t define you—your decisions do.
✅ The coffee bean mindset—how to change your environment instead of letting it change you
✅ How Damon went from seven years in maximum security to becoming a top speaker
✅ Why you must ask the question—and how one bold move got him in front of Nick Saban and Dabo Swinney
✅ The power of gratitude and giving—how a simple keychain changed his entire life
✅ The life-changing impact of forgiveness—including the letter that changed everything
If Damon West can rebuild his life from a prison cell to flying private, what’s stopping you from making a change today? This is your wake-up call. Let’s go!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
4.9
1349913,499 ratings
Are You Living in a Prison Without Bars?
Some of the most locked-up people aren’t behind steel bars—they’re trapped in their own minds. My guest today, my friend Damon West, knows this better than anyone. Once a promising college quarterback, he spiraled into addiction and crime, ultimately sentenced to life in prison. But Damon didn't just survive—he transformed. He found a way to change his environment from the inside out, becoming what he calls a "coffee bean"—a force for change rather than a victim of his surroundings.
Damon’s story is unreal. He was sentenced to life but earned his way out by changing himself first. Today, he’s one of the most sought-after speakers in the world, sharing the same message that saved him. He went from practicing speeches in his parents’ spare bedroom to standing in front of NFL teams, Fortune 500 companies, and thousands of students. He’s proof that no matter how far you’ve fallen, you can rewrite your story.
This conversation is filled with raw truth and real strategies. We break down what it takes to overcome mental prisons, fear, and limiting beliefs. Damon shares how he got his first big break by refusing to take “no” for an answer and the lessons he’s learned from some of the world’s greatest leaders. And in a moment that will stay with you, he reveals a forgiveness letter from one of his victims—proof that redemption is possible.
This episode is about hope. It’s about getting back up when life knocks you down. And it’s about understanding that your past doesn’t define you—your decisions do.
✅ The coffee bean mindset—how to change your environment instead of letting it change you
✅ How Damon went from seven years in maximum security to becoming a top speaker
✅ Why you must ask the question—and how one bold move got him in front of Nick Saban and Dabo Swinney
✅ The power of gratitude and giving—how a simple keychain changed his entire life
✅ The life-changing impact of forgiveness—including the letter that changed everything
If Damon West can rebuild his life from a prison cell to flying private, what’s stopping you from making a change today? This is your wake-up call. Let’s go!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
23,792 Listeners
1,273 Listeners
21,163 Listeners
1,756 Listeners
3,636 Listeners
3,903 Listeners
1,398 Listeners
16,797 Listeners
32,487 Listeners
13,424 Listeners
973 Listeners
2,817 Listeners
991 Listeners
335 Listeners
2,229 Listeners
4,307 Listeners
10,119 Listeners
2,293 Listeners
2,959 Listeners
6,367 Listeners
710 Listeners
40,981 Listeners
12,913 Listeners
193 Listeners
2,005 Listeners
2,834 Listeners
901 Listeners
70 Listeners
827 Listeners
61 Listeners
157 Listeners
10 Listeners
712 Listeners
128 Listeners