
The Adversity Advantage with Doug Bopst
65-Year Prison Sentence Survivor: BRUTALLY Honest Truths You Need To Hear Before It's TOO LATE | Damon West
Apr 17, 2025
Damon West is a college professor, bestselling author, and former crime boss who served a life sentence for organized crime. In this conversation, he shares his transformation from addiction to redemption, drawing powerful parallels to 'The Shawshank Redemption.' He discusses the role of hope and mindset in overcoming prison challenges, the importance of forgiveness, and the healing power of family. Damon also highlights his community work to support children of incarcerated parents, emphasizing the significance of connection and resilience.
54:00
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Quick takeaways
- Damon West's descent into addiction showcases how quickly life can unravel due to poor choices, permanently altering one's future.
- A transformative conversation in prison led Damon to understand that individuals can change their environment rather than be changed by it.
Deep dives
The Journey from Success to Struggle
Initially, the speaker describes a successful life as a stockbroker in Dallas, characterized by achievements such as playing Division I college football. However, after an injury, addiction to meth became a turning point that led to a rapid downfall. Within 18 months, this spiral resulted in homelessness and criminal behavior, including petty theft and burglary. The stark transition underscores how quickly one's life can change due to addiction and poor choices.
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