NFX #33: The Journey of a Former Meth Addict Turned FBI Volunteer w/ Ed Kressy

Ed Kressy had a lot of opportunities in life: college education, career with Genentech (named Fortune Magazine's Number One "Best Company to Work For"), home ownership in San Francisco.

Yet he threw it all, and much more, away to two decades of drug addiction. He spent months in jail, and years in destitution. His final 11 devastating years of addiction to methamphetamine resulted in harrowing psychosis, including extreme paranoia around the FBI.

After getting clean in 2008, he discovered: Just because you're done with drugs, doesn't mean drugs are done with you. He continued to battle severe mental health challenges.

Fortunately, amazing individuals inspired him to pursue a path of self-improvement, spirituality, and service to others. In 2019, FBI Director Christopher Wray recognized him with his Director's Community Leadership Award.

His inspiring transformation is the subject of his upcoming book, My Addiction & Recovery: Just Because You're Done with Drugs, Doesn't Mean Drugs Are Done with You (Lifestyle Entrepreneurs Press, April 2020).

His articles appear in The Washington Post, the San Francisco Chronicle, and Vox. He has appeared on stage for The Moth.

He volunteers for the FBI and Police Department in his hometown of San Francisco, helping their outreach to communities affected by incarceration and addiction.

He spends days and weekends in California state prisons, volunteering for organizations (Defy Ventures and Hustle 2.0) that deliver training in entrepreneurism and employment for currently and formerly incarcerated men and women.

He leads a weekly Toastmasters-style meeting in a women's unit of San Francisco County Jail.

https://www.amazon.com/My-Addiction-Recovery-Because-Doesnt/dp/1950367169
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2019/05/03/i-was-meth-addict-thief-today-im-being-honored-by-fbi/
https://www.vox.com/first-person/2016/12/1/13779148/meth-drug-addiction-help