Front Row Seat with Ken Coleman Ex-Felon: The Mentality That Helped Him Survive a Max Security Prison
Aug 19, 2025
Damon West, an inspiring author and former D1 quarterback, shares his incredible journey from a promising athlete to serving time in a maximum-security prison. He discusses overcoming addiction and the transformative power of mentorship from a fellow inmate. West emphasizes the importance of resilience, gratitude, and daily routines in prison life, offering mental strategies that can help anyone face adversity. His story is a powerful reminder that our past does not define us, and redemption is always possible.
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Life Sentence Shock And Turning Point
- Damon West describes getting a 65-year sentence and the shock in the courtroom that crushed his hope.
- He immediately thought his life was over and shifted to worry about the pain he caused his parents.
Injury As The Fork In The Road
- Damon pinpoints a career-ending football injury as the fork-in-the-road that shattered his identity.
- He turned to drugs within weeks because he couldn't live life on life’s terms.
From Savings To Arrest
- Damon explains the escalation from savings to homelessness to burglaries over 18 months to fund his meth habit.
- He ultimately stole a car from a police impound and knew he was on borrowed time before arrest.
