Damon West: Sentenced to Life in Prison at Age 32 | E119

In Search Of Excellence

Damon West is an inspirational speaker, author, and college professor with an extraordinary story of redemption. A former college quarterback, Damon fell into meth addiction and organized crime, leading to a life sentence in a Texas prison. During his incarceration, he transformed his life, inspired by the metaphor of a coffee bean that changes its environment. Upon his release, Damon authored four bestselling books, including "The Change Agent" and "The Coffee Bean," which have sold over 10 million copies. Now a motivational speaker and professor at the University of Houston, Damon uses his journey from addiction and crime to inspire others to embrace personal growth and resilience. His powerful narrative is one of the most compelling stories shared on this show.
Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction and Damon West's initial experience with crystal meth
1:29 - Welcome to the podcast and Damon's background
3:03 - Damon’s family and upbringing in Port Arthur, Texas
4:14 - Childhood trauma and its impact
6:16 - Early exposure to adult behaviors
8:20 - Early substance use and athletic career
10:22 - Dealing with the aftermath of molestation
12:05 - Becoming a star athlete
14:15 - The pressures and challenges of being a star athlete
16:27 - College football and introduction to hardcore drugs
20:56 - First exposure to meth and rapid addiction
22:10 - Descent into criminal behavior
25:50 - High-functioning addicts and the dangers they face
28:14 - Becoming a criminal to fund addiction
31:06 - The first burglary and escalation of crimes
32:57 - Arrest by the SWAT team
33:07 - Initial experiences in jail and realization of the situation
35:57 - Impact on family and conversations after sentencing
41:08 - Promises to his mother about prison conduct
47:59 - Advice from Muhammad and the concept of being a "coffee bean"
51:58 - First day in prison and the decision to fight
56:39 - Earning respect through basketball
1:00:02 - Final fight and handling threats in prison

Sponsors:
Sandee | Bliss: Beaches
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Chapters

1. Introduction and Damon West's initial experience with crystal meth (00:00:00)

2. Welcome and Damon's background (00:01:29)

3. Damon’s family and upbringing in Port Arthur, Texas (00:03:03)

4. Childhood trauma and its impact (00:04:14)

5. Early exposure to adult behaviors (00:06:16)

6. Early substance use and athletic career (00:08:20)

7. Dealing with the aftermath of molestation (00:10:22)

8. Becoming a star athlete (00:12:05)

9. The pressures and challenges of being a star athlete (00:14:15)

10. College football and introduction to hardcore drugs (00:16:27)

11. First exposure to meth and rapid addiction (00:20:56)

12. Descent into criminal behavior (00:22:10)

13. High-functioning addicts and the dangers they face (00:25:50)

14. Becoming a criminal to fund addiction (00:28:14)

15. The first burglary and escalation of crimes (00:31:06)

16. Arrest by the SWAT team (00:32:57)

17. Initial experiences in jail and realization of the situation (00:33:07)

18. Impact on family and conversations after sentencing (00:35:57)

19. Promises to his mother about prison conduct (00:41:08)

20. Advice from Muhammad and the concept of being a "coffee bean" (00:47:59)

21. First day in prison and the decision to fight (00:51:58)

22. Earning respect through basketball (00:56:39)

23. Final fight and handling threats in prison (01:00:02)