Have you ever found yourself stuck in the whirlwind of wanting to help someone, but realizing that your efforts feel like they’re going nowhere? The feeling of pouring your energy, love, and advice into another person while receiving no effort or progress in return can be incredibly draining. You ask yourself over and over, “Am I helping, or am I hurting myself?”

Life doesn’t come with a fast-forward button. When we’re rebuilding from the ground up—whether it’s after incarceration, a life-changing setback, or a moment where we hit rock bottom—the path forward can feel agonizingly slow. It’s in those moments of waiting, of grinding, that impatience can creep in, whispering words of doubt and discouragement.

There comes a moment in life when you're faced with a choice—accept the weight of your past or fight for a future that feels impossibly out of reach. For me, that moment didn’t strike when the prison door slammed shut behind me. It hit the day I walked out, wearing nothing but an old T-shirt and sweatpants, clutching the reality of having to rebuild a life from the ground up.

No one succeeds alone.

Life has a way of testing us. Whether it’s a failure, a mistake, or circumstances outside of your control, setbacks can feel like insurmountable walls. They can crush your hopes, derail your plans, and make you question everything. But here’s the truth you need to hear today—your past does not define you. Your story isn’t finished. The chapter you’re in right now? Just the middle, not the ending.

How many times have you told yourself, “I’ll start tomorrow”? How many times have doubt, fear, or the weight of your past stopped you dead in your tracks? Be honest.

We all have those reasons—the roadblocks we put up, the stories we tell ourselves about why success feels out of reach.

What if every setback you’ve faced held a hidden lesson? What if every challenge was shaping you for the person you’re destined to become? If you’re reading this, chances are you're ready for a transformation. You’re ready to stop seeing setbacks as roadblocks and start viewing them as opportunities.

That little voice in your head—the one that says, “You’re not good enough,” “You’ll never make it,” and “What if you fail?”—it’s been lying to you your entire life.

When I arrived in Springfield, MO, after my release, I didn’t just see a town. I saw potential. Potential for change, for collaboration, for community. Re-entry is not a solo mission—it takes a village. My journey from incarceration to advocacy has shown me one simple truth: the strength of a community can transform lives. Here's how local partnerships can be a catalyst for better re-entry outcomes, including my own.

You’ve been through some tough times. Life has knocked you down, and the weight of doubt, fear, and hesitation lingers. That little voice in your head whispers negativity, teasing you with words like, "You can’t do this. You’re not good enough. You’ll fail just like before." But here’s the truth—that voice is a liar.

When we think about success, it’s easy to picture the big goals—earning that promotion, owning a home, running a successful business. Social media often reinforces this, bombarding us with success stories that make it seem like these achievements happen overnight. But here’s the truth no one talks about enough: the real victories, the ones that build a better life, come from small wins.