Damon West, a former college quarterback, faced a life sentence for drug-related crimes. However, he transformed his life in prison by embracing the metaphor of a coffee bean, which symbolizes the power to create positive change in any situation.

After his football career at the University of North Texas ended prematurely due to a shoulder injury, West turned to cocaine to fill the void. Despite achieving success as a stockbroker and even working for congress, his addiction eventually led him to the streets of Dallas. There, he was introduced to crystal meth and quickly spiraled into a life of crime to sustain his addiction. This led to his arrest and a daunting 65-year prison sentence.

In prison, West was warned to join a gang or get tattoos for protection. However, an encounter with an older inmate named Mr. Jackson changed his life. Jackson shared a powerful message with Damon: the strongest man in prison walks alone and does not succumb to the pressures of joining a gang. This encounter sparked a spiritual awakening within Damon, igniting a newfound determination to turn his life around.

During his incarceration, Damon discovered the “coffee bean” message from Mr. Jackson. This message inspired him to change his life and become a better person. He learned that, like a coffee bean changing with the application of heat and pressure, he was capable of changing the environment around him. Armed with a program of recovery, a renewed faith, and a miraculous second chance at life, Damon emerged from over seven years of prison a changed man.

Today, Damon lives a life of recovery and service, sharing his story all over the country with schools, churches, athletic teams, corporations, conferences, and inside correctional facilities. His #BeACoffeeBean message has inspired thousands from Walmart to the US Army to the NBA. Damon’s story has been featured both nationally and globally. His second book, The Coffee Bean, co-authored with best-selling author Jon Gordon, became an instant best-seller and a part of Forbes’ “Top Twenty Books You Need to Read to Crush 2020.”

Damon is passionate about the Coffee Bean message and loves sharing how it changed his life and how it can change yours, too. His story of redemption, grit and determination continues to inspire audiences today. His story serves as a reminder that success is not limited to those with abundant resources or privileged backgrounds. He firmly believes that anyone can achieve success by following a formula of determination, resilience, and self-belief.